Quantitative Ecology: Measurement, Models and Scaling

ISBN-13: 9780126278651 / Angielski / Twarda / 2009 / 432 str.

R. Schneider

Opis

A follow-up to the highly successful first edition, this book reviews the manifold ways that scale influences the interpretation of ecological variation. As scale, magnitude, quantity, and measurement occupy an expanding role in ecology, this 2e will be an indispensable addition to individual and institutional libraries. In providing a context for resolution of ecological problems, ecologists will appreciate the significance of scale and magnitude addressed in this book. Written for advanced undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty researchers, this book synthesizes a burgeoning literature on the influences of scale.

* Expanded by numerous explanatory figures and wide coverage of material
* Topic is of crucial importance to ecologists
* The most thorough, complete coverage available on quantitative ecology in the market

Recenzje

"Quantitative Ecology is a worthwhile addition to the reference shelf, and will particularly speak to those coming from physical to environmental sciences. The author assumes very little prior knowledge of science or mathematics and introduces a wide range of terminology and notation using clear language and simple formulas. The text teaches students that com- plex environmental questions (e.g., global warming) are best approached using multiscale analysis. Students are walked through techniques for analyzing and ag- gregating data at a variety of scales and are encouraged to select appropriate ratio-scale units for such analyses. Students are also encouraged to think through the suitability of statistical techniques for a particular set of measurements, paying attention to the type of measurement, physical context, and dimension." --Quarterly Review of Biology, Volume 87

Spis treści

1. Quantitative Reasoning in Ecology2. Scale in Ecology3. Measured Quantities4. Units and Dimensions5. Rescaling Quantities6. Dimensions7. The Geography and Chronology of Quantities8. Quantities Derived from Sequential Measurements9. Ensemble Quantities: Weighted Sums10. Ensemble Quantities: Variability11. The Scope of Quantities12. The Scope of Research Programs13. Equations14. Coordinating Equations: Derivatives15. Equations and Uncertainty16. Power Laws and Scaling Theory

O autorze

David M. Schneider is Managing Partner and Americas Theatre Leader for Strategic Change Consulting at PricewaterhouseCoopers. Prior to joining PricewaterhouseCoopers, David was with General Electric in engineering and operations roles. He is a frequent speaker on the impact of new technologies on competitiveness and has served as an advisor to a number of Internet firms. David resides in Los Angeles with his wife Diane.