The Economy of Nature

by Robert E. Ricklefs

Book Overview

This classic introductory text is best known for its vivid examples fromnatural history, comprehensive coverage of evolution, and quantitative approach. The Sixth Edition builds on the book's hallmark features: its strong evolutionary focus, its breadth and diverse set of examples, its extensive coverage of behavioral ecology, and a thorough presentation of population ecology.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0716786974
• ISBN13: 9780716786979
• Release Date: December 2008
• Publisher: W. H. Freeman
• Length: 700 Pages
• Weight: 2.73 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 8.5" x 10.9"

Customer Reviews

Looks good

Book was in fairly good shape and the previous owner sent it in a timely fashion.

Lifesaver.

I admit, at first I could feel my eyeballs melting from the pedantic aura that radiated from the Economy of Nature. The text followed a simple, formulaic method of teaching: each chapter began with a generalization, usually relating chapter concepts to a current issue, before dissecting the topic from the easiest to most difficult concepts. The material was essentially mathematical based on the graphs and equations normally associated with ecology, and the section on population growth is particularly helpful if you're a bit rocky with incorporating all the rates to calculate the net growth. It was boring, boring, boring, but it was concise and saved my arse on final exams. If you're taking intro bio, I would recommend this as supplementary reading. It's definitely not as wordy as the average bio textbook, but you'll learn loads more about ecology and the math involved isn't tricky. The formulas are explained well, so even if you find it challenging you'll get the hang of it in no time.

Good info, but I don't think ecology is a real science.

This is a decent textbook as an introduction to ecology. It contains alot of good information and integrates quite a bit of mathematics and graphs into the material being presented. However, I am convinced that ecology is not a real science.