An Introduction to Methods and Models in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology / / ed. by Stanton Braude, Bobbi S. Low.

• Superior document: Title is part of eBook package: De Gruyter Princeton University Press eBook-Package Backlist 2000-2013
• MitwirkendeR: Beck, James,; Braude, Stanton,; Engineer, Cawas Behram,; Gaskin, John,; Harmon, Luke J.,; Hess, Jon,; Kolbe, Jason J.,; Kozak, Kenneth H.,; Low, Bobbi S.,; McGaha, Rebecca,; Robertson, James,; Scherer, Tara,; Silverman, Emily,; Sparks-Jackson, Beth,; Weisstein, Anton,
• HerausgeberIn: Braude, Stanton,; Low, Bobbi S.,
• Place / Publishing House: Princeton, NJ : : Princeton University Press, , [2010]; ©2010
• Year of Publication: 2010
• Language: English
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (312 p.) :; 72 halftones. 12 line illus. 80 tables.

This unique textbook introduces undergraduate students to quantitative models and methods in ecology, behavioral ecology, evolutionary biology, and conservation. It explores the core concepts shared by these related fields using tools and practical skills such as experimental design, generating phylogenies, basic statistical inference, and persuasive grant writing. And contributors use examples from their own cutting-edge research, providing diverse views to engage students and broaden their understanding. This is the only textbook on the subject featuring a collaborative "active learning" approach that emphasizes hands-on learning. Every chapter has exercises that enable students to work directly with the material at their own pace and in small groups. Each problem includes data presented in a rich array of formats, which students use to answer questions that illustrate patterns, principles, and methods. Topics range from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and population effective size to optimal foraging and indices of biodiversity. The book also includes a comprehensive glossary. In addition to the editors, the contributors are James Beck, Cawas Behram Engineer, John Gaskin, Luke Harmon, Jon Hess, Jason Kolbe, Kenneth H. Kozak, Robert J. Robertson, Emily Silverman, Beth Sparks-Jackson, and Anton Weisstein. Provides experience with hypothesis testing, experimental design, and scientific reasoning Covers core quantitative models and methods in ecology, behavioral ecology, evolutionary biology, and conservation Turns "discussion sections" into "thinking labs" Professors: A supplementary Instructor's Manual is available for this book. It is restricted to teachers using the text in courses. For information on how to obtain a copy, refer to: http://press.princeton.edu/class_use/solutions.html

Table of Contents

Frontmatter -- Contents -- Figures -- Tables -- Preface -- Acknowledgments -- Introduction -- Section I. Evolutionary Biology -- 1. Evolution and Pesticide Resistance: Examining Quantitative Trends Visually -- 2. Lizard Ecomorphology: Generating and Testing Hypotheses of Adaptation -- 3. Phylogenetic Inference: Examining Morphological and Molecular Datasets -- 4. Life History Tradeoffs in Avian Clutch Size: Interpreting Life History Data and Evaluating Alternative Hypotheses -- 5. Mimicry: Experimental Design and Scientific Logic -- Section II. Demography and Population Ecology -- 6. Life Table Analysis -- 7. Lotka-Volterra Competition Modeling -- 8. Explosive Population Growth and Invasive Exotic Species -- 9. Island Biogeography: Evaluating Correlational Data and Testing Alternative Hypotheses -- Section III. Population Genetics -- 10. Hardy-Weinberg: Evaluating Disequilibrium Forces -- 11. Drift, Demographic Stochasticity, and Extinction in Woggles -- 12. Conservation of Small Populations: Effective Population Sizes, Inbreeding, and the 50/500 Rule -- 13. Dispersal and Metapopulation Structure -- Section IV. Quantitative Ecological Tools -- 14. Understanding Descriptive Statistics -- 15. Understanding Statistical Inference -- 16. Sampling Wild Populations -- 17. Quantifying Biodiversity -- 18. Environmental Predictability and Life History -- 19. Modeling Optimal Foraging -- Section V. Synthetic Exercises and Writing Assignments -- 20. Evaluating Competing Hypotheses of Regional Biodiversity -- 21. Preparing and Evaluating Competitive Grant Proposals for Conservation Funding -- 22. Tracing the History of Scientific Ideas: From Darwin, Connell, or Soule to the Present -- Glossary -- Contributors -- Index