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North America contains an incredibly diverse array of natural
environments, each supporting unique systems of plant and animal
life. These systems, the largest of which are biomes, form
intricate webs of life that have taken millennia to evolve. This
richly illustrated book introduces readers to this extraordinary
array of natural communities and their subtle biological and
geological interactions.
Completely revised and updated throughout, the second edition of
this successful text takes a qualitative, intuitive approach to the
subject, beginning with an overview of essential ecological terms
and concepts, such as competitive exclusion, taxa, niches, and
succession. It then goes on to describe the major biomes and
communities that characterize the rich biota of the continent,
starting with the Tundra and continuing with Boreal Forest,
Deciduous Forest, Grasslands, Deserts, Montane Forests, and
Temperature Rain Forest, among others. Coastal environments,
including the Laguna Madre, seagrasses, Chesapeake Bay, and barrier
islands appear in a new chapter. Additionally, the book covers many
unique features such as pitcher plant bogs, muskeg, the polar ice
cap, the cloud forests of Mexico, and the LaBrea tar pits.
"Infoboxes" have been added; these include biographies
of historical figures who provided significant contributions to the
development of ecology, unique circumstances such as frogs and
insects that survive freezing, and conservation issues such as
those concerning puffins and island foxes. Throughout the text,
ecological concepts are worked into the text; these include
biogeography, competitive exclusion, succession, soil formation,
and the mechanics of natural selection.
Ecology of North America 2e is an ideal first text for
students interested in natural resources, environmental science,
and biology, and it is a useful and attractive addition to the
library of anyone interested in understanding and protecting the
natural environment.
Auteur
Brian R. Chapman was raised in Texas and earned degrees in zoology at Texas A&M University-Kingsville (BS) and Texas Tech University (MS, PhD). Before his present appointment as the Senior Research Scientist at the Texas Research Institute for Environmental Studies, Sam Houston State University, he held professorships at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and the University of Georgia; he also served as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Sam Houston State University and provost and vice president for academic affairs at universities in Texas and North Carolina. He is the author or coauthor of more than 150 refereed articles and book chapters.
Eric G. Bolen earned degrees in wildlife ecology and management at the University of Maine (BS) and Utah State University (MS, PhD). Before retiring, he taught at Texas A&M Kingsville, Texas Tech University and the University of North Carolina Wilmington where he served as dean of the Graduate School; he also held the position of assistant director of the Welder Wildlife Foundation. He is the author or coauthor of more than 200 publications, including several editions of the textbooks Wildlife Ecology and Management and Waterfowl Ecology and Management.
Texte du rabat
North America contains an incredibly diverse array of natural environments, each supporting unique systems of plant and animal life. These systems, the largest of which are biomes, form intricate webs of life that have taken millennia to evolve. This richly illustrated book introduces readers to this extraordinary array of natural communities and their subtle biological and geological interactions.
Completely revised and updated throughout, the second edition of this successful text takes a qualitative, intuitive approach to the subject, beginning with an overview of essential ecological terms and concepts, such as competitive exclusion, taxa, niches, and succession. It then goes on to describe the major biomes and communities that characterize the rich biota of the continent, starting with the Tundra and continuing with Boreal Forest, Deciduous Forest, Grasslands, Deserts, Montane Forests, and Temperature Rain Forest, among others. Coastal environments, including the Laguna Madre, seagrasses, Chesapeake Bay, and barrier islands appear in a new chapter. Additionally, the book covers many unique features such as pitcher plant bogs, muskeg, the polar ice cap, the cloud forests of Mexico, and the LaBrea tar pits. Infoboxes have been added; these include biographies of historical figures who provided significant contributions to the development of ecology, unique circumstances such as frogs and insects that survive freezing, and conservation issues such as those concerning puffins and island foxes. Throughout the text, ecological concepts are worked into the text; these include biogeography, competitive exclusion, succession, soil formation, and the mechanics of natural selection.
Ecology of North America 2e is an ideal first text for students interested in natural resources, environmental science, and biology, and it is a useful and attractive addition to the library of anyone interested in understanding and protecting the natural environment.
Contenu
Foreword viii
Preface ix
Acknowledgments xi
1 Introduction 1
A brief overview of ecology 1
The ecosystem 2
Abiotic limits 3
Climate and topography 4
Soils and soil profiles 4
Biotic community 6
Community succession 6
Plant succession: from pioneer to climax 6
Primary and secondary succession 6
Succession and species abundance 7
The biome concept 7
Biodiversity 7
The species richness gradient 8
Biodiversity hotspots 8
Patterns of distribution 9
Continental patterns 9
Geographical and ecological distribution 10
Some ecological concepts 10
Niches 10
Ecological equivalents 12
Bergmann's rule 12
Allen's rule 13
Readings and references 14
2 Tundra 17
Climatic and glacial influences 17
Soils and geological influences 17
Permafrost 18
Patterned ground 18
Eskers and tundra wildlife 20
Glacial refugia 21
Features and adaptations 21
Plant adaptations to harsh conditions 21
Plant growth and reproduction 22
Decomposition and soil nutrients 23
Some animal adaptations 23
Major vegetative communities 24
Shrub tundra 25
Dwarf birch heath 25
Cottongrass heath 25
Fellfields 25
Invertebrates and tundra ecology 25
Selected tundra mammals 26
Lemmings 26
Arctic ground squirrels 27
Arctic foxes 28
Barren?]ground caribou 28
Selected tundra birds 29
Gyrfalcons 29
Snowy owl 30
Ross goose 30
Highlights 31
Absentees: amphibians and reptiles 31
Lichens and reindeer moss 31
Snow goose eat outs 32
Alpine Tundra 33
Fragile Tundra 34
Impacts of human activity 34
Global warming 35
Readings and references 36
3 Boreal Forest 41
Climatic boundaries and soils 41
Features and adaptations 42
Plant adaptations 42
Animal adaptations 42
Frequent fires 42
Niches in the Boreal Forest 43
Selected biotic communities 44
Tree line and forest tundra 44
Muskeg 46
Coniferous swamps 46
Comparative ecology of lakes 46
Appalachian Extension 48
Mountain balds 48
Highlights 49
The 10?]year cycle 49
Wolves and moose 50
A wealth of salamanders 52
Red squirrels 53
Ecological challenges 54
Acid rain 54
Spruce budworm and DDT 55
Balsam woolly adelgid 55
The Boreal Forest Agreement 56
Readings and references 57
4 Eastern Deciduous Forest 61
Climatic boundaries and soils 61
Features and adaptations 61
The forest primeval 63
The layered forest 63
Autumn leaves 64
Ground and leaf litter 64
Mast 65
Biotic associations 66
Northern hardwoods conifer forests…