Description
Book SynopsisThis book is the perfect answer to the question What is Ecology, and why should I care?Explore the basics of Ecology by following a wide variety of real-world examples about how living things cope in all sorts of environments. Learn how ecosystems work, explore how these complicated systems go wrong, and discover what we can do to protect our planet in the future. An ideal book to explain to curious minds what ecology is all about, and what questions ecologists are trying to find answers to, from how to save dying species, to fixing ecosystems through rewilding.
Trade ReviewConveying appropriately sophisticated concepts all told in straight forward language and humorous speech bubbles. While it unflinchingly lays out the realities of global warming, its factual calm leaves the reader informed, with a sense of possibility rather than panic. * New Scientist *
Table of ContentsWhat is ecology?
The big questions
What do ecologists do?
Why is ecology important?
Chapter 1: The basics
How is life organized? How does life adapt to its environment, survive and thrive?
Chapter 2: Ecosystems explained
Find out how every part of an ecosystem works together to keep things balanced. What does it mean to be resilient? How do feedback loops work? And why is biodiversty so important?
Chapter 3: What's going wrong?
Ecosystems are constantly changing, but in the last two centuries these changes have accelerated for one main reason - people. Ecologists investigate what's happening and why.
Chapter 4: A fight worth having
Ecologists have LOTS of ideas about how to help restore ecosystems. Many of the solutions are in the hands of governments and big businesses. Getting them to make changes won't be easy, but it's a fight worth having.
Chapter 5: Being an ecologist
As well as being a science, ecology is also a way of seeing the world. Find out how you can be an ecologist and live in an ecologically-minded way.
Glossary
Index
Acknowledgements
