Description
Book SynopsisOne of the first textbooks in this emerging important field of ecology. Most of ecology is about metabolism: the ways that organisms use energy and materials. The energy requirements of individuals their metabolic rates vary predictably with their body size and temperature.
Trade Review“If you want a thorough, up-to-date coverage of research based upon the MTE and its many applications, this book is a must-read.” (Ecology, 1 January 2013)
“Intended to be accessible to upper-level undergraduates, the book should be widely-read by anyone who seeks a more powerful science of ecology.” (
British Ecological Society Bulletin, 1 December 2012)
“The book is copiously illustrated, and the complex mathematics limited and treated discreetly so the nonmathematician can follow the logic. A necessary read for ecologists. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above.” (Choice, 1 November 2012)
Table of ContentsNotes on contributors vii
Preface xiv
Introduction: Metabolism as the basis for a theoretical unification of ecology 1
James H. Brown, Richard M. Sibly, and Astrid Kodric-Brown
Part I Foundations 7
1 Methodological tools 9
Ethan P. White, Xiao Xiao, Nick J. B. Isaac, and Richard M. Sibly
2 The metabolic theory of ecology and its central equation 21
James H. Brown and Richard M. Sibly
3 Stoichiometry 34
Michael Kaspari
4 Modeling metazoan growth and ontogeny 48
Andrew J. Kerkhoff
5 Life history 57
Richard M. Sibly
6 Behavior 67
April Hayward, James F. Gillooly, and Astrid Kodric-Brown
7 Population and community ecology 77
Nick J.B. Isaac, Chris Carbone, and Brian Mcgill
8 Predator–prey relations and food webs 86
Owen L. Petchey and Jennifer A. Dunne
9 Ecosystems 99
Kristina J. Anderson-Teixeira and Peter M. Vitousek
10 Rates of metabolism and evolution 112
John L. Gittleman and Patrick R. Stephens
11 Biodiversity and its energetic and thermal controls 120
David Storch
Part II Selected Organisms and Topics 133
12 Microorganisms 135
Jordan G. Okie
13 Phytoplankton 154
Elena Litchman
14 Land plants: new theoretical directions and empirical prospects 164
Brian J. Enquist and Lisa Patrick Bentley
15 Marine invertebrates 188
Mary I. O’connor and John F. Bruno
16 Insect metabolic rates 198
James S. Waters and Jon F. Harrison
17 Terrestrial vertebrates 212
William Karasov
18 Seabirds and marine mammals 225
Daniel P. Costa and Scott A. Shaffer
19 Parasites 234
Ryan F. Hechinger, Kevin D. Lafferty, and Armand M. Kuris
20 Human ecology 248
Marcus J. Hamilton, Oskar Burger, and Robert S. Walker
Part III Practical Applications 259
21 Marine ecology and fisheries 261
Simon Jennings, Ken H. Andersen, and Julia L. Blanchard
22 Conservation biology 271
Alison G. Boyer and Walter Jetz
23 Climate change 280
Kristina J. Anderson-Teixeira, Felisa A. Smith, and S. K. Morgan Ernest
24 Beyond biology 293
Melanie E. Moses and Stephanie Forrest
25 Synthesis and prospect 302
James H. Brown, Richard M. Sibly, and Astrid Kodric-Brown
Glossary 306
References 309
Index 361
