The Economy of Nature (7^th Ed.)

In this introductory ecology textbook, Ricklefs (biology, U. of Missouri, St. Louis) describes the ways in which organisms adapt to their surroundings. Twenty-six chapters discuss such topics as biological communities, nutrient regeneration in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, sex and evolution, population growth and regulation, competition, predation, biodiversity, global ecology and economics, extinction, and conservation. More than 30 case studies found throughout the text describe classic and current field and laboratory research. The text is accompanied by numerous color photographs and illustrations.

The Economy of Nature, seventh edition maintains this book's signature evolutionary perspective, coverage of population genetics, and emphasis on the quantitative aspects of the field, but it has been completely rewritten for today's undergraduates - with extensive new pedagogy, fresh, and immediate examples (including more aquatic coverage).