The features of this textbook are unique and were carefully planned to enhance the students' comprehension of ecology. All chapters beyond the introductory chapter 1 are based on a distinctive learning system, featuring the following key components:

Introduction: The introduction to each chapter presents the student with the flavor of the subject and important background information. Some introductions include historical events related to the subject; others present an example of an ecological process. All attempt to engage students and draw them into the discussion that follows.

Concepts: The goal of this book is to build a foundation of ecological knowledge around key concepts. These key concepts are listed after the chapter introduction to alert the student to the major topics to follow, and to provide a place where the student can find a list of the important points of each chapter. The sections in which concepts are discussed reinforce concepts with a focus on published studies. This case-study approach supports the concepts with evidence, and introduces students to the methods and people that have created the discipline of ecology.

Applications: Many undergraduate students want to know how abstract ideas and general relationships can be applied to the ecological problems facing us all. They are concerned with the practical side of ecology and want to know more about the tools of science. Including a few applications in each chapter motivates students to learn more of the underlying principles of ecology. In addition, it seems that environmental problems are now so numerous and so pressing that they have erased a once easy distinction between general and applied ecology.

"The idea of Applications sections in the chapter is excellent."

—Frank S. Gilliam
Marshall University

"Investigating the Evidence" Boxes: These important readings offer "mini-lessons" on the scientific method, emphasizing statistics and study design. They are intended to present a broad outline of the process of science, while also providing step-by-step explanation. The series of boxes begins in chapter 1 with an overview of the scientific method, which provides a conceptual context for more specific material in the next 21 chapters. The last reading wraps up the series with a discussion on electronic literature searches.

"What I really like are the Investigating the Evidence (boxes) scattered through the chapters. This is an absolutely brilliant way to encourage quantification especially if there is no lab associated with the course."

—Peter E. Busher
Boston University

Illustrations: A great deal of effort has been put into the development of illustrations, both photographs and line art. The goal has been to create more effective pedagogical tools through skillful design and use of color, and to rearrange the traditional presentation of information in figures and captions. Much explanatory material is located within the illustrations, providing students with key information where they need it most.

"I love the boxes in the illustrations! I think they facilitate both the reading and comprehension for the students. I think this style is the most helpful with the graphs and charts."

—Tatiana Roth
Coppin State College

End-of-Chapter Material:

• Summary The chapter summary reviews the main points of the content. The concepts around which each chapter is organized are boldfaced and redefined in the summary to emphasize once again the main points of the chapter.
• Key Terms
• Review Questions The review questions are designed to help students think more deeply about each concept and to reflect on alternative views. They also provide a place to fill in any remaining gaps in the information presented and take students beyond the foundation established in the main body of the chapter.
• Suggested Readings Each chapter ends with a list of suggested readings. Though all of the readings offer the student coverage beyond the chapter content, they have been chosen to serve a variety of purposes. Some are books that provide a broad overview; others are papers that trace the development of particular topics or controversies in ecology. I have provided a brief description and rationale for each.

End-of-Book Material:

• Appendixes Three appendixes, "Statistical Tables," "Answers to Concept Review Questions," and "Answers to Critiquing the Evidence," are available to the student for reference and as study aids.
• Glossary
• References References are an important part of any scientific work. However, many undergraduates are distracted by a large number of references within the text. One of the goals of a general ecology course should be to introduce these students to the primary literature without burying them in citations. The number of citations has been reduced to those necessary to support detailed discussions of particular research projects.
• Index

"This text is extraordinarily well integrated. The recurring emphasis of how the scientific method and process are used within the methods used in each case study is very well done."

—Thomas Pliske
Florida International University