{"product_id":"ecology-of-north-america-isbn-9781118971543","title":"Ecology of North America","description":"\u003cp\u003eNorth 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.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCompletely 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.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eEcology of North America\u003c\/i\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eForeword viii\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePreface ix\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAcknowledgments xi\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e1 Introduction 1\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eA brief overview of ecology 1\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe ecosystem 2\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAbiotic limits 3\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eClimate and topography 4\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSoils and soil profiles 4\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBiotic community 6\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCommunity succession 6\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePlant succession: from pioneer to climax 6\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePrimary and secondary succession 6\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSuccession and species abundance 7\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe biome concept 7\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBiodiversity 7\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe “species richness gradient” 8\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBiodiversity “hotspots” 8\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePatterns of distribution 9\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eContinental patterns 9\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGeographical and ecological distribution 10\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSome ecological concepts 10\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eNiches 10\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEcological equivalents 12\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBergmann’s rule 12\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAllen’s rule 13\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReadings and references 14\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e2 Tundra 17\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eClimatic and glacial influences 17\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSoils and geological influences 17\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePermafrost 18\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePatterned ground 18\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEskers and tundra wildlife 20\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGlacial refugia 21\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFeatures and adaptations 21\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePlant adaptations to harsh conditions 21\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePlant growth and reproduction 22\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDecomposition and soil nutrients 23\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSome animal adaptations 23\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMajor vegetative communities 24\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eShrub tundra 25\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDwarf birch heath 25\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCottongrass heath 25\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFellfields 25\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eInvertebrates and tundra ecology 25\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSelected tundra mammals 26\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLemmings 26\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eArctic ground squirrels 27\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eArctic foxes 28\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBarren]ground caribou 28\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSelected tundra birds 29\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGyrfalcons 29\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSnowy owl 30\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRoss goose 30\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHighlights 31\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAbsentees: amphibians and reptiles 31\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLichens and “reindeer moss” 31\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSnow goose “eat outs” 32\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAlpine Tundra 33\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFragile Tundra 34\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eImpacts of human activity 34\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGlobal warming 35\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReadings and references 36\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e3 Boreal Forest 41\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eClimatic boundaries and soils 41\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFeatures and adaptations 42\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePlant adaptations 42\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAnimal adaptations 42\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFrequent fires 42\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eNiches in the Boreal Forest 43\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSelected biotic communities 44\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTree line and forest tundra 44\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMuskeg 46\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eConiferous swamps 46\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eComparative ecology of lakes 46\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAppalachian Extension 48\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMountain balds 48\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHighlights 49\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe 10]year cycle 49\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWolves and moose 50\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eA wealth of salamanders 52\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRed squirrels 53\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEcological challenges 54\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAcid rain 54\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSpruce budworm and DDT 55\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBalsam woolly adelgid 55\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Boreal Forest Agreement 56\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReadings and references 57\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e4 Eastern Deciduous Forest 61\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eClimatic boundaries and soils 61\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFeatures and adaptations 61\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe forest primeval 63\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe layered forest 63\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAutumn leaves 64\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGround and leaf litter 64\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMast 65\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBiotic associations 66\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eNorthern hardwoods conifer forests 66\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBeech–Maple–Basswood 67\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMesophytic forest 68\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOak–Hickory 69\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMississippi alluvial plain 70\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSouthern Mixed Forest 70\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSome associated communities 71\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLongleaf pine forests 71\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eNew Jersey Pine Barrens 73\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCarolina bays 74\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHighlights 75\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAcorns and blue jays 75\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDeer yards 75\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eKirtland’s warblers and fire 76\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFranklin’s lost tree 77\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCicadas: buzz in the forest 77\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEcological challenges 78\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDeclines of neotropical migrants 78\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eForest destruction by exotic organisms 80\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReintroduction of red wolves 81\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReadings and references 82\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e5 Grasslands: Plains and Prairies 89\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMajor associations 89\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTallgrass prairie 89\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMidgrass prairie 90\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eShortgrass prairie 90\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTransition zones 93\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAspen parklands 93\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCross Timbers 96\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWestern transition 96\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFeatures and adaptations 97\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSeasonal grasses 97\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSoils 99\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRole of fire 101\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePrairie streams 101\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePrairie wetlands and waterfowl 102\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePleistocene extinctions 103\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSelected prairie mammals 104\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBison 104\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePrairie dogs 104\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePronghorns 106\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSelected prairie birds 106\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBurrowing owls 106\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePrairie chickens 107\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHighlights 108\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRiparian forests 108\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Platte River 108\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eNebraska Sandhills 109\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAnts 109\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIsolation and contact on the plains 110\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGrassland settlement 110\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePrairie preservation 111\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReadings and references 113\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e6 Regional Grasslands and Related Areas 120\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRegional associations 120\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePalouse prairie 120\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCalifornia Annual Grasslands 122\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSouthwestern desert grasslands 124\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEdwards Plateau 126\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTamaulipan Mezquital 127\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHighlights 129\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRodents and vegetation 129\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChanneled Scablands 130\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSnake River Birds of Prey Conservation Area 130\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMima mounds 131\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDesertification 132\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReadings and references 132\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e7 Deserts 136\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePhysical geography 136\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhy deserts are dry 136\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDesert mountains and bajadas 138\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAncient lakes 138\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFeatures and adaptations 139\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDesert soils and surfaces 139\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePlant adaptations 140\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAnimal adaptations 141\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe major deserts 144\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChihuahuan Desert 144\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSonoran Desert 145\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMojave Desert 147\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGreat Basin Desert 149\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHighlights 150\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eNurse trees 150\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e“Trees” for desert woodpeckers 151\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBoojums and elephants: unique trees 153\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eYucca moths 154\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDesert fishes 154\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRealm of reptiles 155\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOf soils and mice 156\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDeserts and predators 157\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePygmies of the sagebrush steppe 158\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDesert quail rainfall and vitamin A 159\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSailing stones 159\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWheeled threats to deserts 159\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReadings and references 160\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e8 Chaparral and Pinyon]Juniper Woodlands 167\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFeatures and adaptations of chaparral 168\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCoastal (California) chaparral 171\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChamise chaparral 171\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eManzanita chaparral 171\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCeanothus chaparral 171\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOther chaparral communities 171\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eInterior (Arizona) chaparral 172\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePinyon]juniper woodlands 172\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDistribution and ecology 172\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHuman uses 173\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChaparral and fire 173\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWater]repellant soils 173\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePost]fire vegetation 174\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWildlife and chaparral fires 174\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHighlights 174\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAllelopathy in chaparral 174\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAnimal associates in coastal chaparral 175\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLizards and burned chaparral 175\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePinyon jays 176\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHuman influences 176\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReadings and references 176\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e9 Montane Forests 180\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFeatures and adaptations 180\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMontane Forest zones 181\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLower montane zone 181\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUpper montane zone 181\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSubalpine zone 182\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAssociated habitats 183\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMountain parks and meadows 183\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBlack Hills 185\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRedwoods and sequoias 186\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBristlecone pine forest 188\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFire in montane forests 190\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHighlights 192\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWestern chipmunks and competitive exclusion 192\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSquirrels bears and pine cones 194\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSky islands in Arizona 195\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMonarchs in winter 196\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBears and moths 196\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReadings and references 198\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e10 Temperate Rain Forest 203\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhat is old]growth forest? 203\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFeatures and adaptations 204\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eValleys of rain forest 204\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEpiphytes canopy roots and “scuzz” 206\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMore about logs 207\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSuccession on glacial till 208\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHighlights 209\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBears salmon and forest enrichment 209\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eA seabird in the forest 212\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSome small mammals and their ecology 213\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBanana slugs 213\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePacific yew 214\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGiant salamanders and other amphibians 214\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMount St Helens 215\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEcological controversy 217\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReadings and references 218\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e11 Coastal Environments 223\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCurrents and climates 223\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFeatures and adaptations 224\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRocky seashores and tidal pools 224\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSandy seashores 225\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChesapeake Bay 227\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMother Lagoon 228\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSubmergent communities 230\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSeagrass meadows 230\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eForests in the ocean 232\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOyster reefs 233\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEmergent communities 235\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAtlantic tidal marshes 235\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMarshes of the Gulf Coast 236\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMangrove islands and thickets 238\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSome associated communities 239\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBarrier islands 239\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCoral reefs 241\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMaritime forests 243\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHighlights 243\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSynchrony at Delaware Bay 243\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWaterbird colonies 245\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eA whale of a success 247\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEcological challenges 248\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eNatural disturbances 248\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSea]level rise 250\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReadings and references 251\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e12 A Selection of Special Environments 259\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Grand Canyon 259\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCaves 262\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eArctic ice cap 265\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eNiagara Escarpment 267\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe “Father of Waters” 268\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Everglades 271\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFossil Lagerstätten: Windows into North America’s ecological past 275\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBurgess Shale 275\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLa Brea tar pits 277\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Florida Keys 278\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Great Lakes 280\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHabitat highlights 282\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRivers of ice 282\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHot springs and geysers 283\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eForest in the clouds 284\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGranite outcrops and inselbergs 285\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePalm forest 285\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMineral licks 286\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBogs and their carnivorous plants 287\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReadings and references 288\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAppendix 296\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGlossary 309\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIndex 321\u003c\/p\u003e \"The disciplines of ecology and biogeography are so closely intertwined that many scholars of these\u003cbr\u003erespective fields are, by necessity and shared interest, well versed in both (Jenkins and Ricklefs\u003cbr\u003e2011). This overlap is evident in the layout of Ecology of North America. With a scalable subject such\u003cbr\u003eas ecosystems, the authors could have approached the discussion of their material from various angles. Their decision to employ a biomestructured theme to describe the assemblage of North American ecosystems is both logical and practical. This approach is certain to be appealing to biogeographers who use the textbook. In fact, this book could be used as a supplementary textbook\u003cbr\u003ein a biogeography class. Ecology of North America will serve as a good introductory text for students interested in the ecology of the continent. The book begins with an overview chapter of basic ecological principles and terms, including sound explanations of succession, biodiversity, and biogeography. Subsequent chapters are individually devoted to various North American ecosystems\/biomes. These chapters define the unique attributes of each biome and fluidly address the important abiotic and biotic components of each, along with representative plant and animal assemblages, interactions, and\u003cbr\u003eadaptations, as well as characteristic biome-level disturbances and ecological challenges. Both authors\u003cbr\u003eare wildlife ecology experts, yet their knowledge and understanding of plant ecology and their success in balancing the text between floral and faunal ecological discussions are both refreshing and impressive.....The inclusion of “infoboxes” is a meaningful addition; this type of aside succeeds in adding interest and depth to textbooks. Comprehensive bibliographies are included after each chapter,\u003cbr\u003eand the division of each one by chapter subheadings is helpful......The new edition of Ecology of North\u003cbr\u003eAmerica is a welcome addition to contemporary ecology textbook offerings. The authors have updated\u003cbr\u003ea good introductory text that is highly approachable and readable. It offers a worthy addition\u003cbr\u003eto textbook options in the discipline, and I recommend it as an essential resource for students\u003cbr\u003eand teachers of North American ecosystems\" (\u003cb\u003eFrontiers of Biogeography- December 2016)\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBrian R. Chapman\u003c\/b\u003e was raised in Texas and earned degrees in zoology at Texas A\u0026amp;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\u0026amp;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. \u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eEric G. Bolen\u003c\/b\u003e 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\u0026amp;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 \u003ci\u003eEcology and Management\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eWaterfowl Ecology and Management\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eNorth 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.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCompletely 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.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eEcology of North America\u003c\/i\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wiley","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47989100576997,"sku":"NP9781118971543","price":74.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9781118971543.jpg?v=1761782798","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/es\/products\/ecology-of-north-america-isbn-9781118971543","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}