Why Ecology Matters

Global temperatures and seawater levels rise; the world’s smallest porpoise species looms at the edge of extinction; and a tiny emerald beetle from Japan flourishes in North America—but why does it matter? Who cares? With this concise, accessible, and up-to-date book, Charles J. Krebs answers critics and enlightens students and environmental advocates alike, revealing not why phenomena like these deserve our attention, but why they demand it.

Highlighting key principles in ecology—from species extinction to the sun’s role in powering ecosystems—each chapter introduces a general question, illustrates that question with real-world examples, and links it to pressing ecological issues in which humans play a central role, such as the spread of invasive species, climate change, overfishing, and biodiversity conservation. While other introductions to ecology are rooted in complex theory, math, or practice and relegate discussions of human environmental impacts and their societal implications to sidebars and appendices, Why Ecology Matters interweaves these important discussions throughout. It is a book rooted in our contemporary world, delving into ecological issues that are perennial, timeless, but could not be more timely.

• A Dictionary of Ecology (Oxford Quick Reference)
• Newcomb's Wildflower Guide
• A Field Guide to Trees and Shrubs: Northeastern and North-Central United States and Southeastern and South-Central Canada (Peterson Field Guides (Paperback))
• Landscape Graphics: Plan, Section, and Perspective Drawing of Landscape Spaces
• McKnight's Physical Geography: A Landscape Appreciation (11th Edition)
• Ecology: The Experimental Analysis Of Distribution And Abundance, 6/E
• Sensory Ecology, Behaviour, and Evolution
• Evolutionary Analysis (5th Edition)
• Food from the Radical Center: Healing Our Land and Communities
• Getting to Know ArcGIS: For 10.3/10.3.1