from: Columbia University Press
Discount Price: $50.50
Price fluctuation possible.
How soon does it ship: Normal ship time within one day
Shipping? Absolutely FREE if you qualify for Super Saver Shipping.
Type of bind: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 577
EAN num: 9780231105033
ISBN number: 0231105037
Label: Columbia University Press
Manufacturer: Columbia University Press
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 608
Printing Date: April 15, 1998
Publishing house: Columbia University Press
Sale Popularity Level: 1993310
Studio: Columbia University Press
Editor's Notes and Comments:
Product Description:
Identifying scales of measurement, analysis, and inference is fundamental to the ability to assess and predict patterns and processes in ecology. This book synthesizes a diverse, previously scattered literature on scale in ecology. Peterson and Parker have gathered contributions from scholars representing a wide range of disciplines, including soil science, plant ecology, animal ecology, and aquatic ecology.
User popularity level:
Rated by buyers 
-
The editors of this volume endeavor to instill an awareness of the dire need to include "scale" as a concept in ecological studies. Scale, in the discipline of ecology, is a difficult concept to codify and although there are many books that include scale, it is not often addressed directly. The most direct definition of scale for this purpose is that it "refers to physical dimensions of observed entities or phenomena . . . (or) . . . to the scale of observation, the temporal and spatial dimensions at which and over which phenomena are observed."
Often, ecological studies focus on only one variable such as area or habitat. Data is then extrapolated from that study to a larger scale. According to Peterson and Parker it is not uncommon to study a hectare of land and draw conclusions at a global level. They suggest that because extrapolation of this kind may or may not be valid, incorporating scale into the original study question is essential. To date, there is no one recognized source to which a researcher can turn for advice about dealing with scale in a particular area of study. This volume is divided into four topical sections: "Integrating Pattern, Process, and Scale;" "Interpreting Multiple Scales in Ecological Systems;" "Moving Across Scales: Ecological Inference and Applications;" and "Incorporating Scale Concepts in Ecological Applications." The essays, well written and clearly edited, are useful as an overall collection or as individual pieces.
The mechanics of this book are very well done. There is uniform referencing within each chapter and one overall reference list for the book. An "Alphabetic List of Contributors" includes addresses. The index is detailed and includes many Latin binomials, "see" references, and "see also" references. The layout of this volume makes routine photocopying and enlarging easy. The photographs, charts, and microscopic scans are exceptionally clearly presented with no color, but in good grey scale.
Rated by buyers 
-
This book provides an in-depth look at the many issues of scale and other complexities in ecological systems. The editors did a great job choosing chapter authors and editing for clarity. The opening and closing chapters provide a good framework, and provide an extensive outline of literature on scale up to the mid-90's.
Find other books like this one:
