This full-color illustrated textbook offers the first comprehensive introduction to all major aspects of tropical ecology. It explains why the world's tropical rain forests are so universally rich in species, what factors may contribute to high species richness, how nutrient cycles affect rain forest ecology, and how ecologists investigate the complex interrelationships among flora and fauna. It covers tropical montane ecology, riverine ecosystems, savanna, dry forest―and more.
Tropical Ecology begins with a historical overview followed by a sweeping discussion of biogeography and evolution, and then introduces students to the unique and complex structure of tropical rain forests. Other topics include the processes that influence everything from species richness to rates of photosynthesis: how global climate change may affect rain forest characteristics and function; how fragmentation of ecosystems affects species richness and ecological processes; human ecology in the tropics; biodiversity; and conservation of tropical ecosystems and species.
Drawing on real-world examples taken from actual research, Tropical Ecology is the best textbook on the subject for advanced undergraduates and graduate students.
Offers the first comprehensive introduction to tropical ecology
Describes all the major kinds of tropical terrestrial ecosystems
Explains species diversity, evolutionary processes, and coevolutionary interactions
Features numerous color illustrations and examples from actual research
Covers global warming, deforestation, reforestation, fragmentation, and conservation
The essential textbook for advanced undergraduates and graduate students
Suitable for courses with a field component
Review
"Finally, an appropriate general text to use in tropical biology courses. Other books on tropical rain forest ecology are either too general or too technical for use in undergraduate or even graduate courses, so this book definitely fills a need."―Robert A. Askins, Connecticut College
"Kricher does a remarkable job of bringing the wonder and diversity of tropical ecosystems together into one text, while providing a solid framework in ecological and evolutionary theory. The task of treating the tropics in one accessible book is daunting, and Tropical Ecology comes closer to accomplishing that goal than any book I have seen."―Gregory S. Gilbert, University of California, Santa Cruz
"This is an excellent book that fills a significant need for a course text to accompany both upper-level lecture classes and field courses in tropical ecology. Kricher has an encyclopedic knowledge of the natural history of tropical organisms. I feel confident that this book will be adopted widely."―James Dalling, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign