The Ecological Theater and the Evolutionary Play

The Ecological Theater and the Evolutionary Play PDF Author: George Evelyn Hutchinson
Publisher: New Haven : Yale University Press
ISBN: 9780300005868
Category : Biology
Languages : en
Pages : 139

Get Book Here

Book Description
In this delightful collection of essays, the author of The Enchanted Voyage and The Itinerant Ivory Tower turns his attention to the influence of environment on evolution. His discussion of the nature of the terrestrial environment we know leads to an account of possible ecological conditions on other bodies in the universe. Mr. Hutchinson also deals specifically with some influences on man's evolution, emphasizing the extremely recondite nature of these forces. One of the other pieces looks at the relationship of natural beauty to works of art, particularly in the context of comparisons between natural history museums and art galleries. The final essay, "The Cream in the Gooseberry Fool," is an entertaining account of an English country clergyman's work with the European magpie moth, which resulted in one of the most significant early discoveries in genetics. The treatment throughout requires no technical learning, though the most important and modern theoretical results are cited in the footnotes.

The Ecological Theater and the Evolutionary Play

The Ecological Theater and the Evolutionary Play PDF Author: George Evelyn Hutchinson
Publisher: New Haven : Yale University Press
ISBN: 9780300005868
Category : Biology
Languages : en
Pages : 139

Get Book Here

Book Description
In this delightful collection of essays, the author of The Enchanted Voyage and The Itinerant Ivory Tower turns his attention to the influence of environment on evolution. His discussion of the nature of the terrestrial environment we know leads to an account of possible ecological conditions on other bodies in the universe. Mr. Hutchinson also deals specifically with some influences on man's evolution, emphasizing the extremely recondite nature of these forces. One of the other pieces looks at the relationship of natural beauty to works of art, particularly in the context of comparisons between natural history museums and art galleries. The final essay, "The Cream in the Gooseberry Fool," is an entertaining account of an English country clergyman's work with the European magpie moth, which resulted in one of the most significant early discoveries in genetics. The treatment throughout requires no technical learning, though the most important and modern theoretical results are cited in the footnotes.

Ecological Networks

Ecological Networks PDF Author: Mercedes Pascual
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 9780195188165
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 422

Get Book Here

Book Description
Food webs are one of the most useful, and challenging, objects of study in ecology. These networks of predator-prey interactions, conjured in Darwin's image of a "tangled bank," provide a paradigmatic example of complex adaptive systems. This book is based on a February 2004 Santa Fe Institute workshop. Its authors treat the ecology of predator-prey interactions, food web theory, structure and dynamics. The book explores the boundaries of what is known of the relationship between structure and dynamics in ecological networks and will define directions for future developments in this field.

Ecology

Ecology PDF Author: C. Lévêque
Publisher: Science Publishers
ISBN: 9781578082940
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 500

Get Book Here

Book Description
Eleven plants were chosen so as to cover a wide range of biological characteristics (perennial, annual, autogamous, allogamous, etc.) in this study. Three chapters on methodology complement these studies. The first is devoted to the use of biological and molecular markers to analyse the diversity of collections, the second addresses data analysis, and the third describes a method for constituting core collectaions based on maximization of variability.

Ecology and Management of Inland Waters

Ecology and Management of Inland Waters PDF Author: Marc Los Huertos
Publisher: Elsevier
ISBN: 0128142677
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 546

Get Book Here

Book Description
Ecology and Management of Inland Waters: A Californian Perspective with Global Applications presents the geologic history and physical characteristics of aquatic ecology. The author draws on his research from the inland waters of California and applies this to other areas, including Mediterranean climate systems, the tropics, and even South Africa. The endorheic basins covered in this text can be found in 30% of the US, including the Aral Sea, which is a fascinating case study that provides an important warning for other locations. The author also covers Zebra Mussels, which are set to soon be a permanent population in California. The book is authored by an expert in the field who covers a very wide and interdisciplinary subject area which brings a holistic view to this complex discipline. Focuses on examples from California, which is not currently covered in most limnology books, but with an outlook to other locations Examines complex patterns of human and natural development, allowing the reader to appreciate how aquatic systems in the Anthropocene experience a new "regime" that does not rely on vague and outdated versions of ecological theory Presents a geological history, including fossil records, of California which allows the reader to appreciate how inland waters formed

Conservation Behavior

Conservation Behavior PDF Author: Oded Berger-Tal
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1107040108
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 405

Get Book Here

Book Description
An in-depth analysis of the impact conservation behaviour can have to develop practical tools to safeguard against biodiversity extinction.

Handbook of Evolutionary Thinking in the Sciences

Handbook of Evolutionary Thinking in the Sciences PDF Author: Thomas Heams
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 9401790140
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 898

Get Book Here

Book Description
The Darwinian theory of evolution is itself evolving and this book presents the details of the core of modern Darwinism and its latest developmental directions. The authors present current scientific work addressing theoretical problems and challenges in four sections, beginning with the concepts of evolution theory, its processes of variation, heredity, selection, adaptation and function, and its patterns of character, species, descent and life. The second part of this book scrutinizes Darwinism in the philosophy of science and its usefulness in understanding ecosystems, whilst the third section deals with its application in disciplines beyond the biological sciences, including evolutionary psychology and evolutionary economics, Darwinian morality and phylolinguistics. The final section addresses anti-Darwinism, the creationist view and issues around teaching evolution in secondary schools. The reader learns how current experimental biology is opening important perspectives on the sources of variation, and thus of the very power of natural selection. This work examines numerous examples of the extension of the principle of natural selection and provides the opportunity to critically reflect on a rich theory, on the methodological rigour that presides in its extensions and exportations, and on the necessity to measure its advantages and also its limits. Scholars interested in modern Darwinism and scientific research, its concepts, research programs and controversies will find this book an excellent read, and those considering how Darwinism might evolve, how it can apply to the human sciences and other disciplines beyond its origins will find it particularly valuable. Originally produced in French (Les Mondes Darwiniens), the scope and usefulness of the book have led to the production of this English text, to reach a wider audience. This book is a milestone in the impressive penetration by Francophone scholars into the world of Darwinian science, its historiography and philosophy over the last two decades. Alex Rosenberg, R. Taylor Cole Professor of Philosophy, Duke University Until now this useful and comprehensive handbook has only been available to francophones. Thanks to this invaluable new translation, this collection of insightful and original essays can reach the global audience it deserves. Tim Lewens, University of Cambridge

Evolutionary Game Theory, Natural Selection, and Darwinian Dynamics

Evolutionary Game Theory, Natural Selection, and Darwinian Dynamics PDF Author: Thomas L. Vincent
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 9781139444293
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 424

Get Book Here

Book Description
All of life is a game, and evolution by natural selection is no exception. The evolutionary game theory developed in this 2005 book provides the tools necessary for understanding many of nature's mysteries, including co-evolution, speciation, extinction and the major biological questions regarding fit of form and function, diversity, procession, and the distribution and abundance of life. Mathematics for the evolutionary game are developed based on Darwin's postulates leading to the concept of a fitness generating function (G-function). G-function is a tool that simplifies notation and plays an important role developing Darwinian dynamics that drive natural selection. Natural selection may result in special outcomes such as the evolutionarily stable strategy (ESS). An ESS maximum principle is formulated and its graphical representation as an adaptive landscape illuminates concepts such as adaptation, Fisher's Fundamental Theorem of Natural Selection, and the nature of life's evolutionary game.

Foundations of Restoration Ecology

Foundations of Restoration Ecology PDF Author: Society for Ecological Restoration International
Publisher: Island Press
ISBN: 1610916972
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 580

Get Book Here

Book Description
"Society for Ecological Restoration"--Cover.

Ecological, Behavioral and Genomic Consequences in the Rodent Family Sciuridae: Why Are Squirrels So Diverse?

Ecological, Behavioral and Genomic Consequences in the Rodent Family Sciuridae: Why Are Squirrels So Diverse? PDF Author: Toni Gossmann
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
ISBN: 2889717151
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 171

Get Book Here

Book Description


The Evolution of Population Biology

The Evolution of Population Biology PDF Author: Rama S. Singh
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1139449540
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 492

Get Book Here

Book Description
This 2004 collection of essays deals with the foundation and historical development of population biology and its relationship to population genetics and population ecology on the one hand and to the rapidly growing fields of molecular quantitative genetics, genomics and bioinformatics on the other. Such an interdisciplinary treatment of population biology has never been attempted before. The volume is set in a historical context, but it has an up-to-date coverage of material in various related fields. The areas covered are the foundation of population biology, life history evolution and demography, density and frequency dependent selection, recent advances in quantitative genetics and bioinformatics, evolutionary case history of model organisms focusing on polymorphisms and selection, mating system evolution and evolution in the hybrid zones, and applied population biology including conservation, infectious diseases and human diversity. This is the third of three volumes published in honour of Richard Lewontin.