Fundamentals of Ecosystem Science

Fundamentals of Ecosystem Science provides a compact and comprehensive introduction to modern ecosystem science.

This book covers major concepts of ecosystem science, biogeochemistry, and energetics. It addresses, contrasts, and compares both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. It combines general lessons, concepts, frameworks, and challenges in highly accessible synthesis chapters. It presents firsthand case studies, written by leaders in the field, offering personal insights into how adopting an ecosystem approach led to innovations, new understanding, management changes, and policy solutions.

This book is ideal for advanced undergraduate and graduate students who have had a general biology course, but not further training in ecosystems as well as researchers and professionals in ecology and environmental sciences.

Addresses, contrasts, and compares both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystemsCombines general lessons, concepts, frameworks, and challenges in highly accessible synthesis chaptersPresents firsthand case studies, written by leaders in the field, offering personal insights into how adopting an ecosystem approach led to innovations, new understanding, management changes, and policy solutions

Part I: Introduction 1. Introduction to Ecosystem Science

Part II: Ecological Energetics 2. Primary Production: The Foundation of Ecosystems 3. Secondary Production and Consumer Energetics 4. Organic Matter Decomposition

Part III: Biogeochemistry 5. Element Cycling 6. The Carbon Cycle 7. The Nitrogen Cycle 8. The Phosphorus Cycle

Part IV: Synthesis  9. Revisiting the Ecosystem Concept: Important Features That Promote Generality and Understanding 10. Ecosystems in a Heterogeneous World 11. Controls on Ecosystem Structure and Function

Part V: Case Studies 12. From Global Environmental Change to Sustainability Science: Ecosystem Studies in the Yaqui Valley, Mexico 13. Ecology of Lyme Disease 14. Understanding Ecosystem Effects of Dams 15. Acid Rain 16. Streams and Their Valleys

Part VI: Frontiers 17. Frontiers in Ecosystem Science

Appendix: A Primer on Biologically Mediated Redox Reactions in Ecosystems