Ecology of North America (PDF)

North America contains an incredibly diverse array of natural
environments, each supporting unique systems of plant and animal
life. These systems, the largest of which are biomes, form
intricate webs of life that have taken millennia to evolve. This
richly illustrated book introduces readers to this extraordinary
array of natural communities and their subtle biological and
geological interactions.

Completely revised and updated throughout, the second edition of
this successful text takes a qualitative, intuitive approach to the
subject, beginning with an overview of essential ecological terms
and concepts, such as competitive exclusion, taxa, niches, and
succession. It then goes on to describe the major biomes and
communities that characterize the rich biota of the continent,
starting with the Tundra and continuing with Boreal Forest,
Deciduous Forest, Grasslands, Deserts, Montane Forests, and
Temperature Rain Forest, among others. Coastal environments,
including the Laguna Madre, seagrasses, Chesapeake Bay, and barrier
islands appear in a new chapter. Additionally, the book covers many
unique features such as pitcher plant bogs, muskeg, the polar ice
cap, the cloud forests of Mexico, and the LaBrea tar pits.
"Infoboxes" have been added; these include biographies
of historical figures who provided significant contributions to the
development of ecology, unique circumstances such as frogs and
insects that survive freezing, and conservation issues such as
those concerning puffins and island foxes. Throughout the text,
ecological concepts are worked into the text; these include
biogeography, competitive exclusion, succession, soil formation,
and the mechanics of natural selection.

Ecology of North America 2e is an ideal first text for
students interested in natural resources, environmental science,
and biology, and it is a useful and attractive addition to the
library of anyone interested in understanding and protecting the
natural environment.