Insect Ecology

The third edition of Insect Ecology: An Ecosystem Approach provides a modern perspective of insect ecology that integrates two approaches traditionally used to study insect ecology: evolutionary and ecosystem. This integration substantially broadens the scope of insect ecology and contributes to prediction and resolution of the effects of current environmental changes, as these affect and are affected by insects. The third edition includes an updated and expanded synthesis of feedback and interactions between insects and their environment. This updated material and a new chapter on applications of insect ecology to social and environmental issues effectively demonstrates how evolutionary and ecosystem approaches complement each other, with the intent of stimulating further integration of these approaches in experiments that address insect roles in ecosystems. Effective management of ecosystem resources depends on evaluation of the complex, often complementary, effects of insects on ecosystem conditions, as well as insect responses to changing conditions.

• Timely revision of a key reference on insect ecology
• Full coverage of ecosystem structure and function balanced with essential background on evolutionary aspects
• New chapter on applications to issues such as pest management, ecosystem restoration, invasive species and environmental changes
• Case studies highlight practical and theoretical applications for topics covered in each chapter

Researchers and professionals working in the fields of insect ecology, plant and animal ecology, aquatic ecology, forest ecology, crop management and related disciplines; natural resource managers and environmental policy-makers; upper undergraduate /graduate students studying insect ecology

Preface

1. Overview

I. Scope Of Insect Ecology

II. Ecosystem Ecology

III. Environmental Change And Disturbance

iv. Ecosystem Approach To Insect Ecology

v. Scope Of This Book

Introduction

2. Responses to Abiotic Conditions

I. The Physical Template

II. Surviving Variable Abiotic Conditions

III. Factors Affecting Dispersal Behavior

IV. Responses To Anthropogenic Changes

V. Summary

3. Resource Acquisition

I. Resource Quality

II. Resource Acceptability

III. Resource Availability

IV. Summary

4. Resource Allocation

I. Resource Budget

II. Allocation Of Assimilated Resources

III. Efficiency Of Resource Use

IV. Summary

Introduction

5. Population Systems

I. Population Structure

II. Population Processes

III. Life History Characteristics

IV. Parameter Estimation

V. Summary

6. Population Dynamics

I. Population Fluctuation

II. Factors Affecting Population Size

III. Models Of Population Change

A. Exponential and Geometric Models

B. Logistic Model

C. Complex Models

D. Computerized Models

E. Model Evaluation

IV. Summary

7. Biogeography

I. Geographic Distribution

III. Habitat Connectivity

Iv. Anthropogenic Effects On Spatial Dynamics

V. Models Of Spatial Dynamics

VI. Summary

Introduction

8. Species Interactions

I. Classes of Interactions

II. Factors Affecting Interactions

III. Consequences of Interactions

IV. Summary

9. Community Structure

I. Approaches To Describing Communities

II. Patterns Of Community Structure

III. Determinants Of Community Structure

IV. Summary

10. Community Dynamics

I. Short-Term Change In Community Structure

II. Successional Change In Community Structure

III. Paleoecology

IV. Diversity Vs. Stability

V. Summary

Introduction

11. Ecosystem Structure and Function

I. Ecosystem Structure

II. Energy Flow

III. Biogeochemical Cycling

IV. Climate Modification

V. Ecosystem Modeling

VI. Summary

12. Herbivory

I. Types And Patterns Of Herbivory

II. Effects Of Herbivory

III. Summary

13. Pollination, Seed Predation and Seed Dispersal

I. Types And Patterns Of Pollination

II. Effects Of Pollination

III. Types And Patterns Of Seed Predation And Dispersal

IV. Effects Of Seed Predation And Dispersal

V. Summary

14. Decomposition and Pedogenesis

I. Types And Patterns of Detritivory And Burrowing

II. Effects of Detritivory And Burrowing

III. Summary

15. Insects as Regulators of Ecosystem Processes

I. Development Of The Concept

II. Ecosystems As Cybernetic Systems

III. Summary

Introduction

16. Applications

I. Ecosystem Services

17. Summary and Synthesis

I. Summary

II. Synthesis

III. Critical Issues

IV. Conclusions

Bibliography

Author index

Taxonomic Index

Subject Index