The Ecology of Bird Communities / Edition 1

by John A. Wiens

Overview

The two volumes of John Wiens' Ecology of Bird Communities have applications and importance to the whole field of ecology. The books contain a detailed synthesis of our current understanding of the patterns of organisation of bird communities and of the factors that may determine them, drawing from studies from all over the world. By emphasizing how proper logic and methods have or have not been followed and how different viewpoints have developed historically and have led to controversy, the scope of these books are extended far beyond the study of birds. Processes and Variations discusses the way in which bird community patterns have been interpreted. This second volume examines how the complexity and variability of natural environments may influence efforts to discern and understand the nature of these communities. Graduate students and professionals in avian biology and ecology will find these volumes a valuable stimulus and guide to future field studies and theory development.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521426350
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	03/12/1992
Series:	Cambridge Studies in Ecology , #2
Edition description:	REPRINT
Pages:	336
Product dimensions:	6.02(w) x 9.02(h) x 0.87(d)

Table of Contents

Preface; Acknowledgements; Part I. Interpreting Community Patterns: Process Hypotheses: 1. Competition; 2. A case study: interactions among nectarivores; 3. Beyond competition: other factors influencing community structure; Part II. Community Variation in Time and Space: 4. Temporal variation of communities; 5. Spatial patchiness and scale; Part III. Prospects: 6. Concluding comments: future directions in avian community ecology; References; Author index; Subject index.

Editorial Reviews

"...a critical and careful review of the evidence for the main ideas and a fair analysis of the more contentious issues." Nature

"...will be the singly most-cited reference in the ecological and ornithological literature through the end of the century." Wildlife Review

"These are lively and multifaceted volumes. Their quality and breadth of information guarantees that they will be a standard source and guide to avian ecologists in the years ahead." Ecology

From the Publisher