Big questions in ecology and evolution / Thomas N. Sherratt, David M. Wilkinson.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Sherratt, Thomas N.

Contributor:

Wilkinson, David M., 1963-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Evolution (Biology).

Ecology.

Physical Description:

xi, 297 pages : illustrations ; 25 cm

Place of Publication:

Oxford ; New York : Oxford University Press, 2009.

Summary:

Why do we age? Why cooperate? Why do so many species engage in sex? Why do the tropics have so many species? When did humans start to affect world climate?

This book provides an introduction to a range of fundamental questions that have taxed evolutionary biologists and ecologists for decades. Some of the phenomena discussed are, on first reflection, simply puzzling to understand from an evolutionary perspective, whilst others have direct implications for the future of the planet. All of the questions posed have at least a partial solution, all have seen exciting breakthroughs in recent years, yet many of the explanations continue to be hotly debated.

Big Questions in Ecology and Evolution is a curiosity-driven book, written in an accessible way so as to appeal to a broad audience. It is very deliberately not a formal text book, but something designed to transmit the excitement and breadth of the field by discussing a number of major questions in ecology and evolution and how they have been answered. This is a book aimed at informing and inspiring anybody with an interest in ecology and evolution. It reveals to the reader the immense scope of the field, its fundamental importance, and the exciting breakthroughs that have been made in recent years.

Contents:

1 Why Do We Age? 1

2 Why Sex? 25

3 Why Cooperate? 49

4 Why Species? 71

5 Why are the Tropics so Diverse? 99

6 Is Nature Chaotic? 125

7 Why is the World Green? 149

8 Why is the Sea Blue? 171

9 When did We Start to Change Things? 187

10 How will the Biosphere End? 213

11 General Conclusions 229.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [249]-286) and index.

ISBN:

9780199548606

0199548609

0199548617

9780199548613

OCLC:

268792946