UPC: 9780192895516 | Predator Ecology: Evolutionary Ecology of the Functional Response (Paperback)

UPC lookup results for: 9780192895516 | Predator Ecology: Evolutionary Ecology of the Functional Response (Paperback)

Predator-prey interactions are ubiquitous govern the flow of energy up trophic levels and strongly influence the structure of ecological systems. They are typically quantified using the functional response – the relationship between a predator s foraging rate and the availability of food. As such the functional response is central to how all ecological communities function – since all communities contain foragers – and a principal driver of the abundance diversity and dynamics of ecological communities. The functional response also reflects all the behaviors traits and strategies that predators use to hunt prey and that prey use to evade predation. It is thus both a clear reflection of past evolution including predator-prey arms races and a major force driving the future evolution of both predator and prey. Despite their importance there have been remarkably few attempts to synthesize or even briefly review functional responses. This novel and accessible book fills this gap clearly demonstrating their crucial role as the link between individuals evolution and community properties representing a highly-integrated and measurable aspect of ecological function. It provides a clear entry point for students a refresher for more advanced researchers and a motivator for future research. Predator Ecology is an advanced textbook suitable for graduate students and researchers in ecology and evolutionary biology seeking a broad up-to-date and authoritative coverage of the field. It will also be of relevance and use to mathematical ecologists wildlife biologists and anyone interested in predator-prey interactions.