Ever since Darwin’s depiction on the final page of “The Origin of Species” of a tangled bank teeming with plants and animals, the importance of species interactions in molding their ecology and evolution has become ever more apparent. Attraction, deception, attack, defense, escape and tolerance- all are core terms of evolutionary ecology that convey the central role of interactions. The diversity of structure, behavior, psychology, and ecology among plants and animals reflects the outcomes of antagonistic and mutually beneficial relationships. In fact, much of the extraordinary diversity of plants and animals on the planet derives from their interactions.”Plant-Animal Interactions: An Evolutionary Approach” is intended for graduate and upper-level undergraduate courses. Following a general introduction emphasizing the role of interactions in the evolution of biodiversity, chapters are devoted to the fossil record-plant-animal interactions, herbivory by insects and vertebrates, seed predation, pollination and seed dispersal by animals, ant-plant interaction, and synthesis that describes emerging areas of study, including the pivotal role of plant-animal interactions in conservation biology.
"This text is designed for more senior undergraduate courses. As such it is a useful summary of work which would find a ready audience in ecology courses. The first chapters looking at fossils and evolution should also be required reading in geological circles as well. Finally, there is a great deal of information for the ecology teacher. The trends in research, detailed examples of interactions and the clear history mean that there is much that can be gained from this text. It deserves a wide readership." Dr Paul S Ganderton, TEGNews Book Review Editor, British Ecological Society "This book provides an excellent synthesis of the patterns and processes underlying plant-animal interactions, with an emphasis on the recent advances in this field of research...The introduction and subsequent chapters dealing with the different levels of interactions between animals and plants are well written and very accessible. Although the book is intended for students in ecology degrees, it will certainly be a valuable shelf reference for anyone interested in plant-animal interactions." Carlos Lopez Vaamonde, Bulletin of the Royal Entomological Society, April 2003 "...very appropriate for the intended audience. It is highly recommmend for libraries that serve advanced undergraduate students and beginning graduate students interested in plant-animal interactions or evolution." E-Streams, vol 6, no 1, January 2003 "...superb collection of essays...highly recommended." Choice, April 2003 "...thorough coverage, balanced approach emphasizing multispecies interactions, and well conceived future directions. This book is likely to guide the development of research projects by students who will be the next generation to study plant-animal interactions." Ecology, March 2003 ".... provides a thorough synopsis for anyone interested in plant-animal interactions ...summarizes recent developments in this exciting field and points to important questions that need to be addressed in the future... it is a useful basis for undergraduate and graudate courses and thanks to the numerous references it directs the way for those who want to learn more about specific topics in the field of plant-animal interactions." Jurg Schonenberger, Plant Evolution, Vol 239, September 2003
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.