Exploring the Science of Ecology is an interactive electronic book on
CD-ROM that was designed as an introduction to the science of ecology for
anyone interested in the natural world. Ecology is a science that
examines the underlying mechanisms of how organisms interact with each
other and their environment. Nature presents many interesting examples
of adaptations that species have evolved to cope with the great variety
of different environments on earth - several of these adaptations are
illustrated in this book. While knowledge of introductory biology will
help you appreciate the mechanisms underlying the ecological principles
illustrated in this book, such knowledge is not necessary to begin
exploring the many interesting aspects of ecology.
The five lessons that comprise this interactive book can be explored in
any sequence. However, the learner may begin with Ecology, which
explores the overall field of ecology, and proceed through the book in
order of increasing integration of ecological levels: Environment,
Organisms & the Environment, Communities, Ecosystems & Biomes, and
Ecology at the Global Scale. The latter integrates all of the physical
and biological processes of the other levels and includes human
influences on the earth.
In contrast to a traditional book, where the learner reads a set of sequential chapters - each perhaps followed by a study section - this interactive electronic book emphasizes interactive questions with context-sensitive explanations. There are over 200 interactive question elements in the book. In combination with over 100 photographs, videos, graphs, and legends, the learner is provided with a rich and comprehensive learning environment. Performance on each major topic is automatically evaluated at the end of each section. Through repeated use of the book, this enables learners to increase their comprehension to the level of mastery.
This interactive book will be available on
CD-ROM in 2006 and is compatible with Windows operating system
(ME/98/2000/XP)
Cover page of the book. Each section of the book is
directly accessible in any order.
CD-ROM case cover
An abridged version of the interactive book on ecology is available online (at right). Because of limitations of the Internet, the abridge version lacks the full multimedia content and interactivity of the unabridged CD-ROM version of the book.
Featured books and journals
Ecology. 2000. Fourth edition. Ricklefs, R.E. and G.L. Miller. Freeman.
Ecology & Field Biology. 2001. Sixth edition. Smith, R.L. and T.M. Smith. Benjamin Cummings.
Elements of Ecology. 2003. Fifth edition. Smith, R.L. and T.M. Smith. Benjamin Cummings.
The Science of Ecology. 1994. Second edition. Brewer, R. Saunders.
Plant ecophysiology. 2003. Larcher, W. Springer Verlag.
Ecological methodology. 1999. Second edition. Krebs, C. J. Benjamin Cummings.
Field and laboratory methods for general ecology. 1998. Fourth edition. Brower, J.E., J.H. Zar, and C.N. von Ende. McGraw-Hill.
General Ecology Laboratory Manual. 2002. Eight edition. Cox, G.W. McGraw-Hill.
Ecological
Society of America - Journals
British Ecological Society - Journals