Essentials of Ecology presents introductory ecology in an accessible, state-of-the-art format designed to cultivate the novice student's understanding of, and fascination with, the natural world.

• A significantly updated new edition of this popular introductory ecology textbook
  
• Outlines the essential principles of ecology from the theoretical fundamentals to their practical applications
  
• Contains hundreds of new examples, and for the first time, a separate chapter on evolutionary ecology
  
• Student features include: key concepts; “unanswered questions” sections; history boxes outlining key landmarks in the development of ecology; quantitative boxes explaining mathematical aspects of ecology; chapter-by chapter review questions; and “topical concerns” boxes highlighting ethical, social and political questions in ecology
  
• Supported by a dedicated website featuring study resources and web research questions (www.blackwellpublishing.com/townsend)