Description
In contrast with the fundamental ecological expectation that similarity induces competition and loss of species, temporal dynamics allows similar species to co-occur. In fact, the coexistence of similar species contributes significantly to species diversity and could affect ecosystem response to climate change. However, because temporal processes take place over time, they have often been a challenge to document or even to identify. Temporal Dynamics and Ecological Process brings together studies that have met this challenge and present two specific aspects of temporal processes: reproductive scheduling and the stable coexistence of similar species. By using plants to extract general principles, these studies uncover deep ties between temporal niche dynamics and the above central ecological issues, thereby providing a better understanding of what drives temporal processes in nature. Written by leading scientists in the field, this title will be a valuable source of reference to research ecologists and those interested in temporal ecology.
A unique compilation of papers on the emergent topic of temporal dynamics in community ecology, ecosystem biology and evolution.
About the Author
Colleen K. Kelly is a Senior Research Associate in the Department of Zoology at the University of Oxford. Her research interests focus on temporal dynamics, community assembly and ecosystem function. She has published widely on these topics and has been a principal investigator or co-PI on various funded projects in the US, the UK and Mexico. Michael G. Bowler has worked at the Department of Physics at the University of Oxford for over 40 years. His research interest is focused on particle physics. He has taken part in several major collaborations in this field, most recently the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory. He has authored or co-authored 150 papers and written five books. Gordon A. Fox is Associate Professor in the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of South Florida. His main area of research is plant ecology and theoretical population biology. His recent work has focused on demographic heterogeneity and its causes and consequences including both theoretical studies and research with populations of pines, lilies and Florida scrub-jays.
Reviews
'It is generally believed, and indeed is often true, that species which are very similar will tend to compete, with the more effective competitor excluding the weaker. This important and interesting book shows that - to the contrary - the co-existence of similar species can greatly enrich the diversity of communities, and also can help in responding to, or recovering from, environmental disturbance. The book uses studies of plant communities to document these general principles, placing particular emphasis on reproductive scheduling and its role in the stable coexistence of similar species. The book deserves a wide audience.' Robert M. May, University of Oxford
'Ecologists have long talked about temporal variability, such as in rainfall, but largely as perturbations to a more static, idealized equilibrium. Yet, temporal variation is a pervasive feature of the natural world, and species have evolved to exploit such variation. Species can also generate novel sources of temporal variation, such as the dramatic phenomenon of masting. This well-crafted book, containing chapters by many distinguished ecologists, draws together excellent case studies from a range of field systems, along with theory on the storage effect and evolution of masting, to champion the view that temporal variation is central to the generation and maintenance of biological diversity. It should be on the shelves of all ecologists who care deeply about the factors governing ecological communities, and about the preservation of biodiversity in our ever-changing world.' Robert D. Holt, University of Florida, and co-editor of Trait-Mediated Indirect Interactions (2012)
'The idea that species can have good years and bad years will be familiar to any observer of the natural world, but this volume takes the idea a step further: if different species have different good years then there is the basis of a mechanism that can allow competing species to coexist in a community. How species coexist in diverse communities, without one or a few outcompeting the many is a key question in our understanding of how biological communities are assembled.' Ian Powell, The Biologist
Book Information
ISBN 9780521198639
Author Colleen K. Kelly
Format Hardback
Page Count 333
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publisher Cambridge University Press
Weight(grams) 660g
Dimensions(mm) 235mm * 156mm * 20mm
A unique compilation of papers on the emergent topic of temporal dynamics in community ecology, ecosystem biology and evolution.
About the Author
Colleen K. Kelly is a Senior Research Associate in the Department of Zoology at the University of Oxford. Her research interests focus on temporal dynamics, community assembly and ecosystem function. She has published widely on these topics and has been a principal investigator or co-PI on various funded projects in the US, the UK and Mexico. Michael G. Bowler has worked at the Department of Physics at the University of Oxford for over 40 years. His research interest is focused on particle physics. He has taken part in several major collaborations in this field, most recently the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory. He has authored or co-authored 150 papers and written five books. Gordon A. Fox is Associate Professor in the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of South Florida. His main area of research is plant ecology and theoretical population biology. His recent work has focused on demographic heterogeneity and its causes and consequences including both theoretical studies and research with populations of pines, lilies and Florida scrub-jays.
Reviews
'It is generally believed, and indeed is often true, that species which are very similar will tend to compete, with the more effective competitor excluding the weaker. This important and interesting book shows that - to the contrary - the co-existence of similar species can greatly enrich the diversity of communities, and also can help in responding to, or recovering from, environmental disturbance. The book uses studies of plant communities to document these general principles, placing particular emphasis on reproductive scheduling and its role in the stable coexistence of similar species. The book deserves a wide audience.' Robert M. May, University of Oxford
'Ecologists have long talked about temporal variability, such as in rainfall, but largely as perturbations to a more static, idealized equilibrium. Yet, temporal variation is a pervasive feature of the natural world, and species have evolved to exploit such variation. Species can also generate novel sources of temporal variation, such as the dramatic phenomenon of masting. This well-crafted book, containing chapters by many distinguished ecologists, draws together excellent case studies from a range of field systems, along with theory on the storage effect and evolution of masting, to champion the view that temporal variation is central to the generation and maintenance of biological diversity. It should be on the shelves of all ecologists who care deeply about the factors governing ecological communities, and about the preservation of biodiversity in our ever-changing world.' Robert D. Holt, University of Florida, and co-editor of Trait-Mediated Indirect Interactions (2012)
'The idea that species can have good years and bad years will be familiar to any observer of the natural world, but this volume takes the idea a step further: if different species have different good years then there is the basis of a mechanism that can allow competing species to coexist in a community. How species coexist in diverse communities, without one or a few outcompeting the many is a key question in our understanding of how biological communities are assembled.' Ian Powell, The Biologist
Book Information
ISBN 9780521198639
Author Colleen K. Kelly
Format Hardback
Page Count 333
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publisher Cambridge University Press
Weight(grams) 660g
Dimensions(mm) 235mm * 156mm * 20mm
