Handbook of Quantitative Ecology

The Handbook of Quantitative Ecology is a comprehensive guide to quantitative research methods in ecology and conservation biology, designed to be accessible to students and professionals with limited mathematical training. It covers basic concepts and advanced topics, with online solutions to all numerical problems.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 176 pages
Publication date: 20 July 2022
Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

Ecology and conservation biology have increasingly relied on quantitative research methods, yet the complexity of these techniques and a lack of computational or mathematics training have hindered quantitative literacy in these fields. Ecologist Justin Kitzes aims to address these challenges by providing a comprehensive and accessible guide to quantitative methods in ecology and conservation biology. Handbook of Quantitative Ecology, which requires only basic algebra and the ability to use a spreadsheet, is designed to offer a practical, intuitive, and integrated introduction to widely used quantitative methods.

The book is organized into five broad categories: difference equations, probability, matrix models, likelihood statistics, and other numerical methods. Each chapter focuses on a specific ecological problem and employs a step-by-step approach to arrive at a general principle. The text begins with basic concepts such as exponential and logistic growth and progresses to more advanced topics such as bootstrapping, stochastic optimization, and cellular automata.

To enhance accessibility, the book includes online solutions to all numerical problems. It is an ideal coursebook for undergraduate and graduate students of ecology, as well as a valuable resource for mathematically out-of-practice scientists. By providing a clear and concise introduction to quantitative methods, Handbook of Quantitative Ecology empowers researchers to analyze and interpret ecological data more effectively, leading to better conservation outcomes.

Dimension: 229 x 152 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780226818344