Concepts of ecology

This book describes the general concepts of ecology including topics such as: the nature of ecosystems, energy flow in ecosystems, the biogeochemical cycles in ecosystems, the ecology of populations, the organization and dynamics of ecological communities, and ecology and man. This book covers concepts such as energy fixation by autotrophs, energy beyond producers, the hydrological cycle, the gaseous nutrient cycle, the sedimentary nutrient cycles, nutrient budgets and ecosystems, the characterization of population growth, the equilibrium level of populations, the major terrestrial ecosystems, the structural and functional aspects of the deciduous forest, ecological succession, human population, and pollution.