Ecology; Concepts and Applications was written this book for students taking their first undergraduate course in ecology. Ecology is an integrative discipline, and thus a foundation in other sciences in important. We have assumed that students in this course have some knowledge of basic chemistry and mathematics and that they have had a course in general biology that included introductions to physiology, biological diversity, and evolution.

When writing this text the authors had four goals in mind:

Teach the foundations of ecology using Canadian examples to help students relate to the material.

Link the science of ecology to real-world problems.

Emphasize the linkage between ecology and evolutionary biology.

Enhance quantitative understanding of students.