Ecology: Evolution, Biodiversity and Conservation

The field of study that focuses on the interactions among organisms and their environment is called ecology. It is a branch of biology that overlaps with the disciplines of genetics, ethology and evolutionary biology. The applications of ecology are prevalent in the fields of conservation biology, city planning, wetland management, community health, natural resource management and human social interaction. The understanding of evolution, biodiversity and the need for conservation is vital for a complete understanding of ecology. Adaptation, natural selection, inheritance, populations and life history are some of the concepts intrinsic to both evolutionary biology and ecology. Biodiversity is the variety of life and life's processes. It encompasses the genetic differences among living organisms, the ecosystems and communities they inhabit and the evolutionary and ecological processes required for their subsistence. The conservation and management of biodiversity requires innovative approaches to address the ecological scope of biodiversity. This book contains some path-breaking studies in the field of ecology. It is a valuable compilation of topics, ranging from the basic to the most complex theories and insights in evolution, biodiversity and conservation. It is an essential guide for both academicians and those who wish to pursue this discipline further.