Maximum Entropy and Ecology
A Theory of Abundance, Distribution, and Energetics
Series: Oxford Series in Ecology and Evolution;
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Product details:
- Publisher OUP Oxford
- Date of Publication 23 June 2011
- ISBN 9780199593415
- Binding Hardback
- No. of pages280 pages
- Size 236x157x20 mm
- Weight 620 g
- Language English
- Illustrations 60 black and white illustrations 0
Categories
Short description:
Provides readers with the concepts and practical tools required to understand the maximum entropy principle, and apply it to an understanding of ecological patterns. The theory developed predicts realistic forms for all metrics of ecology that describe patterns in the distribution, abundance, and energetics of species.
MoreLong description:
This pioneering graduate textbook provides readers with the concepts and practical tools required to understand the maximum entropy principle, and apply it to an understanding of ecological patterns. Rather than building and combining mechanistic models of ecosystems, the approach is grounded in information theory and the logic of inference. Paralleling the derivation of thermodynamics from the maximum entropy principle, the state variable theory of ecology developed in this book predicts realistic forms for all metrics of ecology that describe patterns in the distribution, abundance, and energetics of species over multiple spatial scales, a wide range of habitats, and diverse taxonomic groups.
The first part of the book is foundational, discussing the nature of theory, the relationship of ecology to other sciences, and the concept of the logic of inference. Subsequent sections present the fundamentals of macroecology and of maximum information entropy, starting from first principles. The core of the book integrates these fundamental principles, leading to the derivation and testing of the predictions of the maximum entropy theory of ecology (METE). A final section broadens the book's perspective by showing how METE can help clarify several major issues in conservation biology, placing it in context with other theories and highlighting avenues for future research.
All those new to research, regardless of discipline, would do well to read at least the first part of this book and there is plenty other material to help understand 'how to do research'. There is plenty for physicists to enjoy and think about at a casual level without the need to commit to finding out a huge amount about ecology. It was a pleasure to review this book.
Table of Contents:
Preface
PART I. Foundations
The Nature of Theory
The Logic of Inference
PART II. Macroecology
Scaling Metrics and Macroecology
Overview of Macroecological Models and Theories
PART III. The Maximum Entropy Principle
Entropy, Information, and the Concept of Maximum Entropy
MaxEnt at work
PART IV. Macroecology and MaxEnt
The Maximum Entropy Theory of Ecology (METE)
Testing METE
PART V. A Wider Perspective
Applications to Conservation
Connections to other theories
Future Directions
Epilogue: Is a Comprehensive Unified Theory of Ecology possible? What might it look like?
Appendix A. Access to plant census data from a serpentine grassland
Appendix B. A fractal model
Appendix C. Predicting the SAR: An alternative approach
References
Index
