Basic Populus Models of Ecology

For one semester courses in General Ecology, Community Ecology, population Biology, and Conservation Biology found in departments of Biology, Zoology, Evolution and Ecology, Natural Resources and Wildlife, and Environmental Science.Basic Populus Models of Ecology is a step-by-step paperback guide to the models in ecology with problems and simulation exercises. Each chapter provides full explanations of the derivation, dynamics, and implication of each model with problems and simulation exercises that illustrate the issues. The Populus software, which is available for free on the Web, is an excellent tool for illustrating quantitative concepts in a non-threatening way to help students develop an intuitive connection between model behavior and the equations.All the exercises have been written for students to learn and to create models at different levels. The paperback guide was developed to accompany the Populus software (http://ecology.umn.edu/populus). Don Alstad, the author of this book, is the person who developed the Populus software. The new Java version (works on Windows and MAC) of Populus is live on the Web-Users view dynamic model output. Represents a powerful way for students to sharpen their understanding of the role that models play in population biology."As a tool for teaching undergraduate students and graduate students, Populus simply is the best in the world of its kind. Don continually is bringing it up-to-date with the most recent developments, and it is the kind of exciting and involving teaching tool which not only brings people to the cutting edge of contemporary research problems, but then encourages them to go beyond and do creative things of their own.""-Sir Robert May, Oxford University"Alstad integrates simple mathematics into the flow of ecological ideas nicely. His text has accuracy, balance, and the appropriate level of detail. Mathematical concepts are well and fully explained, and integrated with figures and problems that students can do in Populus."-Donald Waller, University of Wisconsin-Madison"It is an ideal teaching tool in that the text compiles information from many different sources and contains several illustrative examples. The exercises are thought provoking and relevant to modern issues in ecology. This type of introduction to models is greatly needed for students in undergraduate ecology and evolution courses."-Sonia Altizer, Princeton University"The chapters were wonderfully written-like butter!"-Wendy E. Sera, Baylor University"The combination of the book and the Populus software, which allows users to view dynamic model output and to explore in real time how changing parameters change those predictions, represents a powerful way for students to sharpen their understanding of the role models play in population biology."-William Morris, Duke University"I can say unequivocally that Dr. Alstad's Populus package is the very best bundle of software available for teaching fundamental principles of ecology, evolution, and population biology at the undergraduate and introductory graduate level."-Timothy Mousseau, University of South Carolina