ABSTRACT

Understanding Nature is a new kind of ecology textbook: a straightforward resource that teaches natural history and ecological content, and a way to instruct students that will nurture both Earth and self. While meeting the textbook guidelines set forth by the Ecological Society of America, Understanding Nature has a unique ecotherapy theme, using a historical framework to teach ecological theory to undergraduates.

This textbook presents all the core information without being unnecessarily wordy or lengthy, using simple, relatable language and discussing ecology in ways that any student can apply in real life. Uniquely, it is also a manual on how to improve one’s relationship with the Earth. This is accomplished through coverage of natural history, ecology, and applications, together with suggested field activities that start each chapter and thinking questions that end each chapter. The book includes traditional ecological knowledge as well as the history of scientific ecological knowledge.

Understanding Nature teaches theory and applications that will heal the Earth. It also teaches long-term sustainability practices for one’s psyche. Professor Louise Weber is both an ecologist and a certified ecopsychologist, challenging ecology instructors to rethink what and how they teach about nature. Her book bridges the gap between students taking ecology to become ecologists and those taking ecology as a requirement, who will use the knowledge to become informed citizens.

chapter 1|8 pages

Introduction

chapter 2|10 pages

We stand on their shoulders

chapter 3|13 pages

Biomes, life forms, and ecoregions

chapter 4|8 pages

Biomes: Tundra and taiga

chapter 5|9 pages

Biomes: Grassland

chapter 6|8 pages

Biomes: Shrubland, thickets, and desert

chapter 7|12 pages

Biomes: Savanna and forest

chapter 8|10 pages

Why are biomes where they are?

chapter 12|14 pages

An autobiography of the Earth

chapter 13|12 pages

Introduction to statistics

chapter 14|16 pages

Population ecology basics

chapter 15|27 pages

Population ecology's profound questions

chapter 16|7 pages

Community ecology basics

chapter 17|11 pages

Theory in community ecology/competition

chapter 18|9 pages

Predation

chapter 19|10 pages

Succession

chapter 20|6 pages

Ecosystem ecology basics

chapter 21|8 pages

Energy

chapter 22|9 pages

Matter

chapter 23|8 pages

Ecosystem regulation

chapter 24|7 pages

Landscape ecology

chapter 25|9 pages

Wildlife management and habitat ecology

chapter 27|12 pages

Wildlife management in temperate forests

chapter 28|11 pages

Conservation biology

chapter 29|7 pages

Restoration ecology

chapter 30|11 pages

Aquatic ecology

chapter 31|4 pages

New perspectives in biogeography

chapter 32|4 pages

Wicked problems

chapter 33|12 pages

Epilogue – the evolution of an idea