This book provides a foundation for modern applied ecology. Much of current ecology research and conservation addresses problems across landscapes and regions, focusing on spatial patterns and processes. This book is aimed at teaching fundamental concepts and focuses on learning-by-doing through the use of examples with the software R. It is intended to provide an entry-level, easily accessible foundation for students and practitioners interested in spatial ecology and conservation.

Provides a practical foundation for interpreting complex and challenging topics Covers both basic and applied problems in spatial ecology Uses the software program R to provide real-world examples

Autorentext

Robert Fletcher is an associate professor of Landscape and Spatial Ecology at the University of Florida. His research interests include landscape and spatial ecology, conservation biology, animal behavior, population biology, and quantitative modeling.

Marie-Josée Fortin is professor of Spatial Ecology at the University of Toronto, fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, and Web of Science Highly Cited Researcher in Environment/Ecology. Her research interests are at the interface of ecology, conservation, and spatial statistics.

Inhalt

1. Introduction to spatial ecology and its relevance for conservation.- 2. Scale.- 3. Land-cover pattern and change.- 4. Spatial dispersion and point data.- 5. Spatial dependence and autocorrelation.- 6. Accounting for spatial dependence in ecological data.- 7. Species distributions.- 8. Space use and resource selection.- 9. Connectivity.- 10. Population dynamics in space.- 11. Spatially structured communities.- 12. What have we learned? Looking back and pressing forward.- Appendix: An introduction to R.