The Ecology Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained

Get to grips with the key concepts that have shaped the way we think about the environment, ecosystems, and biodiversity, and our role in protecting the planet.

Packed with short, pithy explanations of more than 90 of the key milestones and groundbreaking ideas within the field, The Ecology Book is the perfect one-stop guide to the subject. Untangling knotty theories and shedding light on complex concepts, the book explores and explains each one through a combination of easy-to-follow text, memorable quotes, and innovative graphics.

Straddling biology, geology, geography, and environmentalism, individual entries explore everything from the ideas of classical thinkers and Enlightenment attempts to control nature, to discoveries such as the biosphere and renewable energy to theories like the Gaia hypothesis. The book also covers “green” issues – from the impact of pesticides and the plight of vulnerable species to the search for renewable energy – throughout, and features profiles of influential figures from Charles Darwin and Carl Linnaeus to Rachel Carson and William Nordhaus.

Whether you are new to ecology, a student of the subject, or simply concerned about what is happening to our planet, this is an essential introduction to the environment and climate change. Fully revised and updated with eight brand-new pages of content, The Ecology Book is a truly accessible and comprehensive guide to what is arguably the most important subject of our time.

Pages: 360

Publication year: 2025