03928nam 2200973Ia 450 991077894750332120230721020504.01-282-35985-10-520-94454-2978661235985910.1525/9780520944541(CKB)2550000000083013(EBL)837312(OCoLC)773565076(SSID)ssj0000301430(PQKBManifestationID)11265146(PQKBTitleCode)TC0000301430(PQKBWorkID)10260980(PQKB)10075298(StDuBDS)EDZ0000055778(MiAaPQ)EBC837312(DE-B1597)519096(DE-B1597)9780520944541(Au-PeEL)EBL837312(CaPaEBR)ebr10675764(CaONFJC)MIL235985(EXLCZ)99255000000008301320090320d2009 ub 0engur|n|---|||||txtccrLaws, theories, and patterns in ecology[electronic resource] /Walter K. DoddsBerkeley University of California Pressc20091 online resource (250 p.)The Stephen Bechtel Fund imprint in ecology and the environmentDescription based upon print version of record.0-520-26041-4 0-520-26040-6 Includes bibliographical references and index.Frontmatter -- CONTENTS -- PREFACE -- ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Introduction -- Chapter 1. Laws -- Chapter 2. Theories -- Chapter 3. Patterns, Questions, and Predictions -- REFERENCES -- INDEXPhysics and chemistry are distinguished from biology by the way generalizations are codified into theories tested by observation and experimentation. Some theories have been sufficiently tested to qualify as laws. In ecology, generalizations worthy of being called theories are less common because observations and experimentation are difficult and exceptions are more common. In this book, Walter K. Dodds enumerates generalizations in ecology. Introductory material describes how the practice of science in general, and ecology specifically, yields theories and laws. Dodds also discusses why such ideas are only useful if they have predictive ability, and delineates the scope of these generalizations and the constraints that limit their application. The result is a short book that delves deeply into important ecological ideas and how they predict and provide understanding.Stephen Bechtel Fund imprint in ecology and the environment.Biotic communitiesEcologyPhilosophyabiotic components.biodiversity.biology.biomass.biophysical environment.biotic components.competition.cooperation.distribution.ecological theories.ecology.ecosystems.generalizations.global theories of everything.laws.metabolic theory.natural world.nature.neutral theory.organism interactions.phenomenon.populations of organisms.predictive ability.science.scientific laws.scientific practices.theoretical.Biotic communities.EcologyPhilosophy.577Dodds Walter K(Walter Kennedy),1958-1570137MiAaPQMiAaPQMiAaPQBOOK9910778947503321Laws, theories, and patterns in ecology3851032UNINA