Distribution ecology : from individual habitat use to species biogeographical range

This book brings together a set of approaches to the study of individual-species ecology based on the analysis of spatial variations of abundance. Distribution ecology assumes that ecological phenomena can be understood when analyzing the extrinsic (environmental) or intrinsic (physiological constraints, population mechanisms) that correlate with this spatial variation. Ecological processes depend on geographical scales, so their analysis requires following environmental heterogeneity. At small scales, the effects of biotic factors of ecosystems are strong, while at large scales, abiotic factors such as climate, govern ecological functioning. Responses of organisms also depend on scales: at small scales, adaptations dominate, i.e. the ability of organisms to respond adaptively using habitat decision rules that maximize their fitness; at large scales, limiting traits dominate, i.e., tolerance ranges to environmental conditions.​ Front Matter....Pages i-xii Front Matter....Pages 1-1 Concepts and Definitions....Pages 3-13 Front Matter....Pages 15-15 Distribution of Individuals....Pages 17-42 Distribution of Aggregations....Pages 43-56 Distribution of Societies....Pages 57-75 Distribution of Subpopulations....Pages 77-91 Distribution of Populations....Pages 93-99 Distribution of Species....Pages 101-114 Front Matter....Pages 115-115 Distribution of Species Assemblages....Pages 117-126 Distribution of Genes....Pages 127-142 Front Matter....Pages 143-143 Distribution Ecology in Conservation Biology....Pages 145-162 Distribution Ecology in Animal Production....Pages 163-174 Front Matter....Pages 175-175 Final Remarks....Pages 177-188 Back Matter....Pages 189-217 Concepts And Definitions -- Distribution Of Individuals -- Distribution Of Aggregations -- Distribution Of Societies -- Distribution Of Subpopulations -- Distribution Of Populations -- Distribution Of Species -- Distribution Of Species Assemblages -- Distribution Of Genes -- Distribution Ecology In Conservation Biology -- Distribution Ecology In Animal Production -- Final Remarks. Marcelo Hernán Cassini. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 189-209) And Index.