North America contains an incredibly diverse array of natural
environments, each supporting unique systems of plant and animal
life. These systems, the largest of which are biomes, form
intricate webs of life that have taken millennia to evolve. This
richly illustrated book introduces readers to this extraordinary
array of natural communities and their subtle biological and
geological interactions.

Completely revised and updated throughout, the second edition of
this successful text takes a qualitative, intuitive approach to the
subject, beginning with an overview of essential ecological terms
and concepts, such as competitive exclusion, taxa, niches, and
succession. It then goes on to describe the major biomes and
communities that characterize the rich biota of the continent,
starting with the Tundra and continuing with Boreal Forest,
Deciduous Forest, Grasslands, Deserts, Montane Forests, and
Temperature Rain Forest, among others. Coastal environments,
including the Laguna Madre, seagrasses, Chesapeake Bay, and barrier
islands appear in a new chapter. Additionally, the book covers many
unique features such as pitcher plant bogs, muskeg, the polar ice
cap, the cloud forests of Mexico, and the LaBrea tar pits.
"Infoboxes" have been added; these include biographies
of historical figures who provided significant contributions to the
development of ecology, unique circumstances such as frogs and
insects that survive freezing, and conservation issues such as
those concerning puffins and island foxes. Throughout the text,
ecological concepts are worked into the text; these include
biogeography, competitive exclusion, succession, soil formation,
and the mechanics of natural selection.

Ecology of North America 2e is an ideal first text for
students interested in natural resources, environmental science,
and biology, and it is a useful and attractive addition to the
library of anyone interested in understanding and protecting the
natural environment.

Brian R. Chapman was raised in Texas and earned degrees in zoology at Texas A&M University-Kingsville (BS) and Texas Tech University (MS, PhD). Before his present appointment as the Senior Research Scientist at the Texas Research Institute for Environmental Studies, Sam Houston State University, he held professorships at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and the University of Georgia; he also served as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Sam Houston State University and provost and vice president for academic affairs at universities in Texas and North Carolina. He is the author or coauthor of more than 150 refereed articles and book chapters.

Eric G. Bolen earned degrees in wildlife ecology and management at the University of Maine (BS) and Utah State University (MS, PhD). Before retiring, he taught at Texas A&M Kingsville, Texas Tech University and the University of North Carolina Wilmington where he served as dean of the Graduate School; he also held the position of assistant director of the Welder Wildlife Foundation. He is the author or coauthor of more than 200 publications, including several editions of the textbooks Wildlife Ecology and Management and Waterfowl Ecology and Management.

North America contains an incredibly diverse array of natural environments, each supporting unique systems of plant and animal life. These systems, the largest of which are biomes, form intricate webs of life that have taken millennia to evolve. This richly illustrated book introduces readers to this extraordinary array of natural communities and their subtle biological and geological interactions.

Completely revised and updated throughout, the second edition of this successful text takes a qualitative, intuitive approach to the subject, beginning with an overview of essential ecological terms and concepts, such as competitive exclusion, taxa, niches, and succession. It then goes on to describe the major biomes and communities that characterize the rich biota of the continent, starting with the Tundra and continuing with Boreal Forest, Deciduous Forest, Grasslands, Deserts, Montane Forests, and Temperature Rain Forest, among others. Coastal environments, including the Laguna Madre, seagrasses, Chesapeake Bay, and barrier islands appear in a new chapter. Additionally, the book covers many unique features such as pitcher plant bogs, muskeg, the polar ice cap, the cloud forests of Mexico, and the LaBrea tar pits. Infoboxes have been added; these include biographies of historical figures who provided significant contributions to the development of ecology, unique circumstances such as frogs and insects that survive freezing, and conservation issues such as those concerning puffins and island foxes. Throughout the text, ecological concepts are worked into the text; these include biogeography, competitive exclusion, succession, soil formation, and the mechanics of natural selection.

Ecology of North America 2e is an ideal first text for students interested in natural resources, environmental science, and biology, and it is a useful and attractive addition to the library of anyone interested in understanding and protecting the natural environment.

Foreword viii

Preface ix

Acknowledgments xi

1 Introduction 1

A brief overview of ecology 1

The ecosystem 2

Abiotic limits 3

Climate and topography 4

Soils and soil profiles 4

Biotic community 6

Community succession 6

Plant succession: from pioneer to climax 6

Primary and secondary succession 6

Succession and species abundance 7

The biome concept 7

Biodiversity 7

The "species richness gradient" 8

Biodiversity "hotspots" 8

Patterns of distribution 9

Continental patterns 9

Geographical and ecological distribution 10

Some ecological concepts 10

Niches 10

Ecological equivalents 12

Bergmann's rule 12

Allen's rule 13

Readings and references 14

2 Tundra 17

Climatic and glacial influences 17

Soils and geological influences 17

Permafrost 18

Patterned ground 18

Eskers and tundra wildlife 20

Glacial refugia 21

Features and adaptations 21

Plant adaptations to harsh conditions 21

Plant growth and reproduction 22

Decomposition and soil nutrients 23

Some animal adaptations 23

Major vegetative communities 24

Shrub tundra 25

Dwarf birch heath 25

Cottongrass heath 25

Fellfields 25

Invertebrates and tundra ecology 25

Selected tundra mammals 26

Lemmings 26

Arctic ground squirrels 27

Arctic foxes 28

Barren?]ground caribou 28

Selected tundra birds 29

Gyrfalcons 29

Snowy owl 30

Ross goose 30

Highlights 31

Absentees: amphibians and reptiles 31

Lichens and "reindeer moss" 31

Snow goose "eat outs" 32

Alpine Tundra 33

Fragile Tundra 34

Impacts of human activity 34

Global warming 35

Readings and references 36

3 Boreal Forest 41

Climatic boundaries and soils 41

Features and adaptations 42

Plant adaptations 42

Animal adaptations 42

Frequent fires 42

Niches in the Boreal Forest 43

Selected biotic communities 44

Tree line and forest tundra 44

Muskeg 46

Coniferous swamps 46

Comparative ecology of lakes 46

Appalachian Extension 48

Mountain balds 48

Highlights 49

The 10?]year cycle 49

Wolves and moose 50

A wealth of salamanders 52

Red squirrels 53

Ecological challenges 54<…