Introduction to Quantitative Ecology

Mathematical and Statistical Modelling for Beginners

Environmental science (ecology, conservation, and resource management) is an increasingly quantitative field. A well-trained ecologist now needs to evaluate the evidence generated from complex quantitative methods and apply these methods in their own research. Yet the existing books and academic coursework are not adequately serving most of the potential audience – instead, they cater to the specialists who wish to focus on either mathematical or statistical aspects and overwhelmingly appeal to those who already have confidence in their quantitative skills. At the same time, many texts lack an explicit emphasis on the epistemology of quantitative techniques. That is, how do we gain an understanding of the real world from models that are so vastly simplified? This accessible textbook introduces quantitative ecology in a manner that aims to confront these limitations and thereby appeal to a far wider audience. It presents the material in an informal, approachable, and encouraging manner that welcomes readers with any degree of confidence and prior training. It covers foundational topics in both mathematical and statistical ecology before describing how to implement these concepts to choose, use, and analyze models, providing guidance and work examples in both spreadsheet format and R. The emphasis throughout is on the skillful interpretation of models to answer questions about the natural world. Introduction to Quantitative Ecology is suitable for advanced undergraduate students and incoming graduate students seeking to strengthen their understanding of quantitative methods and to apply them successfully to real-world ecology, conservation, and resource management scenarios.