Parasitism and Ecosystems

For several years there has been a growing interest in understanding the dynamics of parasites in ecosystems, as well as the diversity of ways in which they influence ecosystem functioning through their effects on host populations and communities. Ecologists, epidemiologists, evolutionary biologists, and other scientists are increasingly coming to realise that parasites must be taken into account when studying ecosystems. Parasitism and Ecosystems summarizes current knowledge on this topic, providing a comprehensive overview for researchers and students. It represents the first synthesis of both the roles and the consequences of pathogens in ecosystems, utilizing well-documented case-studies to illustrate the main issues as well as identifying prospects for future research. Ecologists, Epidemiologists, Evolutionary Biologists, And Other Scientists Are Increasingly Coming To Realize That Parasites Must Be Taken Into Account When Studying Ecosystems. 'parasitism And Ecosystems' Summarizes Current Knowledge On This Topic. It Represents The Synthesis Of Both The Roles And The Consequences Of Pathogens In Ecosystems--provided By Publisher. Parasites, Diversity, And The Ecosystem / Peter Hudson -- Linking Ecosystem And Parasite Ecology / Michel Loreau, Jacques Roy And David Tilman -- Are There General Laws In Parasite Community Ecology? : The Emergence Of Spatial Parasitology And Epidemiology / J.-f. Guégan, S. Morand And R. Poulin -- Parasitism And The Regulation Of Host Populations / Anders Pape Møller -- Food Web Patterns And The Parasite's Perspective / Michael V.k. Sukhdeo And Alexander D. Hernandez -- Ecosystems And Parasitism : The Spatial Dimension / Robert Holt And Thierry Boulinier -- Parasitism And Hostile Environments / Richard C. Tinsley -- Parasitism And Environmental Disturbances / Kevin D. Lafferty And Armand M. Kuris -- Parasitism, Biodiversity, And Conservation / Frédéric Thomas, Michael B. Bonsall And Andy P. Dobson -- Subverting Hosts And Diverting Ecosystems : An Evolutionary Modelling Perspective / Sam P. Brown [and Others] -- Parasitism In Man-made Ecosystems / François Renaud, Thierry De Meeüs And Andrew F. Read -- Conclusion -- Parasites, Communities And Ecosystems : Conclusions And Perspectives / Gary G. Mittelbach. Edited By Frédéric Thomas, François Renaud, Jean-françois Guegan. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 177-215) And Index. Cover......Page 1 Halftitle......Page 2 Inside Cover......Page 4 Copyright......Page 5 Dedication......Page 6 Contents......Page 8 Contributors......Page 10 INTRODUCTION: Parasites, diversity, and theecosystem......Page 12 CHAPTER 1: Linking ecosystem and parasite ecology......Page 24 CHAPTER 2: Are there general laws in parasite community ecology? The emergence of spatial parasitology and epidemiology......Page 33 CHAPTER 3: Parasitism and the regulation of host populations......Page 54 CHAPTER 4: Food web patterns and the parasite’s perspective......Page 65 CHAPTER 5: Ecosystems and parasitism: the spatial dimension......Page 79 CHAPTER 6: Parasitism and hostile environments......Page 96 CHAPTER 7: Parasitism and environmental disturbances......Page 124 CHAPTER 8: Parasitism, biodiversity, and conservation......Page 135 CHAPTER 9: Subverting hosts and diverting ecosystems: an evolutionary modelling perspective......Page 151 CHAPTER 10: Parasitism in man-made ecosystems......Page 166 CONCLUSION: Parasites, communities, and ecosystems: conclusions and perspectives......Page 182 References......Page 188 Index......Page 228 For several years there has been a growing interest in understanding the dynamics of parasites in ecosystems, as well as the diversity of ways in which they influence ecosystem functioning through their effects on host populations and communities. Ecologists, epidemiologists, evolutionary biologists, and other scientists are increasingly coming to realise that parasites must be taken into account when studying ecosystems. Parasitism and Ecosystems summarizes current knowledge on this topic, providing a comprehensive overview for researchers and students. It represents the first synthesis of both the roles and the consequences of pathogens in ecosystems, utilising well-documented case-studies to illustrate the main issues as well as identifying prospects for future research. "Ecologists, epidemiologists, evolutionary biologists, and other scientists are increasingly coming to realize that parasites must be taken into account when studying ecosystems. Parasitism and Ecosystems summarizes current knowledge on this topic, providing a comprehensive overview for researchers and students. It represents the first synthesis of both the roles and the consequences of pathogens in ecosystems."--P. 4, cover