Ecology

William D. Bowman is a Professor at the University of Colorado at Boulder, affiliated with the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Mountain Research Station, and the Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research. He earned his Ph. D. from Duke University. Dr. Bowman has taught courses in introductory ecology, plant ecology, plant-soil interactions, and ecosystems ecology, and for over two decades he has directed undergraduate summer field courses and research programs. His research focuses on the intersections of physiological ecology, community dynamics, and ecosystem function, particularly in the context of environmental change.Sally D. Hacker is a Professor at Oregon State University, Corvallis, where she has been a faculty member since 2004. She has taught courses in introductory ecology, community ecology, and marine biology. She is particularly interested in promoting active and experiential learning for students interested in ecology and field-emersion experiences. Dr. Hacker's research explores the structure, function, and services of natural and managed ecosystems under varying contexts of species interactions and global change. She has conducted research with plants and animals in rocky intertidal, estuarine, and coastal dune ecosystems. Her work has most recently focused on the protective role of coastal ecosystems in mitigating the vulnerability from climate change. In addition to the textbooks, Ecology and Life: The Science of Biology (Sinauer), she is author or coauthor on numerous articles and book chapters exploring themes in community ecology and ecosystem functions and services.Michael L. Cain, having opted to focus full-time on writing, is affiliated with the Department of Biology at New Mexico State University. After receiving his Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Cornell University, he was a faculty member at New Mexico State University and the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. In addition to his work on this book, Dr. Cain is a coauthor of Campbell's Biology (Eleventh Edition) and Biology in Focus (Second Edition). He has instructed students across a wide range of subjects, including introductory biology, ecology, field ecology, evolution, botany, mathematical biology, and biostatistics. His research interests include: plant ecology; long-distance dispersal; ecological and evolutionary dynamics in hybrid zones; and search behavior in plants and animals.