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Ecological theories and hypotheses are usually complex because of natural variability in space and time, which often makes the design of experiments difficult. The statistical tests we use require data to be collected carefully and with proper regard to the needs of these tests.
Experiments in Ecology: Their Logical Design and Interpretation Using Analysis of Variance, first published in 1996, describes how to design ecological experiments from a statistical basis using analysis of variance, so that we can draw reliable conclusions. The logical procedures that lead to a need for experiments are described, followed by an introduction to simple statistical tests. This leads to a detailed account of analysis of variance, looking at procedures, assumptions and problems. One-factor analysis is extended to nested (hierarchical) designs and factorial analysis. Finally, some regression methods for examining relationships between variables are covered. Examples of ecological experiments are used throughout to illustrate the procedures and examine problems.
Experiments in Ecology: Their Logical Design and Interpretation Using Analysis of Variance will be invaluable to practising ecologists as well as advanced students involved in experimental design.
1. Introduction
2. A framework for investigating biological patterns and processes
3. Populations, frequency distributions and samples
4. Statistical tests of null hypotheses
5. Statistical tests on samples
6. Simple experiments comparing the means of two populations
7. Analysis of variance
8. More analysis of variance
9. Nested analyses of variance
10. Factorial experiments
11. Construction of any analysis from general principles
12. Some common and some particular experimental designs
13. Analysis involving relationships among variables
14. Conclusions: where to from here?
"As statistics texts go, this one is a veritable page-turner – sardonic in places, just plain funny in others, and engaging throughout [...] the clarity of presentation, both rhetorical and logical, is so compelling, that nearly any reader will benefit from examining this volume."
- Ted Floyd and Jessica Gurevitch, Trends in Ecology and Evolution
"[...] comprehensive and often exhaustive, but not exhausting, with many equations leavened by diagrams and graphs."
- Simon S. Cross, Biologist
"The material in the book is complemental by the author's rich experience in ecology overthe past 20 years and serves as a reference for those wanting to conduct ecological experiments. There are some valuable insights contained in the book that would aid those involved in spatial and temporal studies of landscapes and biological responses of different systems."
- Journal of Environmental Quality
"Altogether a well-written book that will prove an invaluable resource for ecologists of all calibres."
- Helgolander Meeresuntersuchungen
