Aeroecology: An Integrative View of the Atmosphere

Abstract

The aerosphere is a fluid and rapidly evolving medium, which provides habitat for an abundance of organisms. The evolution of life on earth is replete with examples of key adaptations that enable all forms of life to use the atmosphere to move in ways that are simply impossible otherwise. The evolution of volancy is shaped by the habitat in which it occurs, the aerosphere. Understanding the atmosphere is central to understanding the movements and behavior of the animals that use it. Aeroecology represents a multidisciplinary approach to study animals in the aerosphere that taps into advanced observation, modeling, and visualization tools. This book on “Aeroecology” aims to provide the reader with a better understanding of the interdisciplinary field of aeroecology and its relevance by providing fundamental yet highly accessible material in several key areas. Moreover, the book includes several chapters that address a variety of observational methodologies actively used within aeroecology and how they are being applied to help us to better understand volant animals and their interaction with society. This overview chapter not only provides a broad introduction to the concept of aeroecology but also offers brief synopses of the other chapters in the book.