Book excerpt: Whether you're looking to save the planet or learn more about your local environment, 30-Second Ecology introduces you to the diversity, behaviours and challenges within our ecosystem. Part of the 30-Second series, this introductory guide to ecology is split into 7 chapters that cover: Evolution & Ecology Behavioural Ecology Population Ecology Communities & Landscapes Biomes & Biodiversity Applied Ecology Ecology in a Changing World Plus profiles of notable ecologists, such as Robert H. Macarthur, Rachel Carson and Wangari Maathai. Each topic is summarised in 300 words with one image, helping you understand the subject at great speed. Written by professors and experts from around the world, this book shows us that humans are truly part of this global ecology, not a separate entity from it and our collective actions have far-reaching ramifications on the environment around us. If you like this, you might also be interested in 30-Second Zoology . . .