This book is the first complete biography of one of the founders of fishery science, William Edwin (Bill) Ricker (1908 - 2001), immortalized in the Ricker Curve. This book combines Bill’s own recollections with contributions from those who knew him and worked with him as a colleague during his multifaceted career. In an article written shortly before his death, Bill gives his own account of his career and intellectual development.

Covering a wide range of disciplines, this book explains the formulae, techniques, and methods used in field ecology. By providing an awareness of the statistical foundation for existing methods, the book will make biologists more aware of the strengths and possible weaknesses of procedures employed, and statisticians more appreciative of the needs of the field ecologist. Unique to this book is a focus on ecological data for single-species populations, from sampling through modeling. Examples come from real situations in pest management, forestry, wildlife biology, plant protection, and environmental studies, as well as from classical ecology. All those using this book will acquire a strong foundation in the statistical methods of modern ecological research. This textbook is for late undergraduate and graduate students, and for professionals.