Basic Populus Models of Ecology is a step-by-step paperback guide to the models in ecology with problems and simulation exercises. Each chapter provides full explanations of the derivation, dynamics, and implication of each model with problems and simulation exercises that illustrate the issues. The Populus software, which is available for free on the Web, is an excellent tool for illustrating quantitative concepts in a non-threatening way to help students develop an intuitive connection between model behavior and the equations.