The book "Ecological Niches: Linking Classical and Contemporary Approaches" by Jonathan M. Chase and Mathew A. Leibold aims to revitalize community ecology by providing a framework for predicting species interactions and understanding diversity patterns. The authors argue that the traditional dichotomy between Hutchinsonian and Eltonian approaches to the niche is antithetical and propose a dialectical or synthetic approach, centered around the Zero Net Growth Isocline (ZNGI) and its impact vectors. This framework seeks to predict species competition based on Tilman’s R* principle, which suggests that a species can competitively exclude others by reaching equilibrium at the lowest resource level. The book covers various ecological phenomena such as species sorting, succession, and the intermediate disturbance hypothesis, but some chapters are criticized for lacking sufficient empirical support and rigorous testing. While the authors acknowledge the need for more rigorous scientific theory, they aim to provide a springboard for further insights and syntheses in community ecology. The review concludes that while the book offers valuable ideas, it may need to address issues of testability and empirical validation to fully realize its potential in advancing the field.The book "Ecological Niches: Linking Classical and Contemporary Approaches" by Jonathan M. Chase and Mathew A. Leibold aims to revitalize community ecology by providing a framework for predicting species interactions and understanding diversity patterns. The authors argue that the traditional dichotomy between Hutchinsonian and Eltonian approaches to the niche is antithetical and propose a dialectical or synthetic approach, centered around the Zero Net Growth Isocline (ZNGI) and its impact vectors. This framework seeks to predict species competition based on Tilman’s R* principle, which suggests that a species can competitively exclude others by reaching equilibrium at the lowest resource level. The book covers various ecological phenomena such as species sorting, succession, and the intermediate disturbance hypothesis, but some chapters are criticized for lacking sufficient empirical support and rigorous testing. While the authors acknowledge the need for more rigorous scientific theory, they aim to provide a springboard for further insights and syntheses in community ecology. The review concludes that while the book offers valuable ideas, it may need to address issues of testability and empirical validation to fully realize its potential in advancing the field.