Anyone have a recomendation as to books to study ecological science?

I'm interested in books on basic ecological science, at an adult level, and on more in depth books focused on the various ecosystems of Colorado. I'm sure I could turn something up online, but who better to give recommendations then the permies?!

"Botany In A Day" is one of the most valuable books I ever read. Too bad it is now lost to me. It is basically a primer on how to identify common North American plant families.

I have no idea about Colorado.

There are several books that will introduce the science of ecology to you. I'm guessing you want a first-year undergraduate ecology textbook. You're probably looking for a copy of Essentials of Ecology by Colin R. Townsend, Michael Begon and John L. Harper. If you fancy being more ambitious, try for Ecology: From Individuals to Ecosystems by Michael Begon, Colin R. Townsend and John L. Harper. With luck you'll find a student selling textbooks.

If you want to understand agroecosystems, from a practical permaculture perspective, I recommend Agroecology: the Ecology of Sustainable Food Systems by Stephen Gliessman. Review at some point in the next week or so, I hope. I've already reviewed one of his books from the standpoint of learning to do research: https://permies.com/t/56250/books/Field-Laboratory-Investigations-Agroecology-Stephen

On a related note, Practical Field Ecology: A Project Guide by C. Philip Wheater, James R. Bell and Penny A. Cook teaches what it says on the cover.

Great, thanks. I've ordered them all from my local library, they should be here in a few weeks. I have a great library which will get me just about anything. The system stretches across Colorado and Wyoming, and includes the libraries of at least 3 universities. And if something (rarely) is not in that system, I can beg and plead until they order something from farther afield.