Complex Population Dynamics A Theoretical/Empirical Synthesis (MPB-35) [Paperback]

Why do organisms become extremely abundant one year and then seem to disappear a few years later? Why do population outbreaks in particular species happen more or less regularly in certain locations, but only irregularly (or never at all) in other locations? Complex population dynamics have fascinated biologists for decades. By bringing together mathematical models, statistical analyses, and field experiments, this book offers a comprehensive new synthesis of the theory of population oscillations.

Peter Turchin first reviews the conceptual tools that ecologists use to investigate population oscillations, introducing population modeling and the statistical analysis of time series data. He then provides an in-depth discussion of several case studies--including the larch budmoth, southern pine beetle, red grouse, voles and lemmings, snowshoe hare, and ungulates--to develop a new analysis of the mechanisms that drive population oscillations in nature. Through such work, the author argues, ecologists can develop general laws of population dynamics that will help turn ecology into a truly quantitative and predictive science.

Complex Population Dynamicsintegrates theoretical and empirical studies into a major new synthesis of current knowledge about population dynamics. It is also a pioneering work that sets the course for ecology's future as a predictive science.

Peter Turchinis Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Connecticut. He is the author ofQuantitative Analysis of Movementand more than sixty scientific articles, including several inNature and Science. Turchin has to be congratulated for the conceptual clarity of the book. . . . I especially recommend the book's first two parts to anyone interested in how to model and analyze population fluctuations. . . . Turchin offers researchers and students alike interesting material and a great deal to think about. ---Esa Ranta,Sciencl³ê