Stability and Complexity in Model Ecosystems (Princeton Landmarks in Biology) [Paperback]

Robert M. May (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0691088616 | ISBN-13: 978-0691088617 | Publication Date: April 1, 2001

What makes populations stabilize? What makes them fluctuate? Are populations in complex ecosystems more stable than populations in simple ecosystems? In 1973, Robert May addressed these questions in this classic book. May investigated the mathematical roots of population dynamics and argued-counter to most current biological thinking-that complex ecosystems in themselves do not lead to population stability. Stability and Complexity in Model Ecosystems played a key role in introducing nonlinear mathematical models and the study of deterministic chaos into ecology, a role chronicled in James Gleick's book Chaos. In the quarter century since its first publication, the book's message has grown in power. Nonlinear models are now at the center of ecological thinking, and current threats to biodiversity have made questions about the role of ecosystem complexity more crucial than ever. In a new introduction, the author addresses some of the changes that have swept biology and the biological world since the book's first publication.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"May's Stability and Complexity in Model Ecosystems was undoubtedly the most influential treatise in theoretical ecology since the pioneering efforts of Volterra and Lotka. It transformed the subject by brokering a marriage between theory and fact that had been - and is still too often - missing in theoretical ecology. It is no coincidence that the full integration of theory into ecology has occurred since the original appearance of this landmark book. May's new Introduction wonderfully places events in perspective." - Simon Levin, Princeton University"

From the Back Cover

"May's Stability and Complexity in Model Ecosystems was undoubtedly the most influential treatise in theoretical ecology since the pioneering efforts of Volterra and Lotka. It transformed the subject by brokering a marriage between theory and fact that had been-and is still too often-missing in theoretical ecology. It is no coincidence that the full integration of theory into ecology has occurred since the original appearance of this landmark book. May's new introduction wonderfully places events in perspective."--Simon Levin, Princeton University

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Product Details

• Paperback: 292 pages
• Publisher: Princeton University Press (April 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0691088616
• ISBN-13: 978-0691088617
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #763,923 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a classic, February 14, 2008

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J. Tolosa (New Jersey, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Stability and Complexity in Model Ecosystems (Princeton Landmarks in Biology) (Paperback)

A facsimile reprinting of the 1974 Second Edition. It is great that Princeton University Press has made again available this classic work in mathematical biology. There is a wealth of mathematical ideas and methods, carefully written. Several Appendices provide additional mathematical background. All in all, this books continues to be a source of information and inspiration to this day.