The extent of complex population changes in nature
Published
Journal Article
Many models of animal populations show complex yet predictable patterns of density changes under simple and plausible assumptions. Yet one previous attempt to determine the extent and importance of complex dynamics concluded that they were likely only in some laboratory populations, but not in field populations. Ecologists have treated changes more complex than a return to a simple equilibrium, such as the cyclical changes in populations of lynx and voles in the arctic, as special cases. Highly variable populations, such as insects, are usually thought to be driven by unpredictable changes in the weather. Here, we assemble 71 populations counted for over 50 years, and suggest that complex yet predictable population changes are more common than previously thought. © 1990 Chapman and Hall Ltd.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Witteman, GJ; Redfearn, A; Pimm, SL
Published Date
- April 1, 1990
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 4 / 2
Start / End Page
- 173 - 183
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1573-8477
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
- 0269-7653
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1007/BF02270914
Citation Source
- Scopus