STABILITY AND COMPLEXITY IN MODEL ECOSYSTEMS

"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

What makes populations stabilize? What makes them fluctuate? Ar e populations in complex ecosystems more stable than population s in simple ecosystems? In 1973, Robert May addressed these que stions in this classic book. May investigated the mathematical roots of population dynamics and argued - counter to most curre nt biological thinking - that complex ecosystem in themselves do not lead to population stability.