On the evidence needed to judge ecological stability or persistence

Chicago

1983

S. 789-842

2 Abb., zahlr. Lit. Ang.

BandaufführungSonderdruck

153061

To see whether real ecosystems (as opposed to model ones) are stable, i.e. whether they exhibit resistance to short-term perturbations or adjustment following them, stable equilibria must be identified. To do this and still avoid trivial results, certain criteria of scale must be satisfied. To judge resistance, the strength of the perturbation capable of overcoming it must be estimated, and this usually requires experimentation. On a temporal Scale, the fate of all adults of the population or community must either be followed for a minimal period of at least one complete turnover, or their replacemenl probabilities estimated. In regard to Space, if one finds instability, this may apply only to the area studied, not to larger areas. However it is usetul to define the spatial scale for which instability versus siability applies.