Systems Analysis in Ecology

Systems Analysis in Ecology surveys the problems and techniques of systems analysis in ecology. The opening and closing chapters were written by the editor, the first to explain why systems analysis is needed in ecology and what is meant by the term, and the last to point out the implications of this new approach for the future development of ecology.
The book opens with a discussion of the nature of systems analysis. This is followed by separate chapters on the complexity of ecological systems and problems in their study and management; the organization and analytical procedures required by a large ecological systems study; telemetry and automatic data acquisition systems; and surveillance of the activities of small mammals. Subsequent chapters deal with the analysis of bird navigation experiments; the analysis of determination in population systems; building models of complex ecological systems; mathematical tools for the design of better salmon fishery management systems; and the evolution of ecological research programs.

List of Contributors Preface Chapter 1 The Nature of Systems Analysis I. The Meaning of "System" II. The Methods of Systems Analysis III. The Motives for Using Systems Analysis in Ecology IV. The Sequence of Steps in a Systems Research Program V. The Types of New Activities Brought into Ecology by the Systems Approach VI. Impact of the New Activities on Ecological Methodology and Theory References Chapter 2 Complexity of Ecological Systems and Problems in Their Study and Management I. The Pest Control Problem II. Populations as a Part of Communities III. Community Structure and Function IV. Management of Pest Populations V. Summary References Chapter 3 The Organization and Analytical Procedures Required by a Large Ecological Systems Study I. Introduction II. Rationale of Organization III. The Organism and Its Ecosystem IV. The Study V. The Future References Chapter 4 Telemetry and Automatic Data Acquisition Systems I. Introduction II. The Components of Data Acquisition Systems III. Examples of Data Acquisition Systems References Chapter 5 Automatic Monitoring of the Activities of Small Mammals I. Introduction II. Enclosures III. Programming, Recording, and Data Reducing IV. Remote Observation V. Enclosure Environment VI. Illustrative Results VII. Volitional Control over Illumination VIII. Summary References Chapter 6 Analysis of Bird Navigation Experiments I. Introduction II. The Study of Bird Migration III. Gaps in the Story IV. The Problem V. Data Acquisition Systems VI. Experimental Animals VII. Experimental Results and Their Analysis References Chapter 7 The Analysis of Determination in Population Systems I. Introduction II. The Basic Data III. Other Analytic Approaches IV. The Basis of the Pres