Chaos in ecology : experimental nonlinear dynamics /

Chaos in Ecology applies the theories of dynamical systems to one set of equations--the larval, pupal, adult (LPA) model for the flour beetle. It shows in a sophisticated manner how chaos is a part of this model. The authors stay away from proving many of the theories of dynamical system and focus on the system's application. The book helps readers understand chaos by explaining such terms as iteration and bifurcation. It defines the LPA model that will be investigated, which is a simple population model with fuzziness due to environmental stochasticity included. The book analyzes bifurcations concerning the parameter related to the adult beetle's death rate and lays out a comparison between experiment and model as well as studies the attractors and how they change at different bifurcation points. The book also tests the model for another aspect of chaos, sensitivity to initial conditions--a key point in the study of chaos. The authors end with an overview of their experience and offer their book as a contribution to the "hardening of ecology." ^BSumming Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty. M. D. Sanford Felician College