title: Are ecological systems chaotic - And if not, why not?
abstract: Chaotic dynamics emerge when positive/negative feedback systems are dominated much of the time by positive feedback growth processes. Although all ecological systems contain the seeds of chaos (positive feedback), empirical evidence and evolutionary/ecological reasoning support the view that ecosystems do not normally behave chaotically. They may, however, be driven to chaos by human actions that increase growth rates or induce delays in the regulatory (negative feedback) processes.
authors.affiliation: Dept of Entomology, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164-6432, USA.
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Berryman
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Millstein