title: Do simple models lead to generality in ecology?
abstract: Modellers of biological, ecological, and environmental systems cannot take for granted the maxim 'simple means general means good'. We argue here that viewing simple models as the main way to achieve generality may be an obstacle to the progress of ecological research. We show how complex models can be both desirable and general, and how simple and complex models can be linked together to produce broad-scale and predictive understanding of biological systems.
authors.affiliation: School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary, University of London, Mile End Road, London, E1 4NS, UK. Electronic address: m.evans@qmul.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Matthew R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: Volker
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Grimm
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Johst
authors.forename: Tarja
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Knuuttila
authors.forename: Rogier
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: de Langhe
authors.forename: Catherine M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Lessells
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Merz
authors.forename: Maureen A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: O'Malley
authors.forename: Steve H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Orzack
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Weisberg
authors.forename: Darren J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Wilkinson
authors.forename: Olaf
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Wolkenhauer
authors.forename: Tim G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Benton
mesh_terms: D004463:Ecology / Q000379:methods*; D017753:Ecosystem; D008954:Models, Biological