Rarity of density dependence or population regulation with lags

摘要: SEVERAL recent reviews of published life tables1–3 concluded that density-dependent regulation is infrequent in insect populations, prompting a vigorous debate among eco legists4–10. Little attention, however, has been directed to one issue: most life-table analyses look only for direct (not-lagged) density dependence. Thus, there real danger populations characterized by delays will be relegated density-independent limbo an analysis not equipped recognize such behaviour. I have evaluated the evidence delayed dependence population dynamics 14 forest insects, and assessed effect lags on likelihood detecting Eight cases exhibited clear lag-induced oscillations, but was detected these. This result suggests traditional not, general, detect are complex dynamic