Dynamics of Tropical Communities: 37th Symposium of the British Ecological Society

Tropical communities are recognised as among the most species-rich and dynamic in the world. Yet far from existing as dynamic equilibria, large unpredictable disruptive events are seen as dominating the longer-term dynamics set against the background of global change. This volume challenges the dynamic equilibrium idea yet further, arguing for thinking on a timescale of decades to centuries, finding new ways to handle unpredictability and uniqueness, and evaluating species diversity and community change at different scales. The difficult search for robust generalizations and rules in tropical communities, which might allow better prescription through understanding rather than description is partly answered in this forward-looking book by the realization that a new framework and perspective is required for the tropics. This volume would appeal to both researchers and advanced students of ecology.