Space and time in ecology: Noise or fundamental driver?

Abstract

In this chapter I frame the central issue of the book, namely is spatial and temporal complexity in ecological systems merely noise around the predictions of non-spatial, equilibrium processes? Or, alternatively, do spatial and temporal variability in the environment and autogenic space-time processes in populations fundamentally alter system behavior such that ideal models of nonspatial and equilibrium processes do not represent the fundamental dynamics of ecological systems?