Mathematical Ecology

Mathematical Ecology by Pielou, E. C.. hardcover edition. ISBN: 9780471019930.

Pielous approach added mathematical modeling to ecology. Quantifiable analyses could be done with theoretical ecology in areas like population and community ecology. Mathematics would provide insight into, for example, which factors are most significant to ecosystem stability and by how much compared to others. One of Pielous papers mentioned the importance and uses of mathematical modeling in ecology as well as their limitations. Population dynamics were better explained as to why they behaved in the ways that they did through modeling. Predictions to an ecosystems behavior and its outcomes became more of an explanation as to why, rather than simply a forecast, through the use of such models. If a model was unrealistic, it did not mean that it was wrong. Mathematical modeling allowed the creation of new hypotheses looking into why the model did not match observations. An outcome was not always one or the other, as it might have been different due to unforeseen circumstances or conditions initially thought as unimportant. This allowed mathematical models in ecology to be used as a standard for comparisons with other systems. No two ecosystems are identical, and the significant differences between them could be more easily identified.