Preface
The main aim of Advances in Ecological Research, as was pointed out
in the preface to Volume 1, is “. . . to present comprehensive accounts of
selected topics of ecological research in such a way that biologists with
a general interest in ecology as well as specialists in ecology, can obtain
a balanced picture of what is taking place”.
Mr. M. E. Solomon’s review of processes involved in the natural
control of insects will certainly not be the last word in, this very controversial field of study. In taking the insects as his basic material and
utilizing information from other groups of animals, he has presented a
personal viewpoint of this branch of population dynamics. This should
help the general ecologist who cannot hope to keep up with the vast
literature and provide workers in population dynamics with many
points for discussion and development. I n the first number of Advances,
Professor M. E. D. Poore gave an account of his approach to the analysis
and description of plant communities. His discussion of classification
was of value to animal as well as to plant ecologists. I n this number
Dr. Joyce Lambert and Mr. M. B. Dale have looked at the classification
of plant communities in a different way and they challenge some of the
views expressed by Professor Poore. Their paper, in discussing methods
of analysing phytosociological data, gives readers a chance of assessing
the value of computers in this branch of ecology. Now that the International Biological Programme is taking shape, the information and
discussion in Dr. Gorham’s and Dr. Bray’s paper will provide a valuable
starting point for those who will soon be engaged in studying the production of terrestrial communities as part of an international effort.
Finally Professor J. Heslop-Harrison’s extensive review of genecology
provides the ecologist not familiar with the extensive links between
genetics and plant ecology, with a broad perspective of the subject and
presents a challenge to the animal ecologist.
It was originally planned that Advances in Ecological Research should
appear every two years. However, sufficient contributions of high
quality are coming forward to justify annual volumes.
September, 1964
J. B. CRAUU
vii
The main aim of Advances in Ecological Research, as was pointed out
in the preface to Volume 1, is “. . . to present comprehensive accounts of
selected topics of ecological research in such a way that biologists with
a general interest in ecology as well as specialists in ecology, can obtain
a balanced picture of what is taking place”.
Mr. M. E. Solomon’s review of processes involved in the natural
control of insects will certainly not be the last word in, this very controversial field of study. In taking the insects as his basic material and
utilizing information from other groups of animals, he has presented a
personal viewpoint of this branch of population dynamics. This should
help the general ecologist who cannot hope to keep up with the vast
literature and provide workers in population dynamics with many
points for discussion and development. I n the first number of Advances,
Professor M. E. D. Poore gave an account of his approach to the analysis
and description of plant communities. His discussion of classification
was of value to animal as well as to plant ecologists. I n this number
Dr. Joyce Lambert and Mr. M. B. Dale have looked at the classification
of plant communities in a different way and they challenge some of the
views expressed by Professor Poore. Their paper, in discussing methods
of analysing phytosociological data, gives readers a chance of assessing
the value of computers in this branch of ecology. Now that the International Biological Programme is taking shape, the information and
discussion in Dr. Gorham’s and Dr. Bray’s paper will provide a valuable
starting point for those who will soon be engaged in studying the production of terrestrial communities as part of an international effort.
Finally Professor J. Heslop-Harrison’s extensive review of genecology
provides the ecologist not familiar with the extensive links between
genetics and plant ecology, with a broad perspective of the subject and
presents a challenge to the animal ecologist.
It was originally planned that Advances in Ecological Research should
appear every two years. However, sufficient contributions of high
quality are coming forward to justify annual volumes.
September, 1964
J. B. CRAUU
vii