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The complexity and stability of ecosystems

Nature volume 307, pages 321–326 (1984)Cite this article

Abstract

Early studies suggested that simple ecosystems were less stable than complex ones, but later studies came to the opposite conclusion. Confusion arose because of the many different meanings of ‘complexity’ and ‘stability’. Most of the possible questions about the relationship between stability–complexity have not been asked. Those that have yield a variety of answers.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology and Graduate Program in Ecology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, 37996, USA

    Stuart L. Pimm

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  1. Stuart L. Pimm
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Pimm, S. The complexity and stability of ecosystems. Nature 307, 321–326 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1038/307321a0

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