Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

Rarity of density dependence or population regulation with lags?

Nature volume 344, pages 660–663 (1990)Cite this article

Abstract

SEVERAL recent reviews of published life tables1–3 concluded that density-dependent regulation is infrequent in insect populations, prompting a vigorous debate among eco legists4–10. Little attention, however, has been directed to one issue: most life-table analyses look only for direct (not-lagged) density dependence. Thus, there is a real danger that populations characterized by delays in regulation will be relegated to a density-independent limbo by an analysis not equipped to recognize such behaviour. I have evaluated the evidence for delayed density dependence in population dynamics of 14 forest insects, and assessed the effect of regulation lags on the likelihood of detecting direct density dependence. Eight cases exhibited clear evidence for delayed density dependence and lag-induced oscillations, but direct density dependence was detected in only one of these. This result suggests that traditional analyses will not, in general, detect density-dependent regulation in populations that are characterized by lags and complex dynamic behaviour.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Relevant articles

Open Access articles citing this article.

Access options

Rent or buy this article

Get just this article for as long as you need it

$39.95

Learn more

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

References

  1. Dempster, J. P. Biol. Rev. Cambridge. Phil. Soc. 58, 461–481 (1983).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Stiling, P. Ecology 68, 844–856 (1987).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Stiling, P. J. Anim. Ecol. 57, 581–594 (1988).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Hassell, M. P. J. Anim. Ecol. 54, 323–334 (1985).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Dempster, J. P. & Pollard, E. Oikos 46, 413–416 (1986).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Hassell, M. P. J. Anim. Ecol. 56, 705–713 (1987).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Strong, D. Trends Ecol. Evol. 1, 39–42 (1986).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Murdoch, W. W. & Reeve, J. D. Oikos 50, 137–141 (1987).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Brown, M. W. Ecology 70, 776–779 (1989).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  10. Stiling, P. Ecology 70, 783–786 (1989).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Royama, T. Ecol. Monogr. 51, 473–493 (1981).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Prout, T. & McChesney, F. Am. Nat. 126, 521–558 (1985).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Moran, P. A. P. Aust. J. Zool. 1, 163–173 (1953).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Royama, T. Ecol. Monogr. 47, 1–35 (1977).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Berryman, A. A. Can. Ent. 110, 513–518 (1978).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Box, G. E. P. & Jenkins, G. M. Time Series Analysis, Forecasting and Control (Holden Day, Oakland 1976)

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  17. Pollard, E., Lakhani, K. H. & Rothery, P. Ecology 68, 2046–2055 (1987).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Nisbet, R. M. & Gurney, W. S. C. Modelling Fluctuating Populations (Wiley, Chichester, 1982).

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  19. Walters, C. J. & Ludwig, D. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 38, 704–710 (1987).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Morris, R. F. Ecology 40, 580–588 (1959).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Baltensweiler, W. & Fischlin, A. in Dynamics of Forest Insect Populations (ed. Berryman, A. A.) 332–353 (Plenum, New York, 1988).

    Google Scholar 

  22. Schwerdtfeger, F. Z. Angew. Ent. 28, 254–303 (1941).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Montgomery, M. E. & Wallner, W. E. in Dynamics of Forest Insect Populations (ed. Berryman, A. A.) 354–377 (Plenum, New York, 1988).

    Google Scholar 

  24. Mason, R. R. & Wickman, B. E. in Dynamics of Forest Insect Populations (ed. Berryman, A. A.) 180–211 (Plenum, New York, 1988).

    Google Scholar 

  25. Varley, G. C., Gradwell, G. R. & Hassell, M. P., Insect Population Ecology: An Analytical Approach (University of California Press, Berkeley, 1974).

    Google Scholar 

  26. Varley, G. C. J. Anim. Ecol. 18, 117–122 (1949).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Morris, R. F. Can. Ent. 96, 356–368 (1964).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Bejer B. in Dynamics of Forest Insect Populations (ed. Berryman, A. A.) 212–233 (Plenum, New York, 1988).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Southern Forest Experiment Station, 2500 Shreveport Hwy, Pineville, Louisiana, 71360, USA

    Peter Turchin

Authors
  1. Peter Turchin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Turchin, P. Rarity of density dependence or population regulation with lags?. Nature 344, 660–663 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1038/344660a0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/344660a0

This article is cited by

Comments

By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.

Search

Advanced search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing