Integrating the approaches of the practical and theoretical ecologist, this work aims to establish a methodology of the analysis of biological populations. It concentrates on the practical use of simulation and of population dynamic models.

Integrating the approaches of the practical and theoretical ecologist, this work aims to establish a methodology of the analysis of biological populations. In an attempt to modernize the study of the dynamics of natural populations, it concentrates on the practical use of simulation and of population dynamic models, particularly the tool of stochastic difference equations. It covers a range of biological examples, including great tits, titmics, Canada lynx, spruce budworm and laboratory populations.

Part 1 Theoretical bases of population dynamics: basic properties and structure of population processes
structures and patterns of population processes
statistical analysis of population fluctuations
population process models. Part 2 Analysis of classic cases: analysis of lynx 10-year cycle
snowshoe hare demography
density effects on the dynamics of a single-species population - Utida's experiments on the azuki bean weevil
dynamics of a host-parasitoid interaction system - Utida's experimental study
dynamics of the spruce budworm outbreak processes.