Includes bibliographical references at chapter ends.

In 1974 SIMS started a series of five-day research application conferences in Alta, Utah. The purpose of the conference is to probe in depth selected societal fields in light of their susceptibility to mathematical analysis and their concern to society. These proceedings are one result of the fifth conference, on time series and ecological processes, held in 1977. Participants included ecologists along with statisticians who wished to critically review problems in ecological processes which are or might be solvable through the use of time series analysis. Time series analysis has a natural historical continuity with ecosystem analysis in general. There has always been a modicum of ecological mathematics but to a great degree systems ecology (theoretical and mathematical approaches to studying ecosystems) developed simultaneously with increased accessibility of fast computers and early formulations of theoretical and experimental approaches to ecosystem problems. -- Preface.