Includes bibliographical references (p. [219]-234) and index.

"Human impacts are dramatically altering our natural ecosystems. The implications of these human impacts on the sustainability and functioning of these amazingly complex entities remains uncertain. As a result, food web theory has experienced a proliferation of research that seeks to address this critical area. This book synthesizes modern and classical results into a general theory. Finally, this book takes this general theoretical framework and discusses the implications of human impact for the stability and sustainability of ecological systems"-- pt. 1. The problem and the approach. The balance of nature: what is it and why care? -- A primer for dynamical systems -- Of modules, motifs, and whole webs -- pt. 2. Food web modules: from populations to small food webs. Excitable and nonexcitable population dynamics -- Consumer-resource dynamics: building consumptive food webs -- Lagged consumer-resource dynamics -- Food chains and omnivory -- More modules -- pt. 3. Toward whole systems. Coupling modules in space: a landscape theory -- Classic food web theory -- Adding the ecosystem -- Food webs as complex adaptive systems.