Fragile Dominion: Complexity and the Commons

by Simon Levin, Simon A. Levin

We all know that our planet is losing its biological diversity at an alarming rate, with frightening implications for our future. But when does an ecosystem hit the breaking point? In this important book, Princeton biologist Simon Levin offers general readers the first look at how the new science of complexity can help to solve our looming ecological crisis. Levin argues that our biosphere is the classic embodiment of what scientists call complex adaptive systems. By exploring how such systems work, we can determine how they might How much loss can an ecosystem bear before it starts to collapse? How resilient are these systems? Do they in fact hover at the edge of chaos? A deeply original work on one of the most pressing issues of our time, Fragile Dominion is a powerful appeal to understand and protect the global commons."

Genres: Science, Conservation

272 pages, Paperback

First published June 3, 1999

Reviews

[Ce · Rating 4 out of 5]

After going up and down with several explanations on how ecosystems work or how its diversity, resilience, modularity, redundancy and tight loops helps them keep in shape. All these concepts are useful to understand a bit more of our societies as well. By the end there are some suggestions on what to do to live in a more sustainable way. Would that happen?

[Tomek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the best primer on complexity in ecosystems, but Levin does do an excellent job of describing how evolution and natural selection drives this complexity. The book could use a good editing job as there are many redundancies and tangents. I still haven't found a book which explains this complicated topic adequately. Perhaps that is where I come in...

[Abhishek Choudhary · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not well written. A good test for a book is how it captivates the reader, and if it has the ability to read like a story that engages even the most disinterested reader. This book is written very haphazardly, and doesn't do anything to excite you about ecology. Had to drop it halfway. Do NOT recommend.

[Roozbeh Daneshvar · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good source to know about some basic concepts in ecology. It is also very well written.