Critical Transitions in Nature and Society

by Marten Scheffer

How do we explain the remarkably abrupt changes that sometimes occur in nature and society--and can we predict why and when they happen? This book offers a comprehensive introduction to critical transitions in complex systems--the radical changes that happen at tipping points when thresholds are passed.

Marten Scheffer accessibly describes the dynamical systems theory behind critical transitions, covering catastrophe theory, bifurcations, chaos, and more. He gives examples of critical transitions in lakes, oceans, terrestrial ecosystems, climate, evolution, and human societies. And he demonstrates how to deal with these transitions, offering practical guidance on how to predict tipping points, how to prevent bad transitions, and how to promote critical transitions that work for us and not against us. Scheffer shows the time is ripe for understanding and managing critical transitions in the vast and complex systems in which we live. This book can also serve as a textbook and includes a detailed appendix with equations.

Provides an accessible introduction to dynamical systems theory
Covers critical transitions in lakes, oceans, terrestrial ecosystems, the climate, evolution, and human societies
Explains how to predict tipping points
Offers strategies for preventing bad transitions and triggering good ones
Features an appendix with equations

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Academic

400 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Hudson Lazzara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recommend it to anyone interested in the topic. Lots of interesting examples, especially from ecology. I would have loved even more math, but not everybody’s a physicist.

[Alissa Mocking · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gives a nice view on everything that is involved in complex system thinking. How well can we predict ecological shifts and outcomes. I can recommend it for everyone interested in this part of ecological system thinking.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great introduction to complexity and critical transitions, with examples from lake ecology. The later chapters on social change and policy are thought provoking, but unexpectedly much more speculative.