Hi all,
I realize this request might be somewhat inappropriate for the list, but
I am posting out of desperation in hope that someone can help me verify
a quote. I've had absolutely no luck in tracking down the source
material locally and have exhausted my personal contacts... and I figure
someone here must have researched the 'balance of nature' argument at
some point...
The quote is apparently from Charles Elton, 1930. Animal Ecology and
Evolution. In an earlier life I referenced it as being from pg. 16 in
an Oxford University Press edition. The quote is:
"It is assumed that an undisturbed natural animal community lives in a
certain harmony, referred to as 'the balance of nature,'... [the idea of
a 'balance of nature'] has the advantage of being an intelligible and
apparently logical result of natural selection in producing the best
possible world for each species. It has the disadvantage of being
untrue."
Apparently I once had this book in my possesion, took the quote for my
notes, and the book has since disappeared. I need to confirm that a)
this quote exists, and b) that what I have written in the square
brackets is in fact true to the original context.
If anyone on this list is able to verify this quote for me off-list I
would be extremely grateful.
Thanks, and back to the shadows...
Sheryl Fink
International Marine Mammal Association
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