The modellers' encounter with ecological theory. Or, what is this thing called `growth rate'?

TL;DR

This paper examines the ambiguities in defining population growth rate from field data and proposes an alternative perspective that clarifies the concept and aids in model discrimination.

Contribution

It introduces a new viewpoint that preserves the identity of the growth rate concept and helps differentiate between competing ecological models.

Findings

Identifies ambiguities in the definition of growth rate

Proposes an alternative approach to clarify the concept

Assists in discriminating between ecological models

Abstract

The attempt to determine the population growth rate from field data reveals several ambiguities in its definition(s), which seem to throw into question the very concept itself. However, an alternative point of view is proposed that not only preserves the identity of the concept, but also helps discriminate between competing models for capturing the data.