A Mathematicians Guide to the Uses of Mathematics in Ecology

Few would question whether mathematicians contribute to the study of the physical sciences. Physicists and engineers are frequently so highly skilled as mathematicians that it is difficult to judge where such fields as theoretical physics differ from mathematics. In fact, some mathematicians argue that the physical scientists' successes in unraveling the secrets of the universe are largely a consequence of their use of mathematics. Mathematics can reverse the historical sequence whereby hypothesis follows observation and, instead, allow a theoretical analysis called a prediction to come first, to be followed by experimental corroboration; in sort, a special case of the scientific method.