“Although it was first published 20 years ago . . . this book remains the clearest introduction to the study of food webs. Reviewing various hypotheses in the light of theoretical and empirical evidence, Pimm shows that even the most complex food webs follow certain patterns and that those patterns are shaped by a limited number of biological processes. . . . Pimm provides a variety of mathematical tools for unraveling these patters and processes, and demonstrates their application through concrete examples. For this edition, he has written a new foreword covering recent developments in the study of food webs and demonstrates their continuing importance to conservation biology.”

Ethology, Ecology & Evolution

“The main body of the book stands the test of time well. Pimm writes well, and is able to convey complex ideas in a clear accessible way. . . . For many of the topics covered, for example compartmentalization and predator-prey ratios, Pimm’s text is still the most authoritative treatment available. This book remains an essential reference volume for anyone working in the field of foodweb biology.”

Owen T. Lewis | Ecoscience

“This is a very nice repackaged book at a modest price. . . . I recommend it to any ecologist interested in the evolution of our views on a pertinent metric of community interaction.”

Peter G. Fairweather | Austral Ecology