PREFACE 



For the theme of the Second Symposium of the British Ecological Society, 

 the Programme Planning Committee decided upon some aspect of animal 

 population ecology. 'The exploitation o£ natural animal populations' was 

 finally chosen as a subject likely to bring together those interested in a wide 

 variety of animals and both theorists and practical ecologists. 



In all, 130 ecologists, from ten countries, attended, and these included not 

 only those concerned with exploited animals but also a number interested in 

 other fields of population ecology such as economic entomology. The 

 discussions benefited greatly as a result. 



Through the kindness of the Council of the Durham Colleges in the 

 University of Durham, the meeting was held in Durham and the formal 

 sessions took place in the Applebey Lecture Theatre. Most of the participants 

 were accommodated in St Mary's College and Grey College, where much 

 informal discussion took place. On the evening of 28th March a series of 

 films relevant to the theme of the meeting were shown, but proceedings 

 really began on the following morning when Professor Cragg, in his dual 

 capacity as host and President welcomed the participants and introduced the 

 Symposium. 



Invited papers were read during the three days that followed. These have 

 been printed here in the order in which they were delivered, and in sub- 

 stantially the same form, although the printed versions are naturally rather 

 longer and contain more supporting detail than could be presented verbally. 

 All the papers were followed by discussions, and there were also three 

 sessions devoted to discussion alone : together these occupied about half the 

 time of the Symposium. The records of the discussions are based on notes 

 made at the time and later edited and somewhat shortened, and all these have 

 been approved by the contributors before publication. 



In any Symposium of this kind many people assist in one way or another, 

 and the Society, the organizers, and the editors are grateful for all the help 

 they have received. The Council and members of staff of the Durham Col- 

 leges, and in particular Professor Cragg, contributed greatly to the enjoyment 

 of the meeting by their hospitality and efficient share in the organization. 

 We received invaluable co-operation and help from people consulted in the 

 planning stage, and from the contributors, including those who opened 



