This insightful work explains Mandelbrot's fractal geometry and describes some of its most interesting applications. Fractal geometry exploits a characteristic property of the real world--self-similarity--to find simple rules for the assembly of complex natural objects. Beginning with the foundations of measurement in Euclidean geometry, the authors progress from analogues in the geometry of random fractals to applications spanning the natural sciences, including the developmental biology of neurons and pancreatic islets, fluctuations of bird populations, patterns in vegetative ecosystems,...

This reference is the first rigorous application of algebraic topology and one of the earliest applications of graph theory to ecology. Professionals and academic researchers interested in food web dynamics and their relation to niche function, structure and hierarchy, in natural systems, will find this a valuable resource.