Chapter 2. Thomas S. Bellows, M. P. Hassell. 1999. Theories and mechanisms of natural population regulation. Pages 17-44. In: Thomas S. Bellows, T. W. Fisher, L. E. Caltagirone, D. L. Dahlsten, G. Gorth, C. B. Huffaker. 1999. Handbook of Biological Control: Principles and Applications of Biological Control. San Francisco CA: Academic Press, 1046 pages.

Keywords: single-species populations, mathematical and algebraic framework, homogenous environments, single age-class systems, biological control of Diatraea with the importation of Lyxophaga diatraea and Apanteles flavipes, and the winter moth Operophtera brumata by Cyzenis albicans, population dynamics of Siphonius phillyraea following the introduction of Anisopteromalus calandrae, multiple age-class systems, patchy environments, interspecific competition, host-parasitoid systems, host density dependence, spatial patterns of parasitism, age-structured systems, synchrony of parasitoid and host development, parasitism and competition in asynchronous systems, invulnerable age classes, spatial complexity and asynchrony in meta-populations, generalist natural enemies, host-pathogen systems, multispecies systems, competing natural enemies, generalist and specialist natural enemies, parasitoid-pathogen-host systems, competing herbivores and natural enemies,