but that heterogeneity, fluctuations and non-equilibrial processes mean that
systems obey such rules only in an approximate way. Energy subsidies among
neighbouring systems can be considered in a similar way to transient dynamics.
Thus, subsidies to top predators can produce ‘apparent’ cascades in shallow
lakes (Jones & Jeppesen, this volume) and might have produced the discrep-
ancies with metabolic theory in the highly productive snag communities of
filter feeding organisms in the Ogeechee River observed byHuryn and Benke
(this volume). In short, our title captures the discussions and conclusions at the
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