Are principles of population ecology useful in understanding sustainability as evaluators use the term?

I posted a long version of this question to Evaltalk, and got quite a few replies. I am now posting that long version as well as the replies I received. This could be an interesting inquiry. (Whether is it useful is TBD.) Please weigh in as the spirit moves.
If anyone wants to post rather than just respond to existing posts send me email at jamorell@jamorell.com. I’ll set you up with “author” status. Or just send me the material and I’ll post it in your name.