On Stability of Nodal $L_k^p$-Maps I

We give a general definition of weakly stable nodal $L_k^p$-maps as a natural generalization of the stability for $J$-holomorphic nodal maps in GW theory. A complete characterization of the weakly stable nodal $L_k^p$-maps are given in term of their isotropy groups. Some errors in the earlier version are corrected