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What is the Science of Ecology?
Definitions:
1. Greek word �oikos� means house & immediate env.
2. Ernst Haeckel 1869: Total relations of the animal to both organic & inorg. env.
3. Charles Elton 1927: �Animal Ecology� �Scientific Natural History�
4. Eugene Odum 1963: �Study of Structure & Function of Nature�
5. Charles Krebs 1994 modifies Andrewartha 1961: �Scientific Study of Interactions that determine distribution and abundance of organisms�
Study Ecology: 3 Broad Approaches
1. Descriptive - traditional �natural history�
Examples:
a. Temperate deciduous forest
b. Tropical rain forest
c. Grasslands
d. Tundra
Problems:
i) lost detail & complexity
ii) lack understanding function
2. Functional - contemporary approach (How?)
a. Dynamics & Relationships
b. Overarching mechanisms
c. Proximate causes - dynamic responses
Problems:
i) Detached from "real system" biology
ex: C-flow productivity
3. Evolutionary - contemporary approach (Why?)
a. Organisms & relationships product of evolution.
b. Ultimate causes - historical explanation adaptation
Problems:
i) Degenerate speculation past events; not testable
Ecology: Integrates many disciplines
1. Physiology
2. Evolution
3. Behavior
4. Genetics
In Ecosystem/Landscape Ecology (nonbiological)
5. Meteorology
6. Geology
7. Geography (GIS) Database/Models/Satellite
8. Geochemistry
Ecology Multi-scaled Science:
Various levels of integration (Hierarchies)
1. Organism
2. Population level (density; ha, m2, km2)
3. Community level (diversity)
4. Ecosystem level
5. Landscape level
6. Biosphere level
Problem of Scale: Predictability vs Complexity
Difficult find underlying principles (laws; physics)
Why are "unifying concepts" important?
1. Defines science
2. Science is not a pile of precise facts!
3. Search for systematic relations explain function etc.
How is the science of Ecology Approached?
Three approaches: Not mutually exclusive
1. Theoretical - Quantitative mathematical models
2. Laboratory Experiments - Test model and/or Ho
3. Field Experiments - Test model and/or Ho in "real" world
The Scientific Method:
1. Important to have a hypothesis!
2. Test multiple hypotheses - alternative
3. Resist attempt to have a "pet" hypothesis
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