Observation and Ecology: Broadening the Scope of Science to Understand a Complex World

by Rafe Sagarin Dr., Aníbal Pauchard Dr.

Overview

The need to understand and address large-scale environmental problems that are difficult to study in controlled environments—issues ranging from climate change to overfishing to invasive species—is driving the field of ecology in new and important directions. Observation and Ecology documents that transformation, exploring how scientists and researchers are expanding their methodological toolbox to incorporate an array of new and reexamined observational approaches—from traditional ecological knowledge to animal-borne sensors to genomic and remote-sensing technologies—to track, study, and understand current environmental problems and their implications.
 
The authors paint a clear picture of what observational approaches to ecology are and where they fit in the context of ecological science. They consider the full range of observational abilities we have available to us and explore the challenges and practical difficulties of using a primarily observational approach to achieve scientific understanding. They also show how observations can be a bridge from ecological science to education, environmental policy, and resource management. 

Observations in ecology can play a key role in understanding our changing planet and the consequences of human activities on ecological processes. This book will serve as an important resource for future scientists and conservation leaders who are seeking a more holistic and applicable approach to ecological science.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781597268264
Publisher:	Island Press
Publication date:	07/16/2012
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	232
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Rafe Sagarin was an assistant research scientist, marine ecologist, and environmental policy analyst, Institute of the Environment, University of Arizona.


Aníbal Pauchard is Associate Professor of Plant Ecology and Invasion Biology in the Faculty of Forest Sciences, University of Concepción, Chile.

Table of Contents

Foreword xi

Acknowledgments xiii

Introduction 1

Part I The Role of Observation in Ecological Science 13

1 An Observational Approach to Ecology 15

2 Observational Approaches in Historical Context 29

Part II Using Observations in Ecology 45

3 Using All the Senses in Ecology 47

4 Using Technology to Expand Our Observational Senses 63

5 Local, Traditional, and Accidental Ecological Observers and Observations 75

Part III The Challenges Posed by an Observational Approach 87

6 Dealing with Too Many Observations, and Too Few 89

7 Is Observation-Based Ecology Scientific? 109

Part IV Beyond Academia: The Power of Observational Approaches 131

8 Ecology's Renewed Importance in Policy 133

9 Opening Nature's Door to a New Generation of Citizens and Ecologists 151

Conclusions 167

References 177

About the Authors 199

About the Contributors 201

Index 205

Editorial Reviews

"This book should motivate restoration ecologists..."

Ecological Restoration

"reaches high"

Quarterly Review in Biology

"An inspiring, thought-provoking, critically needed treatment of how to use our power of observation to expand ecological knowledge and contribute practical environmental solutions. Observation and Ecology presents and develops a bold holistic approach to ecological research, realized through our human ability to integrate diverse signals and patterns. A must read for current and future ecologists."

Professor, Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University - Fiorenza Micheli

"Observation and Ecology is a timely, superbly written, and highly innovative manifesto on the importance of clever observations for solving fundamental problems in ecology and environmental management. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book and recommend it to anyone interested in understanding the complex workings of ecosystems in our human-dominated world."

Director, Centre for Invasion Biology, Stellenbosch University, South Africa - David M. Richardson

"Sagarin (Univ. of Arizona) and Pauchard (Univ. of Concepcion, Chile) view the history of ecology as moving from observational science during the later 1800s to experimental and theoretial science during the 1900s to revived observations during the 2000s but without replacing experiments and theory. Their book is a guide for this new ecology, defending it against detractors and explaining with sophistication how to proceed."

CHOICE

"Observational ecology demonstrates how and why direct sensory awareness of the natural world is a bridge to deeper ecological understanding. This is a groundbreaking work for teachers, scientists, policymakers, and citizens. It empowers the reader to blend disciplined observation with rigorous science. It explains why hands-on field immersion is the key to understanding and internalizing global environmental change. This is a brilliant handbook and rationale for anyone who wants to make ecological learning accessible."

Professor Emeritus, Unity College - Mitchell Thomashow

"...[F]ull of enthusiasm and passion for the power of observations to explain, inform, and educate....They take on a number of sacred cows, and gore them, so this will be a thought-provoking and much-discussed book."

Ecology

"Sagarin (Univ. of Arizona) and Pauchard (Univ. of Concepcion, Chile) view the history of ecology as moving from observational science during the later 1800s to experimental and theoretial science during the 1900s to revived observations during the 2000s but without replacing experiments and theory. Their book is a guide for this new ecology, defending it against detractors and explaining with sophistication how to proceed."

Choice: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries - F.N. Egerton

"This review scratches the surface of (and heartily endorses) the case the authors make for observation to become prominent again in ecology."

Wildlife Activist

"There is much in this volume that field-oriented conservationists will be heartened by, but just as much that will stimulate serious self-inquiry about the practice of science in the field."

Conservation Biology

"Rafe Sagarin and Anibal Paichard have written an engaging manifesto for a renaissance of field research in ecology ... inspiring reading"

Basic and Applied Ecology

"This book succinctly, and with great enthusiasm, makes the case for observational research in ecology ... If you are already a multidisciplinary or observation-based ecologist, this book will legitimize your work. If not, it should give you some reasons to expand your outlook and encourage you to accept observation-based research as 'real' science."

Biological Conservation

"Sagarin (Univ. of Arizona) and Pauchard (Univ. of Concepcion, Chile) view the history of ecology as moving from observational science during the later 1800s to experimental and theoretial science during the 1900s to revived observations during the 2000s but without replacing experiments and theory. Their book is a guide for this new ecology, defending it against detractors and explaining with sophistication how to proceed."

Choice

"reaches high"

Quarterly Review of Biology