Ecologists are aware of the importance of natural dynamics in ecosystems. Historically, the focus has been on the development in succession of equilibrium communities, which has generated an understanding of the composition and functioning of ecosystems. Recently, many have focused on the processes of disturbances and the evolutionary significance of such events. This shifted emphasis has inspired studies in diverse systems. The phrase "patch dynamics" (Thompson, 1978) describes their common focus. The Ecology of Natural Disturbance and Patch Dynamics brings together the findings and ideas of those studying varied systems, presenting a synthesis of diverse individual contributions.

Ecology is an historical science in which theories can be as difficult to test as they are to devise. This volume, intended for ecologists and evolutionary biologists, reviews ecological theories, and how they are generated, evaluated, and categorized. Synthesizing a vast and sometimes labyrinthine literature, this book is a useful entry into the scientific philosophy of ecology and natural history. The need for integration of the contributions to theory made by different disciplines is a central theme of this book. The authors demonstrate that only through such integration will advances in ecological theory be possible. Ecologists, evolutionary biologists, and other serious students of natural history will want this book.

This widely anticipated revision of the groundbreaking book, Ecological Understanding, updates this crucial sourcebook of contemporary philosophical insights for practicing ecologists and graduate students in ecology and environmental studies. The second edition contains new ecological examples, an expanded array of conceptual diagrams and illustrations, new text boxes summarizing important points or defining key terms, and new reference to philosophical issues and controversies. Although the first edition was recognized for its clarity, this revision takes the opportunity to make the exposition of complex topics still clearer to readers without a philosophical background.Readers will gain an understanding of the goals of science, the structure of theory, the kinds of theory relevant to ecology, the way that theory changes, what constitutes objectivity in contemporary science, and the role of paradigms and frameworks for synthesis within ecology and in integration with other disciplines. Finally, how theory can inform and anchor the public use of ecological knowledge in civic debates is laid out. This new edition refines the understanding of how the structure and change of theory can improve the growth and application of one of the 21st century''s key sciences.- Explains the philosophical basis of ecology in plain English- Contains chapter overviews and summaries- Text boxes highlight key points, examples, or controversies- Diagrams explain structure and development of theory, and integration- Evaluates and relates paradgims in ecology- Illustrates philosophical issues with classic and new ecological research

Ecologists are aware of the importance of natural dynamics in ecosystems. Historically, the focus has been on the development in succession of equilibrium communities, which has generated an understanding of the composition and functioning of ecosystems. Recently, many have focused on the processes of disturbances and the evolutionary significance of such events. This shifted emphasis has inspired studies in diverse systems. The phrase "patch dynamics" (Thompson, 1978) describes their common focus. The Ecology of Natural Disturbance and Patch Dynamics brings together the findings and ideas of those studying varied systems, presenting a synthesis of diverse individual contributions.

This widely anticipated revision of the groundbreaking book, Ecological Understanding, updates this crucial sourcebook of contemporary philosophical insights for practicing ecologists and graduate students in ecology and environmental studies. The second edition contains new ecological examples, an expanded array of conceptual diagrams and illustrations, new text boxes summarizing important points or defining key terms, and new reference to philosophical issues and controversies. Although the first edition was recognized for its clarity, this revision takes the opportunity to make the exposition of complex topics still clearer to readers without a philosophical background.

Readers will gain an understanding of the goals of science, the structure of theory, the kinds of theory relevant to ecology, the way that theory changes, what constitutes objectivity in contemporary science, and the role of paradigms and frameworks for synthesis within ecology and in integration with other disciplines. Finally, how theory can inform and anchor the public use of ecological knowledge in civic debates is laid out. This new edition refines the understanding of how the structure and change of theory can improve the growth and application of one of the 21st century's key sciences.

Explains the philosophical basis of ecology in plain English Contains chapter overviews and summaries Text boxes highlight key points, examples, or controversies Diagrams explain structure and development of theory, and integration Evaluates and relates paradgims in ecology Illustrates philosophical issues with classic and new ecological research

This book, a product of the fourth Cary Conference, amply demonstrates the achievement of a major goal of all Cary Conferences. That is, Cary Conferences were conceived to provide a forum for comprehensive discus­ sion of major ecological issues from more philosophical and comprehensive perspectives. The Institute of Ecosystem Studies is proud to make its staff and facilities available on a biennial basis for the purpose of initiating and fostering these important discussions. On the one hand, the influence of humans on ecosystems may be quite obvious, such as when a forest is cut. On the other, humans live within and among ecosystems, but ecologists largely have avoided making detailed and rigorous analyses of the more subtle effects that human activities generate. Indeed, most ecologists have sought out rather pristine or remote areas for study, rather than those which include humans. This book brings together a stimulating mix of disciplines to highlight and evaluate these problems, as well as the opportunities of including humans as integral components in studies of "natural- ecosystems. An exciting dialogue has ensued. Hopefully this book will convey some of the excitement and challenges that were generated at this Cary Conference.

This book, a product of the fourth Cary Conference, amply demonstrates the achievement of a major goal of all Cary Conferences. That is, Cary Conferences were conceived to provide a forum for comprehensive discus­ sion of major ecological issues from more philosophical and comprehensive perspectives. The Institute of Ecosystem Studies is proud to make its staff and facilities available on a biennial basis for the purpose of initiating and fostering these important discussions. On the one hand, the influence of humans on ecosystems may be quite obvious, such as when a forest is cut. On the other, humans live within and among ecosystems, but ecologists largely have avoided making detailed and rigorous analyses of the more subtle effects that human activities generate. Indeed, most ecologists have sought out rather pristine or remote areas for study, rather than those which include humans. This book brings together a stimulating mix of disciplines to highlight and evaluate these problems, as well as the opportunities of including humans as integral components in studies of "natural- ecosystems. An exciting dialogue has ensued. Hopefully this book will convey some of the excitement and challenges that were generated at this Cary Conference.

An attractive, promising, and frustrating feature of ecology is its complex­ ity, both conceptual and observational. Increasing acknowledgment of the importance of scale testifies to the shifting focus in large areas of ecology. In the rush to explore problems of scale, another general aspect of ecolog­ ical systems has been given less attention. This aspect, equally important, is heterogeneity. Its importance lies in the ubiquity of heterogeneity as a feature of ecological systems and in the number of questions it raises­ questions to which answers are not readily available. What is heterogeneity? Does it differ from complexity? What dimensions need be considered to evaluate heterogeneity ade­ quately? Can heterogeneity be measured at various scales? Is heterogeneity apart of organization of ecological systems? How does it change in time and space? What are the causes of heterogeneity and causes of its change? This volume attempts to answer these questions. It is devoted to iden­ tification of the meaning, range of applications, problems, and methodol­ ogy associated with the study of heterogeneity. The coverage is thus broad and rich, and the contributing authors have been encouraged to range widely in discussions and reflections. vi Preface The chapters are grouped into themes. The first group focuses on the conceptual foundations (Chapters 1-5). These papers exarnine the meaning of the term, historical developments, and relations to scale. The second theme is modeling population and interspecific interactions in hetero­ geneous environments (Chapters 6 and 7).

Ecologists are aware of the importance of natural dynamics in ecosystems. Historically, the focus has been on the development in succession of equilibrium communities, which has generated an understanding of the composition and functioning of ecosystems. Recently, many have focused on the processes of disturbances and the evolutionary significance of such events. This shifted emphasis has inspired studies in diverse systems. The phrase "patch dynamics" (Thompson, 1978) describes their common focus. The Ecology of Natural Disturbance and Patch Dynamics brings together the findings and ideas of those studying varied systems, presenting a synthesis of diverse individual contributions.

Ecology is an historical science in which theories can be as difficult to test as they are to devise. This volume, intended for ecologists and evolutionary biologists, reviews ecological theories, and how they are generated, evaluated, and categorized. Synthesizing a vast and sometimes labyrinthine literature, this book is a useful entry into the scientific philosophy of ecology and natural history. The need for integration of the contributions to theory made by different disciplines is a central theme of this book. The authors demonstrate that only through such integration will advances in ecological theory be possible. Ecologists, evolutionary biologists, and other serious students of natural history will want this book.

This widely anticipated revision of the groundbreaking book, Ecological Understanding, updates this crucial sourcebook of contemporary philosophical insights for practicing ecologists and graduate students in ecology and environmental studies. The second edition contains new ecological examples, an expanded array of conceptual diagrams and illustrations, new text boxes summarizing important points or defining key terms, and new reference to philosophical issues and controversies. Although the first edition was recognized for its clarity, this revision takes the opportunity to make the exposition of complex topics still clearer to readers without a philosophical background.Readers will gain an understanding of the goals of science, the structure of theory, the kinds of theory relevant to ecology, the way that theory changes, what constitutes objectivity in contemporary science, and the role of paradigms and frameworks for synthesis within ecology and in integration with other disciplines. Finally, how theory can inform and anchor the public use of ecological knowledge in civic debates is laid out. This new edition refines the understanding of how the structure and change of theory can improve the growth and application of one of the 21st century''s key sciences.- Explains the philosophical basis of ecology in plain English- Contains chapter overviews and summaries- Text boxes highlight key points, examples, or controversies- Diagrams explain structure and development of theory, and integration- Evaluates and relates paradgims in ecology- Illustrates philosophical issues with classic and new ecological research

Ecologists are aware of the importance of natural dynamics in ecosystems. Historically, the focus has been on the development in succession of equilibrium communities, which has generated an understanding of the composition and functioning of ecosystems. Recently, many have focused on the processes of disturbances and the evolutionary significance of such events. This shifted emphasis has inspired studies in diverse systems. The phrase "patch dynamics" (Thompson, 1978) describes their common focus. The Ecology of Natural Disturbance and Patch Dynamics brings together the findings and ideas of those studying varied systems, presenting a synthesis of diverse individual contributions.

This widely anticipated revision of the groundbreaking book, Ecological Understanding, updates this crucial sourcebook of contemporary philosophical insights for practicing ecologists and graduate students in ecology and environmental studies. The second edition contains new ecological examples, an expanded array of conceptual diagrams and illustrations, new text boxes summarizing important points or defining key terms, and new reference to philosophical issues and controversies. Although the first edition was recognized for its clarity, this revision takes the opportunity to make the exposition of complex topics still clearer to readers without a philosophical background.

Readers will gain an understanding of the goals of science, the structure of theory, the kinds of theory relevant to ecology, the way that theory changes, what constitutes objectivity in contemporary science, and the role of paradigms and frameworks for synthesis within ecology and in integration with other disciplines. Finally, how theory can inform and anchor the public use of ecological knowledge in civic debates is laid out. This new edition refines the understanding of how the structure and change of theory can improve the growth and application of one of the 21st century's key sciences.

Explains the philosophical basis of ecology in plain English Contains chapter overviews and summaries Text boxes highlight key points, examples, or controversies Diagrams explain structure and development of theory, and integration Evaluates and relates paradgims in ecology Illustrates philosophical issues with classic and new ecological research

This book, a product of the fourth Cary Conference, amply demonstrates the achievement of a major goal of all Cary Conferences. That is, Cary Conferences were conceived to provide a forum for comprehensive discus­ sion of major ecological issues from more philosophical and comprehensive perspectives. The Institute of Ecosystem Studies is proud to make its staff and facilities available on a biennial basis for the purpose of initiating and fostering these important discussions. On the one hand, the influence of humans on ecosystems may be quite obvious, such as when a forest is cut. On the other, humans live within and among ecosystems, but ecologists largely have avoided making detailed and rigorous analyses of the more subtle effects that human activities generate. Indeed, most ecologists have sought out rather pristine or remote areas for study, rather than those which include humans. This book brings together a stimulating mix of disciplines to highlight and evaluate these problems, as well as the opportunities of including humans as integral components in studies of "natural- ecosystems. An exciting dialogue has ensued. Hopefully this book will convey some of the excitement and challenges that were generated at this Cary Conference.

This book, a product of the fourth Cary Conference, amply demonstrates the achievement of a major goal of all Cary Conferences. That is, Cary Conferences were conceived to provide a forum for comprehensive discus­ sion of major ecological issues from more philosophical and comprehensive perspectives. The Institute of Ecosystem Studies is proud to make its staff and facilities available on a biennial basis for the purpose of initiating and fostering these important discussions. On the one hand, the influence of humans on ecosystems may be quite obvious, such as when a forest is cut. On the other, humans live within and among ecosystems, but ecologists largely have avoided making detailed and rigorous analyses of the more subtle effects that human activities generate. Indeed, most ecologists have sought out rather pristine or remote areas for study, rather than those which include humans. This book brings together a stimulating mix of disciplines to highlight and evaluate these problems, as well as the opportunities of including humans as integral components in studies of "natural- ecosystems. An exciting dialogue has ensued. Hopefully this book will convey some of the excitement and challenges that were generated at this Cary Conference.

An attractive, promising, and frustrating feature of ecology is its complex­ ity, both conceptual and observational. Increasing acknowledgment of the importance of scale testifies to the shifting focus in large areas of ecology. In the rush to explore problems of scale, another general aspect of ecolog­ ical systems has been given less attention. This aspect, equally important, is heterogeneity. Its importance lies in the ubiquity of heterogeneity as a feature of ecological systems and in the number of questions it raises­ questions to which answers are not readily available. What is heterogeneity? Does it differ from complexity? What dimensions need be considered to evaluate heterogeneity ade­ quately? Can heterogeneity be measured at various scales? Is heterogeneity apart of organization of ecological systems? How does it change in time and space? What are the causes of heterogeneity and causes of its change? This volume attempts to answer these questions. It is devoted to iden­ tification of the meaning, range of applications, problems, and methodol­ ogy associated with the study of heterogeneity. The coverage is thus broad and rich, and the contributing authors have been encouraged to range widely in discussions and reflections. vi Preface The chapters are grouped into themes. The first group focuses on the conceptual foundations (Chapters 1-5). These papers exarnine the meaning of the term, historical developments, and relations to scale. The second theme is modeling population and interspecific interactions in hetero­ geneous environments (Chapters 6 and 7).