The Philosophy of Ecology: From Science to Synthesis

Book Description

We look to ecologists for many things, from accurate descriptions of natural systems to guidance on our proper relationships to them. Yet ecologists often disagree on matters that affect their own field's basic philosophical underpinnings. This international gathering of twenty-three seminal readings both illustrates the range of philosophical approaches available to ecologists and provides a basis for understanding the thinking on which many of today's environmental ideas are founded.

Opening with a general introduction to the challenges of defining scientific ecology, tracing its genealogy, and distinguishing the science from various forms of "ecological-like" thinking, the volume is organized into thematic sections. Issues covered include the ontology of ecological entities and processes; selected concepts of community, stability, diversity, and niche; the methodology of ecology (rationalism and empiricism, reductionism and holism); and the significance of evolutionary law for ecological science.

This is the first introductory anthology on the philosophy of ecology edited by an ecologist and a philosopher. It makes a powerful statement on the value of ecological knowledge and thinking in alleviating the many problems of modern industrial civilization.

Customer Reviews:

Thorough yet accessible--a quality survey of its subject.......2006-04-18

This book is the only one I found on Philosophy of Ecology in general, and it is quality. The editors include many authors from many time periods to gather the discourse on ecology's biggest questions. I highly recommend it for scientists and others alike, because what we think about the nature of the world influences how we act in and on it. I checked it out from the library but I'm going to buy it as a staple in my referece library--it's that good.

Very important book!.......2005-10-19

This is one of the best books in the field of ecological sciences. Nowadays, there are few ecologists who use the 'search light' approach (sensu Popper). Theory is considered a secondary issue by the many people of the present generation, who think that a real ecologist should just "go to the field and describe what he sees there" (the 'bucket approach').

However, without a deep knowledge of the ideas, hypotheses, theories and history of Ecology, a researcher is unable to properly test knowledge, do valid generalizations, and thus contribute to the advancement of the field. This book provides an excellent 'Epistemology of Ecology', and together with McInstosh's "Background of Ecology" should be read by every student in the undergrad course, and also by professionals.

Perspectives Emerging.......2001-02-24

It may come as a surprise to many who first encounter this book that the science of ecology might have anything to contribute to philosophy in general -- this, despite the fact that popular notions of ecology are in the forefront of the search for new directions, be they in the guise of the "Deep Ecology" of Arne Naess, or the "Web of Life" advanced by Frijthof Capra. But scientific perspectives unique to ecology are arising, and making connections between ecological outlooks and how nature generally is perceived is the primary goal of this book -- as stated in its subtitle.

No dominant ecological perspective has yet emerged, but Keller and Golley do an excellent job of sampling the various issues. For example, Part One includes five papers that take sides on whether one should emphasize the entities in ecosystems (the Eleatic approach) or concentrate on the processes that are occurring (the Milesian stance.) Part Three presents the debate between the rational and the empirical approaches to ecology; Part Four between reductionism and holism; and the final section gives consideration to what ties (if any) should exist between contemporary evolutionary theory and ecosystems science.

I have used the volume (in early manuscript form) as the primary text for a graduate seminar I taught last year on "Philosophical Issues in Ecology" at the University of Maryland. Most students in the seminar were amazed to discover that philosophical issues have a history within the scientific practice of ecology, and they found the chapters of the book to be well- chosen illustrations of the various attitudes now vying for a permanent place in the evolving philosophy of ecology.

Book Description

Long unknown in the West, The Biosphere established the field of biogeochemistry and is one of the classic founding documents of what later became known as Gaia theory. It is the first sustained expression of the idea that life is a geological force that can change Earth's landforms, its climate, and even the contents of its atmosphere. A complete, unabridged translation has never before been available in English. This edition - complete with extensive annotations, an introductory essay placing the work in its historical context and explaining its relevance to readers today, and a foreword cosigned by a stellar group of international experts - will be the definitive edition of this classic work. "What Darwin did for life through time, Vernadsky did for life through space on a geological scale".

Customer Reviews:

A Hidden Revolution.......2003-01-20

I have had the honour of reading numerous papers by Vernadsky and find as always with genius, a hidden underlaying dimension of truth. The Biosphere is without hesitation a work of scientific spirituality as well as pure scientific genius! In a time when environmental destruction is ramp, and politically controled scientific stupidity proliferates, logical hope and science is at hand. With Vernadsky science personifies a bridge between life and its meaning. Science is indeed the search for truth, and Vernadsky biosphere is a must for youth!!!!!

A work of rare genius rediscovered.......2000-05-03

It's hard to read this book without coming away with the impression of a powerful, original mind at work. Many of Vernadsky's ideas remain unappreciated to this day. In particular, the idea of life as a cosmological phenomenon, as a means by which energy is stored and transformed on a planetary scale, should become increasingly important as the science of astrobiology develops a rigorous intellectual basis.

Deepest Naturalist.......1999-10-09

I'm very happy that Vladimir Ivanovich Vernadsky becomes little by little known for the English speaking public. Although his "Biosphere" has been written over 70 years ago, even now its ideas remain fresh and actual. Indeed, the "Biosphere" provides a new level of thinking which permits us to consider Vladimir Vernadsky as a deepest naturalist of our century. And now I'm looking forward to the time when they will be translated and published his subsequent books - first of all the book on the noosphere: "Scientific thought as a planet phenomenon&quot.

Excelent book.......1998-03-19

I have read this Vernadsky's books in Russian - his works is the cornerstone of modern culture. Vernadsky's work will be as important for human civilization in new millennium as books of Newton, Darwin, Einstein and Plato now. I'd like to read English Edition. Vernadsky's works are important for EVERYBODY, not only for biologists. Semyon D. Savransky, Ph.D. (Physics & Materaials Science, TRIZ)

I worked on the '97 edition, and I'm impressed!.......1997-11-03

A biology graduate studying under Lynn Margulis, I was fortunate enough to be involved in preparing "The Biosphere" for publication; and even the raw typescript I transferred onto disk was impressive! Let me eagerly recommend V.I. Vernadsky, as the unsung Charles Darwin of geological and ecological science. In his time, Academician Vernadsky was a groundbreaker: the first to appreciate the vast scope of life's chemical influence upon the Earth ... this planet, which owes its own uniqueness to the very "living matter" of which we, just as all other organisms, are a part. To the readers of today, Vernadsky's own words tell us the historic beginnings of the discipline this brilliant, long-uncredited scientist's ideas founded. No student or advocate of global ecology should miss this thought-provoking, eye-opening book!

The A, B, C of the Biosphere (Imagine a Biosphere Series)

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The A, B, C of the Biosphere (Imagine a Biosphere Series)
Max Finch
Manufacturer: Biosphere Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Biology | Science, Nature & How It Works | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Environmental Science | Earth Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books

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Damaged Ecosystems and Restoration

Manufacturer: World Scientific Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Environmental Science | Earth Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books

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The Earth as Transformed by Human Action: Global and Regional Changes in the Biosphere over the Past 300 Years

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The Earth as Transformed by Human Action: Global and Regional Changes in the Biosphere over the Past 300 Years

Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Human Geography | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

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Conservation | Environment | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

Book Description

‘Collectively, this is a superb and comprehensive volume.’ Geology Magazine ‘ … a landmark study, which will undoubtedly be a valuable reference and source of information for many years to come.’ Geophysics ‘ … an impressive and highly laudable undertaking by geographers to ‘put it all together’, that is, to establish a theoretical framework for assessing the environmental changes wrought by modern societies in the past three centuries, and to document these changes in detail. As such, the tome will serve as an indispensable reference and resource on global change. It will be used by all scholars, teachers and students concerned with the increasingly pressing issue of the environment and its management - or mismanagement - by humans everywhere on our planet.’ Nature

Eutrophication Management and Ecotoxicology (Environmental Science and Engineering / Environmental Science)

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Eutrophication Management and Ecotoxicology (Environmental Science and Engineering / Environmental Science)
M.C.T. Scholten , E.M. Foekema , H.P. Van Dokkum , N.H.B.M. Kaag , and R.G. Jak
Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Environmental Science | Earth Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 3540222103

Book Description

This book aims to bridge the gap between ecotoxicology and limnology. The intended readers of the book are water managers, policy makers with a scientific background as well as researchers/advisors in the area of water management. The book provides an ecotoxicological perspective on lake management and describes eutrophication of shallow, temperate lakes. It surveys the influence of toxic substances (e.g., agricultural pesticides) on the aquatic ecosystem, especially the relation between algae and daphnids. The message of the book is that nutrients such as phosphorus are not the only important factor in explaining and managing eutrophication: toxic disturbance of to-down control is also an important factor to be considered. The results of extensive studies and experiments (some unpublished) on lake eutrophication are presented in this book.

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Hordeum
Roland Von Bothmer , Niels Jacobsen , Claus Baden , Rikke B. Jorgensen , Ib Linde-Laursen , R. Von Bothmer , N. Jacobsen , and C. Baden
Manufacturer: Springer-Verlag
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: CD-ROM

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ASIN: 3540146903

Book Description

This interactive multimedia CD-ROM covers all 32 species, subspecies and varieties of the monophyletic plant group Hordeum L., part of the tribe Triticeae, family Poaceae (Gramineae). This plant group includes the important cereal barley, Hordeum vulgare. The program includes an extensive introduction to species concepts, morphology, distribution, ecology, biology, reproduction, genome relationships and genetic resources. All described species and lower taxa are illustrated by black and white photographs and detailed drawings. Both a traditional identification key and a multientry, computer-assisted key to all the taxa are included, as well as interactive distribution maps, a glossary of terms and a complete literature reference database.

Oceans, Rivers and Lakes: Energy and Substance Transfers at Interfaces (Developments in Hydrobiology)

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Oceans, Rivers and Lakes: Energy and Substance Transfers at Interfaces (Developments in Hydrobiology)

Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Environmental Science | Earth Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books

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Lakes & Ponds | Nature & Ecology | Science | Subjects | Books

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Book Description

An international symposium on `Ocean, River and Lakes: Energy and Substance Transfers at Interfaces' was held in Nantes, France in October 1996. It was the third International Joint Conference on Limnology and Oceanography which brings together specialists of both environments. Considered to be necessary in Europe, this confrontation of two different aspects of common subjects could produce innovative approaches. The main purpose concerns scientific researches relative to the interfaces between various aquatic environment compartments. The principal treated topics are bioavailability and mobility of substances, influence of biotic and abiotic factors on transfers, and fluxes at the interfaces. It is particularly interesting to note the contribution of Limnologists and Oceanographers on the impact of nutrients and pollutants, and flux quantification of river basin inputs. As well as scientists, this book is also of interest to all engineers and consultants involved in teaching and working in aquatic management, restoration and enhancement.

Alpine Biodiversity in Europe (Ecological Studies)

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Alpine Biodiversity in Europe (Ecological Studies)

Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Alpine | Ecosystems | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 3540001085

Book Description

This is the first ever European-wide overview of biodiversity in alpine areas. The volume draws together taxonomic, ecological, historical, functional and climatic studies to develop a holistic understanding of biodiversity at and above the treeline. The main themes are: plant, vegetation and animal diversity, altitude gradients and spatial patterns, long-term changes and the effects of herbivores on diversity. These themes are introduced by a geo-biological scene setting and by a novel characterisation of alpine bio-climate. The comparisons of current and long-term observations and data emphasise the historical tradition of alpine biodiversity research in Europe. Analyses of taxonomic and assembly data at the continent-wide scale provide insight into pattern and its historical and ecological causes.

Evaluation of meteorological parameters over a coniferous forest in a single-column chemistry-climate model [An article from: Atmospheric Environment]

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Evaluation of meteorological parameters over a coniferous forest in a single-column chemistry-climate model [An article from: Atmospheric Environment]
L. Ganzeveld , O. Klemm , B. Rappengluck , and Valverde-C
Manufacturer: Elsevier
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

Elsevier | By Publisher | e-Docs | Formats | Books
ASIN: B000P6XMTU

Book Description

This digital document is a journal article from Atmospheric Environment, published by Elsevier in 2006. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Media Library immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Description:
The simulated micrometerology by a single-column chemistry-climate model (SCM) has been evaluated by comparison with BEWA2000 field campaign measurements over a coniferous forest, July-August 2001. This comparison indicates the limitations in the representation of the SCM's micrometeorological parameters that control atmosphere-biosphere peroxide exchanges. The evaluation of the micrometeorology also indicates that the validity of the so-called nudging technique to force climate models such as the SCM to the observed meteorology is sensitive to the applied timestep. For the typical timestep used in global scale climate models, numerical instabilities in the calculation of surface exchanges occur due to a misrepresentation of the surface-atmosphere temperature gradient. However, using a 1-min timestep shows good agreement between the simulated and observed meteorology of a wet and cold period during the campaign whereas the model underestimates daytime and nocturnal turbulent exchanges during a following warm and dry period.

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