Ecological Understanding: The Nature of Theory and the Theory of NatureAcademic Press, 7 de jul. de 1994 - 206 páginas 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. |
Conteúdo
Integration in Ecology | 3 |
Progress via Integration | 9 |
Understanding in Ecology | 26 |
The Component Processes | 32 |
Conclusions and Prospects | 52 |
Theory and Its Empirical Content | 64 |
The Ontogeny of Theory | 85 |
Theory Maturity | 99 |
Changes in Understanding | 113 |
Examples of Fundamental Questions | 120 |
Integration and Synthesis | 128 |
Constraint and Objectivity in Ecological Integration | 151 |
Ecological Understanding and the Public | 166 |
The Content of Science in the Public Sphere | 173 |
Literature Cited | 187 |
| 203 | |
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abstract apply approach appropriate aspects assumptions behavior biology causal explanation causes Chapter classical physics community ecology competition competitive exclusion principle complete components of theory conceptual constructs conceptual devices confirmation constraints contrast definitions derived discipline disturbance diversity domain dynamics ecological systems ecological understanding ecologists ecosystem ecosystem ecology effects environment equilibrium evaluated evolution evolutionary example exist fact falsification fluxes focus framework fundamental questions genetics herbivores hypotheses ideal important integration in ecology interactions island biogeography Kolasa landscape landscape ecology laws levels of organization logical positivism maximum power principle mechanisms mechanistic models natural selection nitrogen objects observable phenomena paradigms patch patterns phenomenon philosophy of science Pickett plant population prediction problem processes refinement relationships relevant require resource role scale scientific understanding scientists scope spatial species richness statement structure subdisciplines succession suggest term theoretical theory change tion translation modes Type I error universal versus view of theory
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