Ecological Paradigms Lost - Routes of Theory Change

Paperback  464 pp  ISBN 0120884593      £49.00

• Reflection on the past and future of ecology
• A historical overview of major ideas in the field of ecology
• Pairing of historical views by ecologists along with a philosophical commentary directed at the practicing scientists` views by a philosopher of science.
• Historical analysis by practicing ecologists including anectodal experiences that are rarely recorded.

This edited volume in the Theoretical Ecology series addresses the historical development and evolution of theoretical ideas in the field of ecology. Not only does it recount the history of the discipline by practitioners of the science of ecology, it includes commentary on these historical reflections by philosophers of science. Even though the theories discussed are, in many cases, are at the forefront of research, the language and approach make this material accessible to non-theoreticians. The book is structured in 5 major sections including population ecology, epidemiology, community ecology, evolutionary biology and ecosystem ecology. In each section a chapter by an eminent, experienced ecologist is complemented by analysis from a newer, cutting-edge researcher.

Of interest to practicing ecologists, to philosophers of science, and to anyone interested in the history of ecology

Contents

• Why a History of Ecology: An Introduction Beatrix E. Beisner and Kim Cuddington

Part I POPULATION ECOLOGY

• Unstructured Models in Ecology: Past, Present and Future
• Unstructured population models: Do population-level assumptions yield general theory?
• The 'Structure' of Population Ecology: Philosophical Reflections on Unstructured and Structured Models

Part II EPIDEMIOLOGICAL ECOLOGY

• The Law of Mass Action in Epidemiology: A Historical Perspective
• Extensions to Mass Action Mixing
• Mass Action and System Analysis of Infection Transmission

Part III COMMUNITY ECOLOGY

• Community Diversity and Stability: Changing Perspectives and Changing Definitions
• Perspectives on Diversity, Structure and Stability
• Diversity and Stability: Theories, Models and Data

Part IV EVOLUTIONARY ECOLOGY

• On the Integration of Community Ecology and Evolutionary Biology: Historical Perspectives and Current Prospects
• Modeling the ecological context of evolutionary change: déjà vu or something new?
• The Elusive Synthesis

Part V ECOSYSTEM ECOLOGY

• The Loss of Narrative
• Ecological Management: Control, Uncertainty and Understanding
• Is Ecosystem Management a Postmodern Science? Kevin de Laplante

Part VI CONCLUSION

• Kuhnian Paradigms Lost: Embracing the pluralism of ecological theory