Toward a Unified Ecology

by Timothy Allen, Thomas Hoekstra

Overview

The first edition of Toward a Unified Ecology was ahead of its time. For the second edition, the authors present a new synthesis of their core ideas on evaluating communities, organisms, populations, biomes, models, and management. The book now places greater emphasis on post-normal critiques, cognizant of ever-present observer values in the system. The problem it addresses is how to work holistically on complex things that cannot be defined, and this book continues to build an approach to the problem of scaling in ecosystems. Provoked by complexity theory, the authors add a whole new chapter on the central role of narrative in science and how models improve them. The book takes data and modeling seriously, with a sophisticated philosophy of science.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780231168892
Publisher:	Columbia University Press
Publication date:	06/23/2015
Series:	Complexity in Ecological Systems
Edition description:	second edition
Pages:	504
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 9.90(h) x 1.10(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Timothy F. H. Allen is professor emeritus of botany at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

Thomas W. Hoekstra is director of Sustainability International in Loveland, Colorado.

Table of Contents

Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction
1. The Principles of Ecological Integration
2. The Landscape Criterion
3. The Ecosystem Criterion
4. The Community Criterion
5. The Organism Criterion
6. The Population Criterion
7. The Biome and Biosphere Criteria
8. Narratives for Complexity
9. Management of Ecological Systems
10. A Unified Approach to Basic Research
Conclusion
Notes
References
Index

What People are Saying About This

Bruce L. Bandurski

In my work I have tried to find ways of shortening the loop between ecological theory and practice. Heretofore, to do that, I've had to make reference to a score of books. Now I can refer both students and colleagues to one.

— Bruce L. Bandurski, Ecomanagement Adviser, Intenational Joint Commission, U.S.A. and Canada

Editorial Reviews

An important book that offers a synthesis across ecology written large. A provocative work, the authors' 'look 'em in the eye and tell 'em what you think' narrative voice should serve as a long overdue cause for scientists to pay better attention to their work.

H. H. Shugart

One day soon ecology and ecological perspectives will have to embrace and contain economics and become the dominant lens through which we look at the human condition. When that day comes, Toward a Unified Ecology will be the rootstock onto which much will be grafted. Hoekstra and Allen have done a magnificent job.

David K. Hurst

This is an important book that offers a synthesis across ecology written large. A provocative work, the authors' "look 'em in the eye and tell 'em what you think" narrative voice should serve as a long overdue cause for scientists to pay better attention to their work.

H.H. Shugart

An exciting book... essential reading for scholars interested in history and/or philosophy of ecology.

History and Philosophy of the Life Sciences

Full of new insights and perspectives that are quite likely to titillate a pure researcher.

Science

Praise for the first edition:

"An exciting book... essential reading for scholars interested in history and/or philosophy of ecology."—History and Philosophy of the Life Sciences

"Full of new insights and perspectives that are quite likely to titillate a pure researcher."—Science

From the Publisher

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