Ecological Paradigms Lost
Routes of Theory Change

A new perspective on some of the major theoretical threads in ecology

Beatrix Beisner (Author), Kim Cuddington (Edited by)

9780120884599, Elsevier Science

Paperback / softback, published 23 August 2005

464 pages, Illustrated
22.9 x 15.1 x 2.9 cm, 0.72 kg

"Finally, here is a book taking ecology seriously enough also to investigate it from a philosophy of science point of view, and in particular taking a Kuhnian entrance point as also indicated by the title...an exciting book and an interesting idea to view our science as Kuhn would have done...highly recommended." --Soren Nors Nielsen, Danmarks Farmaceutiske Universitet "Each section of Ecological Paradigms Lost certainly has something to offer the specialist." --Joseph Craine, Unviersity of Minnesota, Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, in BIOSCIENCE

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 Ecological Paradigms Lost 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.

1. Why a History of Ecology: An Introduction
Beatrix E. Beisner and Kim Cuddington
Part I
POPULATION ECOLOGY
2. Unstructured Models in Ecology: Past, Present and Future
3.Unstructured population models: Do population-level assumptions yield general theory?
4. The “Structure? of Population Ecology: Philosophical Reflections on Unstructured and Structured Models

Part II
EPIDEMIOLOGICAL ECOLOGY
5. The Law of Mass Action in Epidemiology: A Historical Perspective
6. Extensions to Mass Action Mixing
7. Mass Action and System Analysis of Infection Transmission

Part III
COMMUNITY ECOLOGY
8. Community Diversity and Stability: Changing Perspectives and Changing Definitions
9. Perspectives on Diversity, Structure and Stability
10. Diversity and Stability: Theories, Models and Data

Part IV
EVOLUTIONARY ECOLOGY
11. On the Integration of Community Ecology and Evolutionary Biology: Historical Perspectives and Current Prospects
12. Modeling the ecological context of evolutionary change: déjà vu or something new?
13. The Elusive Synthesis

Part V
ECOSYSTEM ECOLOGY
14. The Loss of Narrative
15. Ecological Management: Control, Uncertainty and Understanding
16. Is Ecosystem Management a Postmodern Science?
Kevin de Laplante

Part VI
CONCLUSION
17. Kuhnian Paradigms Lost: Embracing the pluralism of ecological theory

Subject Areas: Applied ecology [RNC], Evolution [PSAJ], Ecological science, the Biosphere [PSAF]