{"id":31,"date":"2016-08-04T18:59:35","date_gmt":"2016-08-04T18:59:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/esa.org\/4DEE\/?page_id=31"},"modified":"2025-08-26T17:09:23","modified_gmt":"2025-08-26T17:09:23","slug":"framework","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/framework\/","title":{"rendered":"The Framework"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Four-Dimensional Ecology Education (4DEE) Framework<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Updated. Vers. May 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The four dimensions of the Four Dimensional Ecology Education (4DEE) Framework are <em>Core Ecological Concepts, Ecology Practices, Human-Environment Interactions, <\/em>and <em>Cross-Cutting Themes<\/em>. <strong><em>Integration across the dimensions is a hallmark of the framework<\/em><\/strong>. The ultimate goal is for the four dimensions to be taught as integrated units, courses, and curricula.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column no-print is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/80\/2019\/06\/4DEE-LOGO-ppt-closed-version-2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"470\" height=\"474\" src=\"https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/80\/2019\/06\/4DEE-LOGO-ppt-closed-version-2.png\" alt=\"A graphic depicts the three cross-cutting themes of the 4DEE framework as a triangle within a circle.  \" class=\"wp-image-356 img-fluid\" srcset=\"https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/80\/2019\/06\/4DEE-LOGO-ppt-closed-version-2.png 470w, https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/80\/2019\/06\/4DEE-LOGO-ppt-closed-version-2-297x300.png 297w, https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/80\/2019\/06\/4DEE-LOGO-ppt-closed-version-2-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 470px) 100vw, 470px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Each dimension of the framework is further expanded with \u201celements\u201d within each dimension. By clicking on each element, you can explore explanations of these elements in the context of ecology education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The current 4DEE framework does not include ecological understandings associated with traditional ecological knowledge (TEK). The Transforming Ecology Education (TEE) project of ESA is actively working with indigenous scholars to reconceptualize the framework from indigenous perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns no-print is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center no-print is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center no-print padding has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">View the printable version of this page by selecting Control + P on your keyboard or by selecting \u201cPrint\u201d from the menu. (under development)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center no-print is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<button type=\"button\" class=\"no-print btn btn-primary\" onclick=\"window.print()\">Print-friendly version<\/button>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group no-print is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer no-print\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-group has-background is-layout-grid wp-container-core-group-is-layout-cdd42b5a wp-block-group-is-layout-grid\" style=\"background-color:#c1d9ed\">\n<figure data-wp-context='{\"imageId\":\"6a41087f23c00\"}' data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a41087f23c00\" class=\"wp-block-image size-medium-300 wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/80\/2020\/06\/DSC_0120-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"A bumble bee sits atop a yellow flower.\" class=\"wp-image-696 img-fluid\" srcset=\"https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/80\/2020\/06\/DSC_0120-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/80\/2020\/06\/DSC_0120-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/80\/2020\/06\/DSC_0120-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/80\/2020\/06\/DSC_0120-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/80\/2020\/06\/DSC_0120-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><button class=\"lightbox-trigger\" type=\"button\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" data-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\" data-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\">\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\"><\/path>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-100\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"#core-ecological\" style=\"background-color:#00000000\">Core Ecological Concepts<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context='{\"imageId\":\"6a41087f23eb7\"}' data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a41087f23eb7\" class=\"wp-block-image size-medium-300 wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/80\/2020\/04\/4DEE-Researchers-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"A group of investigators in the field sift through a dragnet.\" class=\"wp-image-650 img-fluid\" srcset=\"https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/80\/2020\/04\/4DEE-Researchers-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/80\/2020\/04\/4DEE-Researchers-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/80\/2020\/04\/4DEE-Researchers-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/80\/2020\/04\/4DEE-Researchers-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/80\/2020\/04\/4DEE-Researchers-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><button class=\"lightbox-trigger\" type=\"button\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" data-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\" data-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\">\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\"><\/path>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-100\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"#ecology-practices\" style=\"background-color:#ffffff00\">Ecology Practices<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context='{\"imageId\":\"6a41087f240b1\"}' data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a41087f240b1\" class=\"wp-block-image size-medium-300 wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"238\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/80\/2020\/06\/Img-00000093-1-Richard-Kingsford-300x238.jpg\" alt=\"View of a bay with dead trees in the shallows (foreground).\" class=\"wp-image-739 img-fluid\" srcset=\"https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/80\/2020\/06\/Img-00000093-1-Richard-Kingsford-300x238.jpg 300w, https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/80\/2020\/06\/Img-00000093-1-Richard-Kingsford-768x609.jpg 768w, https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/80\/2020\/06\/Img-00000093-1-Richard-Kingsford.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><button class=\"lightbox-trigger\" type=\"button\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" data-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\" data-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\">\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\"><\/path>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-100\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"#human-environment\" style=\"background-color:#ffffff00\" rel=\"\">Human-Environment Interactions<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context='{\"imageId\":\"6a41087f242c7\"}' data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a41087f242c7\" class=\"wp-block-image size-medium-300 padding-top wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/80\/2020\/06\/IMG_8060-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"A humming bird sits atop a green leaf facing to its right.\" class=\"wp-image-695 img-fluid\" srcset=\"https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/80\/2020\/06\/IMG_8060-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/80\/2020\/06\/IMG_8060-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/80\/2020\/06\/IMG_8060-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/80\/2020\/06\/IMG_8060-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/80\/2020\/06\/IMG_8060-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><button class=\"lightbox-trigger\" type=\"button\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" data-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\" data-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\">\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\"><\/path>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-100\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"#cross-cutting\" style=\"background-color:#ffffff00\">Cross-cutting Themes<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer no-print\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"no-print wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a id=\"core-ecological\"><\/a>Core Ecological Concepts (CEC)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The list of concepts covers a collection of related concepts critical to understanding ecology. It is based, in large part, on the material presented in introductory ecology textbooks. These concepts are used by many ecology educators to construct our syllabi, to assess student learning, and to shape our undergraduate degree programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-esab-accordion esab-b1x22kei\" data-mode=\"global\" data-close=\"true\"><div class=\"esab__all-open-close\"><div class=\"open-close-inner\"><button class=\"esab__all-open-close-btn esab__all-open-btn\"><span class=\"icon\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" fill=\"currentColor\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M5.828 10.172a.5.5 0 0 0-.707 0l-4.096 4.096V11.5a.5.5 0 0 0-1 0v3.975a.5.5 0 0 0 .5.5H4.5a.5.5 0 0 0 0-1H1.732l4.096-4.096a.5.5 0 0 0 0-.707m4.344-4.344a.5.5 0 0 0 .707 0l4.096-4.096V4.5a.5.5 0 1 0 1 0V.525a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H11.5a.5.5 0 0 0 0 1h2.768l-4.096 4.096a.5.5 0 0 0 0 .707\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"text\">Open All<\/span><\/button><button class=\"esab__all-open-close-btn esab__all-close-btn\"><span class=\"icon\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" fill=\"currentColor\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M.172 15.828a.5.5 0 0 0 .707 0l4.096-4.096V14.5a.5.5 0 1 0 1 0v-3.975a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H1.5a.5.5 0 0 0 0 1h2.768L.172 15.121a.5.5 0 0 0 0 .707M15.828.172a.5.5 0 0 0-.707 0l-4.096 4.096V1.5a.5.5 0 1 0-1 0v3.975a.5.5 0 0 0 .5.5H14.5a.5.5 0 0 0 0-1h-2.768L15.828.879a.5.5 0 0 0 0-.707\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"text\">Close All<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/div><div class=\"esab__container\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-esab-accordion-child\"><div class=\"esab__head esab__head_reverse\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><div class=\"esab__heading_txt\"><p class=\"esab__heading_tag\">Organisms<\/p><\/div><div class=\"esab__icon\"><div class=\"esab__collapse\"> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" fill=\"currentColor\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"m12.14 8.753-5.482 4.796c-.646.566-1.658.106-1.658-.753V3.204a1 1 0 0 1 1.659-.753l5.48 4.796a1 1 0 0 1 0 1.506z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/div><div class=\"esab__expand\"> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" fill=\"currentColor\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"M7.247 11.14 2.451 5.658C1.885 5.013 2.345 4 3.204 4h9.592a1 1 0 0 1 .753 1.659l-4.796 5.48a1 1 0 0 1-1.506 0z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"esab__body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the smallest level of ecological organization, ecologists investigate how living organisms (both unicellular and multicellular) interact as individuals with the biotic and abiotic components of their environment, including how they obtain resources and are affected by or respond to disturbances and environmental changes, including climate change. Ecological studies of organisms, or autecology, use approaches from areas including physiological ecology and animal behavior, and explore concepts such as growth, energy allocation, and the fundamental niche.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-esab-accordion-child\"><div class=\"esab__head esab__head_reverse\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><div class=\"esab__heading_txt\"><p class=\"esab__heading_tag\">Populations<\/p><\/div><div class=\"esab__icon\"><div class=\"esab__collapse\"> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" fill=\"currentColor\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"m12.14 8.753-5.482 4.796c-.646.566-1.658.106-1.658-.753V3.204a1 1 0 0 1 1.659-.753l5.48 4.796a1 1 0 0 1 0 1.506z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/div><div class=\"esab__expand\"> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" fill=\"currentColor\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"M7.247 11.14 2.451 5.658C1.885 5.013 2.345 4 3.204 4h9.592a1 1 0 0 1 .753 1.659l-4.796 5.48a1 1 0 0 1-1.506 0z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"esab__body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Populations are groups of individuals of the same species living in the same place at the same time. Demography and life histories connect traits of individual organisms to the structure and dynamics of populations. Studies of populations measure dispersion (or spacing) of individuals, population growth, population regulation, and population fluctuations. These measures can reflect how populations are affected by environmental changes, such as from disturbances or climate change, as well as intra- and interspecific interactions like competition, predation, and host-parasite interactions.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-esab-accordion-child\"><div class=\"esab__head esab__head_reverse\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><div class=\"esab__heading_txt\"><p class=\"esab__heading_tag\">Communities<\/p><\/div><div class=\"esab__icon\"><div class=\"esab__collapse\"> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" fill=\"currentColor\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"m12.14 8.753-5.482 4.796c-.646.566-1.658.106-1.658-.753V3.204a1 1 0 0 1 1.659-.753l5.48 4.796a1 1 0 0 1 0 1.506z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/div><div class=\"esab__expand\"> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" fill=\"currentColor\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"M7.247 11.14 2.451 5.658C1.885 5.013 2.345 4 3.204 4h9.592a1 1 0 0 1 .753 1.659l-4.796 5.48a1 1 0 0 1-1.506 0z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"esab__body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Communities are groups of multiple species living in the same place at the same time. The study of community ecology focuses on how organisms of different species interact with each other (interspecific relationships) and the structure, dynamics, and function of communities that result from those interactions (e.g., community composition including keystone and dominant\/rare species, succession, trophic cascades, community stability). Interspecific interactions include competition, exploitation (e.g., predation, herbivory, parasitism), mutualisms, among others, and are often studied using population and behavioral approaches. Such relationships affect the realized niche of interacting species by influencing distributions, resource use, and survival strategies. They also drive patterns of community structure (species richness, evenness, and food webs) that create variation among communities across space and time. Differences in community structure have the potential to result in variation in community function.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-esab-accordion-child\"><div class=\"esab__head esab__head_reverse\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><div class=\"esab__heading_txt\"><p class=\"esab__heading_tag\">Ecosystems<\/p><\/div><div class=\"esab__icon\"><div class=\"esab__collapse\"> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" fill=\"currentColor\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"m12.14 8.753-5.482 4.796c-.646.566-1.658.106-1.658-.753V3.204a1 1 0 0 1 1.659-.753l5.48 4.796a1 1 0 0 1 0 1.506z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/div><div class=\"esab__expand\"> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" fill=\"currentColor\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"M7.247 11.14 2.451 5.658C1.885 5.013 2.345 4 3.204 4h9.592a1 1 0 0 1 .753 1.659l-4.796 5.48a1 1 0 0 1-1.506 0z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"esab__body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ecosystems are specific bounded geographic areas that include all the living organisms and nonliving aspects of the physical environment. Ecosystems can range in size (&lt;0.01 cm2 to &gt;10,000 hectares) and habitat type (terrestrial, aquatic, urban, etc.). Ecosystem ecologists study how interactions of organisms with one another such as through trophic interactions, and how abiotic factors affect patterns of energy flow, nutrient cycling and biogeochemical transformations. Ecosystem ecologists also investigate how ecosystem-level variables are affected by or respond to disturbances, including climate change.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-esab-accordion-child\"><div class=\"esab__head esab__head_reverse\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><div class=\"esab__heading_txt\"><p class=\"esab__heading_tag\">Landscapes<\/p><\/div><div class=\"esab__icon\"><div class=\"esab__collapse\"> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" fill=\"currentColor\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"m12.14 8.753-5.482 4.796c-.646.566-1.658.106-1.658-.753V3.204a1 1 0 0 1 1.659-.753l5.48 4.796a1 1 0 0 1 0 1.506z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/div><div class=\"esab__expand\"> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" fill=\"currentColor\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"M7.247 11.14 2.451 5.658C1.885 5.013 2.345 4 3.204 4h9.592a1 1 0 0 1 .753 1.659l-4.796 5.48a1 1 0 0 1-1.506 0z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"esab__body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Landscape ecology focuses on understanding how spatial heterogeneity, including patches, corridors, and barriers, shapes the patterns and movement of species and the flow of energy and resources across ecosystems. It also emphasizes the role of environmental gradients, such as spatial changes in moisture, temperature, or nutrient availability, in influencing individuals, population dynamics, species distribution, ecosystem functioning and more.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-esab-accordion-child\"><div class=\"esab__head esab__head_reverse\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><div class=\"esab__heading_txt\"><p class=\"esab__heading_tag\">Biome<\/p><\/div><div class=\"esab__icon\"><div class=\"esab__collapse\"> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" fill=\"currentColor\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"m12.14 8.753-5.482 4.796c-.646.566-1.658.106-1.658-.753V3.204a1 1 0 0 1 1.659-.753l5.48 4.796a1 1 0 0 1 0 1.506z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/div><div class=\"esab__expand\"> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" fill=\"currentColor\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"M7.247 11.14 2.451 5.658C1.885 5.013 2.345 4 3.204 4h9.592a1 1 0 0 1 .753 1.659l-4.796 5.48a1 1 0 0 1-1.506 0z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"esab__body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Biomes are large-scale areas of similar vegetation types defined by distinct climate conditions and other environmental characteristics, derived from continental and global scales of analyzing ecological communities. The existence of different biomes\u2014such as tundra, boreal forest, deciduous forest, grassland, shrubland, desert, and tropical rainforest\u2014arises from variation in temperature, precipitation, and other factors driven by geographic context, including latitude and elevation. These factors shape the types of organisms that can persist in each biome, influencing biodiversity, ecosystem function, species interactions, and the overall flow of energy and resources within the biome.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-esab-accordion-child\"><div class=\"esab__head esab__head_reverse\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><div class=\"esab__heading_txt\"><p class=\"esab__heading_tag\">Biosphere<\/p><\/div><div class=\"esab__icon\"><div class=\"esab__collapse\"> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" fill=\"currentColor\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"m12.14 8.753-5.482 4.796c-.646.566-1.658.106-1.658-.753V3.204a1 1 0 0 1 1.659-.753l5.48 4.796a1 1 0 0 1 0 1.506z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/div><div class=\"esab__expand\"> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" fill=\"currentColor\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"M7.247 11.14 2.451 5.658C1.885 5.013 2.345 4 3.204 4h9.592a1 1 0 0 1 .753 1.659l-4.796 5.48a1 1 0 0 1-1.506 0z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"esab__body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The biosphere is the region of the Earth comprising living organisms and the non-living factors that sustain and influence life. The study of global ecosystems may include distributions, processes, and impacts across large spatial scales. Examples of ecological studies of the biosphere include biogeography at the global level and global climate change.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a id=\"ecology-practices\"><\/a>Ecology Practices (EP)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This list of practices elucidates the basic components associated with the scientific process (e.g., making observations, collecting data, and generating and testing hypotheses) (<a href=\"#moore\">Moore 1993<\/a>, <a href=\"#understanding\">Understanding Science Flowchart 2008<\/a>). It represents an essential description of approaches and skills used in and necessary for doing science, with particular attention to how ecological science is conducted. Clearly, many of these practices reflect common conceptualization of scientific literacy used in most scientific disciplines (<a href=\"#brewer\">Brewer and Smith 2011<\/a>, Table 2.1; <a href=\"#nrc\">National Research Council 2013<\/a>, Appendix F) with some components unique to ecology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-esab-accordion esab-lzukbx3n\" data-mode=\"global\" data-close=\"true\"><div class=\"esab__all-open-close\"><div class=\"open-close-inner\"><button class=\"esab__all-open-close-btn esab__all-open-btn\"><span class=\"icon\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" fill=\"currentColor\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M5.828 10.172a.5.5 0 0 0-.707 0l-4.096 4.096V11.5a.5.5 0 0 0-1 0v3.975a.5.5 0 0 0 .5.5H4.5a.5.5 0 0 0 0-1H1.732l4.096-4.096a.5.5 0 0 0 0-.707m4.344-4.344a.5.5 0 0 0 .707 0l4.096-4.096V4.5a.5.5 0 1 0 1 0V.525a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H11.5a.5.5 0 0 0 0 1h2.768l-4.096 4.096a.5.5 0 0 0 0 .707\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"text\">Open All<\/span><\/button><button class=\"esab__all-open-close-btn esab__all-close-btn\"><span class=\"icon\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" fill=\"currentColor\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M.172 15.828a.5.5 0 0 0 .707 0l4.096-4.096V14.5a.5.5 0 1 0 1 0v-3.975a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H1.5a.5.5 0 0 0 0 1h2.768L.172 15.121a.5.5 0 0 0 0 .707M15.828.172a.5.5 0 0 0-.707 0l-4.096 4.096V1.5a.5.5 0 1 0-1 0v3.975a.5.5 0 0 0 .5.5H14.5a.5.5 0 0 0 0-1h-2.768L15.828.879a.5.5 0 0 0 0-.707\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"text\">Close All<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/div><div class=\"esab__container\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-esab-accordion-child\"><div class=\"esab__head esab__head_reverse\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><div class=\"esab__heading_txt\"><p class=\"esab__heading_tag\">Natural history<\/p><\/div><div class=\"esab__icon\"><div class=\"esab__collapse\"> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" fill=\"currentColor\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"m12.14 8.753-5.482 4.796c-.646.566-1.658.106-1.658-.753V3.204a1 1 0 0 1 1.659-.753l5.48 4.796a1 1 0 0 1 0 1.506z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/div><div class=\"esab__expand\"> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" fill=\"currentColor\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"M7.247 11.14 2.451 5.658C1.885 5.013 2.345 4 3.204 4h9.592a1 1 0 0 1 .753 1.659l-4.796 5.48a1 1 0 0 1-1.506 0z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"esab__body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Natural history as a practice involves observations and pattern recognition that may lead to the generation of hypotheses and observational studies. Natural history often intersects with fieldwork that includes data collection. Examining nature in this context does not imply a pristine environment without the presence of humans, because much can be learned about ecological systems in human-impacted places.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-esab-accordion-child\"><div class=\"esab__head esab__head_reverse\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><div class=\"esab__heading_txt\"><p class=\"esab__heading_tag\">Fieldwork<\/p><\/div><div class=\"esab__icon\"><div class=\"esab__collapse\"> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" fill=\"currentColor\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"m12.14 8.753-5.482 4.796c-.646.566-1.658.106-1.658-.753V3.204a1 1 0 0 1 1.659-.753l5.48 4.796a1 1 0 0 1 0 1.506z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/div><div class=\"esab__expand\"> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" fill=\"currentColor\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"M7.247 11.14 2.451 5.658C1.885 5.013 2.345 4 3.204 4h9.592a1 1 0 0 1 .753 1.659l-4.796 5.48a1 1 0 0 1-1.506 0z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"esab__body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fieldwork involves collecting data in the field (i.e., environments where organisms live and interact with one another and their surroundings). Fieldwork often intersects with natural history and includes practices such as field identification of organisms and habitat assessment. In many ecological studies, fieldwork is combined with lab work, through which analysis of field-collected samples takes place.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-esab-accordion-child\"><div class=\"esab__head esab__head_reverse\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><div class=\"esab__heading_txt\"><p class=\"esab__heading_tag\">Designing, conducting, and critiquing investigations<\/p><\/div><div class=\"esab__icon\"><div class=\"esab__collapse\"> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" fill=\"currentColor\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"m12.14 8.753-5.482 4.796c-.646.566-1.658.106-1.658-.753V3.204a1 1 0 0 1 1.659-.753l5.48 4.796a1 1 0 0 1 0 1.506z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/div><div class=\"esab__expand\"> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" fill=\"currentColor\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"M7.247 11.14 2.451 5.658C1.885 5.013 2.345 4 3.204 4h9.592a1 1 0 0 1 .753 1.659l-4.796 5.48a1 1 0 0 1-1.506 0z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"esab__body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Designing investigations involves familiarity with basic modes of ecological inquiry (description, comparison, experimentation, modeling); searching, reading, and synthesizing the primary scientific literature; and identifying research questions and appropriate methods for collecting and analyzing data to answer those questions. Conducting investigations includes collecting data with appropriate research approaches and formulating arguments based on evidence from investigations. Critiquing investigations includes identifying limitations of experimental and study designs and evaluating claims made as a result of the investigations. This process is often mediated through reviewing and synthesizing the primary scientific literature.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-esab-accordion-child\"><div class=\"esab__head esab__head_reverse\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><div class=\"esab__heading_txt\"><p class=\"esab__heading_tag\">Quantitative reasoning and computational thinking<\/p><\/div><div class=\"esab__icon\"><div class=\"esab__collapse\"> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" fill=\"currentColor\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"m12.14 8.753-5.482 4.796c-.646.566-1.658.106-1.658-.753V3.204a1 1 0 0 1 1.659-.753l5.48 4.796a1 1 0 0 1 0 1.506z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/div><div class=\"esab__expand\"> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" fill=\"currentColor\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"M7.247 11.14 2.451 5.658C1.885 5.013 2.345 4 3.204 4h9.592a1 1 0 0 1 .753 1.659l-4.796 5.48a1 1 0 0 1-1.506 0z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"esab__body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Quantitative reasoning and computational thinking involve analyzing and interpreting ecological data, sometimes using large or complex datasets, to identify patterns, trends, and relationships. This type of thinking includes using computational tools and models to simulate ecological processes, as well as applying mathematical and statistical methods. Additionally, computational thinking encompasses non-computer-driven approaches, such as breaking down complex problems, recognizing patterns, and using algorithmic approaches to solve ecological challenges at various scales.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-esab-accordion-child\"><div class=\"esab__head esab__head_reverse\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><div class=\"esab__heading_txt\"><p class=\"esab__heading_tag\">Data analysis and interpretation<\/p><\/div><div class=\"esab__icon\"><div class=\"esab__collapse\"> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" fill=\"currentColor\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"m12.14 8.753-5.482 4.796c-.646.566-1.658.106-1.658-.753V3.204a1 1 0 0 1 1.659-.753l5.48 4.796a1 1 0 0 1 0 1.506z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/div><div class=\"esab__expand\"> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" fill=\"currentColor\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"M7.247 11.14 2.451 5.658C1.885 5.013 2.345 4 3.204 4h9.592a1 1 0 0 1 .753 1.659l-4.796 5.48a1 1 0 0 1-1.506 0z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"esab__body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Data analysis includes data science skills (inputting data, data-mining, data cleaning), data visualization, and use of analytical tools (e.g., spreadsheets, R, GIS) appropriate for the data type (qualitative or quantitative data). Data interpretation integrates understanding of data visualizations and the results of data analysis in the context of the other three dimensions: Core Ecology Concepts, Human-Environment Interactions, and Cross-Cutting Themes.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-esab-accordion-child\"><div class=\"esab__head esab__head_reverse\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><div class=\"esab__heading_txt\"><p class=\"esab__heading_tag\">Working collaboratively<\/p><\/div><div class=\"esab__icon\"><div class=\"esab__collapse\"> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" fill=\"currentColor\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"m12.14 8.753-5.482 4.796c-.646.566-1.658.106-1.658-.753V3.204a1 1 0 0 1 1.659-.753l5.48 4.796a1 1 0 0 1 0 1.506z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/div><div class=\"esab__expand\"> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" fill=\"currentColor\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"M7.247 11.14 2.451 5.658C1.885 5.013 2.345 4 3.204 4h9.592a1 1 0 0 1 .753 1.659l-4.796 5.48a1 1 0 0 1-1.506 0z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"esab__body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In ecology, working collaboratively involves partnering with natural, physical, social, and local community scientists, indigenous knowledge holders, and other stakeholders for the purpose of advancing scientific discovery and co-creating knowledge. Skills for effective collaboration can be advanced through collaboration that promotes development of metacognitive, interpersonal communication, and other abilities. \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-esab-accordion-child\"><div class=\"esab__head esab__head_reverse\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><div class=\"esab__heading_txt\"><p class=\"esab__heading_tag\">Communicating and applying ecology <\/p><\/div><div class=\"esab__icon\"><div class=\"esab__collapse\"> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" fill=\"currentColor\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"m12.14 8.753-5.482 4.796c-.646.566-1.658.106-1.658-.753V3.204a1 1 0 0 1 1.659-.753l5.48 4.796a1 1 0 0 1 0 1.506z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/div><div class=\"esab__expand\"> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" fill=\"currentColor\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"M7.247 11.14 2.451 5.658C1.885 5.013 2.345 4 3.204 4h9.592a1 1 0 0 1 .753 1.659l-4.796 5.48a1 1 0 0 1-1.506 0z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"esab__body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Communicating ecology involves conveying the concepts, outcomes, and implications of ecological research to both scientific and non-scientific audiences- often with the purpose of integrating and applying ecological knowledge in new contexts or engaging with new audiences. This includes sharing findings within the scientific community to advance disciplinary knowledge and externally to stakeholders, such as decision-makers, resource managers, and the general public, to influence behavior, inform policy, and promote ecological understanding. Effective communication practices should be tailored to the audience and purpose, whether through scientific manuscripts, policy briefs, public engagement efforts, or other means. Alongside communication, applying ecological concepts and practices to existing and new contexts, situations, and challenges is an important way to advance research and demonstrate the value of ecology to inform environmental management, public policy, decision making, and other individually and socially relevant concerns and social-environmental problem solving.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a id=\"human-environment\"><\/a>Human-Environment Interactions (HEI)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The ideas listed here emphasize that bi-directional interrelationship between humans and the Earth\u2019s biota and physical environment, with particular attention to the normative values underlying decision-making and policy (<a href=\"#collins\">Collins et al. 2011<\/a>, <a href=\"#jablonski\">Jablonski et al. 2015<\/a>). Incorporating the human-environment interactions into the 4DEE framework recognizes that every place is shaped by humans and every human need is shaped by the environment. Within the discipline, ecologists have recognized the importance of the connections between humans and the environment in shaping the future of the planet and the discipline of ecology (<a href=\"#lubchenco\">Lubchenco et al. 1991<\/a>, <a href=\"#crutzen\">Crutzen and Stoermer 2000<\/a>, <a href=\"#palmer\">Palmer et al. 2005<\/a>). Over 1000 ESA members responded to the 2007 Vice Presidents\u2019 Survey on Ecological Literacy, and nearly half of the essential elements of ecological literacy mentioned were related to human-environment interactions (<a href=\"#mcbride\">McBride et al. 2011<\/a>). Socio-ecological problems are some of the greatest challenges facing society today. Resolving these challenges requires that scientists engage with society and embrace an interconnected approach. To that end, educational efforts must ensure that ecology students- and even ecology as a discipline \u2013 attend to the interaction between humans and the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-esab-accordion esab-vb47hghz\" data-mode=\"global\" data-close=\"true\"><div class=\"esab__all-open-close\"><div class=\"open-close-inner\"><button class=\"esab__all-open-close-btn esab__all-open-btn\"><span class=\"icon\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" fill=\"currentColor\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M5.828 10.172a.5.5 0 0 0-.707 0l-4.096 4.096V11.5a.5.5 0 0 0-1 0v3.975a.5.5 0 0 0 .5.5H4.5a.5.5 0 0 0 0-1H1.732l4.096-4.096a.5.5 0 0 0 0-.707m4.344-4.344a.5.5 0 0 0 .707 0l4.096-4.096V4.5a.5.5 0 1 0 1 0V.525a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H11.5a.5.5 0 0 0 0 1h2.768l-4.096 4.096a.5.5 0 0 0 0 .707\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"text\">Open All<\/span><\/button><button class=\"esab__all-open-close-btn esab__all-close-btn\"><span class=\"icon\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" fill=\"currentColor\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M.172 15.828a.5.5 0 0 0 .707 0l4.096-4.096V14.5a.5.5 0 1 0 1 0v-3.975a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H1.5a.5.5 0 0 0 0 1h2.768L.172 15.121a.5.5 0 0 0 0 .707M15.828.172a.5.5 0 0 0-.707 0l-4.096 4.096V1.5a.5.5 0 1 0-1 0v3.975a.5.5 0 0 0 .5.5H14.5a.5.5 0 0 0 0-1h-2.768L15.828.879a.5.5 0 0 0 0-.707\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"text\">Close All<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/div><div class=\"esab__container\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-esab-accordion-child\"><div class=\"esab__head esab__head_reverse\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><div class=\"esab__heading_txt\"><p class=\"esab__heading_tag\">Human interdependence with the environment<\/p><\/div><div class=\"esab__icon\"><div class=\"esab__collapse\"> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" fill=\"currentColor\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"m12.14 8.753-5.482 4.796c-.646.566-1.658.106-1.658-.753V3.204a1 1 0 0 1 1.659-.753l5.48 4.796a1 1 0 0 1 0 1.506z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/div><div class=\"esab__expand\"> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" fill=\"currentColor\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"M7.247 11.14 2.451 5.658C1.885 5.013 2.345 4 3.204 4h9.592a1 1 0 0 1 .753 1.659l-4.796 5.48a1 1 0 0 1-1.506 0z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"esab__body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Humans have a reciprocally dependent relationship with nature as encompassed by the concept of social-ecological systems. Humans rely on the environment for vital natural resources and ecosystem services and the state of the environment is affected by human actions, which can negatively affect the environment in ways that feedback to impact human health and socio-economic systems.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-esab-accordion-child\"><div class=\"esab__head esab__head_reverse\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><div class=\"esab__heading_txt\"><p class=\"esab__heading_tag\">Human impacts on the environment from local to global scales<\/p><\/div><div class=\"esab__icon\"><div class=\"esab__collapse\"> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" fill=\"currentColor\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"m12.14 8.753-5.482 4.796c-.646.566-1.658.106-1.658-.753V3.204a1 1 0 0 1 1.659-.753l5.48 4.796a1 1 0 0 1 0 1.506z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/div><div class=\"esab__expand\"> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" fill=\"currentColor\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"M7.247 11.14 2.451 5.658C1.885 5.013 2.345 4 3.204 4h9.592a1 1 0 0 1 .753 1.659l-4.796 5.48a1 1 0 0 1-1.506 0z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"esab__body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Humans, with a global population exceeding 8 billion and advanced technologies, have profoundly altered the environment both intentionally and unintentionally, leading some scientists to propose a new geological epoch: the Anthropocene. This human-dominated era is marked by accelerating climate change, biodiversity loss, and widespread pollution. Ecologists have expanded their focus to include human-shaped ecosystems and applied science to conserve biodiversity, manage resources sustainably, and restore habitats. There is growing recognition that both intentional and unintentional human activities now drive many ecological patterns and processes, emphasizing the urgent need for ecologically informed decisions to promote sustainable outcomes for both humans and ecosystems.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-esab-accordion-child\"><div class=\"esab__head esab__head_reverse\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><div class=\"esab__heading_txt\"><p class=\"esab__heading_tag\">Ecological Ethics<\/p><\/div><div class=\"esab__icon\"><div class=\"esab__collapse\"> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" fill=\"currentColor\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"m12.14 8.753-5.482 4.796c-.646.566-1.658.106-1.658-.753V3.204a1 1 0 0 1 1.659-.753l5.48 4.796a1 1 0 0 1 0 1.506z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/div><div class=\"esab__expand\"> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" fill=\"currentColor\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"M7.247 11.14 2.451 5.658C1.885 5.013 2.345 4 3.204 4h9.592a1 1 0 0 1 .753 1.659l-4.796 5.48a1 1 0 0 1-1.506 0z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"esab__body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The responsible use of natural resources by individuals, groups, and institutions sustains future generations. In this context, ecological ethics are principles and values humans use to approach and address environmental problems, challenges, and opportunities. Ethical considerations may influence access to resources and consumption patterns, fostering sustainability, stewardship, and environmental justice. Ecologists and others may ascribe service value to an ecosystem (including monetary value) to inform decision-making, also called ecological economics. These decisions impact the health and livelihood of entire communities (e.g., neighborhoods). Environmentally just actions can include equal access to benefits and burdens of these decisions and equal representation of the decision-making process. Environmental justice may also involve critically evaluating how and who practices ecology, through a humanistic lens, which can include decoloniality. Humans are inherently biased; thus, our study of species, systems, and places is subsequently biased, as is the access to and degradation of resources.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u00a0<a id=\"cross-cutting\"><\/a>Cross-Cutting Themes (CCT)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The list here represents the concepts that \u201cbridge disciplinary boundaries, uniting core ideas throughout the fields of science and engineering\u201d (e.g., see Appendix G- <a href=\"#nrc\">NRC 2013<\/a>). As such, these cross-cutting themes are a powerful and unifying way to study ecology across multiple, interacting systems.\u201dSome of the cross-cutting themes more directly relate to current ecological concepts, whereas others interrelate to other disciplines and are often explored through those disciplinary scientific practices. Vision and Change in Undergraduate Biology Education (<a href=\"#brewer\">Brewer and Smith 2011<\/a>) recommended that \u201call undergraduates need to understand\u201d evolution, pathways, and transformations of energy and matter, information flow, exchange, and storage, structure and function, and systems. Five cross-cutting themes are emphasized below that are particularly important in ecology: pathways and transformations of matter and energy, structure and function, systems, evolution, and space and time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-esab-accordion esab-0xoczh5y\" data-mode=\"global\" data-close=\"true\"><div class=\"esab__all-open-close\"><div class=\"open-close-inner\"><button class=\"esab__all-open-close-btn esab__all-open-btn\"><span class=\"icon\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" fill=\"currentColor\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M5.828 10.172a.5.5 0 0 0-.707 0l-4.096 4.096V11.5a.5.5 0 0 0-1 0v3.975a.5.5 0 0 0 .5.5H4.5a.5.5 0 0 0 0-1H1.732l4.096-4.096a.5.5 0 0 0 0-.707m4.344-4.344a.5.5 0 0 0 .707 0l4.096-4.096V4.5a.5.5 0 1 0 1 0V.525a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H11.5a.5.5 0 0 0 0 1h2.768l-4.096 4.096a.5.5 0 0 0 0 .707\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"text\">Open All<\/span><\/button><button class=\"esab__all-open-close-btn esab__all-close-btn\"><span class=\"icon\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" fill=\"currentColor\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M.172 15.828a.5.5 0 0 0 .707 0l4.096-4.096V14.5a.5.5 0 1 0 1 0v-3.975a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H1.5a.5.5 0 0 0 0 1h2.768L.172 15.121a.5.5 0 0 0 0 .707M15.828.172a.5.5 0 0 0-.707 0l-4.096 4.096V1.5a.5.5 0 1 0-1 0v3.975a.5.5 0 0 0 .5.5H14.5a.5.5 0 0 0 0-1h-2.768L15.828.879a.5.5 0 0 0 0-.707\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"text\">Close All<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/div><div class=\"esab__container\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-esab-accordion-child\"><div class=\"esab__head esab__head_reverse\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><div class=\"esab__heading_txt\"><p class=\"esab__heading_tag\">Structure &amp; Function<\/p><\/div><div class=\"esab__icon\"><div class=\"esab__collapse\"> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" fill=\"currentColor\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"m12.14 8.753-5.482 4.796c-.646.566-1.658.106-1.658-.753V3.204a1 1 0 0 1 1.659-.753l5.48 4.796a1 1 0 0 1 0 1.506z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/div><div class=\"esab__expand\"> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" fill=\"currentColor\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"M7.247 11.14 2.451 5.658C1.885 5.013 2.345 4 3.204 4h9.592a1 1 0 0 1 .753 1.659l-4.796 5.48a1 1 0 0 1-1.506 0z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"esab__body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Considering the structure and function of biological systems across hierarchical scales of organization provides a framework for understanding relationships that underlie the complexity of ecological interactions. Ecologists examine how organismal traits and their properties contribute to the ecological roles of organisms and to functioning of ecosystems and in turn how these respond to evolutionary pressures. At broader scales, ecologists also explore how the structure of landscapes and ecosystems affect their functions, response to perturbations, and their conservation.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-esab-accordion-child\"><div class=\"esab__head esab__head_reverse\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><div class=\"esab__heading_txt\"><p class=\"esab__heading_tag\">Pathways &amp; Transformations of Matter and Energy<\/p><\/div><div class=\"esab__icon\"><div class=\"esab__collapse\"> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" fill=\"currentColor\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"m12.14 8.753-5.482 4.796c-.646.566-1.658.106-1.658-.753V3.204a1 1 0 0 1 1.659-.753l5.48 4.796a1 1 0 0 1 0 1.506z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/div><div class=\"esab__expand\"> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" fill=\"currentColor\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"M7.247 11.14 2.451 5.658C1.885 5.013 2.345 4 3.204 4h9.592a1 1 0 0 1 .753 1.659l-4.796 5.48a1 1 0 0 1-1.506 0z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"esab__body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Living systems\u2013including cells, organisms and ecosystems\u2013depend on transformations of matter and energy to sustain themselves. The patterns of how energy and matter move through these systems is described by pathways, such as the movement of carbon from the atmosphere into plants into herbivores and then carnivores. At cellular and organismal levels, ecologists think about pathways and transformations of matter and energy in terms of metabolism and related processes of acquiring energy and nutrients. At larger scales of communities and ecosystems, the focus becomes how energy and matter move through food webs and between abiotic and biotic pools of molecules and materials.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-esab-accordion-child\"><div class=\"esab__head esab__head_reverse\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><div class=\"esab__heading_txt\"><p class=\"esab__heading_tag\">Systems<\/p><\/div><div class=\"esab__icon\"><div class=\"esab__collapse\"> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" fill=\"currentColor\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"m12.14 8.753-5.482 4.796c-.646.566-1.658.106-1.658-.753V3.204a1 1 0 0 1 1.659-.753l5.48 4.796a1 1 0 0 1 0 1.506z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/div><div class=\"esab__expand\"> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" fill=\"currentColor\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"M7.247 11.14 2.451 5.658C1.885 5.013 2.345 4 3.204 4h9.592a1 1 0 0 1 .753 1.659l-4.796 5.48a1 1 0 0 1-1.506 0z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"esab__body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u00a0Systems are sets of interrelated elements (parts) that have relationships and function together as a whole. In ecology, holistic understanding of the complex connections and indirect interactions between organisms and their physical environment requires systems thinking, which includes examining interconnectedness, stocks and flows, emergent properties, feedback loops, tipping points, and more.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-esab-accordion-child\"><div class=\"esab__head esab__head_reverse\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><div class=\"esab__heading_txt\"><p class=\"esab__heading_tag\">Evolution<\/p><\/div><div class=\"esab__icon\"><div class=\"esab__collapse\"> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" fill=\"currentColor\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"m12.14 8.753-5.482 4.796c-.646.566-1.658.106-1.658-.753V3.204a1 1 0 0 1 1.659-.753l5.48 4.796a1 1 0 0 1 0 1.506z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/div><div class=\"esab__expand\"> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" fill=\"currentColor\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"M7.247 11.14 2.451 5.658C1.885 5.013 2.345 4 3.204 4h9.592a1 1 0 0 1 .753 1.659l-4.796 5.48a1 1 0 0 1-1.506 0z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"esab__body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Evolution, one of the founding principles of biology and ecology, results in the diversity of life found on earth, including genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity. Patterns and processes in ecological systems result from the evolution of populations. At all scales of ecological organization represented in the CECs, ecologists can examine the impact of evolutionary processes. For example, at the level of organisms, abiotic and biotic factors act as selective pressures that influence individuals\u2019 fitness and the evolution of adaptations.\u00a0 Evolutionary processes also affect species interactions with impacts at the community and ecosystem levels. In addition, evolution can intersect with HEI as human-induced environmental change can affect the evolution of populations and species. Evolutionary processes occur over both space and time.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-esab-accordion-child\"><div class=\"esab__head esab__head_reverse\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><div class=\"esab__heading_txt\"><p class=\"esab__heading_tag\">Space &amp; Time<\/p><\/div><div class=\"esab__icon\"><div class=\"esab__collapse\"> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" fill=\"currentColor\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"m12.14 8.753-5.482 4.796c-.646.566-1.658.106-1.658-.753V3.204a1 1 0 0 1 1.659-.753l5.48 4.796a1 1 0 0 1 0 1.506z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/div><div class=\"esab__expand\"> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" fill=\"currentColor\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\"><path d=\"M7.247 11.14 2.451 5.658C1.885 5.013 2.345 4 3.204 4h9.592a1 1 0 0 1 .753 1.659l-4.796 5.48a1 1 0 0 1-1.506 0z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"esab__body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ecological patterns and processes emerge over space and time. The spatiotemporal scales of ecological studies can vary greatly, and patterns over space and time, such as evolution, stability, resilience, and biogeography, are important for understanding ecological systems at all scales of ecological organization represented in the CECs.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:60px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-default\">\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>References<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" id=\"brewer\">Brewer, CA &amp; D Smith, eds. 2011. Vision and\u00a0Change in Undergraduate Biology Education: A Call to Action. American Association for the Advancement of Science.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" id=\"collins\">Collins, SL, SR Carpenter, SM Swinton, DE Orenstein, DL Childers, TL Gragson, NB Grimm, JM Grove, SL Harlan, JP Kaye, AK Knapp, GP Kofinas, JJ Magnuson, WH McDowell, JM Melack, LA Ogden, GP Robertson, MD Smith, &amp; AC Whitmer. 2011. An integrated conceptual framework for long-term social\u2013ecological research. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 9:351\u2013357.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" id=\"crutzen\">Crutzen, PJ &amp; EF Stoermer. 2000. The Anthropocene. IGBP Newsletter 41:17-18.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" id=\"jablonski\">Jablonski, LM, K Klemow, &amp; G Puttick. 2015. Achieving energy and ecological literacies for all: Linking ecology and energy education. Perspectives from sessions at Ecological Society of America (ESA) 2014 annual meeting. Journal of Sustainability Education 8.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" id=\"lubchenco\">Lubchenco, J, AM Olson, LB Brubaker, SR Carpenter, MM Holland, SP Hubbell, SA Levin, JA MacMahon, PA Matson, JM Melillo, HA Mooney, CH Peterson, HR Pulliam, LA Real, PJ Regal, &amp; PG Risser. 1991. The Sustainable Biosphere Initiative: An ecological research agenda: A report from the Ecological Society of America. Ecology 72:371-412.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" id=\"mcbride\">McBride, BB, CA Brewer, M Bricker, &amp; M Machura.\u00a02011.\u00a0Training the next generation of renaissance scientists: The GK-12 ecologists, educators, and schools program at The University of Montana.\u00a0BioScience 61:466\u2013476.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" id=\"moore\">Moore, JA. 1993. Science as a Way of Knowing. The Foundations of Modern Biology. Harvard University Press.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" id=\"nrc\">National Research Council. 2013. Next Generation Science Standards: For States, by States. The National Academies Press.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" id=\"palmer\">Palmer, MA, ES Bernhardt, EA Chornesky, SL Collins, AP Dobson, CS Duke, BD Gold, RB Jacobson, SE Kingsland, RH Kranz, MJ Mappin, ML Martinez, F Micheli, JL Morse, ML Pace, M Pascual, SS Palumbi, O Reichman, AR Townsend, &amp; MG Turner. 2005. Ecological science and sustainability for the 21st century. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 3:4-11.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" id=\"understanding\">Understanding Science Flowchart. 2008. <a href=\"https:\/\/undsci.berkeley.edu\/understanding-science-101\/how-science-works\/the-real-process-of-science\/\">https:\/\/undsci.berkeley.edu\/understanding-science-101\/how-science-works\/the-real-process-of-science\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\">\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The original 4DEE framework was updated and released in July 2018 \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/80\/2020\/07\/2018-0727-ESA-4DEE-Framework-Summary.docx\">Download Summary Paper [docx]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On November 14, 2018, the Governing Board of the Ecological Society of America voted unanimously to endorse the 4DEE framework. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/R2dzAn5KS6\">https:\/\/t.co\/R2dzAn5KS6<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An archive of the original framework can be found at: <a href=\"https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/4dee-framework-archive\/\">https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/4dee-framework-archive<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-3e41869c wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/4dee-framework-archive\">View the archive<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Four-Dimensional Ecology Education (4DEE) Framework Updated. Vers. May 2025 The four dimensions of the Four Dimensional Ecology Education (4DEE) Framework are Core Ecological Concepts, Ecology Practices, Human-Environment Interactions, and Cross-Cutting Themes. Integration across the dimensions is a hallmark of the framework. The ultimate goal is for the four dimensions to be taught as integrated units, courses, and curricula. Each&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":29,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-31","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/31","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=31"}],"version-history":[{"count":55,"href":"https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/31\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3809,"href":"https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/31\/revisions\/3809"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/esa.org\/4dee\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}