ESA SYMPOSIUM PROPOSAL FORM<\/p>\n
1998 Annual Meeting \u2013 Baltimore<\/p>\n
DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF PROPOSALS: 15 SEPTEMBER 1997<\/p>\n
A.\u00a0 PRINCIPAL ORGANIZER (Name, mailing address, phone, FAX, and e-mail):<\/p>\n
Lenore Fahrig (for ESA Theoretical Ecology Section)
\nOttawa-Carleton Institute of Biology
\nCarleton University
\nOttawa, Canada K1S 5B6<\/p>\n
phone: 613-520-2600 x 3856
\nFAX: 613-520-4497
\nemail: lfahrig@ccs.carleton.ca<\/p>\n
C.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 TITLE OF SYMPOSIUM:<\/p>\n
Seeking generality in ecology: current approaches<\/p>\n
D.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 SPEAKERS ALREADY CONTACTED (Names and tentative titles):<\/p>\n
1.\u00a0 C.S. Holling (agreed)
\nGeneral theory of ecosystem dynamics and structure.<\/p>\n
2.\u00a0 Michael Huston (agreed)
\nDeveloping general theory of biodiversity.<\/p>\n
3.\u00a0 Ed Connor (agreed)
\nUsing meta-analysis to develop general theory of population density vs.
\npatch size relationships.<\/p>\n
4.\u00a0 Chris Ray (agreed)
\nRelationship between disperal and population dynamics: models and
\ncross-system studies.<\/p>\n
5.\u00a0 Jim Brown (contacted, waiting for response)
\nA general theory of macro-ecology and energetics.<\/p>\n
6.\u00a0 Henrik Andren (contacted, waiting for response)
\nPopulation response to landscape structure: conceptual models and
\ncross-system comparisons.<\/p>\n
7.\u00a0 Sharon Kingsland (agreed)
\nThe quest for generality in ecology: a historical perspective.<\/p>\n
E. ADDITIONAL SPEAKERS TO BE CONTACTED (Names and tentative topics):<\/p>\n
The following may be contacted if Brown and\/or Andren declines:<\/p>\n
1.\u00a0 Kevin Gaston
\nA general theory of rarity.<\/p>\n
2.\u00a0 Mark Hunter
\nA general theory of insect outbreak.<\/p>\n
F. SPONSORSHIP BY ESA SECTION (Note that a letter from the Section Chair
\nmust accompany the application).<\/p>\n
Plant Population Biology ____\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Applied Ecology____<\/p>\n
Aquatic Ecology ____\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 International Affairs ____<\/p>\n
Paleoecology ____\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Physiological Ecology ____<\/p>\n
Theoretical Ecology _***_\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Soil Ecology ____<\/p>\n
Long-term Studies ____\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Vegetation ____<\/p>\n
Statistical Ecology ____\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Education ____<\/p>\n
Asian Ecology ____<\/p>\n
G. In one page or less, describe the symposium. Include background
\ninformation, goals, objectives, and explain its importance and interest to
\nthe membership of ESA.
\nSeeking Generality in Ecology: Current Approaches<\/p>\n
In his MacArthur lecture at the 1997 annual ESA meeting, David
\nTilman argued that modern ecology lacks synthesis. This concern was
\nechoed in the plenary talk by Buzz Holling, who decried the
\ndisintegration of ecological research into smaller and smaller
\nmanageable but trivial questions.<\/p>\n
Is generality lacking in ecology, and if so, why? Over the
\npast few years, much ecological research has emphasized the uniqueness
\nand complexity, particularly spatial complexity, of individual
\necological systems. Many ecologists have become loath to generalize
\namong systems, on the assumption that the specific attributes
\nparticular to each system would make such generalization invalid.
\nAlthough some theoretical ecologists continue to develop general
\ntheories, these theories are often ignored by those empiricists who do
\nnot believe they can possibly represent reality in any meaningful or
\nuseful way.<\/p>\n
Paradoxically, the rejection of general theory comes at a time
\nwhen robust, general principles in ecology are badly needed. As
\nemphasized in several recent plenary talks at annual ESA meetings,
\necologists are frequently asked to provide advice on a range of
\napplied problems. Management decisions must often be made in the
\nabsence of detailed studies of the individual system(s) being managed.
\nApplication of general principles is therefore necessary, and these
\nprinciples must be derived from valid general theories.<\/p>\n
The aims of this symposium will be to catalyze discussion of
\nthe nature and role of general theory in ecology, and provide examples
\nof current methods for developing valid general theory. Presentations
\nwill cover the following major approaches: (i) generalized mechanistic
\nmodelling, (ii) conceptual modelling, (iii) meta-analysis and (iv)
\ncross-system studies. Each speaker will be asked to present a
\ndefinition of general ecological theory, describe a research project
\naimed at development of general theory, articulate the theory
\nresulting from the research, and discuss the validity of the theory.<\/p>\n
This symposium should attract interest from a wide range of
\necologists, both theoretical and empirical. There has not been a
\nsymposium on this topic in the last 3 ESA annual meetings.
\nH. SUBMIT TO:<\/p>\n
Fred Wagner
\nEcology Center
\nUtah State University
\nLogan, UT 84322-5205
\nPhone (801) 797-2555
\nFAX (801) 797-3872
\ne-mail: fwagner@cc.usu.edu<\/p>\n
ENDORSEMENT LETTER FROM CHAIR OF THE THEORETICAL ECOLOGY SECTION<\/p>\n
To: Fred Wagner
\nChair, ESA program<\/p>\n
As the Chair of the Theoretical Ecology Section, I am passing on the
\nendorsement of our section of the proposal submitted by Lenore Fahrig for a
\nsymposium entitled \u201cSeeking Generality in Ecology: Current Approaches\u201d<\/p>\n
Lenore Fahrig was chosen to organize the symposium as part of her role as
\nvice chair of the Theoretical Ecology Section. The symposium topic was
\nchosen by Lenore based on an extensive discussion by the members of our
\nsection at our meeting in Albuquerque. The topic is both exciting and
\ntimely, as recent papers and talks (by Jim Brown, Buzz Holling, and Dave
\nTilman, among others) on these issues have generated immense interest.\u00a0 The
\nproposed speakers are an exciting set who are known both for their
\nscientific work and skill in presentation.<\/p>\n
We look forward to sponsoring another very successful symposium at the ESA
\nmeeting in Providence.<\/p>\n
Sincerely,<\/p>\n
Peter Turchin
\nChair, Theoretical Ecology Section<\/p>\n
\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2013
\nPeter Turchin
\nDept. of Ecology and Evol. Biology
\nUniversity of Connecticut
\nStorrs, CT 06269-3043, USA
\ntel. 860-486-3603; fax 860-486-6364
\nTURCHIN@UCONNVM.UCONN.EDU
\nhttp:\/\/www.eeb.uconn.edu\/faculty\/turchin.htm
\n\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2013<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ESA SYMPOSIUM PROPOSAL FORM 1998 Annual Meeting \u2013 Baltimore DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF PROPOSALS: 15 SEPTEMBER 1997 A.\u00a0 PRINCIPAL ORGANIZER (Name, mailing address, phone, FAX, and e-mail): Lenore Fahrig (for ESA Theoretical Ecology Section) Ottawa-Carleton Institute of Biology Carleton University Ottawa, Canada K1S 5B6 phone: 613-520-2600 x 3856 FAX: 613-520-4497 email: lfahrig@ccs.carleton.ca C.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 TITLE OF SYMPOSIUM: Seeking generality in ecology:…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":0,"parent":340,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-55","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/esa.org\/theory\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/55","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/esa.org\/theory\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/esa.org\/theory\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/esa.org\/theory\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/esa.org\/theory\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=55"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/esa.org\/theory\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/55\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/esa.org\/theory\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/340"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/esa.org\/theory\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=55"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}