Origins and Development of Ecology

摘要: Publisher Summary This chapter explores the origins of ecology and asks what new abductions (hypotheses) were at root ecology's emergence as a science, to extent ecologists have managed converge on some central hypotheses. It describes polyphyletic. In its early stages, field was dominated by scientists trained botanists zoologists. Some these figures focused terrestrial systems (many among this group located in U.S. midwest), while others concentrated oceans were, naturally enough, coastal regions). Very different techniques involved, work both groups proceeded quite independently. Drawing texts, discussion identifies interests insights “pioneer ecologists.” Investigation reveals three important “initial defining hypotheses” that seminal for development ecology: Adaptations varying environmental conditions are responsible distribution organisms; ecological communities tend toward equilibrium; type organism develop along predictable lines Clementsian succession. All hypotheses resulted major research agendas late 19th 20th centuries. The closes with worries about convergence. diversity has allowed dubious or even refuted ideas continue use, thus blocking “a unified consistent hypotheses.”