Theoretical Perspectives of the Baltimore Ecosystem Study: Conceptual Evolution in a Social-Ecological Research Project.

摘要: The Earth's population will become more than 80% urban during this century. This threshold is often regarded as sufficient justification for pursuing ecology. However, pursuit has primarily focused on building empirical richness, and ecology theory rarely discussed. Baltimore Ecosystem Study (BES) been grounded in since its inception two decades of data collection have stimulated progress toward comprehensive theory. Emerging integrates biology, physical sciences, social design, probes interdisciplinary frontiers while being founded textbook disciplinary theories, accommodates surprising results. Theoretical growth relied refined frameworks, increased scope, longevity interactions. We describe the theories used by BES initially, trace ongoing theoretical development that increasingly reflects hybrid biological-physical-social nature ecosystem. specific mix likely require modification when applied to other areas, but developmental process, key results, continue benefit social-ecological research projects.