The implication is that ecologists do research and environmental scientists apply it. Yasmin's posting implies that this is true for Turkey, but I question its universality. My problem is that there is increasing awareness of the need for interdisciplinary (rather than multidisciplinary) research that does not fit into our existing schema.
By the distinction between interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research I refer to fields such as physical chemistry, which overlaps both physics and chemistry but is actually quite narrow -- it sits in the space between them -- and the kind of research that involves a shallow knowledge of many fields. There are many examples of ecosystems interacting with hydrological and geological systems which need to be studied in depth, but although these call for an interdisciplinary effort, they do not require the broad but superficial knowledge of all areas that we think of as multidisciplinary. And where should such prgrams be classified? If not environmental science, then where? Bill Silvert ----- Original Message ----- From: "Malcolm McCallum" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, November 23, 2007 3:50 PM Subject: Re: Another picture > Yasemin is correct, ecology is not environmental science. > > Environmental science is an interdisciplinary area of study that > encompasses the biological, chemical, geological, economic, and political > forces that mold how we use and manage our environment. It encompasses > wildlife and fisheries management, ecotoxicology, and other similar > fields. Ecology is a science that addresses the structure and function of > the biosphere. Although many ecologists find themselves working in > environmental science, and many environmental scientists work essentially > as ecologists, they are very different. > > A simple parallel that might help discern the two fields is that > Ecology is to environmental science as physics is to engineering. > > Malcolm McCallum > > On Thu, November 22, 2007 7:33 pm, yasemin baytok wrote: >> Dear Ecologgers, >> >> With all do respect, I disagree with Andy's view that there is no >> separation >> between environmental and ecological science. I'm frustrated cause, >> unfortunately in my country, Turkey, Environmental science = >> environmental >> engineering-agricultural engineering-forest engineering = Ecology! And >> they >> seem liked to be so called "ecologist" and even believed they are.
