Evolution by Natural Selection. Its the basis of ecology. It always shocks me though when people try to separate it from ecology.
On Sat, Dec 26, 2009 at 5:16 PM, Wayne Tyson <[email protected]> wrote: > Honorable Ecolog Forum: > > There's something about the imminent end of still another year that gets me > to thinking about where "things" are, where they have been, and where they > are going. It's a time for reflection that's as good as any, but a life > well-lived is in a continuous state of reflection. Ecology seems to me to be > a comprehensive way of looking at biology, an attempt to include everything > and to see all the connections and relationships in time and space. That's a > tall order, more than any one individual can hope to fully comprehend, or > even see, hear, smell, or touch, much less interpret correctly such that we > can reach conclusions that more closely match reality than fantasy. The more > I know about where "things" are the minds of others, the better I am able to > extend my own vision, and challenge it. > > While I don't want bias your answers, I will say that I am, for the moment, > more interested in learning more about your INDIVIDUAL views (not those of > other authorities, textbooks or websites) in the realm of > scientific/disciplined study and thinking about the present state of ecology > as an intellectual activity, and not so much interested, for the moment, in > applied aspects of ecology. > > So I would be interested in as many thoughts as anyone cares to share about > his or her OWN thoughts about the important questions in the scientific study > of the ecological phenomenon, and, by reflection, critical views of the > current status of ecology as a form of intellectual enquiry in its present > state. I am particularly interested in any views about the fundamental > principles of ecology that have stood the test of time and testing and > retesting, that is theories that have been demonstrated to be valid in the > real world. So the answers can be anything, such as theories that have not > been fully tested. > > For now, I am not so much interested in political and policy issues, even > though these are important. > > Thanks for sharing your thoughts. > > > Peace, > > WT > > PS: I will be away from the computer for two or three weeks beginning > sometime next week. Happy New Year! (And thank you all for your past > generosity in sharing your insights; that has greatly helped me to sort out > the wheat from the chaff.) > > > http://www.euractiv.com/en/environment/analysis-top-100-ecological-questions-identified/article-156507 > > http://britishecologicalsociety.org/blog/blog/2009/04/28/100-questions-to-conserve-global-biodiversity/ > -- Malcolm L. McCallum Associate Professor of Biology Managing Editor, Herpetological Conservation and Biology Texas A&M University-Texarkana Fall Teaching Schedule: Vertebrate Biology - TR 10-11:40; General Ecology - MW 1-2:40pm; Forensic Science - W 6-9:40pm Office Hourse- TBA 1880's: "There's lots of good fish in the sea" W.S. Gilbert 1990's: Many fish stocks depleted due to overfishing, habitat loss, and pollution. 2000: Marine reserves, ecosystem restoration, and pollution reduction MAY help restore populations. 2022: Soylent Green is People! Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message.
