The Strategy of Ecosystem Development

doi:10.1126/SCIENCE.164.3877.262

Home
/
Papers
/
The Strategy of Ecosystem Development

Journal Article•DOI•

The Strategy of Ecosystem Development

Eugene P. Odum¹•Institutions (1)

University of Georgia¹

18 Apr 1969-Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science)-Vol. 164, Iss: 3877, pp 262-270

TL;DR: The principles of ecological succession bear importantly on the relationships between man and nature and needs to be examined as a basis for resolving man’s present environmental crisis.

read less

Abstract: The principles of ecological succession bear importantly on the relationships between man and nature. The framework of successional theory needs to be examined as a basis for resolving man’s present environmental crisis. Most ideas pertaining to the development of ecological systems are based on descriptive data obtained by observing changes in biotic communities over long periods, or on highly theoretical assumptions; very few of the generally accepted hypotheses have been tested experimentally. Some of the confusion, vagueness, and lack of experimental work in this area stems from the tendency of ecologists to regard “succession” as a single straightforward idea; in actual fact, it entails an interacting complex of processes, some of which counteract one another.

...read moreread less

Citations

PDF

Open Access

More filters

Journal Article•DOI•

Toward a metabolic theory of ecology

[...]

James H. Brown¹, James H. Brown², James F. Gillooly¹, Andrew P. Allen¹, Van M. Savage², Van M. Savage³, Geoffrey B. West², Geoffrey B. West³ - Show less +4 more•Institutions (3)

University of New Mexico¹, Santa Fe Institute², Los Alamos National Laboratory³

01 Jul 2004-Ecology

TL;DR: This work has developed a quantitative theory for how metabolic rate varies with body size and temperature, and predicts how metabolic theory predicts how this rate controls ecological processes at all levels of organization from individuals to the biosphere.

...read moreread less

Abstract: Metabolism provides a basis for using first principles of physics, chemistry, and biology to link the biology of individual organisms to the ecology of populations, communities, and ecosystems. Metabolic rate, the rate at which organisms take up, transform, and expend energy and materials, is the most fundamental biological rate. We have developed a quantitative theory for how metabolic rate varies with body size and temperature. Metabolic theory predicts how metabolic rate, by setting the rates of resource uptake from the environment and resource allocation to survival, growth, and reproduction, controls ecological processes at all levels of organization from individuals to the biosphere. Examples include: (1) life history attributes, including devel- opment rate, mortality rate, age at maturity, life span, and population growth rate; (2) population interactions, including carrying capacity, rates of competition and predation, and patterns of species diversity; and (3) ecosystem processes, including rates of biomass production and respiration and patterns of trophic dynamics. Data compiled from the ecological literature strongly support the theoretical predictions. Even- tually, metabolic theory may provide a conceptual foundation for much of ecology, just as genetic theory provides a foundation for much of evolutionary biology.

...read moreread less

6,017 citations

Journal Article•DOI•

Evolution and measurement of species diversity

[...]

Robert H. Whittaker

01 May 1972-Taxon

4,445 citations

Journal Article•DOI•

Soil Fertility and Biodiversity in Organic Farming

[...]

Paul Mäder¹, Andreas Fliessbach¹, David Dubois, Lucie Gunst, Padruot M. Fried, Urs Niggli¹ - Show less +2 more•Institutions (1)

Research Institute of Organic Agriculture¹

31 May 2002-Science

TL;DR: Results from a 21-year study of agronomic and ecological performance of biodynamic, bioorganic, and conventional farming systems in Central Europe found crop yields to be 20% lower in the organic systems, although input of fertilizer and energy was reduced.

...read moreread less

Abstract: An understanding of agroecosystems is key to determining effective farming systems. Here we report results from a 21-year study of agronomic and ecological performance of biodynamic, bioorganic, and conventional farming systems in Central Europe. We found crop yields to be 20% lower in the organic systems, although input of fertilizer and energy was reduced by 34 to 53% and pesticide input by 97%. Enhanced soil fertility and higher biodiversity found in organic plots may render these systems less dependent on external inputs.

...read moreread less

2,624 citations

Journal Article•DOI•

Nitrogen mineralization: challenges of a changing paradigm

[...]

Joshua P. Schimel¹, Jennifer N Bennett¹, Jennifer N Bennett²•Institutions (2)

University of California, Santa Barbara¹, North Carolina State University²

01 Mar 2004-Ecology

TL;DR: A complete new conceptual model of the soil N cycle needs to incorporate recent research on plant–microbe competition and microsite processes to explain the dynamics of N across the wide range of N availability found in terrestrial ecosystems.

...read moreread less

Abstract: Until recently, the common view of the terrestrial nitrogen cycle had been driven by two core assumptions—plants use only inorganic N and they compete poorly against soil microbes for N. Thus, plants were thought to use N that microbes “left over,” allowing the N cycle to be divided cleanly into two pieces—the microbial decomposition side and the plant uptake and use side. These were linked by the process of net mineralization. Over the last decade, research has changed these views. N cycling is now seen as being driven by the depolymerization of N-containing polymers by microbial (including mycorrhizal) extracellular enzymes. This releases organic N-containing monomers that may be used by either plants or microbes. However, a complete new conceptual model of the soil N cycle needs to incorporate recent research on plant–microbe competition and microsite processes to explain the dynamics of N across the wide range of N availability found in terrestrial ecosystems. We discuss the evolution of thinking abou...

...read moreread less

2,126 citations

Book•

The Ecology of Phytoplankton

[...]

C. S. Reynolds¹•Institutions (1)

Lancaster University¹

29 May 2006

TL;DR: Reynolds as discussed by the authors provides basic information on composition, morphology and physiology of the main phyletic groups represented in marine and freshwater systems and reviews recent advances in community ecology, developing an appreciation of assembly processes, co-existence and competition, disturbance and diversity.

...read moreread less

Abstract: Communities of microscopic plant life, or phytoplankton, dominate the Earth's aquatic ecosystems. This important new book by Colin Reynolds covers the adaptations, physiology and population dynamics of phytoplankton communities in lakes and rivers and oceans. It provides basic information on composition, morphology and physiology of the main phyletic groups represented in marine and freshwater systems and in addition reviews recent advances in community ecology, developing an appreciation of assembly processes, co-existence and competition, disturbance and diversity. Although focussed on one group of organisms, the book develops many concepts relevant to ecology in the broadest sense, and as such will appeal to graduate students and researchers in ecology, limnology and oceanography.

...read moreread less

1,856 citations

1
2
3
4
…
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200

Collapse

References

PDF

Open Access

More filters

Journal Article•DOI•

The Tragedy of the Commons

[...]

Garrett Hardin¹•Institutions (1)

University of California, Santa Barbara¹

13 Dec 1968-Science

TL;DR: The population problem has no technical solution; it requires a fundamental extension in morality.

...read moreread less

Abstract: The population problem has no technical solution; it requires a fundamental extension in morality.

...read moreread less

22,421 citations

"The Strategy of Ecosystem Developme..." refers background in this paper

...Monographs, 33, p. 281 J. T. BONNER (1963) Size and Cycle Princeton Univ. Press, Princeton, N.J. F. H. BORMANN & G. E. LIKENS (1967) «Nutrient Cycling», Science, 155, p. 424 J. R. BRAY (1961) «Measurement of leaf utilization as an index of minimum level of primary consumption», Oikos, 12, p. 70 G. D. COOKE (1967) «The Pattern of Autotrophic in Laboratory Microcosms», BioScience, 17, p. 717 C.F. COOPER (1961) «The ecology of fire», Sci. Amer., 204, p. 150, april U. M. COWGILL & G. E. HUTCHINSON (1964) «Unknown Title», Proc....
[...]
...R. ARDREY (1967) The Territorial Imperative Atheneum, New York F. J. AYALA (1968) «Genotype, environment, and population numbers», Science, 162, p. 1453 W. BALTENSWEILER (1964) «Zeiraphera griseana Hübner (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in the European Alps....
[...]
...Ass., 15, p. 644 P. FRANK (1968) «Life histories and community stability», Ecology, 49, p. 355 FURUKAWA (1968) Proceedings Oyster Culture Workshop Marine Fisheries Division, Georgia Game and Fish Commission, Brunswick R. GORDON (1967) «Unknown Title», Tesis, University of Georgia N. G. HAIRSTON (1959) «Species abundance and community organization», Ecology, 40, p. 404 G. HARDIN (1968) «The Tragedy of the Commons», Science, 162, p. 1243 A. D. HARRISON (1962) «Hydrobiological studies on alkaline and acid still waters in the Western Cape Province», Trans....
[...]
...Garrett Hardin, in a recent article in Science (HARDIN, 1968), points out that, since the optimum population density is less than the maximum, there is no strictly technical solution to the problem of pollution caused by overpopulation; a solution, he suggests, can only be achieved of «mutual…...
[...]
...Garrett Hardin, in a recent article in Science (HARDIN, 1968), points out that, since the optimum population density is less than the maximum, there is no strictly technical solution to the problem of pollution caused by overpopulation; a solution, he suggests, can only be achieved of «mutual coercion, mutually agreed upon by the majority of people»....
[...]

Book•

The Theory of Island Biogeography

[...]

Robert H. MacArthur, Edward O. Wilson

01 Jan 1967

TL;DR: The Princeton Landmarks in Biology Edition vii Preface xi Symbols Used xiii 1. The Importance of Islands 3 2. Area and Number of Speicies 8 3. Further Explanations of the Area-Diversity Pattern 19 4. The Strategy of Colonization 68 5. Invasibility and the Variable Niche 94 6. Stepping Stones and Biotic Exchange 123 7. Evolutionary Changes Following Colonization 145 8. Prospect 181 Glossary 185 References 193 Index 201

...read moreread less

Abstract: Preface to the Princeton Landmarks in Biology Edition vii Preface xi Symbols Used xiii 1. The Importance of Islands 3 2. Area and Number of Speicies 8 3. Further Explanations of the Area-Diversity Pattern 19 4. The Strategy of Colonization 68 5. Invasibility and the Variable Niche 94 6. Stepping Stones and Biotic Exchange 123 7. Evolutionary Changes Following Colonization 145 8. Prospect 181 Glossary 185 References 193 Index 201

...read moreread less

12,546 citations

Journal Article•DOI•

Measurement of diversity

[...]

E. H. Simpson

01 Jan 1949-Nature

TL;DR: In this article, the authors define and examine a measure of concentration in terms of population constants, and examine the relationship between the characteristic and the index of diversity when both are applied to a logarithmic distribution.

...read moreread less

Abstract: THE 'characteristic' defined by Yule1 and the 'index of diversity' defined by Fisher2 are two measures of the degree of concentration or diversity achieved when the individuals of a population are classified into groups. Both are defined as statistics to be calculated from sample data and not in terms of population constants. The index of diversity has so far been used chiefly with the logarithmic distribution. It cannot be used everywhere, as it does not always give values which are independent of sample size ; it cannot do so, for example, when applied to an infinite population of individuals classified into a finite number of groups. Williams3 has pointed out a relationship between the characteristic and the index of diversity when both are applied to a logarithmic distribution. The present purpose is to define and examine a measure of concentration in terms of population constants.

...read moreread less

10,077 citations

"The Strategy of Ecosystem Developme..." refers background in this paper

...[5]: For selected general discussion of patterns of species diversity, see SIMPSON (1949), WILLIAMS (1953), HUTCHINSON (1959), MARGALEF (1958), MACARTHUR AND MACARTHUR (1961), HAIRSTON (1959), PATTEN (1960), LEIGH (1965), PIANKA (1966) y PIELOU (1966a)....
[...]

Journal Article•DOI•

Food Web Complexity and Species Diversity

[...]

Robert T. Paine

01 Jan 1966-The American Naturalist

TL;DR: It is suggested that local animal species diversity is related to the number of predators in the system and their efficiency in preventing single species from monopolizing some important, limiting, requisite in the marine rocky intertidal.

...read moreread less

Abstract: It is suggested that local animal species diversity is related to the number of predators in the system and their efficiency in preventing single species from monopolizing some important, limiting, requisite. In the marine rocky intertidal this requisite usually is space. Where predators capable of preventing monopolies are missing, or are experimentally removed, the systems become less diverse. On a local scale, no relationship between latitude (10⚬ to 49⚬ N.) and diversity was found. On a geographic scale, an increased stability of annual production may lead to an increased capacity for systems to support higher-level carnivores. Hence tropical, or other, ecosystems are more diverse, and are characterized by disproportionately more carnivores.

...read moreread less

4,834 citations

"The Strategy of Ecosystem Developme..." refers background in this paper

...…animals, which lead to the development of many mechanisms that reduce grazing --such as the development of indigestive supporting tissues (cellulose, lignin, and so on), feedback control between plants and hervibores (PIMENTEL, 1961), and increasing predatory pressure on herbivores (PAINE, 1966)....
[...]
...Paine (1966) «Food web complexity and species diversity», American Naturalist, 100, p....
[...]
...…Press, Orono, p. 81) H. T. ODUM (1967b) «Biological circuits and the marine systems of Texas», in Pollution and Marine Ecology, Wiley, New York, p. 99 R. T. PAINE (1966) «Food web complexity and species diversity», American Naturalist, 100, p. 65 B. C. PATTEN (1960) «Unknown Title», J. Marine....
[...]
...(Pimentel, 1961), and increasing predatory pressure on herbivores (Paine, 1966)....
[...]

Journal Article•DOI•

The measurement of diversity in different types of biological collections

[...]

E.C. Pielou

01 Dec 1966-Journal of Theoretical Biology

TL;DR: Information content may be used as a measure of the diversity of a many-species biological collection whereby the sample size is progressively increased by addition of new quadrats and the mean increment in total diversity that results from enlarging the sample still more provides an estimate of the Diversity per individual in the whole population.

...read moreread less

4,415 citations

"The Strategy of Ecosystem Developme..." refers background in this paper

...A second component of species diversity is what has been called equitability, or evenness (LOOYD AND GHELARDI, 1964; PIELOU, 1966b), in the apportionment of individuals among the species....
[...]
...[5]: For selected general discussion of patterns of species diversity, see SIMPSON (1949), WILLIAMS (1953), HUTCHINSON (1959), MARGALEF (1958), MACARTHUR AND MACARTHUR (1961), HAIRSTON (1959), PATTEN (1960), LEIGH (1965), PIANKA (1966) y PIELOU (1966a)....
[...]