Search

Ecologists are increasingly combining historical observations made by naturalists with modern observations to detect the ecological effects of climate change. This use of historical observations raises the following question: How do we know that historical data are appropriate to use to answer current ecological questions? In the present article, we address this question for environmental philosopher Henry David Thoreau, author of Walden. Should we trust his observations? We qualitatively and quantitatively evaluate Thoreau's observations using a three-step framework: We assess the rigor, accuracy, and utility of his observations to investigate changes in plants and animals over time. We conclude that Thoreau was an accurate observer of nature and a reliable scientist. More importantly, we describe how this simple three-step approach could be used to assess the accuracy of other scientists and naturalists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on a regional study in the Pacific Northwest concerning the attitudes of scientists, resource managers, representatives of interest groups, and members of the involved public regarding preferred roles for research and field ecologists in natural resource management. The emergence of the United States as an advanced industrial society has led to an increasing array of social and political problems that are highly technical and increasingly scientific in nature. In general, managers, scientists, interest groups, and members of the attentive public have similar preferences for the role of research scientists in natural resource decisionmaking: They would all like to see the research scientists involved in interpreting and helping to integrate the results of their science into policy decisions.

Mr. Darwin, of course, could never have anticipated the many discoveries of the twentieth century geneticists. Recent discoveries of concerted evolution of repeated elements in eukaryote genomes shed new light on our understanding of the nature of genetic organization and pose new challenges to current theories of natural selection and speciation. (Accepted for publication 5 March 1982.) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Darwin's coral reef subsidence theory derived from his broader interests in vulcanicity and global geology. His reef observations were implicitly intended to demonstrate ocean floor subsidence. Although in retrospect his evidence for subsidence of atolls and barrier reefs and of ocean floors was insufficient, both ideas have survived the modern tests of boreholes and sea floor spreading. (Accepted for publication 16 March 1982) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Darwin converted most paleontologists to evnlutiun but not to natural selection; the patterns of fossil groups were not what Darwin supposed. Therefore a number of mostly vitalistic explanations were preferred or embraced and belatedly discarded as the evolutionary synthesis developed. Today, fossil patterns again inspire controversial non-Darwinian scenarios, the fate of which remain unsettled. (Accepted for publication 5 March 1982) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Darwin's Descent of Man stressed the idea of man's ancestor as being physically weaker and more social than other mammals. Yet, by looking at other mammals, we are discovering a great deal about the appearance and behavior of human ancestors. The fossil record suggests that the hominoid common ancestors were very different from anything living today. This view contrasts with most previous reconstructions and poses considerable problems both in visualizing ancestors and in explaining evolutionary changes. (Accepted for publication 5 March 1982) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Darwin's On the Origin of Species convinced the western world of the fact of evolution. His theory of natural selection, however, was received more hesitantly. Ignorance of the mechanism of heredity, difficulties with understanding the nature of variation in natural populations, and lack of evidence contributed to formation of the opposition. Arguments concerning the continuous or, alternatively, the discontinuous nature of evolution have permeated the history of controversy in evolutionary theory. (Accepted for publication 5 March 1982) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article commemorates the centennial of the death of Charles Darwin, the English naturalist who originated theory of evolution by natural selection, by celebrating the mark he left on science and society. It is reported that Darwin's theory of evolution and natural selection revolutionized biology, while the implications of his postulated struggle for existence seemed to undermine the basis of religion and caused man to question his true place in the universe. It is further reported that the very idea of a struggle for existence and survival of the fittest still evokes images of men with hidden apish instincts struggling for dominance.

The article presents detailed information on the Dead Sea in Israel and Jordan. The issues discussed include the causes for the changing attitude toward the relationship between the Dead Sea and life, and the present state of research on the living organisms of this lake. The Dead Sea's surface is about 401 meters below mean sea level, making it the lowest naturally exposed surface on Earth. Historians and naturalists have recognized that the absence of life is due to the ingredients of the lake water and not due to any supernatural cause. Data by a scientist indicates that the Dead Sea water contains several halo-obligatory organisms that fail to grow in a salt concentration below 15% sodium chloride.

The article analyzes the roots of a growing issue in biological sciences, which involves biologists' doubt to solve fundamental problems in their field and their increasing belief that these problems can be addressed by other scientists who do not specialize in biological sciences. This belief has a significant impact on science and biologists, in particular, because it makes them feel discourage and inadequate, even those who have already made significant contribution to the field. The author also discusses the possibility that biological educators will soon eliminate or reduce preparation in the biological sciences from the curriculum of biology students, considering that it is the non-biologists who will make future contributions to biological research.

The article presents information on the role of biologists in safeguarding the natural resources. Author Richard H. Goodwin states that Biologists have a responsibility towards maintaining the integrity of the profession. He thinks that science, as a discipline, enjoys a special position of prestige in the society as it involves the search for truth. He states that the grave problems involved in preserving natural areas is the degradation of natural conditions by various encroachments. According to the author, Biologists are capable of making their own assessment of the situation.

This article discusses what a biologist does, how he does it, and why he does so. For successful communication, a short vocabulary is suggested: information, idea, model, inference, and analogy. The principal idea is the organization and transmission of information. Organization is achieved through models. The complexity of biological models is emphasized, and the idea of levels of organization of matter has been selected as an example of a comprehensive biological model. While the symbols of other disciplines such as mathematics and formal logic may be valuable within the complex biological context, it is asserted that the ultimate value of biological models is consistency, and that biologists themselves must make and judge their models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the natural land and water reserve system in California. The University of California Natural Land and Water Reserves System is one of the number of statewide systems being operated to protect the ecological diversity of the state. Professional ecologists have found that research studies carried out on public lands are disturbed by human intervention. Environmental science in California depends upon the ecological diversity in the state. The various educational institutions have contributed to natural science. Naturalists too are becoming increasingly aware towards any species becoming extinct.

The article reports that a study of phenology has been planned as a part of the contribution of the U.S. to the International Biological Programme (IBP). IBP is a program in which biologists of many countries are participating. The phenology study will include extensive studies of aquatic and terrestrial plant and animal species. The studies will include detailed measurements of the environment and investigations of population structure, breeding behavior and physiology of the organisms in addition to detailed phenologic observations.

The article presents information on the American Society of Zoologists (ASZ). The society is considered to have provided arrangements for zoologists to assemble at yearly meetings for the interchange of ideas and information. A policy committee of the society was established which initiated a wide ranging program of activities providing additional services to zoologists and biologists. The society is also stated to have created the provision for the formation of divisions, partly to discourage further splitting off of new societies and partly to improve the organization of programs for meetings, which includes the Division of Animal behavior, the Division of Comparative Endocrinology and the Division of Comparative Physiology.

The author discusses the significance of archiving data and observations by naturalists. He states that by acknowledging the value of the data collected by naturalists working independent of institutions, scientists stand to gain much through working with these data holders to access, analyze, interpret, and archive these records, especially in cases in which the collectors are still living.

The article reflects on the human experience of biodiversity. It stresses the importance of biodiversity. It cites the factor threatening biodiversity. It offers ways to facilitate human contact with nature.

This article deals with the other people's data used by quantitative ecologists in research. They usually work with existing theories, either extending them or exploring how to test and apply them in the real world. Most ecologists have similarly focused on existing theories, but such conservatism is especially important for theoreticians, because they are the ones who are supposed to be asking new questions. Ecologists have realized that testing ecological ideas often comes down to sophisticated statistics. The clean, qualitative tests that aim to reject a simple null hypothesis now seem limited to a very narrow corner of ecology. It seem almost all of the explanations that were suggested in the heroic age are true, to some extent. Rather than revising a single experiment that determines which explanation is right, ecologists are being forced to provide quantitative answers that describe what fraction of a particular pattern is explained by different mechanisms. Even more challenging, data from natural systems that they care about come in incomplete, correlated, and otherwise tangled forms that require fancy statistical questions. The quantitative ecologists of the 21st century are practicing maximum likelihood estimation and computationally intensive statistics. These statistical interests also push quantitative ecologists toward other people's questions; statistics is so useful to practicing empirical ecologists that they can easily find themselves preoccupied with other people's data.

Focuses on the lessons from a study of endangered species history in the U.S. in 2004. Concern of naturalists on the decline of native animals; Requirement for understanding human impacts on species; Key roles of ideas about nature in human-environment interactions.

Presents news briefs related to the United States American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) as of June 1, 2001. Announcement of educators who joined at AIBS; Release of the AIBS Review of Biological Instructional Materials for Secondary Schools; Membership of the United States Western Society of Naturalists within AIBS; Others.

The article reports that Africanized honeybees have entered Panama. These honeybees are a hybrid of the European honeybees and the African honeybees. They belong to the species Apis melifera scutelata. Entomologists say that the slightest disturbance of an Africanized honeybee colony may provoke a mass attack by them. According to Anita Collins, who works in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Baton Rouge Bee Breeding and Stock Center Laboratory in Louisiana, people may die from a toxic response to the venom of these honeybees if they are stung hundreds or thousands of times. INSET: Sutherland Joins BioScience Editorial Board.

The article offers news briefs for American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) Inc. A well attended meeting commemorates the 99th yearly gathering of the American Fisheries Society in New Orleans, Louisiana from September 10 to 13, 1969. Professor J. R. Nursall is one of the three trustees who are elected for the Board of Trustees of BioSciences Information Service of Biological Abstracts. The American Society of Naturalists is one of the AIBS adherent societies that elected new officers.

The article presents the author's comments on ecologists and their attitude towards social responsibilities. He says that many naturalists have shown little awareness of the need for related work in areas associated with ecology. In order to consider adequately the resource use considerations, he says that ecologists, economists and other social scientists must interrelate their efforts.

The article focuses on the Public Responsibilities Committee of American Institute of Biological Sciences Inc. (AIBS). The committee was appointed during the year 1967 and its first meeting was held on March 1, 1967. It will work closely with the institute's staff in helping to identify legislation of importance to biologists. It will also collect information on pending federal legislation of importance to biology and human welfare. Members of the committee include George Clarke, George Sprugel and Edward Buss.

The article presents information about various conferences related to bioscience. A conference on the theme "Neural Regulation of Food and Water Intake" will be held in New York City during February 1-3, 1967. It will be sponsored by the New York Academy of Sciences. Almost 150 biologists attended the Tenth Annual Conference of the Association of Midwestern College Biology Teachers (AMCBT) which was held during October 7-8, 1966. The 11th annual meeting of the Biophysical Society will be held in Houston, Texas during February 22-24, 1967.

The article presents information on the formation of the Bioinstrumentation Advisory Council (BIAC) in the U.S. An ad hoc council constituted by the American Institute of Biological Sciences recommended the formation of BIAC to aid the biologist in their search for the best possible instruments. Functions of BIAC, as recommended by the ad hoc council, include facilitating directed information flow between biological and physical scientists and preparing surveys and/or summaries of the contemporary status of instrumentation for biologists.

A calendar of events related to life sciences to be held during 2013 is presented, which includes a conference of the California Botanical Society, in California, a conference of the Society of Wetland Scientists, in Minnesota, and a conference of the American Society of Naturalists, in Utah.

A calendar of meetings on life sciences for April through June 2010 is presented that includes meetings of the U.S. Division of the International Association for Landscape Ecology in Athens, Georgia, the Southwestern Association of Naturalists in Junction, Texas, and the Society for In Vitro Biology in St. Louis, Missouri.

A calendar of 2009 global bioscience meetings is presented which includes the groups the American Society of Naturalist from June 12-16 in Moscow, Russia, the American Society of Plant Biologists from July 18-22 in Honolulu, Hawaii, and the American Phytopathological Society from August 1-5 in Portland, Oregon.

A calendar of events concerned with biological sciences that are taking place from November 2008 - January 2009 is presented, which includes a meeting of the Western Society of Naturalists, a meeting of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, and a meeting of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology.

The article presents a calendar of international meetings of interest to biology groups in April to August 2006. The Southwestern Association of Naturalists will hold their meeting on April 13-15 in Colima, Mexico. In Tampa, Florida, the Council of Science Editors will meet on May 19-23. On June 20-24, the International Society of Protistologists and International Workshop on Opportunistic Protists will convene in Lisbon, Portugal.

The article describes an event called Bioblitz, in which the public gathers to learn about biodiversity at various locations in North America, Australia, and Europe. Designed as part rapid biological survey, part public outreach event, BioBlitzes bring a talented group of scientists and naturalists to a local, often urban, community to compile a snapshot of the biodiversity present there. These jocular gatherings, whether organized by individual scientists or sponsored by museums, benefit the scientists who participate, the managers of the parks where the BioBlitzes are conducted, and the families--particularly the kids-who attend. Scientists work to identify various species at the Connecticut BioBlitz, organized by Ellen Censky, director of the Connecticut State Museum of Natural History at the University of Connecticut-Storrs.

The article presents the author's views about Charles Darwin, the English naturalist, theoretician, and experimentalist who originated theory of evolution by natural selection. The author says that he managed to take three degrees in biology without ever being assigned a line from Darwin's writings. He says that Darwin had a capacity to laugh at himself. He further says that one can gain knowledge, insight, and even entertainment by studying Darwin's life.

The article offers information on American Institute of Biological Science Inc.'s (AIBS) Department of Public Responsibilities. It is mentioned that the department was created in 1974 to organize and develop a nationwide communication system for exchange of information between public policy decision makers and biological scientists. It is stated that the department serves as a central information resource of biological expertise to legislators, government, and the general public. It also serves as a central national communication source on government action of importance for all life scientists.

The article focuses on the role for biologists in the National Climate Program Act of 1977. For biologists, the bill may offer opportunities to attempt relating climate variables to knowledge of agricultural and other land-and water-use patterns, including some extensive studies on ecosystems stability and sensitivity. The House Environment Subcommittee began in July 1975 to examine environmental research areas in which longer term and highly problematical issues arise. In May 1976 the committee heard testimony on the need for and nature of climate research.

The article reports that the President's Council on Environmental Quality issued its first annual report to congress on August 8, 1970, as required by the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 in the U.S. It notes that the report has been widely announced as defining environmental degradation in concise and explicit terms and describing problems and issues which must be solved. Furthermore, it states the it is unnecessary to summarize the Council's findings on environmental since biologists are aware of both constituents and causes of the problem.