Comparing Terrestrial and Marine Ecological Systems

Summary

We have entered a period where the study of the earth as a total system is within the reach of our technical and scientific capabilities. Further, an understanding of the interactions of earth, sea, and air is a practical social necessity. These interactions encompass physical, chemical, and biological factors. The biological or ecological components are critical not only as parts of these processes, but as a major and direct impact on man of the consequences of global changes in the system. Yet the possible nature and direction of ecological change is the most difficult aspect to predict and to relate to the other, physical and chemical, processes.

So far the terrestrial and marine sectors¹ have been considered separately. There can be good reasons for this lack of integration. The practical logistics (ships versus jeeps) are one reason for this separation. The organization of research institutes and of the federal funding exacerbates the dichotomy. But the critical question is whether the science itself requires this division. A workshop in Santa Fe in 1989 was held to address this question specifically and to propose measures to bring the components together. The need for such a meeting was evident from the discussions. The participants agreed that they all acquired new and useful ideas from the exchange of information and concepts. More significantly, these discussions revealed many topics that required and would benefit from more detailed and extensive consideration.

The scientific interests and excitement of generalizing across sectors was the dominant theme. For example, is the correct comparison between the longest-lived components—trees and fish—rather than at the same trophic level? We were also aware of the societal importance of understanding the very different consequences of human disturbance. Thus, assessments of waste disposal options in each sector of the environment and at local, regional, or global scales demand comparative study. Especially, we were conscious that any real convergence in ideas and integrations of theories would be a long-term process involving the removal of institutional and funding barriers. Therè was no doubt, however, that the perceived need to view our world as a single system requires ecological theory and practice to achieve a strong common basis.

At this preliminary meeting we sketched some major topics for comparative studies (food web structure, patchiness, biodiversity, etc.) and methods for promoting convergent evolution (workshops, summer schools, paired collaboration, production of texts, etc.). The summer school at Cornell in 1991 was the direct outcome of these discussions. It is intended to be the first in a series that will cover the topics listed in this introductory section, which draws on the report of the 1989 meeting and is intended as background to the subsequent material.