Scaling Relations in Experimental Ecology

by Robert Gardner, W. Kemp, Victor Kennedy, John Petersen

Overview

This book discusses the impact of recent advances in the theory of "scaling relationships" and identifies critical issues that must be considered if experimental results are used to understand the temporal and spatial scales of actual ecosystems.

The complexity of ecosystems complicates experimental design. How, for example, does a scientist draw boundaries when studying species effects and interactions? Once these boundaries are drawn, how does one treat factors external to that study? Will the failure to consider external factors affect one's ability to extrapolate information across temporal and spatial scales? This volume provides a compilation from a broad range of ecologists with extensive experimental research experience that addresses these and other questions of scaling relations.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780231114981
Publisher:	Columbia University Press
Publication date:	08/01/2001
Series:	Complexity in Ecological Systems Series
Pages:	352
Product dimensions:	6.30(w) x 9.26(h) x 1.02(d)
Lexile:	1380L (what's this?)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Robert H. Gardner is a professor of environmental science at the Appalachian Laboratory of the University of Maryland's Center for Environmental Studies.

W. Michael Kemp and Victor S. Kennedy are professors at Horn Point Laboratory of the University of Maryland's Center for Environmental Studies.

John E. Peterson is an assistant professor of environmental studies at Oberlin College.

Table of Contents

Figures
Tables
Contributors
Preface
I. Background
1. Scale Dependence and the Problem of Extrapolation: Implications for Experimental & Natural Coastal Ecosystems, by W. Michael Kemp, John E. Petersen, Robert H. Gardner
II. Scaling Theory
2. Understanding the Problem of Scale in Experimental Ecology, by John A. Wiens
3. The Nature of the Scale Issue in Experimentation, by Timothy F. H. Allen
4. Spatial Allometry: Theory & Application to Experimental and Natural Aquatic Ecosystems, by David C. Schneider
III. Scaling Mesocosms to Nature
5. Getting it Right and Wrong: Extrapolations Across Experimental Scales, by Michael L. Pace
6. Some Reluctant Ruminations on Scales (and Claws and Teeth) in Marine Mesocosms, by Scott Nixon
7. Evaluating and Modeling Foraging Performance of Planktivorous & Picivorous Fish: Effects of Containment and Issues of Scale, by Michael R. Heath & Edward D. Houde
8. Experimental Validity & Ecological Scale as Criteria for Evaluating Research Programs, by Shahid Naeem
IV. Scale & Experiment in Different Ecosystems
9. Scaling Issues in Experimental Ecology: Fresh Water Systems, by Thomas M. Frost, Robert E. Ulanowicz, Steve C. Blomenshine, Timothy F. H. Allen
10. Terrestrial Perspectives on Issues of Scale in Experimental Ecology, by Anthony W. King, Robert H. Gardner, Colleen A. Hatfield, Shahid Naeem, John E. P
11. Issues of Scale in Land-Margin Ecosystems, by Walter R. Boynton, James D. Hagy, and Denise L. Breitburg
12. Scaling Issues in Marine Experimental Ecosystems: The Role of Patchiness, by David L. Scheurer, David C. Schneider, and Lawrence P. Sanford
Index