Newswise — An article to appear in the May 28 issue of "Science" calls for a sea change in how scientists study nature and the practices that are used sustain the environment. It's a plan for cooperation between science and technology that will be "music to some folks' ears and blasphemy to others," according to University of Maryland biology professor Margaret Palmer, lead author of the paper. "We can't save nature just to save nature any more," says Palmer. "We have to figure out ways to meet human needs while conserving life's support systems." The article, "Ecology for a Crowded Planet," written by a committee of the Ecological Society of America, advocates a radical new approach to environmental science - shifting from a focus on undisturbed ecosystems to one that acknowledges humans as components of ecosystems. "Traditional ecology has focused on nature without humans and viewed humans as only destroying or damaging nature," Palmer says. "We've been trying to keep people out. This new plan puts people smack dab in the middle of things. "Ecological scientists have been interested in baselines using pristine systems," adds Palmer, who heads the National River Restoration Science Synthesis. "Well, pristine systems don't exist any more. All ecosystems are influenced today, even the most remote places, like the deep sea and the deserts of Africa. We must accept this and come up with new baselines." Noting that more than half the world's population will live in urban areas, most by a seacoast, by 2030, "Ecology for a Crowded Planet" says the three major ecological problems of the future are urbanization, degradation of fresh water and movement of materials between ecosystems. To work toward solving these problems, the paper recommends a number of solutions, including:
* Rather than trying to restore ecosystems to pristine states, design ecosystems that range from manipulation of slightly altered systems to "designer ecosystems" or "ecologically designed solutions;" * Combine technological innovations with novel mixtures of native species that favor specific ecosystem functions, "not as a substitute for natural systems, but (as) ...part of a future sustainable world;" * Blend ecological principles with ideas and technology from other disciplines -- "Engineering process design could benefit from molecular-based advances in our understanding of nutrient transformations, and ecologists could benefit from using engineered biosystems as research tools;" * Build a science of ecological design, working with "agencies, businesses and other groups implementing restoration;" * Gain insight into biodiversity and evolutionary processes in cities to moderate the dangerous interactive effects of urbanization, climate and human health.
"In terms of sustainability, we're in such a bad state right now," says Palmer. "We need to move things in a more sustainable direction. We advocate conservation where possible, but not by kicking people out of homes and jobs. Ecologists can help with this."
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