Ecological Paradigms Lost: Routes of Theory Change

This edited volume in the Theoretical Ecology series addresses the historical development and evolution of theoretical ideas in the field of ecology. Not only does Ecological Paradigms Lost recount the history of the discipline by practitioners of the science of ecology, it includes commentary on these historical reflections by philosophers of science. Even though the theories discussed are, in many cases, are at the forefront of research, the language and approach make this material accessible to non-theoreticians. The book is structured in 5 major sections including population ecology, epidemiology, community ecology, evolutionary biology and ecosystem ecology. In each section a chapter by an eminent, experienced ecologist is complemented by analysis from a newer, cutting-edge researcher.

Reflection on the past and future of ecologyA historical overview of major ideas in the field of ecologyPairing of historical views by ecologists along with a philosophical commentary directed at the practicing scientists' views by a philosopher of scienceHistorical analysis by practicing ecologists including anectodal experiences that are rarely recordedBased on a very popular symposium at the 2002 Ecological Society of America annual meeting in Tucson, AZ

1. Why a History of Ecology: An Introduction
Beatrix E. Beisner and Kim Cuddington
Part I
POPULATION ECOLOGY
2. Unstructured Models in Ecology: Past, Present and Future
3.Unstructured population models: Do population-level assumptions yield general theory?
4. The “Structure” of Population Ecology: Philosophical Reflections on Unstructured and Structured Models

Part II
EPIDEMIOLOGICAL ECOLOGY
5. The Law of Mass Action in Epidemiology: A Historical Perspective
6. Extensions to Mass Action Mixing
7. Mass Action and System Analysis of Infection Transmission

Part III
COMMUNITY ECOLOGY
8. Community Diversity and Stability: Changing Perspectives and Changing Definitions
9. Perspectives on Diversity, Structure and Stability
10. Diversity and Stability: Theories, Models and Data

Part IV
EVOLUTIONARY ECOLOGY
11. On the Integration of Community Ecology and Evolutionary Biology: Historical Perspectives and Current Prospects
12. Modeling the ecological context of evolutionary change: déjà vu or something new?
13. The Elusive Synthesis

Part V
ECOSYSTEM ECOLOGY
14. The Loss of Narrative
15. Ecological Management: Control, Uncertainty and Understanding
16. Is Ecosystem Management a Postmodern Science?
Kevin de Laplante

Part VI
CONCLUSION
17. Kuhnian Paradigms Lost: Embracing the pluralism of ecological theory