|
|
Our Research Philosophy...
Ecosystem Science in the 21st Century--Biocomplexity Beyond Borders
Ecosystem science in the 21st Century should mirror the complexity of the ecosystems it seeks to understand. Ecosystems are composed of inextricably linked components, patterns and processes. YERC's research programs reflect this linked structure with a programmatic approach and a paradigm of long-term, large scale, and multi-disciplinary studies. Furthermore, YERC's private sector, cooperative and programmatic approach, provides a fact-based decision-making process with sound, unbiased information.
Underpinning every major conservation and environmental concern today is the essential need for protection of large, healthy ecosystems. Declining carnivore populations, migrating ungulate and salmonid populations, widespread dispersal of non-native species and disease, interruption of natural fire regimes, climate change, underground water contamination, and airborne pollutants are some of the dominant conservation and environmental challenges that occur at large scales.
We need an understanding of how large-scale ecosystems work. Scientists, conservationists, and elected officials are beginning to find themselves in unanimous agreement: an understanding of how large-scale systems work is needed. It is also becoming clear that the cost of not understanding ecosystem-scale components and processes is inestimably great. Healthy ecosystems provide us with the basic biological support services—clean air, clear water, and other natural resources—necessary to sustain humanity, as well as supporting the highest levels of biodiversity.
Inextricably linked to the large area requirement is the need to study ecosystems over long time periods. This is the premise of biological complexity: multiple processes and taxa that occur and interact across various spatial and temporal scales. Unfortunately, our view of ecosystems come from relatively small scales—short term, small area, and often myopic in nature. What kind of understanding can a typical two to three year study provide about 30 year grizzly bear life times, 300 year old forests, and 10,000 year old streams? Yet, botanical studies are typically conducted on study plots of less than 100 meters. We know ecosystems are governed by rules and processes that occur at scales sometimes smaller, and often much larger, that those of traditional approaches. Thus, the concept of biocomplexity must be embraced by ecosystem science if we are to understand and sustain healthy ecosystems.
Beyond the purely scientific issues of ecosystem science, lie political issues. Currently, research and monitoring conducted in U.S. ecosystems is largely performed by the land management agencies. Such in-house activities often lack independence—a basic premise of impartiality and credibility. Too often controversial issues become politicized and give rise to ill-conceived studies that lack scientific controls (e.g., pre-impact data), and which are susceptible to politically driven agendas. The public sector, already weary and critical of both scientists and governmental regulation, perceives these conflicts of interest, and lose faith in the system. Blue-ribbon panel reviews, governmental inquiries, and books and reports on this subject have abounded during the last ten years. A review of such publications with regard to our national parks, for example, found two overriding themes, the need:
-
for better, and more objective, impartial science; and
-
to improve the scientific basis for decision-making.
The information base with which to manage, restore, and protect ecosystems is either absent, deficient, or eroding. Basic inventories of species and resources are lacking. Effective monitoring is rare. With an already declining research budget and a recent restructuring of research in the Department of Interior, federal land management agencies are facing drastic reductions in research and resource monitoring funds. In academia, the classic stronghold of science, researchers often pursue non-programmatic research. Because of the pressure to publish frequently and to secure funding, the typical duration of these studies is two to three. Additional incentives are centered around the duration of a graduate student's degree program. YERC provides the antidote to these problems inherent in academia, while building on its strengths.
|
