Advancing Ecosystem Science by Promoting Greater Use of Theory and Multiple Research Approaches in Graduate Education

Abstract

Since the inaugural edition of Ecosystems was published in 1998, ecosystem science has undergone substantial changes including the development of new research methods and an increasing emphasis on collaborations across traditional academic boundaries. In response to this transformation, we reflect on the current state of theory in ecosystem science, and make recommendations for training the next generation of Ph.D.-level ecosystem scientists. Specifically, we call for increased integration of theory into ecosystem science and outline the utility of iterating between theory and data generated by observations, experiments, and quantitative models. We recommend exposing graduate students to these three major approaches for generating data and propose strategies that students, advisors, and departments can employ to ensure this exposure. Ultimately, a successful training program will provide students with an understanding of key theories related to ecosystem science and how they interact with data, an appreciation for the interconnectedness of approaches to scientific inference, and a well-developed skill set in at least one approach—thereby empowering them to confidently tackle our pressing environmental problems. Although this is a daunting list of goals, continuing to advance our understanding of how ecosystems function necessitates a rigorous and well-developed training program.