On Methods of Analyzing Ecosystems: Lessons from the Analysis of Forest-Insect Systems

Abstract

The complexities of ecosystems have rendered many disputes on how to approach ecosystem analysis. Little knowledge is at one's disposal, except for the few longterm studies of ecosystems which are dominated by cyclic organisms, such as the subalpine larch-cembran pine forests in the European Alps and the larch bud moth. They provide an opportunity to exemplify the shortcomings and the achievements of endeavours to analyze ecosystems. The larch bud moth project is analyzed and scrutinized by comparing its results with the goals initially defined by its own participating scientists. It is shown that a critical reflection of the prevailing spirit of the epoch, a good balance between empirical and theoretical techniques, and an approach well matched with the temporal and spatial scales of the real system are, among others, of significant importance for the success of such studies.Abstract from Springer's web site: There are various ways to analyze ecosystems. No approach is unanimously accepted (Ruesink 1976; Getz and Gutierrez 1982). One alternative to this seemingly unresolvable dispute is to analyze past experience in order to learn from it. A fair assessment of any scientific approach would be to compare its achievements with its initial objectives as defined by the scientists directly involved.