Overview
- International, interdisciplinary work of reference in the field of ecology and environmental studies Unique, methodologically innovative in the field of studies on and in ecology Clarifies historical, actual meanings and uses of ecological terms Form meets contents allowing for individual information management Wide range of potential users (specialist research workers, individuals, institutions in the ecology field)
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Table of contents (28 chapters)
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Design of the Handbook of Ecological Concepts
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The Foundations of Ecology: Philosophical and Historical Perspectives
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About the Inner Structure of Ecology – Some Theses
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Main Phases of the History of the Concept “Ecology”
Keywords
About this book
As concerns about humankind’s relationship with the environment move inexorably up the agenda, this volume tells the story of the history of the concept of ecology itself and adds much to the historical and philosophical debate over this multifaceted discipline. The text provides readers with an overview of the theoretical, institutional and historical formation of ecological knowledge. The varied local conditions of early ecology are considered in detail, while epistemological problems that lie on the borders of ecology, such as disunity and complexity, are discussed. The book traces the various phases of the history of the concept of ecology itself, from its 19th century origins and antecedents, through the emergence of the environmental movement in the later 20th century, to the future, and how ecology might be located in the environmental science framework of the 21st century.
The study of ‘ecological’ phenomena has never been confined solely to the work of researchers who consider themselves ecologists. It is rather a field of knowledge in which a plurality of practices, concepts and theories are developed. Thus, there exist numerous disciplinary subdivisions and research programmes within the field, the boundaries of which remain blurred. As a consequence, the deliberation to adequately identify the ecological field of knowledge, its epistemic and institutional setting, is still going on. This will be of central importance not only in locating ecology in the frame of 21st century environmental sciences but also for a better understanding of how nature and culture are intertwined in debates about pressing problems, such as climate change, the protection of species diversity, or the management of renewable resources.
Editors and Affiliations
Bibliographic Information
Book Title: Ecology Revisited
Book Subtitle: Reflecting on Concepts, Advancing Science
Editors: Astrid Schwarz, Kurt Jax
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-9744-6
Publisher: Springer Dordrecht
eBook Packages: Biomedical and Life Sciences, Biomedical and Life Sciences (R0)
Copyright Information: Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2011
Hardcover ISBN: 978-90-481-9743-9Published: 23 March 2011
Softcover ISBN: 978-94-007-9738-3Published: 06 November 2014
eBook ISBN: 978-90-481-9744-6Published: 18 March 2011
Edition Number: 1
Number of Pages: XIX, 444
Topics: Ecology, Philosophy of Science, Theoretical Ecology/Statistics, History of Science