66
M. E. D. POORE
species and t o small eiivironmental differences, it may well obtain
results commensurate with effort.
Part of the dilemma of descriptive ecology stems from the late
development of the science. I n taxonomy the great volume of descriptive work had already been accomplished before the advent of statistical treatments. A framework of major groupings had already been
built within which biometric methods could be used t o the fullest
advantage in checking earlier judgements and the elucidation of difficult
problems. If taxonomy were now in the state of descriptive ecology it
is likely that there would be a questioning of the whole base of descriptive taxonomy and that it would be argued that no description of
species should be published unless preceded by a thorough biometric
analysis of populations and the establishment of demonstrated discontinuities between taxa. The effect on orthodox taxonomy would be
disastrous, and would render impossible the various sciences, such as
ecology, which depend for their existence on the findings of taxonomy,
however approximate and imperfect these may be.
ACKNOWLEDQEMENT
I wish t o acknowledge the assistance of L. F. H. Merton who has
helped me t o clarify these ideas in many long discussions and who has
criticized this paper in manuscript.
REFERENCES
Barkman, J. J. (1950). Synopsis of address to the Int. Bot. Congr., Stockholm.
Braun-Blanquet, J. (1951).“Pflanzensoziologie”, 2nd edn. Springer Verlag, Vienna.
Bray, J. R. and Curtis, J. T. (1957). Ecol. Monogr. 27(4), 325-349. An Ordination
of the Upland Forest Communities of Southern Wisconsin.
Cain, A. J. (1959). Proc. Linn. SOC. Lo&. 170(2), 185-217. Deductive and inductive methods in post Linnaean taxonomy.
Cain, S. A. (1944). “Foundations of Plant Geography”. Harper, New York and
London.
Cain, S. A. and de Oliviera Castro, G. M. (1959). “Manual of Vegetation Adysis”.
Harper, New York.
Chaney, R. W. (1925). Publ. Carneg. Instn. 349, 23-48. The Mascall Flora - Its
distribution and climatic relation.
Curtis, J. T. (1959). “The Vegetation of Wisconsin. An Ordination of Plant
Communities”. Madison.
Curtis, J. T. and McIntosh, R. P. (1951). Ecology 32, 476-496. An upland forest
continuum in the prairie-forest border region of Wisconsin.
Dahl, Eilif (1956). Skr. norake Vi‘idenskAhd. I. Nat.-Naturw. K1. 3. Rondene;
mountain vegetation in south Nomay and its relation to the environment.
Daubenmire, R. (1960). Silwa jenn. 105,22-25. Somemajor problems in vegetation
classification.
Du Rietz. G. E. (1936). Svensk bot. TidBlET. 30, 580. Classification and nomenclature of vegetation units. 1930-1936.
M. E. D. POORE
species and t o small eiivironmental differences, it may well obtain
results commensurate with effort.
Part of the dilemma of descriptive ecology stems from the late
development of the science. I n taxonomy the great volume of descriptive work had already been accomplished before the advent of statistical treatments. A framework of major groupings had already been
built within which biometric methods could be used t o the fullest
advantage in checking earlier judgements and the elucidation of difficult
problems. If taxonomy were now in the state of descriptive ecology it
is likely that there would be a questioning of the whole base of descriptive taxonomy and that it would be argued that no description of
species should be published unless preceded by a thorough biometric
analysis of populations and the establishment of demonstrated discontinuities between taxa. The effect on orthodox taxonomy would be
disastrous, and would render impossible the various sciences, such as
ecology, which depend for their existence on the findings of taxonomy,
however approximate and imperfect these may be.
ACKNOWLEDQEMENT
I wish t o acknowledge the assistance of L. F. H. Merton who has
helped me t o clarify these ideas in many long discussions and who has
criticized this paper in manuscript.
REFERENCES
Barkman, J. J. (1950). Synopsis of address to the Int. Bot. Congr., Stockholm.
Braun-Blanquet, J. (1951).“Pflanzensoziologie”, 2nd edn. Springer Verlag, Vienna.
Bray, J. R. and Curtis, J. T. (1957). Ecol. Monogr. 27(4), 325-349. An Ordination
of the Upland Forest Communities of Southern Wisconsin.
Cain, A. J. (1959). Proc. Linn. SOC. Lo&. 170(2), 185-217. Deductive and inductive methods in post Linnaean taxonomy.
Cain, S. A. (1944). “Foundations of Plant Geography”. Harper, New York and
London.
Cain, S. A. and de Oliviera Castro, G. M. (1959). “Manual of Vegetation Adysis”.
Harper, New York.
Chaney, R. W. (1925). Publ. Carneg. Instn. 349, 23-48. The Mascall Flora - Its
distribution and climatic relation.
Curtis, J. T. (1959). “The Vegetation of Wisconsin. An Ordination of Plant
Communities”. Madison.
Curtis, J. T. and McIntosh, R. P. (1951). Ecology 32, 476-496. An upland forest
continuum in the prairie-forest border region of Wisconsin.
Dahl, Eilif (1956). Skr. norake Vi‘idenskAhd. I. Nat.-Naturw. K1. 3. Rondene;
mountain vegetation in south Nomay and its relation to the environment.
Daubenmire, R. (1960). Silwa jenn. 105,22-25. Somemajor problems in vegetation
classification.
Du Rietz. G. E. (1936). Svensk bot. TidBlET. 30, 580. Classification and nomenclature of vegetation units. 1930-1936.