...
Vlll
P R E F A C E
organisms occur where they do. Dr. Bernard Stonehouse of the University of Canterbury, New Zealand, reviews the biology of penguins from
long experience of field work in the Antarctic. Penguins are among the
most successful of bird species and in their land phase constitute ideal
material for a range of studies on population dynamics and behaviour,
particularly social behaviour. I n spite of the attention they have already
attracted it is clear from Dr. Stonehouse’s review that they are a group
which deserve very much more study than they are at present receiving,
and that studies on them can provide information of great usefulness
to students of population dynamics. Dr. Norman Moore, Head of the
division concerned with toxic chemicals at the Nature Conservancy’s
Station, Monks Wood, England, reviews pesticides as an ecological
problem. A considerable amount has been written about the dangers
from pesticides but most publications have been concerned with pesticides in specific cases. Dr. Moore makes the case that pesticides are a
new ecological factor and that their influence within total ecosystems
must be investigated. In looking at their effects from the ecologist’s
point of view, he exposes only too clearly the serious gaps in our
knowledge.
All four contributions form part of the framework of modern ecology.
The accumulation of facts is necessary in order to understand, from the
practical point of view, the working of ecological systems. At the same
time, there must be a search for theoretical concepts which can be
applied generally to communities and to ecosystems. We are still a long
way from providing an adequate theoretical framework for explaining
the mode of functioning of ecosystems. It is hoped that this series, by
exposing both progress and areas of ignorance, will help to bring a more
general theoretical ecology into being.
J. B. CRAW
February, 1967
Vlll
P R E F A C E
organisms occur where they do. Dr. Bernard Stonehouse of the University of Canterbury, New Zealand, reviews the biology of penguins from
long experience of field work in the Antarctic. Penguins are among the
most successful of bird species and in their land phase constitute ideal
material for a range of studies on population dynamics and behaviour,
particularly social behaviour. I n spite of the attention they have already
attracted it is clear from Dr. Stonehouse’s review that they are a group
which deserve very much more study than they are at present receiving,
and that studies on them can provide information of great usefulness
to students of population dynamics. Dr. Norman Moore, Head of the
division concerned with toxic chemicals at the Nature Conservancy’s
Station, Monks Wood, England, reviews pesticides as an ecological
problem. A considerable amount has been written about the dangers
from pesticides but most publications have been concerned with pesticides in specific cases. Dr. Moore makes the case that pesticides are a
new ecological factor and that their influence within total ecosystems
must be investigated. In looking at their effects from the ecologist’s
point of view, he exposes only too clearly the serious gaps in our
knowledge.
All four contributions form part of the framework of modern ecology.
The accumulation of facts is necessary in order to understand, from the
practical point of view, the working of ecological systems. At the same
time, there must be a search for theoretical concepts which can be
applied generally to communities and to ecosystems. We are still a long
way from providing an adequate theoretical framework for explaining
the mode of functioning of ecosystems. It is hoped that this series, by
exposing both progress and areas of ignorance, will help to bring a more
general theoretical ecology into being.
J. B. CRAW
February, 1967