384
R.G. Lawford and P.B. Alaback
Comparative Studies
Collectively, the regional comparative studies reported in this volume
demonstrate that a great deal of insight regarding the controls and functioning of ecosystems can be gained by studying ecosystems with similar
environmental features in different regions. Throughout the chapters the
reader has seen how comparisons between areas in North America and
similar areas in South America have yielded surprises-in some cases
because the histories of the regions were different, in others because the
effects of small changes in climatic and geochemical gradients were
amplified at the local scale. Natural scientists do not have the luxury of
laboratory studies, where every parameter can be controlled and varied in
a systematic way. An alternative, scientifically rigorous approach is to
take two areas with similar large-scale climatic and geophysical controls
and to study their responses to external forcings. By documenting the
differences in ecosystem responses between the two areas, it is possible to
better understand the significance of variations in geologic history, local
climatic variability, and human activity.
Regional -comparative studies also provide a basis for generalizing the
results of relationships derived from site-specific studies. While it may be
possible to demonstrate consistent relationships between biotic community
structure and physical forcing factors in regions of similar geologic history, it
is a much more rigorous test of these relationships to compare between
sites with different geological histories . In some cases, comparative studies
provide the only practical means to compare key relationships and ecosystems. For example, to examine the role of geologic history or cultural
influences on ecosystem processes, comparative studies are the only means
to acquire independent data sets.
Interdisciplinary Research
Contributors to this volume have demonstrated the synergism that takes
place between different disciplines when total systems are studied. To
advance our understanding of the dependencies among various facets of
an ecosystem, it is necessary to shape our scientific approach to the
problem so that it transcends disciplinary paradigms and represents
process-based interactions that characterize natural functions. Ecosystem
research must be interdisciplinary to be successful in providing an understanding of the way in which these processes are integrated. This understanding requires the atmospheric insight of climatologists and atmospheric
scientists, the geochemical considerations of geologists andIimnologists,
the understanding of plant and plant community functions and plantanimal links provided by biologists, and the human dimension aspects of
these problems described by social scientists. Furthermore, this new under-
R.G. Lawford and P.B. Alaback
Comparative Studies
Collectively, the regional comparative studies reported in this volume
demonstrate that a great deal of insight regarding the controls and functioning of ecosystems can be gained by studying ecosystems with similar
environmental features in different regions. Throughout the chapters the
reader has seen how comparisons between areas in North America and
similar areas in South America have yielded surprises-in some cases
because the histories of the regions were different, in others because the
effects of small changes in climatic and geochemical gradients were
amplified at the local scale. Natural scientists do not have the luxury of
laboratory studies, where every parameter can be controlled and varied in
a systematic way. An alternative, scientifically rigorous approach is to
take two areas with similar large-scale climatic and geophysical controls
and to study their responses to external forcings. By documenting the
differences in ecosystem responses between the two areas, it is possible to
better understand the significance of variations in geologic history, local
climatic variability, and human activity.
Regional -comparative studies also provide a basis for generalizing the
results of relationships derived from site-specific studies. While it may be
possible to demonstrate consistent relationships between biotic community
structure and physical forcing factors in regions of similar geologic history, it
is a much more rigorous test of these relationships to compare between
sites with different geological histories . In some cases, comparative studies
provide the only practical means to compare key relationships and ecosystems. For example, to examine the role of geologic history or cultural
influences on ecosystem processes, comparative studies are the only means
to acquire independent data sets.
Interdisciplinary Research
Contributors to this volume have demonstrated the synergism that takes
place between different disciplines when total systems are studied. To
advance our understanding of the dependencies among various facets of
an ecosystem, it is necessary to shape our scientific approach to the
problem so that it transcends disciplinary paradigms and represents
process-based interactions that characterize natural functions. Ecosystem
research must be interdisciplinary to be successful in providing an understanding of the way in which these processes are integrated. This understanding requires the atmospheric insight of climatologists and atmospheric
scientists, the geochemical considerations of geologists andIimnologists,
the understanding of plant and plant community functions and plantanimal links provided by biologists, and the human dimension aspects of
these problems described by social scientists. Furthermore, this new under-