Physical Constraints in Sensory Ecology
3
materials, energy, and sensory information are exchanged). Ecology has generally
focused on the exchanges of matter and energy, while sensory interactions have
generally been studied as influences on behavior and functions of certain
physiological systems (sense organs). The relatively new area of sensory ecology
has emerged as more researchers focus on questions concerning information in the
environment. What kinds of useful information are available?
This new focus emphasizes a distinction between matter/energy that can make
things happen (like applying forces to move objects or doing work in the sense of
thermodynamics) and matter/energy that cause changes only after their effects are
amplified (e.g., by electronic amplifiers, sensory systems, or physiological
effectors). The former influences constitute causal inputs from the environment to
the organism, while the latter constitute informational or sensory inputs to the
organism.
For example, light may play a causal role by providing energy to heat an
organism, energy for photosynthesis, or (especially in the case of ultraviolet light)
causing damage to tissues. In addition, organisms with appropriate sensory systems
can respond to light in many other ways, employing it as a source of information.
Often sensory systems are so proficient that organisms respond to much lower
intensities than are required for significant causal effects. Confmningly, marine
biologists have determined that sufficient light for photosynthesis is limited to
about the top 200 m of the ocean, while sufficient light for vision can extend down
to depths of 1000 m, and both these limits defme boundaries between distinct
biological communities (Lythgoe 1979, p. 100; Jumars 1993, p. 136).
This kind of distinction (between information and causation) was at the heart of
transforming biochemistry (with its focus on material and energy flows) into
molecular biology (with its emphasis on information flows) and is currently
transforming psychology, with growing emphasis on cognitive processes.
(Traditionally, psychology lumped sensory and causal inputs together in both
stimuli and reinforcers.) The development of sensory ecology is thus part of a
more general trend.
2.2 Behavior
Another important concept is that of behavior. Precisely what is behavior? How
should it be defined in biology?
Although organisms might evolve many different ways of storing genetic
information, all known organisms employ DNA. From this and similar
observations, we conclude that all known organisms share a common ancestry.
Consequently, the distinction between organisms and nonliving systems is much
clearer than any distinction among organisms, and the basic concepts of biology
should be applicable to all organisms. However, on the rare occasions when
students of behavior have bothered to defme the word, "behavior" has usually been
3
materials, energy, and sensory information are exchanged). Ecology has generally
focused on the exchanges of matter and energy, while sensory interactions have
generally been studied as influences on behavior and functions of certain
physiological systems (sense organs). The relatively new area of sensory ecology
has emerged as more researchers focus on questions concerning information in the
environment. What kinds of useful information are available?
This new focus emphasizes a distinction between matter/energy that can make
things happen (like applying forces to move objects or doing work in the sense of
thermodynamics) and matter/energy that cause changes only after their effects are
amplified (e.g., by electronic amplifiers, sensory systems, or physiological
effectors). The former influences constitute causal inputs from the environment to
the organism, while the latter constitute informational or sensory inputs to the
organism.
For example, light may play a causal role by providing energy to heat an
organism, energy for photosynthesis, or (especially in the case of ultraviolet light)
causing damage to tissues. In addition, organisms with appropriate sensory systems
can respond to light in many other ways, employing it as a source of information.
Often sensory systems are so proficient that organisms respond to much lower
intensities than are required for significant causal effects. Confmningly, marine
biologists have determined that sufficient light for photosynthesis is limited to
about the top 200 m of the ocean, while sufficient light for vision can extend down
to depths of 1000 m, and both these limits defme boundaries between distinct
biological communities (Lythgoe 1979, p. 100; Jumars 1993, p. 136).
This kind of distinction (between information and causation) was at the heart of
transforming biochemistry (with its focus on material and energy flows) into
molecular biology (with its emphasis on information flows) and is currently
transforming psychology, with growing emphasis on cognitive processes.
(Traditionally, psychology lumped sensory and causal inputs together in both
stimuli and reinforcers.) The development of sensory ecology is thus part of a
more general trend.
2.2 Behavior
Another important concept is that of behavior. Precisely what is behavior? How
should it be defined in biology?
Although organisms might evolve many different ways of storing genetic
information, all known organisms employ DNA. From this and similar
observations, we conclude that all known organisms share a common ancestry.
Consequently, the distinction between organisms and nonliving systems is much
clearer than any distinction among organisms, and the basic concepts of biology
should be applicable to all organisms. However, on the rare occasions when
students of behavior have bothered to defme the word, "behavior" has usually been