Disciplines Flashcards
Science
The systematic pursuit of knowledge.
(Pielke, 2007)
Ecology
The branch of biology that deals with the relations of organisms to one another and to their physical surroundings.
(Mac Dictionary)
Fundamental Ecology
Same definition as ecology but it doesn’t include the applied aspect.
The main goal is to increase understanding.
Very often tests general theories of ecology.
(Courchamp et al, 2015)
Applied Ecology
The study of how ecology can be used to resolve environmental problems.
Very often involves developing interventions so usually this research has a defined objective.
(Courchamp et al, 2015)
What is a potential downside of applied research?
Conducting research with a specific goal in mind makes achieving it more likely but also reduces the chances of obtaining unexpected results, a major source of scientific discovery.
(Courchamp et al, 2015)
Conservation Social Science
Focuses on both understanding and improving conservation policies and practices to improve conservation results with the use of social science
(Bennett et al, 2017)
What is environmental and conservation psychology?
A subdiscipline of conservation social science that specifically looks at human thought towards conservation and nature and how these thoughts impact behaviour
(Bennett et al, 2017)
Behavioural Ecology
The study of the evolutionary basis for animal behaviour due to ecological pressures.
Includes things such as territoriality, ideal free distribution, and mating strategies.
(Wikipedia)
Limnology
The study of the biological, chemical, and physical features of inland waters such as lakes, ponds, estuaries, and rivers.
(ENSC 3106 Notes)
Movement Ecology
The study of how organisms move within their environments or ecosystems, such as during daily activities like foraging, or when dispersing across the landscape, or during migration.
https://www.ecology.uga.edu/area_of_expertise/movement-ecology/#:~:text=Movement%20ecology%20is%20the%20study,landscape%2C%20or%20during%20annual%20migrations.
Spatial Ecology
The study and modeling of the role(s) of space on ecological processes (e.g., population dynamics, species interactions, dispersal) that in turn affects ecological patterns, such as species distributions.
(Fletcher et al, 2018)
Policy
A commitment to a particular course of action.
(Pielke, 2007)
Politics
The process of bargaining, negotiation, and compromise that determines who gets what, when, and how.
(Pielke, 2007)
Ethology
The study of non-human animal behaviour.
Conservation Behaviour
Discipline that studies how the aspects of animal behaviour can be used in the prevention of biodiversity loss.
(Berger-Tal et al, 2011)
