Lecture 11 Flashcards
Give a practical definition of natural
Implies native species, structures, and processes. It is linked with ecological processes, which create the patterns seen on the landscape, and have some density dependence. This is based on the evolutionary principle that native species have co-evolved mechanisms to have self regulating ecological systems.
What is a self-regulating ecological system?
An ecosystem with self-sustaining ecological processes, ecological feedback loops, self replacing populations, and that exhibits ecological resilience
What is ecological resilience?
The capacity of an system to absorb disturbance and reorganize while undergoing change, while maintaining its structure, function, identity and feedback loops.
What is the nature is flat view of nature?
That nature is stable only if the forces on it are equal, and it can be managed if the correct level of use is discovered.
What is the nature balanced view of nature?
That the system will return to an equilibrium if disturbed. Management for maximum sustainable yield.
What is the nature anarchic view of nature?
The system is fundamentally unstable, and will only persist if minimal demands are put on it. Management focuses on maintaining the status quo.
What is the nature is resilient view of nature?
Says that the system has multiple stable states, and there can be abrupt and transforming change. There is a need to try to understand unpredictable dynamics, and management is adaptive
What is adaptive management?
It is learning by doing, and uses management with an experiment, using the scientific method with quantifiable and specific objectives. It is not trial and error.
What are the six steps of adaptive management?
assess, design, implement, monitor, evaluate, adjust
What are three things that the scientific method is based on?
Critical thought, skepticism and protocols
What are three characteristics of the scientific method?
Transparent, repeatable, universal
