Advanced capability means strengthening ecology in terms of highly 

 trained manpower; suitable facilities; leadership, coordination, and 

 integration; and information transfer mechanisms to move the scien- 

 tific results into the decision making process. It also means further 

 development of techniques for field research, statistically valid field 

 sampling, biological and chemical assays, field scale instrumenta- 

 tion, and computer modelling. It includes use of protected natural areas 

 and research areas, and data on plant and animal distribution and 

 abundance. There is need for refinement of ecological principles and 

 transferability of theories of cause-and-effect relationships from one 

 area to another. 



There are different integrative levels involved in studying ecosystems. 

 They cannot be understood solely by the reductionist method. 



Systems science provides the methodology for study and management 

 of complex ecosystems. Parts of systems science were bom in the field 

 of ecology, but now ecology has much to gain from advances in systems 

 analysis methods developed in other disciplines. 



Only recently have systems analysis techniques been available for 

 handling large numbers of interdependent factors, with complex 

 feedback processes. System models reveal slow response patterns to 

 various stresses and to manipulations of ecosystems or their 

 components. Ecological computer simulation models have the poten- 

 tial to aid in formulating and validating ecological policies, and 

 helping managers and decision makers to anticipate probable future 

 consequences of alternative courses of action. 



It is necessary to combine information from ecosystems studies with 

 engineering, economic, social, and political information in order to 

 gain valid predictive capability; for man's technical, economic, social, 

 and political activities have much to do with the future of the biosphere. 



Business and industry have not supported ecology as they have 

 chemistry and physics, but that condition is likely to change as ecolog- 

 ical impacts of technological change become a factor in industrial 

 decision making. By stressing the need for greater research capabil- 

 ities in ecology to serve industry, universities should be able to obtain 

 substantial support in the form of endowed chairs, environmental 

 center funds, fellowships, and facilities grants. Advanced ecological 

 research capability obviously could be useful to industries concerned 

 with minerals extraction, plant siting, waste management, respon- 

 sibility for environmental effects of products, and market oppor- 

 tunities in maintenance and improvement of the environment. 



Advanced technical capability in ecology promises more effective 

 ecological research and more effective ecological action. 



Recommendation 3 a. Assign highest priority to ecological research programs 



that: 



(1) Gather information on the composition and func- 

 tioning of ecosystems. 



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