(2) Help predict the ecological effects of technolog- 

 ical developments. 



(3) Serve to minimize or mitigate ecological impacts 

 of man's disturbances, and restore damaged 

 ecosystems to productive status. 



(4) Develop means to improve management of 

 renewable natural resources. 



(5) Strengthen ecologists' capabilities to apply their 

 expertise and knowledge to solving relevant 

 environmental problems. 



b. Implement this recommendation by support of Federal 

 programs which utilize ecological research to achieve 

 agency goals. 



Ecological research is concerned with at least two categories of ecolog- 

 ical problems, current and future, for which there is, at present, no 

 adequate methodology for evaluating the societal-ecological trade-offs. 

 Current problems of the first category are, for example, the demands of 

 large urban concentrations on the supporting land and water areas. In 

 the second category are new ecological problems resulting from 

 technological advances to meet future demands for food, fiber, power, 

 and amenities. The complexity of these problems requires a systems 

 approach with the capability of simulating the consequences of 

 various courses of public policy and action. 



Achieving significant results in these areas requires concentration on 

 selected aspects of ecological research such as: 



1. Obtain accurate, quantitative data on plant and animal 

 distributions, populations, communities, and whole eco- 

 systems to provide needed baselines and trends. 



2. Develop standardized measurement methods and improved 

 instrumentation and sensors. 



3. Accelerate ecological research in areas where rapid and drastic 

 environmental changes have led to change or depletion of 

 species. 



4. Use integrated multidisciplinary team approaches to under- 

 stand complex ecosystems. 



5. Use techniques of modern systems science for data utilization. 



6. Improve ability to predict probabilities for the future from 

 ecological information. 



Some specific ecological problems and areas needing research are: 



1. Terrestrial Ecosystems 



a. Interactions among terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems 

 within a drainage basin or other physiographic area 

 including forest, grassland, cropland, wetland, natural 

 and man-made aquatic and urban ecosystems. 



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