Successes, limitations, and frontiers in ecosystem science : [papers from the 7th Cary Conference, held in Millbrook, N.Y., May 1997

Research on the ecosystems has emerged in recent decades as a vital, successful, and sometimes controversial approach to environmental science. Ecosystem science has addressed issues such as human alteration of biogeochemical cycles, ecological complexity and biodiversity, and ecological response to climate change. As a central and integrating science, ecosystem-level studies have been highly successful. This book emphasizes the idea that much of the progress in ecosystem research has been driven by the emergence of new environmental problems that could not be addressed by existing approaches. By focusing on successes, limitations, and frontiers in ecosystem studies, it will be welcomed by students and scientists throughout the ecological and environmental communities. This Book Emphasizes The Idea That Much Of The Progress In Ecosystem Research Has Been Driven By The Emergence Of New Environmental Problems That Could Not Be Addressed By Existing Approaches. By Focusing On Successes, Limitations, And Frontiers In Ecosystem Studies, It Will Be Welcomed By Students And Scientists Throughout The Ecological And Environmental Communities.--jacket. 1. Needs And Concerns In Ecosystem Science / Michael L. Pace And Peter M. Groffman -- 2. Cultural Eutrophication Of Inland, Estuarine, And Coastal Waters / Val H. Smith -- 3. Managing Forests As Ecosystems: A Success Story Or A Challenge Ahead? / Virginia H. Dale -- 4. Wastelands To Wetlands: Links Between Habitat Protection And Ecosystem Science / Joy B. Zedler, Meghan Q. Fellows And Sally Trnka -- 5. Riparian Forest Ecosystems As Filters For Nonpoint-source Pollution / Richard Lowrance -- 6. Ecological Research In Agricultural Ecosystems: Contributions To Ecosystem Science And To The Management Of Agronomic Resources / G. Philip Robertson And Eldor A. Paul -- 7. Progress In Understanding Biogeochemical Cycles At Regional To Global Scales / Ingrid C. Burke, William K. Lauenroth And Carol A. Wessman -- 8. Acid Deposition Research And Ecosystem Science: Synergistic Successes / Kathleen C. Weathers And Gary M. Lovett -- 9. Empirical And Theoretical Ecology As A Basis For Restoration: An Ecological Success Story / James A. Macmahon -- 10. Limitations To Intellectual Progress In Ecosystem Science / Gene E. Likens -- 11. Improving Links Between Ecosystem Scientists And Managers / Carl J. Walters -- 12. The Need For Large-scale Experiments To Assess And Predict The Response Of Ecosystems To Perturbation / Stephen R. Carpenter -- 13. Ecosystem Approaches To The Management And Allocation Of Critical Resources / Carl Folke -- 14. Ecosystems And Problems Of Measurement At Large Spatial Scales / Carol A. Wessman And Gregory P. Asner -- 15. Integration Of Ecophysiological And Biogeochemical Approaches To Ecosystem Dynamics / Donald R. Zak And Kurt S. Pregitzer -- 16. Simulation Modeling In Ecosystem Science / William K. Lauenroth, Charles D. Canham And Ann P. Kinzig [et Al.]. 17. Understanding Effects Of Multiple Stressors: Ideas And Challenges / Denise L. Breitburg, James W. Baxter And Colleen A. Hatfield, [et Al.] -- 18. Within-system Element Cycles, Input-output Budgets, And Nutrient Limitation / Peter M. Vitousek, Lars O. Hedin And Pamela A. Matson [et Al.] -- 19. Species Composition, Species Diversity, And Ecosystem Processes: Understanding The Impacts Of Global Change / David Tilman -- 20. Synthesis: What Kind Of A Discipline Is This Anyhow? / Peter M. Groffman And Michael L. Pace. [edited By] Michael L. Pace, Peter M. Groffman]. Papers From The Seventh Cary Conference Held In Millbrook, N.y., May 1997. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Front Matter....Pages i-xviii Needs and Concerns in Ecosystem Science....Pages 1-6 Cultural Eutrophication of Inland, Estuarine, and Coastal Waters....Pages 7-49 Managing Forests as Ecosystems: A Success Story or a Challenge Ahead?....Pages 50-68 Wastelands to Wetlands: Links Between Habitat Protection and Ecosystem Science....Pages 69-112 Riparian Forest Ecosystems as Filters for Nonpoint-Source Pollution....Pages 113-141 Ecological Research in Agricultural Ecosystems: Contributions to Ecosystem Science and to the Management of Agronomic Resources....Pages 142-164 Progress in Understanding Biogeochemical Cycles at Regional to Global Scales....Pages 165-194 Acid Deposition Research and Ecosystem Science: Synergistic Successes....Pages 195-219 Empirical and Theoretical Ecology as a Basis for Restoration: An Ecological Success Story....Pages 220-246 Limitations to Intellectual Progress in Ecosystem Science....Pages 247-271 Improving Links Between Ecosystem Scientists and Managers....Pages 272-286 The Need for Large-Scale Experiments to Assess and Predict the Response of Ecosystems to Perturbation....Pages 287-312 Ecosystem Approaches to the Management and Allocation of Critical Resources....Pages 313-345 Ecosystems and Problems of Measurement at Large Spatial Scales....Pages 346-371 Integration of Ecophysiological and Biogeochemical Approaches to Ecosystem Dynamics....Pages 372-403 Simulation Modeling in Ecosystem Science....Pages 404-415 Understanding Effects of Multiple Stressors: Ideas and Challenges....Pages 416-431 Within-System Element Cycles, Input-Output Budgets, and Nutrient Limitation....Pages 432-451 Species Composition, Species Diversity, and Ecosystem Processes: Understanding the Impacts of Global Change....Pages 452-472 Synthesis: What Kind of a Discipline Is This Anyhow?....Pages 473-481 Back Matter....Pages 483-499 Ecosystem research has emerged in recent decades as a vital, successful, and sometimes controversial approach to environmental science. This book emphasizes the idea that much of the progress in ecosystem research has been driven by the emergence of new environmental problems that could not be addressed by existing approaches. By focusing on successes and limitations of ecosystems studies, the book explores avenues for future ecosystem-level research.