On Theory in Ecology

Marquet PA, AP Allen, JH Brown, JA Dunne, BJ Enquist, JF Gillooly, PA Gowaty, JL Green, J Harte, SP Hubbell, J O´Dwyer, JG. Okie, A Ostling, M Ritchie, D Storch, and GB West

Abstract

We argue for expanding the role of theory in ecology to accelerate scientific progress, enhance the ability to address environmental challenges, foster the development of synthesis and unification, and improve the design of experiments and large-scale environmental-monitoring programs. To achieve these goals, it is essential to foster the development of what we call efficient theories, which have several key attributes. Efficient theories are grounded in first principles, are usually expressed in the language of mathematics, make few assumptions and generate a large number of predictions per free parameter, are approximate, and entail predictions that provide well-understood standards for comparison with empirical data. We contend that the development and successive refinement of efficient theories provide a solid foundation for advancing environmental science in the era of big data.

Más información

Título según WOS: On Theory in Ecology
Título según SCOPUS: On theory in ecology
Título de la Revista: BIOSCIENCE
Volumen: 64
Número: 8
Editorial: AMER INST BIOLOGICAL SCI
Fecha de publicación: 2014
Página de inicio: 701
Página final: 710
Idioma: English
DOI:

10.1093/biosci/biu098

Notas: ISI, SCOPUS