News Release

New science resources available from the ESA

Peer-Reviewed Publication

Ecological Society of America

Three new publications are now available from the Ecological Society of America: Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning; Biotic Invasions; and Applying Ecological Principles to Management of the U.S. National Forests. These publications, which were written with a grant from the Pew Charitable Trusts, are a part of a larger series of reports known as Issues in Ecology. This series is designed to present major ecological issues in an easy-to-read manner.

All three publications can be found online at http://esa.sdsc.edu/issues.htm.

Hard copies are also available at a price of $3.00 for single copies, or $2.00 for bulk copies of 50 or more. To order call (202) 833-8773; fax: (202) 833-8775; or email: esahq@esa.org.

Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning: Maintaining Natural Life Support Processes

Since ecosystem processes are controlled by both the diversity and abundance of organisms living within a community, it is important for scientists to understand how changes in these communities affect ecosystems. This is especially important because human modifications to the land typically transform highly diverse ecosystems into relatively species-poor ecosystems. The Ecological Society of America's fourth edition of Issues in Ecology review observational and experimental ecosystem studies in North America and Europe. A panel of twelve scientists conclude that ecosystem productivity and stability decreases with a reduced number and variety of species in a community (biodiversity), a point long debated by ecologists. They specifically found that reducing biodiversity reduces plant productivity, ecosystem resistance to environmental events such as drought, and creates more variable soil nitrogen levels, water use, plant productivity, and pest and disease cycles.

Although the studies are compelling, the authors note that they are limited in scope and future studies will need to encompass other types of ecosystems, higher orders of animals, and larger ecosystems.

Biotic Invasions: Causes, Epidemiology, Global Consequences and Control

To the untrained eye, the vegetation of the Florida Everglades may look lush and healthy, but a closer look will reveal that many marshes are overrun by Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), a South American tree that has taken over 280,000 hectares of south Florida. The Ecological Society's fifth edition of Issues in Ecology describes how some foreign plants and animals, like the Brazilian pepper, crossed oceans, mountain ranges, rivers, and inhospitable climate zones to invade and colonize new lands. It also describes how some conditions allow these invasive species to multiply to great numbers, the potential they pose for severe environmental damage, and how people can control or prevent their outbreaks.

The authors, ecologists from across the globe, note that only a small number of immigrant species actually survive their journey to new lands and an even smaller proportion find an environment in which they can flourish. But those that do can inflict enormous ecological damage. Animal invaders for example, can cause extinctions of vulnerable native animals by preying upon them, consuming their food, or taking over their habitat. Plant invaders can completely alter the fire and nutrient cycles, and water and energy budgets in a native ecosystem. Such alterations can greatly diminish the abundance of native plants, and even clog rivers or enhance flooding.

The authors stress that identifying future invaders and predicting susceptible locales for future invasions is enormously challenging. Consequently, they recommend taking prevent measures by focusing resources on long-term, ecosystem-wide strategies rather than post-invasion control.

Applying Ecological Principles to Management of the U.S. National Forests

Recent debates on Capitol Hill have focussed on the management of the U.S. National Forest System. While some would like to manage forestlands for protection of biological diversity, wildlife habitat, and clean water, others are trying to keep timber production a top priority in forest management. The Ecological Society's sixth edition of Issues in Ecology injects science into this dispute by making recommendations for applying ecological principles to the management of our National Forests.

The authors identified major ecological considerations that should be incorporated into sound forest management policy and exposed erroneous assumptions that underlie a number of current proposals. A review of recent literature for example, found that forest reserves are much more likely to sustain a wide diversity of plant and animal life than lands managed primarily for timber production. Furthermore, the common belief that timber harvesting can duplicate or substitute for the ecological effects of fires, windstorms and tornadoes is incorrect. The authors acknowledge however, that selective timber harvest can be a valuable tool for restoring young forests, reducing the risk of forest fires in certain areas, and preventing insect outbreaks. They recommend that sustainable management policies should make full use of current ecological knowledge.

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The Ecological Society of America (ESA) is a scientific, non-profit, over 7000-member organization founded in 1915. Through ESA reports, journals, membership research, and expert testimony to Congress, ESA seeks to promote the responsible application of ecological data and principles to the solution of environmental problems. ESA publishes three scientific, peer-reviewed journals: Ecology, Ecological Applications and Ecological Monographs. Information about the Society and its activities are published in the Society's newsletter, NewSource, and in the quarterly Bulletin.


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