Title Event-Ecosystem Dilemma
Author(s) Kenneth R. Olson and Lois Wright Mort
Affiliation ACES, University of Illinois and College of Agriculture, Iowa State University
Country USA
Contribution type conceptual paper; methodological paper
Thematic area • Theory, Methodology, and Evidence
Conference framework connection • Analytical Track AT-01 — provisional title to be defined• Analytical Track AT-02 — provisional title to be defined• Analytical Track AT-03 — provisional title to be defined• Analytical Track AT-04 — provisional title to be defined• Analytical Track AT-05 — provisional title to be defined• Analytical Track AT-06 — provisional title to be defined• Analytical Track AT-07 — provisional title to be defined
Abstract A complex ecological process exists and changes over time, but we almost never study it as an ecosystem. We study separate events of destruction, substances, samples, diseases, territories, and statistical relationships. We then make decisions about the ecosystem on the basis of these events. This is the Event-Ecosystem Dilemma.
The observed events do not form a neutral image of the ecosystem. We notice first of all what is too destructive or too close to people to remain unnoticed. Access, instruments, methods, disciplinary boundaries, funding, and political interests also determine visibility. It is therefore important to distinguish the event from the subject matter. The event exists in reality. The subject matter is part of the event that the scientific community has selected and agreed to study. When the subject matter is taken for the event itself, a cognitive split emerges: the event continues to change, while the scientific community studies its own image of reality.
In this situation, methodology becomes not only a way of studying, but also a mechanism of visibility. It determines which parts of the process are recognized as existent. The history of dioxin contamination, the wartime use of herbicides, and the destruction of large hydraulic systems shows that this is not an abstract problem. Uncertainty may come from the complexity of the event, but the system of knowledge also produces it when an event begins too late, necessary data are not collected, or inconvenient hypotheses are not given the opportunity to be tested.
The talk proposes a standard for the conference: each result should be presented openly as an event, the limits of its applicability should be shown, and the new events capable of changing the conclusion should be identified. Respect for people does not require respect for scientific constructs. Theories, methods, projects, and institutional positions must be tested.
Key points • We do not see the event as an ecosystem; we study events and make decisions about the ecosystem.
• The event exists in reality; subject matter is created by research and must not replace the event.
• Methodology determines both the way of studying and the boundaries of scientific visibility.
• Uncertainty may belong to the event or be produced by the system of knowledge.
• Every talk should show the boundaries of the event and what could change its conclusion.
Keywords complex ecological process; event; ecosystem; subject matter; methodology; uncertainty; cognitive split
Main discussion question What allows us to move from an event to a decision about the ecosystem?
OJS publication link https://pollution-diseases-ojs.org/index.php/pd/article/view/93
Note. Analytical TracksIn addition to the main thematic areas, the conference programme will include several cross-cutting analytical tracks. These tracks will be defined during the preparation of the programme, based on the submitted abstracts and the emerging links between presentations.At the preliminary stage, abstracts may be assigned to provisional analytical tracks marked as AT-01 to AT-07. Final track titles will be announced after the Scientific Committee has reviewed the submitted materials.