Brian M. Starzomski|Bradley J. Cardinale|Jennifer A. Dunne|Melinda J. Hillery|Carrie A. Holt|Meg A. Krawchuk|Melissa Lage|Sean M. McMahon|Michael C. Melnychuk
Contemporary Visions of Progress in Ecology and Thoughts for the Future
University of British Columbia|University of Wisconsin–Madison|Santa Fe Institute|Edith Cowan University|Simon Fraser University|University of Alberta|John Brown University|University of Tennessee at Knoxville|University of British Columbia
although ecological research progressing rapidly answers certain key questions continue elude usthis paper considers several contemporary challenges facing ecology1 terminology voluminous often poorly defined resulting inefficient communication2 concept scale affects inferences system structure function requiring us continue almost heuristic investigation breaks domains integrationnew tools explicitly incorporate scalar issues need developed progress take place field ecology3 increasingly expected applied questions solved less yearthis demand solutions ecologists often produces shortterm inadequate responses4 ecologists improve communication subdisciplines undergraduate students publichow ecology done future whomwe provide background observations questions offer potential solutions viewpoint young practicing ecologists