In our world where pressing problems such as habitat conversion, biodiversity loss and climate change are inextricably linked to our current socio-economic path, the role of ecology in the policy realm cannot be understated. From Rachel Carson, through acid rain, and into climate change, ecological science has played a key role in illuminating the costs of human impacts on natural systems. With this as a stage Oswald Schmitz' Ecology and Ecosystem Conservation serves as a fine introduction to ecology as science for a range of readers including natural science undergraduates, interdisciplinary graduate students and conservation professionals.
In 10 short chapters the reader learns about such cornerstones of ecology as basic species interactions, fragmentation effects and the various roles of biodiversity in ecosystem functioning. We also learn that through careful experiment, data collection and modelling, ecological science can guide effective, yet sometimes counter-intuitive, management decisions.
As ecologists, or academics writ large, we like to think about the importance of theory and data, however in many cases it is the story that sells, and throughout this text Schmitz tells very good stories. For example, he takes us into the conservation conundrum of how protecting subadult pandas and mature loggerhead turtles is a more effective way of maintaining threatened populations than popular interventions concentrated on cub and hatchling protection, respectively.
The text particularly comes alive when Schmitz tells stories about North American forest systems, where he himself has done much research. We get tales of moose suppressing aspen growth and restoring mixed spruce-aspen forests, and how climate is likely to drive changes in elk habitat. A particular example that stands out is the effect that the North Atlantic Oscillation has on snowfall on Isle Royale, Michigan. Here a cyclic climate phenomenon drives periods of high snowfall. This in turn limits moose mobility, giving wolves the proverbial free lunch (or at least greatly discounted). The corresponding decline in moose has positive effect on Balsam Fir trees and hence changes the island landscape. This story encompasses just the kind of ecological complexities that Schmitz is trying to impress on the reader, and he extends this line of thought to how human action interacts with such complex natural systems.
If I have to take issue with the text at all it is the few times that the author proclaims the objectivity of the science of ecology. While I agree that the role of the ecologist is to provide scientific insight, reveal tradeoffs, and illuminate the consequences of human action on the environment, it does not always happen to be that neat. Conservation science is fundamentally value-based, i.e. the natural world should be conserved. So the objectivity is not so clear-cut. Despite this, ecologists still have a role to play at the decision making table. I do not think that Schmitz would disagree here but early on (p. 25) when he says 'No experimental control = no conclusion' he does not stress sufficiently to the reader that in many of the most pressing problems in conservation, experimental control is not possible. Sometimes we have to settle for modelling, regression and at times even anecdote. Another opportunity passed up in the text was deep discussion linking ecology and human welfare through ecosystem services. It seems a shame that the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment is not referred to at all. I think that not only would this text be improved by such a discussion, but also that the reader would probably have benefited from Schmitz's treatment of it.
Throughout the text Schmitz reveals why it is so important to take a systems view of conservation founded on the science of ecology. He aptly demonstrates how human action, even well intentioned conservation strategies, may reverberate through natural and human systems in complex ways over long time periods. Because of this, in the end, Schmitz calls for a precautionary approach to decisions affecting natural systems.
The book itself has a long list of references, additional readings, focus questions and a great cover. I found myself learning, and enjoying this text throughout, and would certainly recommend it for use in university courses. It is concise enough to pair with one of the many social science texts on conservation. Ecology and Ecosystem Conservation is a credit to Schmitz and, based on it, I look forward to reading more of the offerings from the Foundations of Contemporary Environmental Studies series of which it is a part.
