Conceptualizing communities as natural entities: a philosophical argument with basic and applied implications

Biology and Philosophy 32 (6):1019-1034 (2017)
  Copy   BIBTEX

Abstract

Recent work has suggested that conservation efforts such as restoration ecology and invasive species eradication are largely value-driven pursuits. Concurrently, changes to global climate are forcing ecologists to consider if and how collections of species will migrate, and whether or not we should be assisting such movements. Herein, we propose a philosophical framework which addresses these issues by utilizing ecological and evolutionary interrelationships to delineate individual ecological communities. Specifically, our Evolutionary Community Concept recognizes unique collections of species that interact and have co-evolved in a given geographic area. We argue this concept has implications for a number of contemporary global conservation issues. Specifically, our framework allows us to establish a biological and science-driven context for making decisions regarding the restoration of systems and the removal of exotic species. The ECC also has implications for how we view shifts in species assemblages due to climate change and it advances our understanding of various ecological concepts, such as resilience.

Other Versions

No versions found

Links

PhilArchive



    Upload a copy of this work     Papers currently archived: 101,960

External links

Setup an account with your affiliations in order to access resources via your University's proxy server

Through your library

Similar books and articles

The House and the Household.Gregory J. Cooper & Lawrence E. Hurd - 2019 - Philosophical Topics 47 (1):21-43.

Analytics

Added to PP
2017-09-28

Downloads
48 (#466,243)

6 months
12 (#325,295)

Historical graph of downloads
How can I increase my downloads?

Author's Profile

Ellen Clarke
University of Leeds

References found in this work

Phylogenetic Systematics.Willi Hennig - 1966 - University of Illinois Press.
A matter of individuality.David L. Hull - 1978 - Philosophy of Science 45 (3):335-360.
Evolution, population thinking, and essentialism.Elliott Sober - 1980 - Philosophy of Science 47 (3):350-383.
Are Species Really Individuals?David L. Hull - 1976 - Systematic Zoology 25:174–191.
Phylogenetic Systematics.Willi Hennig, D. Dwight Davis & Rainer Zangerl - 1980 - Philosophy of Science 47 (3):499-502.

View all 19 references / Add more references