Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Stewardship requires ecological literacy, and ecologists must be better at
understanding their audiences in order to enter into dialogues that will result in
more effective communication with the public at large. By partnering with other
groups and engaging our younger scientists in the planning effort, ESA could make
a major contribution to Earth Stewardship by directly enhancing the professional
preparation of early-career ecologists.
12.5.3
Leading Theory Development in Sustainability Science
ESA members can also contribute to the theoretical basis for sustainability science.
Historically ecologists have developed theory that integrates classical ecology with
theory from evolutionary biology, molecular biology, geophysical sciences, etc. We
are in early stages of integrating ecological theory with theory from various social
sciences (Collins et al.
2011
; Matson
2009
) and currently lack a thoroughly devel-
oped theory for sustainability science. ESA can provide leadership to go beyond
thinking of stewardship as “applied sustainability science” and rather to understand
when and why (or why not) scientifi c understanding is effective in moving toward
more sustainable pathways at various scales. Action ecology, such as ideas devel-
oped by the ESA student section, and discussions with practitioners need to become
part of the learning loop for developing broader theory. Theory must be applied and
tested against real societal and ecological problems. This remains a formidable
challenge, but one that ESA is well positioned to nurture, perhaps by encouraging
ESA sections to tackle relevant issues and by emphasizing sustainability theory in
different venues during annual meetings.
12.5.4
Encouraging Personal Involvement
Ecologists can engage directly in stewardship activities that emerge from their
research programs. There are many examples of academic scientists who have felt
compelled to focus their efforts on conserving the species and habitat they study,
after realizing that the subjects of their studies are rapidly disappearing. For exam-
ple, the Golden-Lion Tamarin, an endemic primate in Brazil, is now the only pri-
mate species to have been upgraded in terms of its endangered species status,
following prodigious efforts by researchers who spent most of their careers studying
them (Kierulff et al.
2012
). In other cases, scientists have advocated strongly for
habitat connectivity on regional scales or for sustaining a key resource, such as fresh
water, or for reducing pollution. These constitute another avenue by which current
and future ESA members could become involved in Earth Stewardship activities
that are personally important to them. Workshops at the annual meeting might
include training in best practices for members to pursue stewardship related to their
research.
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