Author Archives: biol4095

The distinction between primary, secondary, and tertiary sources is based on how far the information source is developed from the original event or occurrence. Is it firsthand information? Is this a second-hand translation? Is it possible to get a third-hand synthesis and overview of what’s known? Primary sources are developed as closely as possible toContinue reading “Peer-reviewed Primary, Secondary and Tertiary literature”

Arthur Tansley published a paper in the Journal of Plant Ecology in 1917 titled, On competition between Galium saxatile L. (G. hercynicum Weig.) and Galium Sylvestre Poll. (G. asperum Schreb.) on different types of soil. He claimed in his research that Galium Sylvestre germinates on calcareous sandy soil and acid peat, but Galium saxatile flourishesContinue reading “Tansley’s 1917 paper in the Journal of Plant Ecology – what is missing? and why?”

Synopsis Humanity is driving populations and species to extinction at an unprecedented rate. There are many controllers at any given level in an ecosystem, ranging from a single species in the redwood forest to a guild of many species in the rainforest. The structure of an ecosystem is determined by the interactions among the speciesContinue reading “Extinction, Substitution, and Ecosystem Services”

Synopsis Extinction is irreversible, but we can restore ecosystem functions, processes, and services by restoring habitats, ecological processes, and ecosystem services. There is an agreement that conservation planning should make the best use of both species and environmental data. Environmental data are important because they can help us correct biases and fill gaps in speciesContinue reading “Species, Data, and Conservation Planning”

Synopsis Humanity is driving populations and species to extinction at an unprecedented rate. There are many controllers at any given level in an ecosystem, ranging from a single species in the redwood forest to a guild of many species in the rainforest. The structure of an ecosystem is determined by the interactions among the speciesContinue reading “Biodiversity Hotspots for Conservation Priorities”