A New Century of Biology

by Kress, W. John; Barrett, Gary W.; Kress, W. John

• ISBN13: 9781560989844
• ISBN10: 156098984X
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2001-10-01
• Publisher: Smithsonian Inst Pr

Summary

In the twentieth century, scientists in the relatively new field of biology played an important role in exposing the threats of environmental degradation, loss of species diversity, habitat fragmentation, scarce energy resources, and human population growth. In the essays found in A New Century of Biology, some of the world's most notable biologists consider how their discipline must evolve to address these problems in the twenty-first century.

The next one hundred years, the contributors argue, will likely be dominated by breakthroughs in evolutionary biology and systems ecology, by an increased need for scientists to integrate research, teaching, and service missions, and by problem-solving ventures on greater spatial and temporal scales. Because human activity and increased population will continue to have a profound impact on the environment, biologists must define an effective strategy for integrating the biological sciences with global economics and human social structure.

The eleven contributors are leaders in the fields of ecology and evolution, mor

Author Biography

W. John Kress is head of botany and curator at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History Gary W. Barrett is Odum Professor of Ecology at the University of Georgia's Institute of Ecology

Table of Contents

Foreword: Biology in the Twenty-First Century	vii
Ernst Mayr
Preface: A New Century of Biology	xi
W. John Kress
Gary W. Barrett
Acknowledgments	xv
Contributors	xvii
Introduction: The New Revolution in Biology	1	(8)
Gary W. Barrett
W. John Kress
Bacteria in the Origins of Species: Demise of the Neo-Darwinian Paradigm	9	(19)
Lynn Margulis
Bodies and Body Plans, and How They Came to Be	28	(25)
Marvalee H. Wake
Ecosystems: Energetics and Biogeochemistry	53	(36)
Gene E. Likens
Behavior, Ecology, and Evolution	89	(28)
Gordon H. Orians
Conserving Biodiversity into the New Century	117	(11)
Ghillean T. Prance
The New Age of Biological Exploration	128	(5)
Thomas E. Lovejoy
Lumpy Integration of Tropical Wild Biodiversity with Its Society	133	(16)
Daniel H. Janzen
Biology and the Human Sciences: Pathways of Consilience	149	(6)
Edward O. Wilson
Index	155