Qualitative patterns and processes in marine ecology: a conceptual programme

Abstract

Since ecosystem organization is a qualitative phenomenon, ecological pattern and process, its static and dynamic manifestations, are best captured as qualitative models. However, ecological methodology is overwhelmingly quantitative in orientation -a reflection not only of the transfer to ecology of the physical sciences paradigm, but also of the paucity of qualitative techniques. We argue that avenues now exist for the rapid exploitation of the qualitative approach. This holds the potential both of modelling ecological systems in terms of intrinsically relevant variables and of creating an independent ecological paradigm. THE PROBLEMThe nature of biological phenomena Pattern and process are dual concepts in biology: they are static and dynamic reflections of organization in biological systems. Biological patterns emerge through biological processes and biological processes are rich in patterns.In this essay, we will explore the qualitative aspects of this duality in the context of marine ecology, since much biological organization and, hence, many biological patterns and processes are essentially qualitative in nature. We will seek to show that much significant pattern and process may be approached directly through appropriate qualitative technique, rather than indirectly through awkward quantitative mapping. This is not to reject completely the quantitative approach to biology but to suggest that it is a subset of a more general analytical approach. We will argue that the set of essential elements -a conceptual programme -of a qualitative approach to biological pattern and process now exists. We will support our argument by appeal to our recent qualitative studies on the structure and function of the complex, high diversity ecosystems of tropical coral reefs. Then we O Inter-Research/Printed in F. R. Germany will suggest that while the elements of such a conceptual program exist -an expanding repertoire of tools for capturing qualitative data and identifying qualitative variables, as well as theories about the qualitative behaviour of biological systems -there is now an urgent need to integrate these elements into a coherent qualitative approach to pattern and process in marine ecology.

A spatiotemporal Evaluation of Atlantic Sea Scallop Placopecten magellanicus Habitat in the Gulf of Maine Using a Bioclimate Envelope Model

“…Modeling methodology in ecological research has historically been largely quantitative (Bradbury et al. ). However, qualitative models effectively capture ecological patterns and have the advantage of avoiding the data‐driven biases to which quantitative models are subject (Bradbury et al.…”

“…However, qualitative models effectively capture ecological patterns and have the advantage of avoiding the data‐driven biases to which quantitative models are subject (Bradbury et al. ; Store and Kangas ; Tanaka and Chen ). This HSI‐based bioclimate envelope modeling approach can be applied to a number of different research areas, such as modeling potential species distribution and evaluating the effects of climate‐driven changes in habitat suitability on this distribution through hindcasting/forecasting analyses (Pearson and Dawson ; Araujo and Peterson ; Tanaka and Chen ).…”

Syntactic modeling and simulation

“…[1 ] Viewed in this light, simulation models are akin to expert systems. [13,21] Syntactic models are even more closely related to expert systems, since both are rule-based.…”

“…Three differences between computer simulations and algebraic models contribute to this contrast in attitudes: (1) algebraic models can usually be developed quickly, sometimes within the space of a few minutes, whereas the code required by a computer simulation may Figure 1. Growth patterns for two tree species.…”

“…[1] In particular, their ability to capture qualitative features, such as organization, both succinctly and &dquo;naturally&dquo; has led to many applications in biology. [5] The most striking successes have been in modeling growth and development.…”