When the window is a mirror: how do dominant theories limit our understanding of nature?
From August 6 to 11th of 2023, Critical Ecology Lab Founder & Director Dr. Suzanne Pierre presented at the Ecological Society for America’s annual meeting.
The theme of this meeting was to contribute to the establishment of an Ecological Society of America (ESA) that is inclusive of all ecologists. This was achieved by curating programming and inviting sessions designed to actively involve ecologists from both the private and public sectors. These sessions highlighted projects that are actively applying ecological science, fostering collaboration across various sectors, nurturing the next generation of scientists and decision-makers, and effectively sharing both fundamental and applied ecological research with those who stand to benefit the most.
During the meeting’s Inspire Sessions, Dr. Pierre delivered a presentation titled “Geology and Greed: Long and Short-term Drivers of Plant Community Assemblage,” investigates the drivers of island vegetation dynamics, such as parent materials, topographic parameters, latitude, disturbance history, and the presence of nearby islands. These conditions not only shape plant communities but have also played a significant role in European colonization of Caribbean islands by influencing their suitability for colonial extraction. We hypothesize that plant functional diversity will exhibit the least variation following plantation abandonment on islands with the highest utility for colonial exploitation.
After these discussions, ESA published a paper titled “When the Window is a Mirror: How Dominant Theories Limit Our Understanding of Nature” (ESA 2023 INS23) on April 1st, 2024, including contribution from session speakers including Dr. Pierre. This paper, derived from insights shared during the Inspire Session, emphasizes the importance of critically examining the frames, narratives, and analogies we employ to understand nature. It urges ecologists to reflect on the stories we tell, how we tell them, and how they shape our study of the natural world.
Read the full open-access paper here.
We extend heartfelt thanks to all participants, for their outstanding contributions to the meeting, and to ESA for facilitating this enriching event.
The Ecological Society of America (ESA) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization established in 1915 with the objectives to enhance communication among ecologists, raise public awareness about the significance of ecological science, augment resources for ecological research, and facilitate the integration of ecological science into environmental decision-making processes by fostering communication between the ecological community and policymakers.
Inspire Sessions
Inspire Sessions (INS) are fast paced and engaging sessions that consist of 6-10 invited talks, meant to stimulate dialogue on the subjects presented. The Inspire session titled “When the Window is a Mirror: How Dominant Theories Limit Our Understanding of Nature” at ESA 2023 aimed to explore the constraints of current theories and their implications for understanding the natural world. Through case studies, the session examined existing “mirrors”—instances where ecological models are built on limiting assumptions, revealing insights into our own perspectives and favored narratives.
The Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America
The official open-access record of the business of the Ecological Society of America. Non-refereed articles on ecological education, history and best practices, DEIJ and science communication are all at home in The Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America. The Bulletin publishes letters, longer commentaries, and philosophical and methodological items related to the science of ecology. In addition, the Bulletin publishes announcements of meetings; reviews of meetings, of software useful for ecological research and teaching, and of other tools for ecologists; articles about the teaching of ecology; obituaries for deceased members; ecologist winners of major awards; announcements; and reports of official actions by the Society.
Dr. Pierre’s section, Read the full open-access paper here.
PRESS CONTACT
Sacha Medjo-Akono
Assistant Lab Manager, Critical Ecology Lab
smedjo.cel@gmail.com