Practical Field Ecology
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Thinking back years (probably more than I should admit to!), I remember that despite all the interest ecology could engender in students in class, it was out in the field that the real work took place. Working in woodlands, ponds, streams and even on the sides of mountains in blinding snow it was there that the actual ideas of ecology came alive. I’ve had numerous students who, standing in midst of a field area have just “got it” and, for them, ecology starts to really mean something. It’s something that not all ecologists can see especially those outside direct education but it’s a key part of the learning process. The fact that it’s declining along with the increase in “risk assessment” is probably worth a blog on it’s own and not really the point here! However, there’s another issue as well and this is germane. Having seen/read/reviewed most of the mainstream ecology texts in the last 25 years only a handful directly focus the teacher and learner into the field situation. So much so that I still use an ancient text (well, 1988 anyway) by Bennett and Humphries to provide me with a few pointers if need be. True, there are numerous advanced guides but then there always were; the issue is where does the beginner start? Given a field project how to they proceed? Where do they see the range of options open to them in terms of sampling etc. Here is the issue and it’s pleasing see a text addressing it.
This really is a field-project-in-a-book. It’s not that it starts at preparation (obvious but often missing) it’s that it starts by considering what is meant by original field experimentation and how one can design it. This first chapter continues along a set of similar themes – research planning, areas of potential study, literature reviews and even health and safety and time management. The latter part of the chapter examines the process with more focus, looking at design and data analysis. A rather slender chapter two starts the process in earnest with a look at site selection. It talks about mapping and landscapes but sadly spends far too little time on this aspect before moving on to basic abiotics of atmosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere. A section on identification rounds off the work. Given that leaves the rest of the text looking at biotic issues it is a pity we seem to have so little on the landscape because it’s at that level that the first impressions are given. Sampling gets excellent data but if that’s all you focus on then there is less chance of connecting with the landscape which might well be a controlling factor (think alpine!). We move on to sampling processes, starting with ‘static organisms’ or plants. There’s some excellent ideas on sampling and issues of quadrat size. Chapter four moves on to the largest area under study – mobile organisms. The range of techniques here are considerable and for ease of study, the chapter is divided into main animal groups – invertebrates, aquatics, soil, airborne, fish etc. Note that the focus is on macro-scale – this is field ecology rather than laboratory work. If the idea is to select an aspect to study (as distinct from setting up a post-graduate research proposal) there can few ideas the authors haven’t mentioned. Having gahtered these data the next stage is to analyse them. This is where issues arise with the perception of difficulty with statistics. Luckily, today, there are numerous statistical packages that can be used (or even Excel for the more adventurous). These are certainly mentioned and the focus is definitely on getting the data analysed rather than understanding the concepts behind the statistical tests. Given that space in books is always going to be at a premium this is regrettable but understandable. What you do have in place are some very fine tables helping the student select the right statistical test and make some sense of the data. These, along with a few worked examples, glossaries and explanations make it one of the best basic guides in statistical analysis that I’ve seen in some while. A final chapter describes the production side of the work from content to grammar to font. References and a glossary round off the text.
How can students be expected to become indepedant learners in the field unless they have some idea of what they need to look at and some of the options that are available to them? This is an excellent book in a far too-neglected area of ecological education. In addition to a vast range of practical advice there are many cases studies where actual researchers have described their fieldwork showing how the text fits into the research world.The few areas where more might be welcomed are more than made up for with the material that is presented. It’s hard to choose a highlight but if pressed, I’d have to go for the animal sampling (so many great ideas) and data analysis for its handling of statistical tests. Overall, a superb text and one that is, frankly, essential in all fieldwork centres, senior schools and university departments of education/ecology. Fieldwork is a vital connection with the landscape – this book helps us get the balance back and justify our time in the field.
