Ecological Lessons Research Articles

The Ongoing Grief of Boglands Re-Interpreting Ecological Grief with Lessons in Sympoiesis and Wetland Ecology

This article ventures to boglands to reimagine ecological grief. Thinking with bogs points to an alternative way of imagining ecological grief as sympoiesis with the dead which disrupts capitalist temporalities and integrates what is ‘past’ into futures of multispecies livability. Acknowledging that previous scholarship has succeeded in establishing an understanding that nature is grievable, The Author contends that establishing the grievability of nature does not sufficiently intervene in patterns of ecological destruction, if current paradigms for experiencing grief itself are not also troubled. Thus this article asks how ecological grief can be informed by ecologies themselves, so that chrononormative regimes can be disrupted and the dead can be recognized as agential participants in the crafting of alternative futures.

Seeing disasters through the eyes of children: a critical reading of One Snowy Night and The Storm in the Barn through the lens of critical disaster studies

Disasters are life-changing events that children find frightening and unfathomable. Seen through the eyes of children, disasters are always enigmatic, thus stirring questions, such as what are they? What causes them? And how can they be confronted? Environmental works for children often feature disasters to help children understand the threats that their world is subjected to. Disasters are thus used as symbols through which writers can deliver moral and ecological lessons to the young audience/reader. In this comparative study, the representation of disasters will be examined in two environmental plays for children in which natural and environmental disasters impact the lives of the young protagonists: One Snowy Night (2007) and The Storm in the Barn (2012). The plays have been selected because, firstly, they have not been critically dealt with, to the best of my knowledge, and, secondly, they shed light on the immense impact of disasters on children. Through the element of fantasy, the disasters are personified to help children understand the symbiotic relation between humans and nature. By giving voice to the personified representations of disasters, children understand the environmental role humans can play: either mitigating or increasing the effects of disasters. Both works thus highlight how disasters are viewed in the eyes of children and how they impact their outlook of life and the environment (whether their hometowns or the natural world). Thus, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the portrayal of natural and environmental disasters through the lens of critical disaster studies shedding light on its key concepts and terms that are reflected in the plays.

NATURAL REFLECTIONS: UNVEILING THE ECOCRITICAL LAYERS IN EAST OF EDEN BY JOHN STEINBECK

John Steinbeck’s East of Eden goes beyond just being a great tale because of the complex ecological topics it explores. The purpose of this research paper is to deconstruct the novel’s ecocritical layers by analysing Steinbeck’s use of landscape and environmental components to communicate moral and philosophical thoughts. The article places East of Eden in the context of Steinbeck’s larger environmental philosophy, drawing attention to his profound affinity with nature and ecological concerns. After that, it examines the novel’s lush geography, looking at how the many natural locations shown in the story affect people and what happens. Moreover, the article delves into the themes of memory and the natural environment in the East of Eden, shedding light on how ecological experiences and memories of specific places impact the growth of characters and resonate themes. This study analyses Steinbeck’s use of nature to reflect human nature, morality, and the complexity of life through an analysis of important passages and characters. This article uses ecocritical theory and literary analysis to provide a detailed study of how the East of Eden is an ecological allegory that encourages readers to think about our place in the natural world and the moral consequences of being good stewards of it. In the end, it contends that Steinbeck’s work goes beyond just telling a story and provides deep ecological lessons, making readers question where they fit into the greater biological web of life.

INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE FOR SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES: REFLECTIONS ON THE FOLKLORIC FORMS OF TEYYAM AND TOLU BOMMALATA

The inclusion of culture as the fourth dimension of the sustainable development model projected by UCLG (2010) affirmed that heritage, knowledge, creativity, and aesthetics are essential grounds for developing a holistic vision towards sustainability. Folklore as a significant aspect of human cognition, way of life and world view not only demonstrates the complex layers of human existence through generations but also paves the way for a sustainable future through its cultural dimensions, social functions, and ecological lessons. The current research examines how two unrelated folkloric forms from distinct geographic regions emerge as exemplars of sustainable values embedded within the community. Focusing on the ritualistic performance of Teyyam from Kolathunadu and the folk-art form called Tolu Bommalata from Nimmalakunta region, it argues on the inextricable association of indigenous knowledge systems with its natural and cultural landscape thereby demonstrating the case of a sustainable model. A cultic practice prevalent in the cultural region of Kolathunadu, Teyyam advocates a strong association with the tribal culture of the land in terms of its environmental, social, and cultural values. Tolu Bommalata of Nimmalakunta region, renowned for its distinct cultural expression of storytelling and entertainment is a living folk tradition of shadow puppetry that combines the elements of performing as well as visual arts. The research through a qualitative perspective focuses on ethnographic methods backed by the documentation and analysis of the tangible aspects of folklore. Apart from the reflections on the cultural plurality of Indian folklore and crafts, the study reveals its co-existence with the landscape embodying the environmental, social, and cultural values thereby demonstrating a sustainable model in Indian folklore.

FEATURES OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF MOBILE LEARNING IN THE LESSONS OF BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY IN THE 10TH CLASS

The article explores the possibilities and features of using mobile learning in the process of studying biology and ecology by 10th-grade students. Taking into account modern trends in education and the widespread use of mobile devices among teenagers, the article analyzes the pros and cons of implementing these technologies in natural science lessons. The article considers how mobile devices can be used to increase students’ motivation to study biology and ecology through the use of interactive applications, virtual laboratories and video materials. The possibilities of using mobile devices to individualize learning and create a comfortable environment for students’ independent work are also updated.The relevance of the relevant topic is that the modern educational space is rapidly developing under the influence of innovative technologies. Thanks to digital transformation, we are witnessing changes in the ways of learning and imparting knowledge. One such innovation is mobile learning, which is becoming increasingly relevant and popular in educational institutions around the world. Justifying the issues related to the implementation of mobile learning in biology and ecology lessons in the 10th grade, its essential characteristic is the consideration of a number of important aspects and issues, such as: the effectiveness of mobile learning, technological access, student motivation and pedagogical approaches.The purpose of the article is to consider the main aspects of the implementation of mobile learning in the lessons of biology and ecology in the 10th grade. Letʼs try to determine what features and advantages the use of mobile technologies has in the educational process. Achieving the set goal will help teachers and students to more effectively use modern means of communication and mobile technologies to enrich the process of studying biology and ecology.
 Keywords: mobile learning (m-learning); mobile technologies; mobile applications; internet environment; education; technology; “bring your own device”, application; educational process; natural Sciences.

Portion size matters: Carrion ecology lessons for medicolegal death investigations-A study in Cape Town, South Africa.

Forensic taphonomic studies are regionally specific and improve time since death estimates for medico-legal casework. Within forensic taphonomy and carrion ecology, vertebrate scavengers are under-researched with many studies conducted using multiple, unclothed carcasses. This is a forensically unrealistic experimental design choice with unknown impact. The effect of variation in carrion biomass on the decomposition ecosystem, particularly where vertebrate scavengers are concerned, requires clarification. To assess the effect of carrion biomass load on vertebrate scavenging and decomposition rate, seasonal baseline data for single, clothed ~60 kg porcine carcasses were compared to clothed multiple-carcass deployments, in a forensically relevant habitat of Cape Town, South Africa. Decomposition was tracked via weight loss and bloat progression and scavenging activity via motion-activated cameras. The single carcasses decayed more quickly, particularly during the cooler, wetter winter, strongly correlated with concentrated Cape gray mongoose (Galerella pulverulenta) scavenging activity. On average and across seasons, the single carcasses lost 68% of their mass by day 32 (567 accumulated degree days [ADD]), compared to 80 days (1477 ADD) for multi-carcass deployments. The single carcasses experienced substantially more scavenging activity, with longer visits by single and multiple mongooses, totaling 53 h on average compared to 20 h for the multi-carcass deployments. These differences in scavenging activity and decay rate demonstrate the impact of carrion biomass load on decomposition for forensic taphonomy research. These findings need corroboration. However, forensic realism requires consideration in taphonomic study design. Longitudinally examining many single carcasses may produce more forensically accurate, locally appropriate, and usable results.

Analysis of vernacular houses in southern Vietnam, and potential applications of the learned lessons to contemporary urban street houses

PurposeThis study examines spatial layouts and sustainable features of vernacular houses in southern Vietnam to apply the lessons learned to the development of a contemporary housing design. This study proposes hypothetical low-rise street-house models popular in contemporary urban Vietnam by applying the spatial and ecological lessons learned from the analysis.Design/methodology/approachIn total, 23 well-preserved vernacular houses in Dong Hoa Hiep – an 18th century village in the Tien Giang Province – were chosen for a 2-month, on-site investigation. During the field survey, the houses were measured to fabricate scale drawings for detailed analysis, and photographs were taken.FindingsAn in-depth evaluation highlighted unique characteristics of spatial compositions, sustainable features, and architectural components that contribute to climate adaptive strategies.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough numerous potential arrangements of the models are possible, a few examples are illustrated to validate that the assembly could help achieve a dynamic streetscape for street houses.Social implicationsFrom this perspective, vernacular houses in Vietnam are a rich architectural resource and a significant cultural heritage, because these houses have adopted sustainable design strategies suitable for the local climate and culture to ensure comfort and well-being for a long time. Perhaps, sustainable lessons drawn from Vietnam's indigenous houses are a prerequisite to developing contemporary housing in the country.Originality/valueEmploying the lessons learned from vernacular houses, this study developed three sustainable prototypical designs for the development of contemporary street houses in densely populated cities in Vietnam.

Middle school science teachers’ agency to implement place-based education curricula about local wildlife

Environmental education researchers and policy makers acknowledge the need to act responsibly toward the environment. Yet, teachers do not always know how to help students translate environmental knowledge into sustainable action. This study examines the implementation of locally developed place-based education (PBE) curriculum for middle school science classes with the intention of promoting environmentally positive behaviors. Camera traps were placed near schools and teachers were provided with photographic data of urban wildlife to use during ecology lessons Through our grounded theory study, we found that teachers who perceived a curricular alignment and drew on curricular agency were willing to adopt and adapt the lessons for their classrooms. Those who did not implement the lessons either lacked curricular agency or perceived a misalignment of the PBE lessons and their school context. Our study informs environmental education professional development leaders, who, we argue, should allow teachers to first explore their own curricular agency and context. In addition, we encourage educators to explore how PBE can create opportunities to teach students about civic engagement.

Personality and pace-of-life: Ecological lessons learnt from free-ranging lemon sharks.

In Focus: Dhellemmes, F., Finger J.S., Smukall M.J., Gruber S.H., Guttridge T.L., Laskowski K.L., & J. Krause. (2020) Personality-driven life-history trade-offs differ in two subpopulations of free-ranging predators. Journal of Animal Ecology, 90, 260-272. Life-history theory predicts that explorative individuals live-fast-but-die-young as they take risks to rapidly accumulate resources. Dhellemmes et al. (2020) show that fast-exploring sharks forage in risky habitats, where they grow-fast-but-die-young. In higher risk environments, however, this personality-related pace-of-life-syndrome does not exist because neither fast- nor slow-exploring types venture out into risky areas. The study thereby reveals the key role of ecology as a mediator of personality-related pace-of-life-syndromes in the wild.

Lessons in ecology and conservation from a tropical forest fragment in Singapore

Forest fragments are increasingly common in the tropics as pristine forests are cleared. Fragments stranded within cities are especially stress-prone due to their greatly altered environment and high human impacts. We review biodiversity and ecological studies from Bukit Timah, a tropical forest fragment in Singapore, to ask how this forest has contributed to our understanding of tropical ecology and fragmentation effects, and list the conservation values of this forest. Evidence from Amazonian fragments predicts that losses in diversity and forest function follow fragmentation, and although Bukit Timah has adhered to some of those predictions, other aspects of the forest appeared remarkably resilient. As might be expected, declines in plant, invertebrate, bird, and mammal diversity occurred not only historically but also across two surveys made about 20 years apart. In other ways Bukit Timah proved surprising. Aboveground biomass fluctuated but did not plummet drastically, and was comparable to levels found in primary forests in the region. The extirpation of large fauna did not appear to reduce the dispersal of large seeded plant species, likely due to continued dispersal by small-mammals and birds. Exotic tree species are confined to recovering secondary forest fringes and do not threaten the primary forest, except for perhaps shade tolerant Pará rubber and a handful of cultivated fruit trees. Studies of birds and plants found that life history differences could account for differences in genetic connectivity or isolation for different species, with population genetic implications for other taxa. Despite being a small fragment, new species of plants and animals continue to be discovered or re-discovered. Clearly, there are reasons to celebrate Bukit Timah as a forest fragment that withstood two centuries of human impacts. Nonetheless, many measures can be implemented to better secure its future.

Kant’s Pre-critical Ontology and Environmental Philosophy

In this paper I argue that Kant’s pre-critical ontology, though generally dismissed by environmental philosophers, provides ecological lessons by way of its metaphysical affinities with environmental philosophy. First, I reference where environmental philosophy tends to place Kant and highlight his relative marginalization. This marginalization makes sense given focus on his critical works. I then outline Kant’s pre-critical ontological framework and characterize the ways in which it is ecological. Finally, I conclude with some ecological reflections on the pre-critical philosophy and its possible relevance for contemporary environmental issues.

Transitional fishery: a new resource for global nutritional food and medicinal security

Sea and river junctions form lagoon, sites become largely marshy land with fresh water at upper approaching river reach and brackish water towards sea. Such bays are plentiful in numbers and visited by aquatic birds during the winter seasons. Previous studies established vast possibility of harvesting biological nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) through aquatic bird droppings viz Guano. The vast sizes and number of such sites have huge potential for fishery with differing in quality characters which is termed as transitional fishery in the present study. Objective of the present study was to bring impetus in this new category of fishery with scientific management so as to make the venture highly efficient and responsive, and enable harnessing plentiful benefits of nutritional food and medicinal security. The transitional fishery was considered as ecosystems and various networks of ecology of land, vegetation, fish and aquatic birds were brought in a band for managing it in new pattern. Ecological lessons were hypothesized and validated by results on fishery on lagoons available in literatures. First innovative lesson was that fish adopt site in North East direction of fresh water stream, as also corroborated by honey bee comb sites on N-E side of any circular water tank’s supporting posts. The second innovative fact was to transformed terrestrial land as sites for growing highly palatable nitrogen rich organic feed for fishery. Thus, colonization and feeding become conclusive approach, as supported by past researches, as guide to fishery scientist to move steps ahead in harnessing productivity of lagoons. Thus, fresh and marine brackish water transition zones become vast resources for countries to derive prosperity and employment generations. The innovative fishery feed will be usable for other types of fisheries ie fresh water fishery as well as marine fishery.

Twenty-first-century ecology lessons from seventeenth-century Japan: climate change, deforestation, and moral regeneration

The article sketches the views on ecology of the seventeenth-century Japanese Confucian scholar Kumazawa Banzan, concentrating on his thinking on forestry and climate change. At the same time his views suggest resonances with our twenty-first century discourse around ecology and moral leadership. Banzan applied Chinese cyclical cosmology and thought on the relation of man to nature to diagnose an ecological crisis in the exploitation of nature in his own world. He diagnosed the threat of imminent climate change and, with that, social and political upheaval. His views on political morality and material consumption were underpinned by a Neo-Confucian emphasis on the primacy of agriculture and concept of man’s position that recognized the ontological interdependence of man and nature. Human activity, particularly that of the ruler, impinged on the natural order. Towards the end of his life, he felt impelled to remonstrate against the misgovernment of the Tokugawa regime. He made radical proposals for the restoration of a materially frugal but culturally rich and politically devolved physiocratic socio-political order. Complementing his proposals for institutional reform was a concern with individual self-cultivation that stressed man’s ontological position in the natural order and the need for moral regeneration at individual and social levels. The text was subsequently published in Japanese translation (McMullen 2011). I am grateful to Professor Komuro Masamichi and Professor Ikeda Yoshihiro, his colleague in the Faculty of Economics and coordinator of the lecture series, for kind permission to publish this revised version. Many themes merely sketched here are discussed in greater detail in my Banzan biography (McMullen 1999).

Introduction: Ecology Lessons: Community Solidarity, Indigenous Knowledge, Civic Society in Crisis

Introduction: Ecology Lessons: Community Solidarity, Indigenous Knowledge, Civic Society in Crisis

Frogs Need Homes and Other Ecological Lessons

Frogs Need Homes and Other Ecological Lessons

Observations on the natural history of a savanna drought

Drought studies are often opportunistic and post hoc, where a drought fortuitously occurs during a research project that was not specifically designed to study the drought, but where researchers capitalised on the opportunity. These studies often lack focus on formulating and studying ‘drought specific’ research questions. By learning from observations during droughts, research gaps can be identified and drought specific questions can be formulated to be tested during future droughts. Therefore, in order to get a more holistic view of the ecology of drought, and in order to assist in formulating drought-related questions and/or hypotheses and identifying research gaps, we collected and collated observations and reflections from >50 persons who have lived and/or worked extensively in the Kruger National Park (KNP) and surrounding areas during the 2015/2016 drought. Many ecological lessons, interesting ideas, valuable insights and truly remarkable natural history observations were harnessed from these observations. We summarise them here to help prepare scientists in framing ideas on the functioning and role of droughts, and in designing research in anticipation of future droughts. These observations are not only valuable for scientists, but also for management. We reflect on lessons learned from previous droughts that led to changed management approaches that made the system more resilient during the recent drought. Although studies that focus on specific aspects of droughts are critical to enhance our understanding of droughts, narrative papers like this that cover many scales, taxa and processes can contribute to a broader synthesis and integration.

Cloaked bivalve oocytes: lessons in evolution, ecology, and scientific awareness.

Cloaked bivalve oocytes: lessons in evolution, ecology, and scientific awareness.

Invited Essay: Ecology, Culture, and Spirituality in the Nebraska Sandhills

This essay explores the Nebraska Sandhills from the point of view of three college professors—working from three different academic backgrounds—who nonetheless attempt to speak with one voice about this important landscape. A theologian, a scholar of communication studies, and a biologist explore the contours of what one might call "a spirituality of the Sandhills" that is at once biological and cultural, emerging from the plants and peoples who have inhabited that place. Along the way, the authors reflect upon the scientific and historical importance of this grassland, its unique culture, and its ecological significance. In addition, the authors argue that the Sandhills offers ecological lessons to the human community beyond the region as they attempt to imagine more sustainable ways of living.

A Practical Approach to Differentiated Instruction: How Biology Teachers Redesigned Their Genetics and Ecology Lessons

ABSTRACTIn this study we investigated how a theoretical framework we developed for making differentiated instruction practical worked out in a trajectory (1 year, 5 sessions) that aimed to support 5 secondary biology teachers in designing differentiated instruction practices. The key feature of the framework is the development of cost-effective procedures—heuristics—that aim to support teachers in redesigning their lessons into differentiated instruction (instrumentality) that sufficiently match their work context (congruence), within a limited amount of time and with limited resources (low cost). Our research questions were as follows: Did the heuristic support enable the 5 biology teachers to design differentiated instruction lessons? Did the teachers consider the design and enactment of the lessons practical? To answer our questions we collected the following data: lesson designs and recordings of regular lessons and of redesigned lessons, expected value and perceived advantages and disadvantages to determine how the teachers valued the redesign of their lessons and why, and student responses to a short questionnaire to gain some insight into how they valued the lessons. We found that all 5 teachers were able and willing to apply the heuristics in a way that balanced their goals of controlling the learning processes combined with handing over responsibility to the student. Although it was conducted on a small scale, we contend that our study contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of what teachers consider to be practical support for changing their teaching practice.

The gut microbiome of nonhuman primates: Lessons in ecology and evolution.

The mammalian gastrointestinal (GI) tract is home to trillions of bacteria that play a substantial role in host metabolism and immunity. While progress has been made in understanding the role that microbial communities play in human health and disease, much less attention has been given to host-associated microbiomes in nonhuman primates (NHPs). Here we review past and current research exploring the gut microbiome of NHPs. First, we summarize methods for characterization of the NHP gut microbiome. Then we discuss variation in gut microbiome composition and function across different NHP taxa. Finally, we highlight how studying the gut microbiome offers new insights into primate nutrition, physiology, and immune system function, as well as enhances our understanding of primate ecology and evolution. Microbiome approaches are useful tools for studying relevant issues in primate ecology. Further study of the gut microbiome of NHPs will offer new insight into primate ecology and evolution as well as human health.