The Chronicle: Colloquy: The question

THE QUESTION

A major debate has emerged among ecologists about biodiversity. The debate was aggravated by a report by the Ecological Society of America that stated what has become a truism among environmentalists: that ecosystems are healthier when they contain many species of plants and animals. While some scientists have performed experiments that they say demonstrate the link between biodiversity and ecosystem health, others have challenged that idea. While they embrace the idea of biodiversity for moral, aesthetic, or even economic reasons, they question whether there is strong scientific evidence to back up the idea that biodiversity promotes healthy ecosystems. The debate over biodiversity has broadened to include questions of how environmentalists use scientific evidence. Does biodiversity produce healthier ecosystems? Is biodiversity primarily important for other reasons? What does this debate over biodiversity say about science and the environmental movement?

For further information, see this background article:

Have Ecologists Oversold Biodiversity? (10/13/2000)

: 26 RESPONSES (New 1/5)

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