Ecolog: McNeely is quite right--the question is general, because it is basic. I did not want to insert my particular views on the issue, but to hear those of others. The central "particular" aspect of the issue lies in the distinction between ecosystems without cultivation and the effects of cultivation upon those ecosystems. McNeely also is correct when he points out that any number of the changes that he lists and beyond seem limitless, but I am looking for central driving principles common to all--precisely to avoid getting entangled in the "minutiae" of each effect of cultivation.
I hope this clarifies my intention without introducing observer-bias into the responses. I hope everyone understands that I am interested in any response at all that will lead to a better understanding of the relationship of ecosystems to cultivation and the relationship of cultivation to ecosystems. I do not see it as an "easy" question, but one of possible central importance in building the focus that McNeely so rightly concludes is needed. So the answer to his question is, "No, I'm not asking about any "particular thing or things," but about the fundamentals which will open up any unifying or distinguishing principles that can be used to bring particulars into focus. It is precisely because discussions about "particular things" tend to wander rather than focus, and thus diffuse the attempt at understanding processes by the assembly of "knowledge" of "particular things" that become mired in competitive ideologies and compulsory paradigms. In an attempt to provide a bit of focus, I decided to use two forms of cultivation in my subject line because they were familiar terms, but I am really interested in cultivation in its broadest sense. I thought that using that broader term might make the question less clear, even though gardening and landscaping are only broadly recognizable and popular terms that fall under the general concept of cultivation. Farming, forestry, and all forms of cultivation are included. I'll appreciate any comments that represent any reaction to the question at all, and do not intend to presuppose any particular sub-category or impose any rules of any sort. In that way, I hope to learn more from a broad variety of reactions. WT ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]>; "Wayne Tyson" <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, August 28, 2010 6:18 PM Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Ecology Gardening Landscaping Re: [ECOLOG-L] Scholarships and fellowships from The Garden Club of America > Wayne, you ask a very general question. Beyond the fact that agriculture is > a form of applied ecology, and the obvious fact that such endeavors have a > profound influence on nature, it is difficult to know what in particular to > speak to. One could speak of hydrological changes, local fertilizer runoff > effects, introduction of weedy and invasive species, soil degradation. But > your inquiry, though asking for detail, is without focus. Any particular > thing or things you want us to consider? David McNeely > > ---- Wayne Tyson <[email protected]> wrote: >> Ecolog: >> >> I would like to learn more about, and in greater detail, the relationship of >> cultivation to ecology, particularly with respect to gardening and >> landscaping. >> >> May I have your thoughts? >> >> WT >> >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "David Inouye" <[email protected]> >> To: <[email protected]> >> Sent: Saturday, August 28, 2010 7:24 AM >> Subject: [ECOLOG-L] Scholarships and fellowships from The Garden Club of >> America >> >> >> > THE GARDEN CLUB of AMERICA >> > 14 East 60th Street New York, New York 10022-1006 >> > 212.753.8287 / FAX 212.753.0134 / GCAMERICA.ORG >> > >> > August 2010 >> > >> > The Garden Club of America offers a wide range of excellent >> > scholarships and fellowships. In 2010, 50 students benefited from >> > these diverse offerings. Check our website at www.gcamerica.org for >> > a complete updated list, detailed information, applications, and >> > deadlines. >> > >> > Please encourage worthy candidates to apply for these awards: >> > >> > * An internship in garden history and design with preference >> > given to those who want to intern at the Smithsonian >> > * A fellowship in garden history and design >> > * A scholarship for undergraduate or graduate students for study >> > of tropical horticulture and botany abroad >> > * A summer scholarship in field botany for undergraduate and >> > graduate students >> > * An additional summer scholarship in field botany for >> > undergraduate students >> > * A scholarship for graduate study in horticulture and landscape >> > architecture in Great Britain >> > * A fellowship in landscape architecture at the American Academy in >> > Rome >> > * An award to fund graduate students for field work and research >> > in coastal wetland studies >> > * Awards in tropical botany for Ph.D. candidates to pursue >> > independent field study >> > * A fellowship in medicinal botany >> > * A summer scholarship in medicinal botany primarily for >> > undergraduate students >> > * A grant for graduate students to conduct field research on the >> > biology and management of rare flora >> > * A scholarship to study the habitat for threatened and >> > endangered native birds of the U.S. >> > * Awards for summer environmental studies to undergraduate >> > following their freshman, sophomore or junior years >> > * Regional scholarships for college or graduate students who >> > wish to pursue the study of horticulture and related subjects >> > * A fellowship in ecological restoration >> > * An offering in summer environmental studies for residents of >> > New Jersey or non-residents studying in New Jersey >> > * A fellowship in urban forestry >> > * An award to fund graduate and advanced undergraduate students >> > studying horticulture, conservation, botany, environmental science, >> > and landscape design relating to arid landscape. >> > >> > Please post the attached material. For additional information >> > contact Mrs. Judy Smith at the above address. >> > >> > Sincerely, >> > >> > Ginny Kopp >> > Chairman, GCA Scholarship Committee >> >> >> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >> >> >> >> No virus found in this incoming message. >> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com >> Version: 8.5.441 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3099 - Release Date: 08/28/10 >> 06:34:00 > > -- > David McNeely -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.441 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3099 - Release Date: 08/28/10 06:34:00
