Certainly not scientific, and certainly not a random sample of people, but I asked four of my neighbors today what a "landscape" was, and what a "landscape ecologist" would do. All replied with some version of the planted grounds of a park, building, or home, and a person who creates such plantings.
When I told them that in ecology, a landscape is a natural setting with its native plant life, and that a landscape ecologist studies such environments and how they work, they seemed doubtful. Interesting, anyway. David McNeely ---- "David M. Lawrence" <[email protected]> wrote: > I fundamentally disagree. I work with words, so meanings are very > important to me, and I do not think there is any popular confusion > between the noun usage of "landscape" and the verb usage. > > So let's try to avoid manufacturing such confusion now. > > Later, > > Dave > > On 5/27/2013 3:15 PM, David L. McNeely wrote: > > ---- Wayne Tyson <[email protected]> wrote: > >> The etymology of the term "landscape" means "to scrape the land." Not much > >> to do with ecology. Yes, I know that the word has come to mean something > >> else, but it interferes with public understanding of the fundamental > >> opposition of landscaping with ecosystems. > >> > >> It may be futile, but I'm gonna keep on griping about it. > > Good for you Wayne. Every field needs at least 2-3 capable curmudgeons. > > And, the English language needs an overseer or two to help keep it true to > > its roots (howsomever diverse those roots might be). > > > > FWIW, I agree with you regarding Landscape Ecology. I recall having a > > conversation with a landscape ecologist who worked at Grand Canyon National > > Park some years back. He mentioned to me that his mother called him the > > Grand Canyon's gardener. > > > > We really should have a less ambiguous term to apply to this work. > > > > David McNeely > >> WT > >> > >> ----- Original Message ----- > >> From: "David Inouye" <[email protected]> > >> To: <[email protected]> > >> Sent: Thursday, May 16, 2013 7:31 AM > >> Subject: [ECOLOG-L] Job: National Coordinator for the Landscape > >> Conservation > >> Cooperatives initiative, USFWS > >> > >> > >>> This is a heads up for those who might be interested in applying for the > >>> position of National Coordinator for the Landscape Conservation > >>> Cooperatives initiative. Doug Austen has announced his departure, and the > >>> FWS will shortly post the position in USA JOBS. > >>> > >>> We believe the posting will be only open for two weeks. The following > >>> infomation should be helpful in locating the position, but regular users > >>> of USAJobs will know that the published title might not match exactly what > >>> the position title is.... > >>> > >>> USFWS Title: National Landscape Conservation Coordinator > >>> > >>> OPM Title: Fish and Wildlife Administrator > >>> > >>> Series and Grade: GS-0480, Series 15 > >>> > >>> Duty Location: Washington, DC (Arlington, VA, is actual office location) > >>> > >>> > >>> ----- > >>> No virus found in this message. > >>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com > >>> Version: 10.0.1432 / Virus Database: 3162/5828 - Release Date: 05/16/13 > >>> > > -- > > David McNeely > > -- > ------------------------------------------------------ > David M. Lawrence | Home: (804) 559-9786 > 6467 Hanna Drive | Cell: (804) 305-5234 > Mechanicsville, VA 23111 | Email: [email protected] > USA | http: http://fuzzo.com > ------------------------------------------------------ > > "All drains lead to the ocean." -- Gill, Finding Nemo > > "We have met the enemy and he is us." -- Pogo > > "No trespassing > 4/17 of a haiku" -- Richard Brautigan -- David McNeely
