Ecological Complexity and Ecosystem Services Opportunities for USChina Collaboration

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Ecological Complexityand Ecosystem
ServicesOpportunities for US-China Collaboration
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From Dr. Colwells Address12 October 1998,
Chinese Academy of Sciences

• understanding biocomplexity speaks to a deeper
  concept. It is not enough to explore and
  chronicle and record the enormous diversity of
  the world's ecosystems. We must do that. But we
  must also reach beyond, to discover the complex
  chemical, biological, and social interactions
  that comprise our planet's systems. From these
  subtle but very sophisticated interrelationships,
  we can pull out the fundamental principles of
  sustainability. Our survival as a human species
  and the ecological survival of the entire planet
  depend on our ability to achieve what is a truly
  interdisciplinary task.
• Your colleagues and counterparts in America look
  forward to an era of joint scientific journeys
  with you. In the coming century, partnering in
  scientific and technical endeavors will become
  even more central, not only to progress of
  science but also to the promotion of peace.

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ECOLOGY
ECOLOGICAL COMPLEXITY ECOSYSTEM SERVICES
MATHEMATICS COMPUTER SCIENCE
ECONOMICS
EDUCATION
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How Did We Get Here?A complex history

• 1998 Rita Colwell develops concept of
  biocomplexity as an NSF area for development.
• October 1998 Rita Colwell visits China,
  discusses NSF initiatives on biocomplexity
  (http//www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/forum/colwell/rc81012.h
  tm)
• Spring 2001 P. Firth contacts Elser
• August 2001 Elser submits proposal approved
  September 2001
• September 11 2001 trip postponed
• Spring 2002 Elser / Phillips / Chang / Firth
  renew effort.
• Fall 2002 Invitation process begins.
• December 2002 Chinese delegation, incl. Zhang
  Zhibin, visits Washington DC, San Diego, and
  Tempe to meet with Firth, Chang, Elser, Phillips.
• Spring 2003 Team finalized itinerary
  finalized.
• March 2003 US - Iraq war begins.
• April 2003 Tempe workshop SARS outbreak trip
  postponed.
• January 2004 Videoteleconference
• May 2004 US team visits China!

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Primary ThemesDeveloped in Tempe (April 2003)

• Concepts and Definitions articulate operational
  working definitions of biocomplexity, ecosystem
  services, resilience, and other key concepts.
• Scaling of Ecocomplexity and Ecosystem Services
  determine how scale of observation (in space and
  time) affects our understanding of complexity and
  ecosystem services
• Interface of the Social and Natural illuminate
  methods of economic valuation and natural
  resource decision-making used in China and the US
  and build Sino-American collaboration in this
  area
• Broader Impacts identify the ways to achieve
  broader impacts from our exchange to the
  scientific community and general public.

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A Challenge to the Worlds ScientistsKofi
Annan, 7 March 2003, Science 299 1485.

• There are deep similarities between the ethos of
  science and the project of international
  organization. Both are engaged in a struggle
  against forces of unreason and strive to give
  expression to universal truths for the United
  Nations, these include the dignity and worth of
  the human person and the understanding that even
  though the world is divided by many particulars,
  we are united in a single human community.

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(No Transcript)
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Matthew Wilson University of Vermont Ecological
economics
Jim Elser Arizona State University Limnology,
ecological stoichiometry
Jingle Wu Arizona State University Theoretical
landscape ecology, urban ecology
Andy Phillips Zoological Society of San
Diego Herpetology, conservation biology
Valerie Eviner Institute of Ecosystem
Studies Soil ecology, biogeochemistry, community
ecology
Kathyrn Cottingham Dartmouth College Limnology,
disease ecology (Vibrio)
Sarah Gergel University of British
Columbia Landscape ecology, river-floodplain inter
actions
David Lodge University of Notre Dame Ecology of
invasive species
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Shahid Naeem Columbia University Biodiversity
and ecosystem function
Austin Troy University of Vermont Natural
resource economics
Peter Turchin University of Connecticut Theoretica
l population ecology, historical dynamics of
humans
Sara Tjossem Columbia University History of
ecology environmentalism conservation biology
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Emerging Themes / Focus Groups(As of 3 PM 25 May)

• Invasive emerging species prediction,
  description, and quantification of ecological
  economic impact. (Dong, Sun, Lodge, Ding, Eviner,
  Min Cao, Cottingham, Xie, ?)
• Regulation of ecological complexity theory and
  tools for multiple scales. (Zhang, Elser, Wu,
  Turchin, Mingkui Cao, ?)
• Valuation of dynamic landscapes in China and USA
  (Wilson, Troy,Gergel, Zhu?, Mingkui Cao, Ouyang
  Zhiyun, ?)
• New conservation biology biodiversity as cause
  and consequence (Phillips, Naeem, Xie, Wei, Zhu
  Yongguan?)
• Biocomplexity research beyond boundaries
  formalization and communication of Sino-US
  activities (Tjossem, Firth, Chang, Zhang, Elser,
  Cao Jinghua, ?)