A pragmatic approach for producing theoretical syntheses in ecology

It has been proposed that ecological theory develops in a pragmatic way. This implies that ecologists are free to decide what, from the knowledge available to them, they will use to build models and learn about phenomena. Because in fields that develop pragmatically knowledge generation is based on the decisions of individuals and not on a set of predefined axioms, the best way to produce theoretical synthesis in such fields is to assess what individuals are using to support scientific studies. Here, we present an approach for producing theoretical syntheses based on the propositions most frequently used to learn about a defined phenomenon. The approach consists of (i) defining a phenomenon of interest; (ii) defining a collective of scientists studying the phenomenon; (iii) surveying the scientific studies about the phenomenon published by this collective; (iv) identifying the most referred publications used in these studies; (v) identifying how the studies use the most referred publications to give support to their studies and learn about the phenomena; (vi) and from this, identifying general propositions on how the phenomenon is approached, viewed and described by the collective. We implemented the approach in a case study on the phenomenon of ecological succession, defining the collective as the scientists currently studying succession. We identified three propositions that synthesize the views of the defined collective about succession. The theoretical synthesis revealed that there is no clear division between “classical’’ and “contemporary’’ succession models, and that neutral models are being used to explain successional patterns alongside models based on niche assumptions. By implementing the pragmatic approach in a case study, we show that it can be successfully used to produce syntheses based on the actual activity of the scientific community studying the phenomenon. The connection between the resulting synthesis and research activity can be traced back through the methodological steps of the approach. This result can be used to understand how knowledge is being used in a field of study and can guide better informed decisions for future studies.

BIOGRAPHY ANALYSIS OF MUHAMMAD UTHMAN EL-MUHAMMADY FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF BRONFENBRENNER'S ECOLOGICAL THEORY

Muhammad Uthman el-Muhammady known as a thought figure in Malaysia. His life background is filled with a variety of life hues with an academic background. His thoughts highlighted the teachings of the Sunnah wal Jamaah. He also loudly opposed thoughts that were contrary to the beliefs of Ahli Sunnah wal Jamaah, so that he considered to be an extremist. His personality became a charm in the world of thought in Malaysia through his fluency in English and argument. This study is based on Ecological Theory. Biography of Muhammad Uthman el-Muhammady from the perspective of ecological theory pioneered by Urie Bronfenbrenner (1979, 1986) shows that the formation of personality and character of this leading figure began at the microsystem level. The results of the study show how the background of Muhammad Uthman el-Muhammady who was educated by his late father in prioritizing knowledge from an early age has shaped his personality, which made him a revered figure in public because of his knowledge. His life pattern should be emulated by all types of society in shaping and creating an extraordinary personality.

Spectral Aesthetics and ecological listening in the music of Helena Tulve

This chapter analyzes Estonian composer Helena Tulve's unique timbral process in four works: Sula (1999); L'Équinoxe de l'âme for soprano, triple harp or kannel, and string quartet (2008); Arboles lloran por luvia for voices and nyckelharpa (2006); and I am a River for chamber choir (2009). L'Équinoxe de l'âme (The Equinox of the Soul) is based on a text by the Persian mystic and philosopher Shahab al-Din Suhrawardi on the mythical Persian firebird Simurgh. Rather than portraying dissolving as in the orchestral work ice—Sula means to thaw or melt—the timbral transformations of Équinoxe evoke sparks bursting into flame, as well as a philosophical rumination on existence. The remaining vocal works similarly treat their texts with a programmatic flair that blurs the line between the materiality of the sound and its contemplative mood. Tulve's compositional approach can be considered post-spectral in its influences and attention to timbral detail. However, she is also motivated by ecological concerns, and counts herself among a small group of contemporary Estonian composers devoted to expressing this philosophy through music. Her influences meld in a music that prioritizes “slowness”: a sustained focus on spectral detail that reflects the composer's deep-rooted ecological concerns. The chapter thus draws on ideas from ecological theory, timbral analysis, and speculative aesthetics to show how Tulve's compositions express form through timbre and its expression in space, and reflect an ecological aesthetic of listening.

Assessing the ecological impact of urban greening: A case study of roadside planting in Wellington, New Zealand

<p>Roadside reserves in Wellington, New Zealand have been the target of a government-led, community-implemented urban greening initiative for the past 25 years. Prior studies of urban greening have shown numerous benefits to neighbourhoods and communities through increased engagement and stewardship, yet there remains a need for research into the ecological effects these programmes have on individual urban landscapes. This research conducted site surveys to determine the variation in ecological functioning and biodiversity within 36 reserves involved in the Wellington Free Plants Programme (FPP). These measures were compared to historical planting data for each site retrieved from council records. Candidate models were constructed based on novel and classical ecological theory, which sought to explain observed variation between physical and ecological measures across study sites and the relationship between these variables and biodiversity. Sites were small with an area ranging from 5.9m² to 246.5m² (mean = 37.8 ±49.5m²), and biodiversity levels (assessed using a Shannon-Weiner Index) ranged from 0.1 to 2.9 (mean = 2.1 ±0.7). The top performing candidate models to predict biodiversity included area, shape, and seedbank density. An examination of the effect of varying urban greening efforts across these sites utilised a multivariate analysis which included measures of ecological functioning, biodiversity, the number of years a site had been planted, and the number of individual plants provided over those years. A significant negative relationship was found between site disturbance and the number of planting years (F33.1 = 4.092, p = .051) while a somewhat significant positive relationship was found between biodiversity and the number of individual plants provided (F33,1 =3.536 , p = .069). These results indicate that current urban greening efforts contribute to the ecological health of roadside reserves and that the patterns and processes governing the biological composition of these reserves may be partially explained with traditional ecological theory.</p>

Assessing the ecological impact of urban greening: A case study of roadside planting in Wellington, New Zealand

<p>Roadside reserves in Wellington, New Zealand have been the target of a government-led, community-implemented urban greening initiative for the past 25 years. Prior studies of urban greening have shown numerous benefits to neighbourhoods and communities through increased engagement and stewardship, yet there remains a need for research into the ecological effects these programmes have on individual urban landscapes. This research conducted site surveys to determine the variation in ecological functioning and biodiversity within 36 reserves involved in the Wellington Free Plants Programme (FPP). These measures were compared to historical planting data for each site retrieved from council records. Candidate models were constructed based on novel and classical ecological theory, which sought to explain observed variation between physical and ecological measures across study sites and the relationship between these variables and biodiversity. Sites were small with an area ranging from 5.9m² to 246.5m² (mean = 37.8 ±49.5m²), and biodiversity levels (assessed using a Shannon-Weiner Index) ranged from 0.1 to 2.9 (mean = 2.1 ±0.7). The top performing candidate models to predict biodiversity included area, shape, and seedbank density. An examination of the effect of varying urban greening efforts across these sites utilised a multivariate analysis which included measures of ecological functioning, biodiversity, the number of years a site had been planted, and the number of individual plants provided over those years. A significant negative relationship was found between site disturbance and the number of planting years (F33.1 = 4.092, p = .051) while a somewhat significant positive relationship was found between biodiversity and the number of individual plants provided (F33,1 =3.536 , p = .069). These results indicate that current urban greening efforts contribute to the ecological health of roadside reserves and that the patterns and processes governing the biological composition of these reserves may be partially explained with traditional ecological theory.</p>

School Staff's Perceptions and Attitudes towards Cyberbullying

<p>Parallel with the spread of technology use, cyberbullying has become a serious problem in schools, particularly those in developed countries where most young people have ready access to the Internet and mobile phones. Cyberbullying can cause significant emotional harm, disrupt social development, and can be associated with negative student outcomes. As schools must provide students with a safe learning environment, they are challenged with ways to address the phenomenon of cyberbullying. To minimize the negative effects of cyberbullying, and to assist school staff to understand and address this issue, it is necessary to examine the views of school staff on cyberbullying. Positioned within the framework of Social-Ecological Theory, this study explored teachers’ and senior managers’ perceptions and attitudes towards cyberbullying. Data were collected using an anonymous online self-report questionnaire on cyberbullying. One hundred and twelve senior managers and ninety eight teachers, currently working in New Zealand schools, participated in the study. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted to evaluate whether groups of items of the questionnaire assessed distinct attitudinal constructs. Results from the exploratory factor analysis indicated that attitudes towards cyberbullying was a multi-dimensional construct composed by three factors (i.e., ‘Concern’, ‘Empathy’ and ‘Responsibility’). The results also showed that most school staff understood what behaviours constitute cyberbullying. However, a significant proportion of school staff were unlikely to identify social exclusion as being a component of cyberbullying. School staff perceived cyberbullying as conducted mainly by girls and by students across all age groups. In addition, school staff were concerned about cyberbullying, they were empathetic towards cybervictims and they believed that cyberbullies could be helped. However, school staff, especially senior managers, were unlikely to perceive cyberbullying as a problem in their schools and likely to report low frequencies of cyberbullying. Moreover, school staff felt only moderately responsible for preventing cyberbullying as it commonly occurs outside the school. Theoretical and applied implications, for the different levels of the Social-Ecological Theory that affect cyberbullying behaviours, are discussed.</p>