Elizabeth A. Chornesky

Ecological science and sustainability for the 21st century

Through the work of international public health organizations and advancements in the biological and technological sciences, substantial progress has been made in our ability to prevent, control, locally eliminate, and in one case eradicate infectious diseases. Yet each successful control or local elimination has been met with the emergence of new pathogens, the evolution of novel strains, or different epidemiological circumstances that have limited or reversed control methods. To respond to the increasing threat of emerging infectious diseases and bioterrorism it is vital that we design and implement efficient programs that prevent and control infectious pathogen transmission. The theoretical tools of ecology and epidemiology may be the cornerstone in constructing future programs aimed at preventing and controlling infectious diseases throughout the world. Reprinted with permission from Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, Vol 3, Issue No 1, page 4–11, issue of February 2005. Copyright

Science Priorities for Reducing the Threat of Invasive Species to Sustainable Forestry

Abstract Invasive species pose a major, yet poorly addressed, threat to sustainable forestry. Here we set forth an interdisciplinary science strategy of research, development, and applications to reduce this threat. To spur action by public and private entities that too often are slow, reluctant, or unable to act, we recommend (a) better integrating invasive species into sustainable forestry frameworks such as the Montréal Process and forest certification programs; (b) developing improved cost estimates to inform choices about international trade and pest suppression efforts; and (c) building distributed information systems that deliver information on risks, identification, and response strategies. To enhance the success of prevention and management actions, we recommend (a) advancing technologies for molecular identification, expert systems, and remote sensing; (b) evolving approaches for ecosystem and landscape management; and (c) better anticipating interactions between species invasions and other global change processes.

Repeated Reversals During Spatial Competition Between Corals

On many tropical reefs, competition for space among sessile animals is common and is generally thought to influence the population and community ecology of reef corals. A 20—mo photographic study revealed frequent temporal reversals in the observable outcome of interspecific spatial competition between some of the most abundant Caribbean corals. These reversals apparently were not due to seasonal changes or to other environmental effects on relative competitive ability. Rather, they resulted from inherent differences between the competing species in response time and competitive mechanism employed. Specifically, encounters between individuals of Agaricia agaricites and Porites asteroides or between individuals of A. agaricites and Montastraea annularis are characterized by a repeated cycle of attack by one opponent using digestive filaments, and subsequent retaliation by the initially wounded coral when it develops and deploys fighting tentacles. The resulting bilateral injuries increase the distance sepa...

Adapting to climate change in California

Many aspects of the Californian approach to controlling the greenhouse gases that cause climate change now have a sufficient track record to provide potential models or lessons for national and even international action. In comparison, the state’s efforts on climate change adaptation, although multifaceted, are less well developed and thus far have focused largely on information sharing, impact assessments, and planning. Still, adaptation could advance more quickly in California than in many other regions, given relatively high public awareness and concern, extensive scientific information, a strong tradition of local and regional planning, and some enabling policies and institutions. Much more political support and sufficient financing will have to be mustered at state and local levels to enable new projects and initiatives to cope with sea level rise, water management, and ecosystem adaptation, not to mention public health and other key areas of concern. Even so, California’s initial efforts to adapt to unavoidable changes in climate may offer insights for other governments that will, inevitably, need to fashion their own adaptation strategies.