Limitations to intellectual progress in ecosystem science

Are ecosystem scientists poised to make great leaps forward in developing understanding, and in applying it to real-world problems? The challenge is to deal simultaneously with the multidimensional complexity of time and space. An intellectual limitation is the false assumption that there will be simple, all-inclusive answers to complex, ecological questions, whereas the elegance of creative, innovative thought and approach is to discover ways to simplify questions or systems being studied to obtain fundamental, inclusive answers. Ecology must be an integrative science and will flourish from creative integration and synthesis. How are vision and creativity enhanced? Is the rate of breakthroughs in ecosystem science appropriate for a healthy, robust scientific field? Teams and team-building are critical components of successful ecosystem science, but efforts should be made to promote inter-disciplinary teams. There is a continuing need to attract the brightest and best into ecosystem science by utilizing the popularity of the ecosystem concept, the challenge of solving complex problems, and the awareness of how such solutions are of value to humanity. More undergraduate courses, textbooks, and scientific journals focused on ecosystem science are needed, however time limitations have become serious problems for scientists. Being busy is good, but if being busy leads to fragmentation of effort, loss of focus, superficial scholarship, and inability to meet commitments, then being busy represents a major intellectual limitation. The weak connection between ecosystem science and policy in the United States is frustrating, primarily because of fragmentation of approach and implementation. However, many opportunities exist for intellectual progress in ecosystem science