A general theory of ecology

Ecologists lament the lack of theory in ecology, in particular the lack of a comprehensive general theory. These complaints are largely unfounded. The components of a general theory of ecology have existed for the past half century; environmentalists simply failed to openly recognize them. We present a general theory of ecology and show how it relates to the many component theories and models of ecology. A general theory consists of a description of the field of ecology and a set of fundamental principles. The field of ecology is the spatial and temporal patterns of the distribution of the number of organisms, including causes and effects. Fundamental principles are general provisions about the structure and function of systems in a given area [of knowledge]. Seven fundamental principles of the theory of ecology: heterogeneous distribution of organisms, interaction of organisms, chance, heterogeneity of the environment, finite and heterogeneous resources, mortality of organisms, and the evolutionary cause of ecological properties. These principles are necessary and sufficient elements of the general theory of ecology. It can be shown that the provisions of any component of the theory of ecology are a consequence of these fundamental principles along with principles from other areas of science. A general theory establishes relationships between constituent theories through common fundamental principles. The next task is to develop and integrate the unified, constituent theories and establish relationships between them within the framework established by the general theory.