Person:

Forman, Richard

Many of the early leading ecologists, especially Americans, were surveyed (primarily between 1952 and 1959) to learn what (1) initially inspired an ecological interest, (2) stimulated a major career direction in ecology, and (3) was one’s major career accomplishment. Patterns of responses from 73 ecologists, primarily in their own words using their own typewriters, are summarized. Yale, Duke, Illinois, Michigan, Oxford, and Wisconsin are the most frequent primary institutions of respondents, who were initially not only concentrated in the U.S. Midwest, but also working in the Northeast, South, West, and abroad. The initial ecological stimulus of survey respondents was most reported as plants, between ages 9 and 11, and a parent. Victor Shelford, Henry Cowles, Edgar Transeau, and Stanley Cain were most mentioned as catalysts of a career direction. Also, the opportunity to teach or work in a new place, or reading a key publication(s), often inspired a career direction. The many early ecologists most frequently knew or interacted with H. Cowles, M. Buell, F. Clements, V. Shelford, S. Cain, and H. Oosting. The most frequent major accomplishments or contributions reported by a leading ecologist were analysis of the ecology, vegetation, or flora of a particular area; elucidated ecosystem, productivity, and nutrients; produced a book(s); furthered understanding of natural communities or vegetation; analyzed succession or vegetation dynamics; and established or ran an administrative unit or natural reserve. These survey response patterns are complemented by a wide range of specific responses by individuals. Selected unusual observations and experiences provide insight into the leading ecologists as people. A perspective provides key insights into the survey, the earliest phase of ecology and its later maturation, and environmental/social conditions affecting early ecologists and ecology.

Woody plants and evidence of browsing were measured on eight reclaimed strip mines in Maryland and West Virginia to see whether revegetation patterns differed adjacent to concave, straight, and convex forest boundaries. Two clonal species predom- inated (Rubus allegheniensis and Robinia pseudoacacia), followed in abundance by three wind-dispersed species (Fraxinus americana, Acer rubrum, Betula lenta), and a variety of animal-dispersed species. Mine transects adjacent to concave forest boundaries had 2.5 times as many colonizing stems as those next to convex boundaries. Stems of colonizing species extended > 61 m from concave boundaries, but rarely > 13 m from convex bound- aries. Stem density of all the common animal-dispersed species was correlated with their abundance in the adjacent forest edge, whereas no relationship existed for Robinia or the wind-dispersed species. Evidence of browsing was greater adjacent to concave boundaries than opposite convex boundaries. These strikingly different colonization patterns appear to be primarily the result of the immigration process interacting directly with shape as a spatial characteristic. Through time, a "concave-convex reversal" in boundary form is evident. This results from a "cove concentration effect" where the greatest boundary ex- pansion rate is in coves being colonized. Almost all patterns next to straight boundaries were intermediate between those opposite concave and convex boundaries. We conclude that boundary form may exert a powerful control over adjacent ecosystems in a landscape. This presents significant opportunities for planning and managing surface mines and other colonizing areas.