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A complete list of titles in this series can be found in the back of this book. The Society for Ecological Restoration (SER) is an international nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote ecological restoration as a means to sustaining the diversity of life on Earth and reestablishing an ecologically healthy relationship between nature and culture. Since its incorporation in 1988, SER has been promoting the science and practice of ecological restoration around the world through its publications, conferences, and chapters. SER is a rapidly growing community of restoration ecologists and ecological restoration practitioners dedicated to developing science-based restoration practices around the globe. With members in more than fifty countries and all fifty US states, SER is the world’s leading restoration organization. For more information or to become a member, e-mail us at [email protected], or visit our website at www.ser.org.

intelligent tinkering

Intelligent Tinkering Bridging the Gap between Science and Practice

Robert J. Cabin

Washington | Covelo | London

Copyright © 2011 Island Press All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without permission in writing from the publisher: Island Press, 1718 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20009. Island Press is a trademark of The Center for Resource Economics. Typesetting and text design by Karen Wenk Printed using Electra Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Cabin, Robert J. Intelligent tinkering : bridging the gap between science and practice / Robert J. Cabin. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN-13: 978-1-59726-963-6 (cloth : alk. paper) ISBN-10: 1-59726-963-8 (cloth : alk. paper) ISBN-13: 978-1-59726-964-3 (pbk. : alk. paper) ISBN-10: 1-59726-964-6 (pbk. : alk. paper) 1. Restoration ecology. 2. Experiential research. I. Title. QH541.15.R45C33 2011 333.73′153—dc22 2011005767

Printed on recycled, acid-free paper

Manufactured in the United States of America 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Keywords: Island Press, science, restoration practice, Aldo Leopold, restoration ecology, ecological restoration, science-practice gap, conservation biology, Hawaiian ecology, tropical dry forests, practical relevance of science, restoration practitioners, trial-and-error experimentation, restoration philosophy, limits of reductionism, alternative research paradigms.

To Anne, Ellen, and Paul. Of all the gifts I’ve been fortunate enough to receive, your love and laughter have been the best by far.

contents

acknowledgments

Introduction: The Science of Restoration Ecology and the Practice of Ecological Restoration

PART 1. Restoring Paradise

xiii

1

11

1. Tropical Dry Forests: Land of the Living Dead

13

2. Let’s See Action! Planning and Implementing a Research and Restoration Program

35

3. Now What? Responding to Nature’s Response

59

4. Writing It Up: The Art and Importance of Science Papers

81

5. Scaling Up: Micro to