Ecology Graduates of Nepal are still NOT exposed to the Ecology of Chaos theories that have been around since the 1970s and are making their mark in US textbooks but as usual the syllabus of Nepal Environmental Programs are in troglodytic ages, 30 years or more Backdated! Here I am trying to make small amends to this effect, by introducing students to its concepts and relevance

1. The Ecology of Order andThe Ecology of Order and
ChaosChaos
Group members:Group members:
Binaya ParajuliBinaya Parajuli
Ganga Sagar RaiGanga Sagar Rai
Man Bahadur BKMan Bahadur BK
August 16, 2011August 16, 2011

2. Presentation OverviewPresentation Overview
 Ecology of OrderEcology of Order
 Ecology of ChaosEcology of Chaos
 Questions raised by WorsterQuestions raised by Worster
 ConclusionConclusion

3. The Ecology of OrderThe Ecology of Order
 Eugene P OdumEugene P Odum
– Nature’s Strategy leads to mutualism andNature’s Strategy leads to mutualism and
cooperation among the organisms.cooperation among the organisms.
– High species diversity and minimal loss ofHigh species diversity and minimal loss of
nutrients to the outside as key indicators ofnutrients to the outside as key indicators of
ecological orderecological order
– HomeostasisHomeostasis
 Paul SearsPaul Sears
– Ecology is a study of equilibrium, harmony andEcology is a study of equilibrium, harmony and
orderorder
– It must be respectedIt must be respected

4. Contd…Contd…
 Frederic L. ClementsFrederic L. Clements
– Dynamic Ecology, concerned withDynamic Ecology, concerned with
change and evolution in landscapechange and evolution in landscape
– Change is continuous and has an aim toChange is continuous and has an aim to
reach a climax stage (stability)reach a climax stage (stability)
– Superorganism.Superorganism.

5. Ecology of ChaosEcology of Chaos
 In 1973 William Drury and Ian NisbetIn 1973 William Drury and Ian Nisbet
challenged Clement and Odum’schallenged Clement and Odum’s
Ecology of order.Ecology of order.
 In their article they claimed thatIn their article they claimed that
change has no definite direction andchange has no definite direction and
does not reach a point of stability.does not reach a point of stability.
 There is no strategy that is mutual orThere is no strategy that is mutual or
collectivecollective
 Individual survival.Individual survival.

6. Contd…Contd…
 Henry A. Gleason had come up with theHenry A. Gleason had come up with the
same idea back in 1926.same idea back in 1926.
 He had argued that there is no such thingHe had argued that there is no such thing
called equilibrium, order and climax stage.called equilibrium, order and climax stage.
 There is competition in nature notThere is competition in nature not
cooperation.cooperation.
 In 1977 two more scientists Connel andIn 1977 two more scientists Connel and
slatyer continued the argumentslatyer continued the argument
 Then came the concept of disturbance andThen came the concept of disturbance and
chaos in ecology replacing the wordchaos in ecology replacing the word
‘natural’.‘natural’.

7. Questions raised by WorsterQuestions raised by Worster
 What is there to love or preserve in aWhat is there to love or preserve in a
universe of chaos?universe of chaos?
 What does the phraseWhat does the phrase
“environmental damage” mean in a“environmental damage” mean in a
universe of natural chaos?universe of natural chaos?
 How are people supposed to behaveHow are people supposed to behave
in such chaotic world?in such chaotic world?

8. ConclusionConclusion
 The concept of ecological order hasThe concept of ecological order has
been dominated by ecological chaos.been dominated by ecological chaos.
 But the lesson of new ecology is stillBut the lesson of new ecology is still
not clear.not clear.
 Ecological concepts can change butEcological concepts can change but
human’s love and respect for naturehuman’s love and respect for nature
should always be there.should always be there.

9. THANK YOUTHANK YOU 

10. THANK YOUTHANK YOU 