The Roots of Ecology, Natural Selection as it Relates to Ecology - Speech or Presentation Example

Client’s The Roots of Ecology, Natural Selection as it relates to Ecology Rationale McIntosh writes of ecology thatit is “a science that does not fit readily into the familiar mold of science erected on the model of classic physics, and it deals with phenomena which frequently touch very close to the quick of human sensibilities, including aesthetics, morality, ethics, and, even worse in some minds, economics” (1). The rationale for this exhibit is based on the connection that exists between the nature of species in modern times and the pre-historic cultures. Images of primitive cultures are used as a background for the exhibit; objects that are related to the early study of natural selection are used to make a connection between the primitive human thought and the emergence of the 19th century science centered on the ideas of natural selection (Balée and Erickson 4). Objects List The following objects will be used in order to express the topic of natural selection. The theme of the exhibits will be backgrounds of enlarged photographs of cave paintings with the foreground being themed in a British Colonial style, with a variety of objects used to create a landscape that feels like the 19th century. Exhibit 1 The first exhibit will have a backdrop of early cave paintings, the images connecting pre-historic humans to the beliefs put forth by Empedocles (490-430 BCE), a Greek philosopher who defined a rudimentary idea about how animals and humans came to be in their present form (See Figure 1). The display will simply have a large boulder upon which rests a sizable scroll indicating ancient knowledge (in front of the backdrop of the painting with a label revealing the intentions of the imagery) (see Label 1). Exhibit 2 Only the strong survive. This exhibits the cave painting from South Africa in the background (Figure 2), showing the attack of a bull by multiple human assailants. The exhibit will have enlarged black and white photographs of animals that have gone extinct within the last century (Figure 2.5). Props that have the feel of the 19th century safari hunts will be used to showcase the focus on the portraits of the extinct animals (see Label 2). Exhibit 3 The fourth exhibit will discuss the contributions of Alfred Russel Wallace. Paralleling the work done by Charles Darwin, Wallace recognized that species were in a constant struggle for survival. This exhibit would have a unique piece of work in which a butterfly that is all blue shifts to one with the appearance of having large predatory eyes, similar to the coloration of many butterfly species that have this feature to scare off predators. The striking large blue butterfly that changes, whether through lenticular technology or some form of digitally created imagery, will be the focus of the arrangement, the piece being about three feet square (See Figure 3 for Background) (See Label 3). Exhibit 4 This will hold an exhibit that shows something of the observations of Charles Darwin. The label will describe the visit that he made to the Galapagos Island, a stuffed Tortoise at the focus of the exhibit with various other animals that are listed within his notes being found and used as a part of the overall exhibit (See Figure 4 for Background)(See Label 4). Exhibit 5 This last part of the exhibit will have a constructed primitive paradise in which the nature of ecology is reflected in the balance that is shown between plants, animals, and the overall environment. These representations will be a collection of items that stay in the theme, reflecting difference in the different materials and methods of creation for each object. Labels Introductory Label A sign at the entrance to the exhibit will hold the title “Natural Selection: Connections and Ecology”. Under the title of the exhibit it will be written: “Just as human beings are connected to one another in the present, they are the products of the gifts of their ancestors connecting them back to a time before history was written and during which the connection between nature and humanity was a mysterious and wonderful thing”. Cave paintings going back tens of thousands of years show us that although natural selection has brought the world to its current state, there is a connection to pre-historic times as philosophers discovered the essence of natural selection. Label 1: Empedocles One of the first philosophers to discuss a version of natural selection was Empedocles. Empedocles theorized that humans and animals formed in parts, each section emerging as it became relevant and necessary. Random mingling of love and strife created creatures that could and could not survive, those best suited to existence procreating and enriching the species. The variations created a wide mixture of creatures that continued to evolve until they settled into a physical form that was adapted to the purposes that promoted survival (Hergenhahn 36). Label 2 Extinction While most extinction is natural, with the loss of approximately 99% of all animals in history having already failed to adapt and lost their position in the animal kingdom, some animals have become extinct due to the inconsiderate behaviors of humans in their search to conquer and control more and more land. Is this natural selection in that the human animal is overtaking lands and territories or is this a part of the overall unnatural destructive nature of human beings? Label 3 Alfred Russel Wallace Alfred Russel Wallace was a great collector of specimens, through which he established, independently of Charles Darwin, his theory of natural selection. Upon seeing that Wallace had developed a theory that was almost identical to his own, Darwin was inspired to publish his own ideas on natural selection. Through the study of beetles, butterflies and a variety of insects, Wallace broadened his ideas to meet the concept of natural selection as it was a precursor for the development of the study of ecology and of the way in which the environment has an impact on the genetic adaptation of species (Hergenhahn 37). Label 4 Charles Darwin Charles Darwin is associated with the development of the theories of evolution, the natural selection of traits within species a part of the evolving nature of species as they face environments that require specific needs. In observing very old tortoises on the Galapagos Islands, he saw that they took large amounts of water into the belly in order to survive when fresh water was not available. He also noticed that sometimes as they died or were killed, other species would drink from opening the space in their body where they had stored the water, almost fresh water existing inside the body of the tortoise (Glick). This adaptation to the environment reveals the purpose of natural selection as traits develop through generations that survive where others of their species do not. Label 5 Ecology The word ecology was coined by a German zoologist, Ernst Haeckel, in 1866 (McIntosh 2). Ecology is the result of the development of the principle of natural selection. Through understanding how nature is a living organism in which all of the species of plants and animals, the elements of fire, water, wind and earth, and the imposed necessities that create change within the genetics of differing species have a ripple effect throughout nature, an understanding of ecology begins to emerge. The balance of nature is created through the dependence of all living entities against the agents of change within the natural world (Riklefs and Miller 72). Exhibit Floor Plan The exhibit will be in a small side room off to the left from the great hall of the museum. The small exhibit intends just to give an impression of the concept of natural selection, allowing the information to just highlight some of the ideas that are sometimes misunderstood in modern society. The room has one open entrance, beyond which, in a semi-circle, are the exhibits – half ovals framed by the very large versions of the cave paintings that act almost as curtains for the background of each of the five sections. The room is dark with lights shining strategically at each of the exhibits. There is only one entrance and exit in the room, making it small and definitive, even with the large scope of the project. The following is a representation of the floor plan. Annotated Bibliography Glick, T. F. Ed. On Evolution: The Development of the Theory of Natural Selection. Indianapolis, Ind.: Hackett, 1996. Print. This book holds the writings of Darwin as well as the notations and commentaries of Glick on the substance of what Darwin observed. Of particular interest are the ecological observations within the Galapagos Islands. He observed the ways in which the different animals found adaptations to their environment, their physiology taking on aspects that were needed for survival. Hergenhahn, B. R. An Introduction to the History of Psychology. Australia: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2009. Print. An overview of the theories of Empedocles is provided in order to describe one of the earliest beliefs in natural selection. The short biography describes his contributions to a series of different disciplines, including that of natural selection. McIntosh, R. P. The Background of Ecology: Concept and Theory. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1985. Print. This comprehensive book on the subject of ecology brings to focus its history and the way in which the study of ecology has bloomed. As the concept of ecology became more prevalent in the 1960s, the early ideas about ecology are shown to have been more conceptual, with many of the precepts having crossed purposes with the difficulty that human beings had in interpreting the world around them. The book brings many details about the evolution of the study of ecology to light. Ricklefs, R. E., and G. L. Miller. Ecology. New York, NY: Freeman, 1999. Print. This book is an overview of the topic of ecology in which natural selection is discussed. The balance of the environment and the various species of animals is discussed in an accessible manner, making it easy to use some of the ideas to make the exhibit accessible to its audience of all ages. Smith, C. H., and G. Beccaloni. Natural Selection and Beyond: The Intellectual Legacy of Alfred Russel Wallace. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008. Print. This work tells the story of Alfred Russel Wallace, discussing his theories on natural selection and how his work inspired Charles Darwin to publish his own theories. Wallace meshed his spiritual beliefs with his scientific beliefs, often disturbing the scientific community with his ideas that the mental state of human beings was due to the influences of spiritually divined means. Balée, W. L., and C. L. Erickson. Time and Complexity in Historical Ecology: Studies in the Neotropical Lowlands. New York: Columbia University Press, 2006. Print. This book explores the nature of Neotropical historical ecology and gives insight into how human beings looked at their world and made judgments about it. The discussion on historical ecology reveals that human cultures typically transform environments to suit their needs rather than adapting to the environments or selecting them based upon a complete availability of resources. In other words, human beings develop their environments; they do not simply find one that is suitable to live within its constraints. The Learning Joint. “Extinction of Plants and Animals.” Wayfarer. 10 March 2010. Web. 27 July 2012. This website has a few statistics about the extinction of animals and some commentaries about the problems of human encroachment that wipes out whole species of animals. There are also some very good pictures of animals that were hunted into extinction in the early part of the 20th century. List of Figures Figure 1. Magura Caves in Bulgaria. Novinite.com. 18 March 2009. Web. 28 July 2012. Figure 2. Figure Bushman and San Paintings in the Drakensberg – South Africa. Paintings for Web. 7 July 2011. Web. 28 July 2012. Figure 2.5. Photographs of Extinct Animals. The Learning Joint. n.d. Web. 28 July 2012. Figure 3. Caves of Spain “Honey Gathering”. Science Photo Library. n.d. Web. 28 July 2012. Figure 4. Stanley Island: Sea Turtles and Frog. Mico Verde. 9 July 2009. Web. 27 July 2012. Figure 5. Lascaux, France Cave Paintings. Bradshaw Foundation. 2012. Web. 27 July 2012. Figures Figure 1 Magura Caves in Bulgaria (Novinite.com) Figure2 Bushman and San Paintings in the Drakensberg – South Africa (Paintings for Web) Figure 2.5 Photographs of Extinct Animals (The Learning Joint). Bubal Hartebeast last died in 1923 Tasmanian Tiger The Quagga Figure 3 Caves of Spain “Honey Gathering” (Science Photo Library) Figure 4 Stanley Island: Sea Turtles and Frog (Mico Verde) Figure 5 Lascaux, France Cave Paintings (Bradshaw Foundation) Read More