Problem

Over-specialized study of global ecosystem

Nature:

There is presently an inadequate understanding of the complex, subtle and often synergistic interactions between the several parts of the geosphere and biosphere. More knowledge is needed for societal management of the global ecosystem to enhance biological productivity and to respond to the increasing needs of a growing population. No single part of the earth -- oceans, atmosphere, biota or human systems -- can any longer be studied and understood in isolation and with sufficient depth to anticipate and deal with changes of the scale now anticipated. Nor can any geographic segment be analysed satisfactorily as an independent or isolated system. There are an insufficient number of national and international programmes which illuminate the processes that govern the behaviour of the oceans, atmosphere, lithosphere, biosphere and the solar terrestrial domain by addressing the interfaces among them. A holistic approach will require several years of careful planning and conceptualization to develop an appropriate scientific strategy. A question yet to be looked at in detail is the extent to which it will be desirable to integrate major international programmes in sciences into an emerging activity focused on global change and, equally, the extent to which the scientific community can re-orient itself and give overriding priority to truly interdisciplinary studies. It can be anticipated that the adjustments called for will have the effect of blurring somewhat the distinctions between large-scale and small-scale science and between what are often referred to as basic and applied forms of scientific research.

Related UN Sustainable Development Goals:
GOAL 4: Quality EducationGOAL 15: Life on Land
Problem Type:
F: Fuzzy exceptional problems
Date of last update
04.10.2020 – 22:48 CEST