Since hypotheses are merely candidate explanations for observed patterns, they should be tested. Experimentation (i.e., artificial application of treatment conditions followed by monitoring) is an efficient and appropriate means for testing hypotheses about ecological phenomena;it is also often the only means for doing so (Simberloff 1983; Campbell et al. 1991). Experimentation is necessary for disentangling important driving variables which may be correlated strongly with other factors under investigation (Gurevitch and Collins 1994). Identification of the underlying mechanisms of vegetation change enables scientists to predict vegetation responses to changes in variables that may be “driving” or directing the system, such as water, temperature, or soil nutrients.
Similarly, understanding the ultimate factors that underlie animal populations will allow wildlife managers to focus limited resources on areas that will likely be most useful in the recovery and management of the population. An appropriately implemented experimental approach yields levels of certainty that are the most useful to resource managers (McPherson and Weltzin 2000).
Since hypotheses are merely candidate explanations for observed patterns, they should be tested. Experimentation (i.e., artificial application of treatment conditions followed by monitoring) is an efficient and appropriate means for testing hypotheses about ecological phenomena;it is also often the only means for doing so (Simberloff 1983; Campbell et al. 1991). Experimentation is necessary for disentangling important driving variables which may be correlated strongly with other factors under investigation (Gurevitch and Collins 1994). Identification of the underlying mechanisms of vegetation change enables scientists to predict vegetation responses to changes in variables that may be “driving” or directing the system, such as water, temperature, or soil nutrients.
Similarly, understanding the ultimate factors that underlie animal populations will allow wildlife managers to focus limited resources on areas that will likely be most useful in the recovery and management of the population. An appropriately implemented experimental approach yields levels of certainty that are the most useful to resource managers (McPherson and Weltzin 2000).
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