The two coexisting ecological paradigms

We analyse theories and research approaches in ecology and find that they f all into two internally homogeneous groups of linked ideas, each comprising a unique set of premises. The two sets of interpretive statements are thus mutually exclusive; they constitute alternative theoretical developments i n ecology and should not be seen as complementary. They can, therefore, be considered two paradigms (Kuhn, 1962). Our interpretation is supported by t he minimal overlap, if any, in the premises and research directions of the two approaches. We label the dominant group of ideas the demographic paradi gm and the less developed one the autecological paradigm. The internal logi c of the demographic paradigm of ecology is strongly developed and consiste nt. Its premises and logic extend into current models of population genetic s, biogeography, palaeontology, evolutionary theory and conservation biolog y. Nevertheless, many phenomena contradict the premises of the demographic paradigm; these contradictions cannot be accommodated within its theoretica l framework without major disruptions in logic ensuing. Such phenomena can, in contrast, be understood in terms of the autecological paradigm. Because the status and strengths of the autecological paradigm are generally unrec ognised and because autecology is frequently misrepresented in the literatu re, we redefine its premises and clarify its structure and aims as an aid t o its future development.