Marston Bates (1906–1974)

For the last few months, in preparation for my return to scuba diving this summer, I've been on an ecological kick, starting with Rachel Carson's The Sea Around Us. Recently, I finished The Forest and the Sea by Marston Bates, a zoologist and ecologist contemporary of Carson, who in this work takes a deep dive (pun intended) into the economy of nature and the ecology of man.

Written in 1960, The Forest and the Sea is a journey through Earth's natural ecosystems. Bates weaves a narrative that bridges the gap between scientific understanding and layman curiosity. I liked Bates's writing style. The way he presents information in bite-sized pieces reminded me of Carl Sagan and his seminal work—Cosmos. Bates, like Sagan, has the ability to demystify scientific concepts for public consumption which enables any layman to understand the symbiotic relationships that define our environment.

The book traverses global habitats—from the open sea to tropical forests, coral reefs to deserts—each chapter examining the ecological dynamics at play. Bates starts with an exploration of how biological sciences (at the time) were compartmented, and, much like Carson, advocates for a holistic view of life's interconnectedness. This approach underpins his entire narrative, emphasizing the unity and diversity within the natural world and our part in it.

In seeking out lessons for today, the first and last chapters are the most important.

Lessons for Today: The Study of Nature

Chapter 1, "The Study of Nature," sets the stage for understanding our intricate connection with the natural world. Bates begins by examining life's diversity and its interconnectedness, illustrating how ecosystems function from the depths of the sea to the expanse of the forests. This foundational perspective underscores the importance of seeing ourselves as part of a larger biological whole.

He addresses three key themes which are critically important today:

• Interconnectedness and Diversity: Bates highlights the complexity and interdependence of life within ecosystems, reminding us of the vital need to preserve biodiversity. This interconnectedness ensures the resilience and functionality of ecosystems, which is essential for their continued ability to support life, including our own.
  
  
• Holistic Perspective: Bates's holistic approach to studying life challenges us to broaden our perspective on environmental issues. He underscores that changes in one part of an ecosystem can ripple through the entire system, often with unforeseen consequences. This lesson is particularly pertinent today, as it calls for comprehensive, globally minded environmental policies that address the interconnected nature of ecological challenges.
  
  
• Reflection on Human Impact: Early on, Bates encourages reflection on our role within the natural system. This sets the tone for the remainder of the book: responsible stewardship. He reminds us that it is critical to consider the long-term impacts of our actions, urging a thoughtful and sustainable approach to our interactions with the environment.

Lessons for Today: Man's Place in Nature

Chapter 16, "Man's Place in Nature," summarizes the intervening 14 chapters and reemphasizes the importance of man's role within the natural world. Here, Bates addresses the ethical, cultural, and practical dimensions of our relationship with nature, exploring possible ways we can live in harmony with the environment.

• Responsibility to Nature: Bates advocates for a balanced and respectful relationship with nature, emphasizing the importance of conservation and sustainable practices. He challenges us to consider the broader ecological consequences of our actions, advocating for a shift towards practices that support the health and vitality of ecosystems.
  
  
• Cultural and Technological Influence: This chapter examines the significant ways in which our cultural values and technological advancements shape our interactions with the natural world. Bates calls for a critical assessment of our technologies and cultural practices, urging us to adopt approaches that are in harmony with ecological principles.
  
  
• Ethical Considerations: Bates's ethical arguments for conservation stress the intrinsic value of nature. He invites us to view conservation not just as a necessity but as a moral imperative, underscoring the importance of respecting and valuing the natural world for its own sake.
  
  
• Rethinking Progress: Bates critiques the prevailing notions of progress that prioritize economic growth and technological advancement at the expense of ecological health. He encourages a redefinition of progress that places ecological balance and the well-being of all life at the forefront.
  

In summary, The Forest and the Sea provides a compelling (albeit dated) exploration of the relationships between humans and the natural world. Through a careful examination of ecosystems and our place within them, Bates offers invaluable lessons on the importance of biodiversity, the need for a holistic approach to environmental issues, and the critical role of ethical stewardship in shaping a sustainable future. His work, now 60 years on, remains a powerful call to action, urging us to reconsider our relationship with the natural world and to strive for a more sustainable existence.… (altro)

Marston Bates and the Making of the Global Environment. Bates was a biologist and environmental writer Marston Bates (1906-1974) to chart a path through a succession of attempts by U.S. actors to exert control over environments and people in the developing world through the 20th century, as well as examining an array of critiques of such projects. During the 1920s through 1940s, Bates worked as an applied entomologist. He studied crop pests, malaria, yellow fever, and mosquito ecology for the United Fruit Company and the Rockefeller Foundation––two major forces in reshaping global landscapes of agriculture and health during the twentieth century. In 1952, he became a professor of zoology at the University of Michigan and turned to writing on nature and science for general readers. Publishing over a dozen books, he helped to bring the concept of “ecology” to a broad audience. But he was not merely a popularizer of contemporary scientific ideas. Commenting on problems of economic development, conservation, and global population growth, he presented a critical vision of what would today be labelled “sustainable development.”

Thus, while Bates began his career serving U.S. government and corporate interests, during his later life as a public figure, he criticized dominant modes of development and worked to suggest alternatives that he viewed as more humane, democratic, and scientifically-informed. This work is apparent not only in his prolific writings, but also through such efforts as his role in organizing the highly influential 1955 Chicago conference on “Man’s Role in Changing the Face of the Earth” and the 1959 Darwin Centennial, as well as consulting on post-Sputnik education reforms and population control programs. For this reason, his biography opens a window not only into significant public debates, but also into the formation of U.S. policy toward science and the global environment at mid-century––a key period of transition in both environmental thinking and the U.S. role in the world.… (altro)

A nice look at an atoll in the early 1950s. Bates wrote the first half, Abbott the second half. Bates was more playful and, ultimately, did not have a whole lot to say. Abbott was less playful, but more interesting especially, I imagine, for people unfamiliar with the South Pacific. The island was Ifaluk in the Carolines. Much was similar to my stay in Samoa. As to the book: An excellent quote that Abbott put in on the last page or so deals with subsistence, a topic I've been dealing with here in the Arctic for the last 4 1/2 years. "We admired the proud, independent, self -sufficient islanders as we admired our own pioneers and frontier settlers of earlier days. Soon Ifaluk would no longer lie on western civilization's 'frontier'. And a part of becoming 'civilized', in the western sense at least, involves becoming dependent on a lot of other people in other places." I strongly suspect that the Am. Samoa islands that I lived on in 2010 (Ofu and Olosega) were more subsistence oriented than up here, though they certainly thump their chests more over the subject up here.
Back to the subject: A good book and worth reviewing for the geology of the fresh water lens underneath the island, the saltiness of the lagoons at different tidal levels, and the fish. All sections to be found in the second half by Abbott.… (altro)