摘要:

The widely-used term ‘holism’ appeared in the literature sixty years ago with the publication of Jan Smuts'sHolism and evolution.The somewhat indefinite meaning that Smuts attached to the term has become largely displaced by an idea that was already current with Gestalt theorists when Smuts wroteHolism and evolution: the idea that a whole is more than (or different from) the sum of its parts. This idea does not appear to be central either to original Gestalt theory or to Smuts's holistic theory. The term ‘wholism’ may be applied to this idea, to distinguish it from Smuts's central idea of holism. Holistic thinking (in a broad sense) is currently aligned with systems theory in opposition to reductionist approaches, which is broadly consistent with Smuts's own standpoint. Smuts's process-orientated, hierarchical view of nature, and his non-preformationist, unified interpretation of inorganic and organic evolution, has provided (despite some confused assessments) a rallying point for revolts against reductionism.

ISSN:0035-919X    

DOI:10.1080/00359198709520121

出版商:Taylor & Francis Group    

年代:1987

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

The changes in a population of springbok confined to a paddock on a farm in the Karoo were observed for 12 years. The observations and data on the age structure, obtained from skulls in the paddock, were used to construct a model of the population changes over the first 10 years. In the 11th year the population was severely depleted as a result of drought. Possible reasons for the magnitude of the population decrease are discussed in relation to the model and the losses in other paddocks on the same farm.

ISSN:0035-919X    

DOI:10.1080/00359198709520122

出版商:Taylor & Francis Group    

年代:1987

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

The feeding habits of kudu were studied in an area (Springbok Flats) which contained a larger proportion of crops than those areas in which previous studies have been done.Acacia tortiliswas the most important single species in the faeces, but the diet contained a higher proportion of monocotyledons (consisting mainly of crop species) than has been found in other areas. Action to suppress crop raiding appears to be unnecessary.

ISSN:0035-919X    

DOI:10.1080/00359198709520123

出版商:Taylor & Francis Group    

年代:1987

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

In years of lemming abundance, the chief prey of the arctic fox is the lemming. In years of lemming scarcity, foxes prey on breeding waders and ducks, causing reduced breeding success. In the Taimyr Peninsula, Siberia, there is a three-year lemming cycle. The effect of this, cycle is observed 13 000 km away at Langebaan Lagoon, South Africa, where the breeding success of the Curlew Sandpiper, a migrant from the Taimyr, can be measured, and is shown to follow the same three-year cycle.

ISSN:0035-919X    

DOI:10.1080/00359198709520124

出版商:Taylor & Francis Group    

年代:1987

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

The east coast of South Africa has a generally well-defined and narrow continental shelf area. This, combined with the poleward-flowing Agulhas Current, serves to characterise the coastal ocean in the region as an identifiable entity. Most physical oceanographic investigations have taken place off Natal, but more recently some intensive measurements have also been made off East London. The results are reviewed in terms of temperature and current variability under the prime influence of wind and the Agulhas Current. Different coastal regimes are identified, but the inherent variability emerges as a major factor. The consequences are discussed in relation to phenomena such as the ‘sardine run’.

ISSN:0035-919X    

DOI:10.1080/00359198709520125

出版商:Taylor & Francis Group    

年代:1987

数据来源: Taylor

摘要:

The changes occurring in the benthic macrofaunal communities of the Bot River estuary, after an artificial opening of its mouth on 29 June 1983, are presented and the possible short- and long-term effects of this disturbance on their ecology are described. Surveys of the benthos conducted in December 1982 and May 1983, before the mouth-breaching, are compared with similar surveys afterwards: in October 1983, a week prior to reclosure of the estuary, and three months later, in January 1984. The total number of species decreased from 23 in May to 15 in October; however, only those species which contributed less than 5 % to the total biomass in May were lost. The largest reductions in species abundance and biomass were related to the collapse of the macrophyte,Ruppia maritima, which is intolerant of high salinities. The species which were reduced most wereArcuatula capensis, Melita zeylanicaandCyathura estuaria.These species were adversely affected by the loss of their attachment substrate (Arcuatula capensis), and possibly by increased predation pressure due to the reduction in macrophytic cover. In the areas not colonised byRuppia, the dominant species exhibited an increase in densities and biomass. This phenomenon may be attributed to tidally induced currents which existed while the mouth was open, and which transported nutrients from the decaying macrophytes in the shallows to communities in the deeper waters. This assumption is strengthened by the fact that densities in the deeper areas returned to their usual low levels once closure of the mouth had eliminated these currents.

ISSN:0035-919X    

DOI:10.1080/00359198709520126

出版商:Taylor & Francis Group    

年代:1987

数据来源: Taylor

ISSN:0035-919X    

DOI:10.1080/00359198709520127

出版商:Taylor & Francis Group    

年代:1987

数据来源: Taylor

ISSN:0035-919X    

DOI:10.1080/00359198709520120

出版商:Taylor & Francis Group    

年代:1987

数据来源: Taylor