Why theory?

[sarahcrisley]

Great video! I'm always amazed when I encounter scientific theories, like METE, that span such diverse ecosystems and scales and still hold true. It's still a "Whoa-incredible!" moment every time.

METE demonstrates how macroscopic state variables, like temperature, act to constrain biodiversity. I found the applications of METE to make predictions or provide insight to be the most interesting piece of this--how when the pattern does not hold true, it is indicative of shifts in a system on strong interactions that outweigh the forces of state variables.

• Are there other examples of theories that, when they don't hold true for a particular system or organism, can highlight phase shifts or anomalies?
• How/when do we as researchers distinguish between a) there is something else at play here, which is why the theory doesn't hold true vs. b) there are so many anomaly examples that perhaps the theory should be revised or rejected?

In general, I'm also interested in the concept of using theory as a means to inform management and conservation. But again, this brings up questions about what is the 'correct' stable state or what is 'natural'? Interesting to consider, but maybe not relevant because the anomaly states only appear in changing systems. But what about systems that have very short time scales over which they experience flux?

p.s. Great bat skeleton t shirt! Print shop in Harrisburg, PA? I have some patches from them!