Abstract
Ecology is the science of interactions between living beings and their environment. This environment is itself made up of other living beings, themselves interacting with their environment, and other living beings. It's clear from the definition of ecology that it's a discipline that deals with complex phenomena. And it is this very complexity, both fascinating and challenging, that is one of the most interesting aspects of ecological studies. Even when systems seem simple, or interactions logical, this often unobtrusive complexity reveals paradoxes that are as surprising as they are delightful. Most of the time, these paradoxes are only apparent, and due to our partial vision of the systems under study. In the end, a few decades of study have taught us that the only way to understand biodiversity, and the ecology that studies it, is in a global, holistic way. Through examples of the work that has marked my career as a researcher in ecology, this opening lecture will move from paradox to paradox, to show how complexity in ecology requires a holistic approach. From cats hunting rats and birds to lions hunted for their trophies, from ant fights to fighting beetles, from protective fires to species that are both threatened and endangered, we'll explore some of the questions, systems and studies that make up my daily life as an ecologist.
