History of Ecology (SHE). Disciplines, Debates & Disciplinary Transformations
FCUL | Edifício C8
17 July to 18 July 2025
Workshop Aims and Objectives
The goal of this workshop is to unite scholars who approach the history of ecology – and the evolution of the discipline itself – from a variety of perspectives. At its core lies the recognition that ecology, even when studied as a historical phenomenon, encompasses multiple domains of expertise, each warranting its own focused investigation. Case studies might examine, for example, the rise of limnology (the study of lakes) or marine ecology (the study of seas), or more narrowly defined inquiries into plant and animal populations in situ.
Viewed historically, these diverse strands form a rich context that traces ecology’s emergence and institutionalization over time. Beyond simply mapping its historical trajectory, however, we also invite participants to interrogate the conceptual foundations and intellectual currents that have shaped – and occasionally reshaped – the field. While a two-day workshop cannot exhaust every topic, it can showcase both the depth already explored and the many promising avenues still awaiting contextualization. This considers empirical approaches based on case studies (e.g., limnology, marine ecology) as well as more conceptual analyses of the history of ecology. Nevertheless, a compelling aspect lies in plurality, understood as multiple subfields and conceptual lineages.
International interest in the history of marine ecology – evidenced by a wealth of scholarship to date – is mirrored in this workshop’s program. Alessandra Passariello, Carlos A. Assis, Cristina Brito, Nina Vieira, Patrícia Carvalho, and Pablo Lima Hernández will each illuminate this rich tradition from distinct perspectives. Cristina Brito will present on the ERC 4-OCEANS project, while Alessandra Passariello leads a deep dive into marine benthic bionomy. Carlos A. Assis offers a broad overview of marine ecology’s evolution in the twentieth century, a period also examined in depth by Pablo Lima Hernández. Finally, Patrícia Carvalho, Nina Vieira, and Cristina Brito turn to whales as iconic subjects, tracing their cultural and scientific significance in Portugal in the 18th century, while Louise Merquiol, through art historical research, claims to reconstruct aquatic biodiversity in Italian Early Modern.
A second focal block examines the history of plant ecology, another key strand of the workshop. Antoine Dussault critiques individualism in phytosociology, a theme that has long animated ecological debates. Fabrice Roux then explores the analogy between plant communities and living organisms, revisiting foundational concepts introduced by Frederic Clements – particularly the idea of plant formations. Ignacio García follows with a case study of Portugal, showing how phytosociology emerged in the early twentieth century through figures like José Malato Beliz. Gonçalo Martins broadens the discussion by investigating ecology’s entanglements with Nazism, while Pier Luigi Pireddu considers the discovery of plankton a pivotal historiographical moment and situates limnology and marine ecology within the same historical framework.
Together, these strands form a comprehensive framework of the topics and issues that have shaped ecology’s emergence as a scientific discipline. While there are undoubtedly many more facets to explore, this workshop is not intended to impose limits; rather, it aims to illuminate the approaches and narratives that historical analysis can reveal and to open new avenues for future inquiry.