Despite the dramatic developments that have taken place in ecology since World War II, the period between the two world wars is a fascinating subject for historical investigation into ecological science. Many of the approaches later associated with postwar ecology were introduced during this time, older concepts were refined and modified, identifiable schools emerged, new ecological research institutions came into existence, ecological theory interacted with social and political views, and ecological knowledge was applied to a variety of nature conservation and preservation issues. Under this grant, Dr. Cittadino is undertaking a thorough investigation into the history of ecological science during the 1920s and 1930s from an international perspective and with an effort to interrelate intellectual, cultural, social, and institutional themes. He is examining and synthesizing primary sources, secondary literature and archival documents. His goal is to carry out a study which provides an accurate assessment of the nature of the ecological science during the interwar years and addresses the question of the place of ecology in Western science and Western culture during this period.
