The ecology of metaphor—spacing regularities for humans and other primates in urban and wildland habitats

Abstract

This paper traces the change from encouraging appreciation of nature to the restriction of access to nature. Metaphors of anit‐urbanism, neo‐Malthusian scarcity, and territorial aggression seem to have shaped the carrying capacity rationale for both wildland and urban planners. However, data on nonhuman primates and higher social species demonstrate that the carrying capacity concept has limited empirical support. This uncertainty about the scientific and management utility of the concept is confirmed by mixed findings from a variety of studies on nonhuman and human social behavior. The paper concludes that the transfer of concepts with limited empirical support to management realms of great ambiguity and controversy is a doubtful use of science and irresponsible management. The paper then suggests a return to some more objective and theoretically based researches on spacing behavior in humans and other higher primates.

Key words:

• carrying capacity
• population density
• spacing behavior
• territoriality
• permeability of taste
• wilderness management
• urban pathology