Using technology to access regional environmental information

Distinctions between holistic and presciptive technologies, and holistic and reductionist science are a backdrop to examination of two widespread environmental problems: eutrophication in the Bay of Quinte, Lake Ontario, and acidification of lakes in eastern Canada. Evidence is presented on a shift from prescriptive toward holistic approaches. Holistic solutions to technological limitations are discussed with emphasis on the interactive procedures people use to solve problems, rather than on the physical tools which are often employed in a prescriptive manner. Local gathering and integration of environmental information is presented as the key to macro-environmental assessments. Recommendations stress (i) the need for ecologists in every ecosystem, (ii) training with emphasis on problem-solving techniques, (iii) wide-spread use of microcomputers, a potent holistic technology, to transfer information and concepts, and (iv) local selection of indicators with the advice that they be simple and biotic.