The Library

 

 Research and Foundations

In Nature’s Resilience Lab, no work is done in isolation.

The work being developed here is built upon and inspired by scientists, naturalists, artists, and practitioners whose research and creative work have been especially meaningful in the growth of The Lab. This evolving library offers gratitude and recognition to the people and ideas represented here, while remaining open to the many voices and ways of knowing that continue to enrich these fields. It also provides a transparent foundation for work that supports conservation and restoration practitioners through ecological learning, sustained attention, creative practice, and deeper connection with the more-than-human world. This work will continue to be refined through study, practice, and feedback with collaborators.

The work within this ecosystem is one expression of the many possibilities that emerge through science-art integration and human-nature (re)connection. The Library also creates space to celebrate other inspiring work in these areas, fostering cross-pollination, discovery, and connection across a growing field.

  • These texts have helped cultivate the roots of The Lab. Although they represent only a small part of a much wider body of knowledge, each has been pivotal in shaping how we approach learning from nature, rather than only about it.

    • Benyus, J. M. (1997). Biomimicry: Innovation inspired by nature. William Morrow.

    • International Union for Conservation of Nature. (2020). Global standard for nature-based solutions: A user-friendly framework for the verification, design and scaling up of NbS (1st ed.). https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.CH.2020.08.en

    • Kaplan, S. (1995). The restorative benefits of nature: Toward an integrative framework. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 15(3), 169–182. https://doi.org/10.1016/0272-4944(95)90001-2

    • Kellert, S. R., & Wilson, E. O. (Eds.). (1993). The biophilia hypothesis. Island Press.

    • Kimmerer, R. W. (2013). Braiding sweetgrass: Indigenous wisdom, scientific knowledge and the teachings of plants. Milkweed Editions.

    • Kimmerer, R. W. (2024). The serviceberry: Abundance and reciprocity in the natural world. Scribner.

    • Wilson, E. O. (1986). Biophilia. Harvard University Press.

    • Wilson, E. O. (1998). Consilience: The unity of knowledge. Knopf.

  • The following peer-reviewed studies and books deepen our shared understanding of the biology and behavior of the species featured as Master Specimens — living guides through which The Lab invites closer observation, curiosity, and connection with more-than-human species.

    • The Common Eastern Bumble Bee (Bombus impatiens):

      • Heinrich, B. (2004). Bumblebee economics. Harvard University Press.

      • Michener, C. D. (2007). The bees of the world (2nd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press.

      • Treanore, E., & Amsalem, E. (2020). The effect of intrinsic physiological traits on diapause survival and their underlying mechanisms in an annual bee species, Bombus impatiens. Conservation Physiology, 8(1), coaa103. https://doi.org/10.1093/conphys/coaa103

      • Treanore, E. D., Ramos-Medero, A. V., Garcia, J., & Amsalem, E. (2023). The effect of pollen diet composition and quantity on diapause survival and performance in an annual pollinator (Bombus impatiens). Integrative Organismal Biology, 5(1), obad014. https://doi.org/10.1093/iob/obad014

    • The Digger/Chimney Bee (Anthophora abrupta):

      • Heinrich, B. (1996). The thermal warriors: Strategies of insect survival. Harvard University Press.

      • Norden, B. B. (1984). Nesting biology of Anthophora abrupta (Hymenoptera: Anthophoridae). Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society, 57(2), 243–262. https://www.jstor.org/stable/2508451

      • Stone, G. N. (1993). Endothermy in the solitary bee Anthophora plumipes: Independent measures of thermoregulatory ability, costs of warm-up and the role of body size. Journal of Experimental Biology, 174(1), 299–320. https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.174.1.299

    • The Zebra Swallowtail (Protographium marcellus):

      • Damman, H., & Feeny, P. (1988). Mechanisms and consequences of selective oviposition by the zebra swallowtail butterfly. Animal Behaviour, 36, 563–573. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0003-3472(88)80027-7

      • Hall, D. W., & Butler, J. F. (2021). Zebra swallowtail Protographium marcellus (Cramer) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Papilionidae): EENY-059/IN215, rev. 5/2020. EDIS, 2021(2). https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-in215-2020

      • Haribal, M., & Feeny, P. (1998). Oviposition stimulant for the zebra swallowtail butterfly, Eurytides marcellus, from the foliage of pawpaw, Asimina triloba. Chemoecology, 8, 99–110. https://doi.org/10.1007/s000490050014

      • Haribal, M., & Feeny, P. (2003). Combined roles of contact stimulant and deterrents in assessment of host-plant quality by ovipositing zebra swallowtail butterflies. Journal of Chemical Ecology, 29(3), 653–670. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022820719946

      • Martin, J. M., Madigosky, S. R., Gu, Z. M., Zhou, D., Wu, J., & McLaughlin, J. L. (1999). Chemical defense in the zebra swallowtail butterfly, Eurytides marcellus, involving annonaceous acetogenins. Journal of Natural Products, 62(1), 2–4. https://doi.org/10.1021/np980308s

  • These selected foundational works have been pivotal in expanding our understanding of resilience across ecological, psychological, and social-ecological systems. They offer different ways of understanding how living beings and systems respond and adapt to change.

    • Folke, C. (2006). Resilience: The emergence of a perspective for social–ecological systems analyses. Global Environmental Change, 16(3), 253–267. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2006.04.002

    • Holling, C. S. (1973). Resilience and stability of ecological systems. Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics, 4, 1–23. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.es.04.110173.000245

    • Masten, A. S. (2001). Ordinary magic: Resilience processes in development. American Psychologist, 56(3), 227–238. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.56.3.227

    • Ostrom, E. (2009). A general framework for analyzing sustainability of social-ecological systems. Science, 325(5939), 419–422. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1172133

    • Southwick, S. M., & Charney, D. S. (2018). Resilience: The science of mastering life’s greatest challenges (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press.

    • Walker, B., & Salt, D. (2006). Resilience thinking: Sustaining ecosystems and people in a changing world. Island Press.

  • Through The Lab, I have had the pleasure of connecting with inspiring people and organizations working in this shared space. I am delighted to highlight their remarkable work here and invite everyone within The Positive Pollinator™ ecosystem to explore the ideas, projects, and possibilities they are bringing to this evolving field. This collection will continue to grow through relationship, learning, and permission.

    • Examples coming soon!