| Sumario: | The writers describe their efforts to model a particular form of biocomplexity—coupled natural and human systems—in the Big Thicket National Preserve in southeast Texas, an archipelago of isolated conservation “units” administered by the National Park Service. They contextualize their project in relation to contemporary environmental philosophy before outlining the Big Thicket's biogeographical condition; history of settlement, preservation, and development; and current opportunities and threats. They then describe their modeling approach and discuss parallel biocomplexity research in other study sites. They conclude by considering the critique of economic valuation in contemporary environmental philosophy and discussing an alternative strategy for quantifying, comparing, and selecting values.
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