Observer Effect

Biological Parallel

Tagging migratory birds changes their behavior—the observation alters the phenomenon. Radio collars affect predation rates, behavioral studies stress lab animals, and researcher presence modifies ecosystem dynamics. The observer effect isn't a physics curiosity; it's an ecological reality. You can't measure wild animal behavior without influencing it, because measurement requires intervention (traps, tags, cameras), and intervention changes behavior. Field biologists spend careers trying to minimize their footprint, knowing true 'unobserved' nature is inaccessible.