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More copies of this ISBNGlobal Ecology in Human Perspectiveby Charles Southwick
Synopses & ReviewsPublisher Comments:Written by a well-known ecologist with more than forty years of scientific field work on six continents, this book deals with the ecology of planet earth, focusing on the condition of the global environment and the quality of human life. The author describes the scope and meaning of global ecology and gives a brief review of ecological principles relevant to global concerns. The work concentrates on how we as humans affect global ecosystems and how these changes impact our health, behavior, economics, and politics. Specific sections address the ecological components of planet earth, the biosphere, ecosystem ecology, worldwide environmental trends, and the state of human populations. Other chapters deal with competition and conflict, the ecology of war, an agenda for survival, sustainability, and future prospects.
Accessible to undergraduates, students in adult and professional education, and general readers, this unique work gives a broader definition of our environment than conventional ecology books, emphasizing economic and social dimensions of the global environment. It covers diverse viewpoints, including good news and favorable trends regarding the future, and helps readers think about current ecological problems and those we will face in the future. It discusses how to relate facts and beliefs, how to assess outcomes, and, finally, how me might view and treat the one world in which we live. Table of ContentsIntroduction
PART I. INTRODUCTION TO GLOBAL ECOLOGY Chapter 1. The Meaning and Scope of Global Ecology A Few Basic Definitions The Environment Planet Earth in the Universe Summary and References Chapter 2. Properties and Components of Planet Earth The Lithosphere or Geosphere The Hydrosphere The Atmosphere Atmospheric Weather Climate The Biosphere Component Interactions Chapter 3. The Biosphere Extent of the Biosphere Functional Properties of the Biosphere Environmental Buffering and Homeostasis The Gaia Hypothesis PART II. BASIC ECOSYSTEM ECOLOGY Chapter 4. Ecological Principles: Ecosystems Some Basic Principles of Ecology Ecosystem Structure Abiotic Substances Producer Organisms Consumer Organisms Decomposer Organisms and Detritivores Incomplete Ecosystems Cybernetic Control in Ecosystems Systems Analysis and Modeling in Ecology Chapter 5. Ecosystem Organization and Function The Hydrologic Cycle The Carbon Cycle The Nitrogen Cycle The Phosphorus Cycle The Sulfur Cycle Chapter 6. Energy Flow and Trophic Structure The Source of Energy Food Chains and Trophic Structure Ecologic Pyramids Ecologic Efficiencies Energy and Human Activities Chapter 7. Ecosystem Homeostasis, Succession and Stability Homeostasis Homeostasis in Ecosystems Global Implications of Ecosystem Homeostasis Trophic Structure and Ecosystem Stability Ecosystem Development and Succession The Conservation of Diversity The Controversy over Old-Growth Forests PART III. HUMAN IMPACTS ON PLANET EARTH Chapter 8. Our Global Condition: A Clash of Concepts Global 2000 Opponents of Global 2000 Evaluation Chapter 9. Global Change and Development Human Modification of the Earth Sustainable Development Implications of Sustainable Development Chapter 10. Land Degradation The Loss of Functional Landscape Erosion in Developing Countries Other Forms of Land Degradation The Positive Side of Land Modification Chapter 11. Desertification Definitions and Categories of Deserts Natural Deserts Anthropogenic Deserts The Extent of Deserts and Desertification Desertification in the Sahel Desertification in the United States Chapter 12. Deforestation The Extent of Forest Ecosystems The Ecological Role of Forests Forest Types Tropical Forests Temperate Deforestation Causes of Deforestation The Role of Forests in Global Ecology What Can Be Done? Chapter 13. Historical Aspects of Environmental Destruction The Ecological Relationships of Hunter-Gatherers The Domestication of Plants and Animals The Rise of Agriculture Civilizations of the Middle East Relevance of Environmental History to Modern Problems North Africa and the Mediterranean Environmental Destruction in Other Parts of the World Chapter 14. Population Ecology Basic Population Biology Patterns of Population Change Growth Patterns Malthusian Growth Logistic Growth Reproductive Patterns: "r" and "K" Selection Density-Dependent and Density-Independent Factors Chapter 15. Human Populations Why Is Human Population Growth Occurring? Where is World Population Growth Occurring? Urban Growth Future Prospects Population Modeling Governmental Responses Chapter 16. World Food Supplies Magnitude of the Problem The Consequences of Food Shortages A Brief History of Famine World Food Production and Human Population Growth Since 1950 The Green Revolution Risks of the Green Revolution Regional Successes and Failures of the Green Revolution The Future of World Agriculture Recent Trends Food From the Oceans Chapter 17. Air Pollution Sources of Air Pollution Types of Air Pollution Other Ways of Classifying Air Pollution Human Interest Box Environmental Influences on Air Pollution Ecological Effects of Air Pollution Effects on Natural Ecosystems Effects on Agroecosystems Effects on Human Health Effects on Materials Control of Air Pollution Trends in Air Pollution Chapter 18. Weather and Climate Change Forces for Warming: The Greenhouse Effect Is Global Warming a Reality? Forces for Global Cooling Atmospheric Turbidity Forces in Conflict Variability Chapter 19. Water Pollution and Ocean Ecology Classifying Water Pollution Other Ways of Classifying Water Pollution Coastal and Oceanic Pollution The Extent of the Oceans Ocean Productivity Further Evidence of Deterioration in Marine Ecosystems Are the Oceans in Jeopardy? Chapter 20. The Crisis in Biodiversity What Is a Species? The Measurement of Diversity Statistical Representations of Diversity Patterns of Biodiversity Why Are There so Many Species? Human Impacts on Biodiversity Is There a Crisis in Biodiversity? Does Diversity Make Any Difference? Biodiversity and Human Food Supplies The Role of Biodiversity in Forestry and Environmental Restoration Biodiversity and the Energy Industry Biodiversity and the Pharmaceutical Industry Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services How Many Species Does the Earth Really Need? Diversity and Stability PART IV. HUMAN PROSPECTS AND THE QUALITY OF LIFE Chapter 21. The Human Condition: Economics, Demography, and Health Ecology and World Health The Problem of Disparity Economic Disparities Disparities in the Quality of Life The Poverty Gap Chapter 22. Global Patterns of Health Industrial High-Income Nations Developing Low-Income Nations Implications for Public Health Human Immune Viruses and AIDS Convergence in World Health Patterns Chapter 23. Competition and Conflict Competition and Evolution Forms of Competition Interspecific Competition Competition and Cooperation The Severity of Competition Communication or Violence? Hierarchies and Territories Animal Violence Human Aggression Violence in America Chapter 24. The Ecology of War The Causes of War A Brief Environmental History of War Environmental Aspects of War in the Twentieth Century The Persian Gulf Nuclear War Nuclear Winter The Cold War Indirect Costs of Conflict Signs of Progress Chapter 25. Sustainability History and Definitions Facing the Facts Is Sustainability Possible? Sustainability in Natural Ecosystems Human-Dominated Ecosystems Criteria for Sustainability Restoration Ecology Goals of Restoration The Bottom Line Chapter 26. Assessment and Agenda The World According to Ecology A Brief Review of the Ecological Evidence The World According to Entrepreneurial Economics A Brief Review of the Positive Evidence An Agenda for Planet Earth Ecological Priorities Professional Responsibilities Personal Responsibilities Chapter 27. Prognosis Threats to Progress What is Needed? References Glossary Bibliography Index Each chapter ends with a summary and references What Our Readers Are SayingBe the first to add a comment for a chance to win!Product Details
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