The New Ecology: Rethinking a Science for the Anthropocene

ISBN-13: 9780691160566 / Angielski / Twarda / 2016 / 256 str.

Oswald J. Schmitz

Opis

Our species has transitioned from being one among millions on Earth to the species that is single-handedly transforming the entire planet to suit its own needs. In order to meet the daunting challenges of environmental sustainability in this epoch of human domination--known as the Anthropocene--ecologists have begun to think differently about the interdependencies between humans and the natural world. This concise and accessible book provides the best available introduction to what this new ecology is all about--and why it matters more than ever before.Oswald Schmitz describes how the science of ecology is evolving to provide a better understanding of how human agency is shaping the natural world, often in never-before-seen ways. The new ecology emphasizes the importance of conserving species diversity, because it can offer a portfolio of options to keep our ecosystems resilient in the face of environmental change. It envisions humans taking on new roles as thoughtful stewards of the environment to ensure that ecosystems have the enduring capacity to supply the environmental services on which our economic well-being--and our very existence--depend. It offers the ecological know-how to maintain and enhance our planet's environmental performance and ecosystem production for the benefit of current and future generations.Informative and engaging, The New Ecology shows how today's ecology can provide the insights we need to appreciate the crucial role we play in this era of unprecedented global environmental transition.

Recenzje

"Schmitz uses short, fascinating case studies to explain how a science that once focused solely on nature has expanded to encompass the global socio-ecological system in which we humans and all of nature are entwined. A curative to simplistic or overly pessimistic thinking, The New Ecology explains why environmental problems are so complex - but also why that doesn't mean they are unsolvable."--Emma Marris, author of Rambunctious Garden: Saving Nature in a Post-Wild World

O autorze

Oswald Schmitz describes how the science of ecology is evolving to provide a better understanding of how human agency is shaping the natural world, often in never-before-seen ways. The new ecology emphasizes the importance of conserving species diversity, because it can offer a portfolio of options to keep our ecosystems resilient in the face of environmental change. It envisions humans taking on new roles as thoughtful stewards of the environment to ensure that ecosystems have the enduring capacity to supply the environmental services on which our economic well-beingand our very existencedepend. It offers the ecological know-how to maintain and enhance our planets environmental performance and ecosystem production for the benefit of current and future generations.