How the science of ecology is changing to meet the daunting challenges
of environmental sustainability
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.
