Rent 9780132302654 | Environmental Science : Toward a Sustainable Future

Summary Table of Contents

For introductory courses in Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, and Environmental Biology. As the field of environmental science continues to evolve, this highly readable guide presents a full spectrum of views and information for students to evaluate issues and make informed decisions. An extensive resource package integrates text and digital media in an easy-to-use format designed to assist instructors in classroom preparation.

As the field of environmental science continues to evolve, this highly reada... MORE

Introduction: Toward a Sustainable Future	p. 2
The Global Environmental Picture	p. 5
Population Growth and Economic Development	p. 5
The Decline of Ecosystems	p. 6
Global Atmospheric Changes	p. 7
Loss of Biodiversity	p. 8
Three Strategic Themes: Sustainability, Stewardship, and Science	p. 8
Sustainability	p. 9
Stewardship	p. ... MORE11
Science	p. 13
Three Integrative Themes: Ecosystem Capital, Policy/Politics, and Globalization	p. 16
Ecosystem Capital	p. 16
Policy and Politics	p. 17
Globalization	p. 18
The Environment in the 21st Century	p. 19
A New Commitment	p. 21
Revisiting the Themes	p. 21
Review Questions	p. 22
Thinking Environmentally	p. 23
Ethics What Is the Stewardship Ethic?	p. 12
global perspective Red Sky at Morning	p. 20
Ecosystems: Basic Units of the Natural World	p. 24
Ecosystems: What They Are	p. 26
Ecosystems: A Description	p. 28
The Structure of Ecosystems	p. 31
Trophic Categories	p. 31
Trophic Relationships: Food Chains, Food Webs, and Trophic Levels	p. 35
Nonfeeding Relationships	p. 37
Abiotic Factors	p. 40
From Ecosystems to Global Biomes	p. 41
The Role of Climate	p. 41
Microclimate and Other Abiotic Factors	p. 45
Biotic Factors	p. 45
Physical Barriers	p. 46
Summary	p. 46
The Human Presence	p. 47
Three Revolutions	p. 47
Revisiting the Themes	p. 50
Review Questions	p. 51
Thinking Environmentally	p. 51
earth watch Limiting Factors and the Woodland Caribou in Alberta, Canada	p. 47
global perspective Can Ecosystems Be Restored?	p. 48
Ecosystems: How They Work	p. 52
Matter, Energy, and Life	p. 54
Matter in Living and Nonliving Systems	p. 54
Energy Basics	p. 58
Energy Changes in Organisms	p. 60
Energy Flow in Ecosystems	p. 64
Primary Production	p. 64
Energy Flow and Efficiency	p. 65
Running on Solar Energy	p. 67
The Cycling of Matter in Ecosystems	p. 67
The Carbon Cycle	p. 68
The Phosphorus Cycle	p. 69
The Nitrogen Cycle	p. 70
Implications for Human Societies	p. 73
Ecosystem Sustainability	p. 73
Value of Ecosystem Capital	p. 74
The Future	p. 77
Revisiting the Themes	p. 77
Review Questions	p. 78
Thinking Environmentally	p. 79
global perspective Light and Nutrients: The Controlling Factors in Marine Ecosystems	p. 66
ethics Ecosystem Stakeholders	p. 75
Contents viii WRIGMF_0132302659_SE.QXD 1/12/07 12:59 PM	p. viii
Ecosystems: How They Change	p. 80
Dynamics of Natural Populations	p. 82
Population Growth Curves	p. 82
Biotic Potential versus Environmental Resistance	p. 83
Density Dependence and Critical Number	p. 85
Mechanisms of Population Equilibrium	p. 85
PredatorPrey Dynamics	p. 85
Competition	p. 88
Introduced Species	p. 91
Evolution as a Force for Change	p. 95
Adaptation through Natural Selection	p. 95
Drifting Continents	p. 100
Ecosystem Responses to Disturbance	p. 102
Ecological Succession	p. 102
Disturbance and Resilience	p. 105
Evolving Ecosystems?	p. 107
Living Beyond Our Means	p. 109
Managing Ecosystems	p. 109
Pressures on Ecosystems	p. 110
Revisiting the Themes	p. 111
Review Questions	p. 112
Thinking Environmentally	p. 112
Making a Difference Part one Chapters 2, 3, 4	p. 113
Guest essay The Village Weaverbird: Marvel or Menace?	p. 91
Earth watch Environmental Tipping Points	p. 108
The Human Population	p. 114
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