Biodiversity and Landscapes: A Paradox of Humanity

by Ke Chung Kim (Editor), Robert D. Weaver (Editor)

Overview

Global environmental problems are much more severe and complex than many of the public believe. This book explores the paradox of humanity's dependence on biodiversity and landscape systems for survival while simultaneously placing an enormous stress on the existence of these natural systems. Leading contributors to the fields of biodiversity conservation, ecology, economics, entomology, forestry, history, landscape management, philosophy and sociology draw from their unique disciplinary perspectives to consider the origins, bases and possible solutions to this pressing problem. The volume shows that the need for a solution is one of the most urgent facing humanity, yet the challenge of solving it is one that will require a major shift in the composite of human values.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521417891
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	08/26/1994
Pages:	448
Product dimensions:	5.98(w) x 9.02(h) x 1.14(d)

Table of Contents

Part I. Introduction: 1. Biodiversity and humanity Ke Chung Kim and Robert D. Weaver; Part II. Human Values and Biodiversity: 2. Thoreau and Leopold on science and values Bryan G. Norton; 3. Creation Holmes Rolston III; 4. Biodiversity and ecological justice Eric Katz; Part III. Human Processes and Biodiversity: 5. Preindustrial man and environmental degradation William T. Sanders and David Webster; 6. Conserving biological diversity in the face of climate change Robert L. Peters; 7. We do not want to become extinct: the question of human survival Norman Myers; 8. Germplasm conservation and agriculture Garrison Wilkes; Part IV. Management of Biodiversity and Landscapes: 9. The paradox of humanity Eugene Hargrove; 10. Biodiversity and landscape management Zev Naveh; 11. Making a habit of restoration Leslie Sauer; 12. Landscapes and management for ecological integrity James Karr; Part V. Socioeconomics of Biodiversity: 13. Economic valuation of biodiversity Robert D. Weaver; 14. Thinking about the value of biodiversity Alan Randall; 15. Lessons from the aging Amazon frontier Christopher F. Uhl, Adalberto Verissimo, Paulo Barreto, Marli Maria Mattos and Recardo Tarifa; Part VI. Strategies for Biodiversity Conservation: 16. Market based economic development and an assessment of conflict Robert D. Weaver; 17. Technology and biodiversity conservation John Cairns, Jr; 18. Evaluation of biodiversity for ecological engineering Howard T. Odum; 19. Urban horticulture: a part of the biodiversity picture Harold Tukey; 20. The watchdog role of nongovernmental environmental organizations M. Rupert Cutler; 21. Legislative and public agency initiatives in ecosystem and biodiversity conservation Michael J. Bean; 22. Biodiversity and humanity Robert D. Weaver and Ke Chung Kim; Index.

Editorial Reviews

"Biodiversity and Landscapes is an ambitious book....The coverage is comprehensive....it is a worthwhile contribution, providing valuable background and fostering understanding of these important topics." D. Scott Slocombe, La Societe Canadienne des Biologistes de l'Environnement

From the Publisher