The Work of Nature: How The Diversity Of Life Sustains Us
Autor Yvonne Baskin Prefață de Harold A. Mooney, Jane Lubchenco Ilustrat de Abigail Rorer Cuvânt înainte de Paul R. Ehrlichen Limba Engleză Paperback – 31 iul 1998
The lavish array of organisms known as "biodiversity" is an intricately linked web that makes the earth a uniquely habitable planet. Yet pressures from human activities are destroying biodiversity at an unprecedented rate. How many species can be lost before the ecological systems that nurture life begin to break down?
In The Work of Nature, noted science writer Yvonne Baskin examines the threats posed to humans by the loss of biodiversity. She summarizes and explains key findings from the ecological sciences, highlighting examples from around the world where shifts in species have affected the provision of clean air, pure water, fertile soils, lush landscapes, and stable natural communities.
As Baskin makes clear, biodiversity is much more than number of species -- it includes the complexity, richness, and abundance of nature at all levels, from the genes carried by local populations to the layout of communities and ecosystems across the landscape. Ecologists are increasingly aware that mankind's wanton destruction of living organisms -- the planet's work force -- threatens to erode our basic life support services. With uncommon grace and eloquence, Baskin demonstrates how and why that is so.
Distilling and bringing to life the work of the world's leading ecologists, The Work of Nature is the first book of its kind to clearly explain the practical consequences of declining biodiversity on ecosystem health and function.
In The Work of Nature, noted science writer Yvonne Baskin examines the threats posed to humans by the loss of biodiversity. She summarizes and explains key findings from the ecological sciences, highlighting examples from around the world where shifts in species have affected the provision of clean air, pure water, fertile soils, lush landscapes, and stable natural communities.
As Baskin makes clear, biodiversity is much more than number of species -- it includes the complexity, richness, and abundance of nature at all levels, from the genes carried by local populations to the layout of communities and ecosystems across the landscape. Ecologists are increasingly aware that mankind's wanton destruction of living organisms -- the planet's work force -- threatens to erode our basic life support services. With uncommon grace and eloquence, Baskin demonstrates how and why that is so.
Distilling and bringing to life the work of the world's leading ecologists, The Work of Nature is the first book of its kind to clearly explain the practical consequences of declining biodiversity on ecosystem health and function.
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Specificații
ISBN-13: 9781559635202
ISBN-10: 1559635207
Pagini: 282
Dimensiuni: 152 x 229 x 18 mm
Greutate: 0.4 kg
Ediția:None
Editura: Island Press
Colecția Island Press
ISBN-10: 1559635207
Pagini: 282
Dimensiuni: 152 x 229 x 18 mm
Greutate: 0.4 kg
Ediția:None
Editura: Island Press
Colecția Island Press
Notă biografică
Yvonne Baskin is a widely published science journalist whose work has appeared in numerous magazines including Discover, Earth, Science, and BioScience. She divides her time between Bozeman, Montana, and San Diego, California.
Cuprins
Foreword: Of Keystone Complexes and Nature's Services
Preface
Acknowledgements
Chapter 1. This Web of Life
Chapter 2. The ''Keystone Club: Who's Important
Chapter 3. Community Ties
Chapter 4. Water: The Essence of Life
Chapter 5. The Vitality of the Soil
Chapter 6. Of Plants and Productivity
Chapter 7. The Power to Shape the Land
Chapter 8. Climate and Atmosphere
Chapter 9. Do We Still Need Nature?
Notes
Index
Preface
Acknowledgements
Chapter 1. This Web of Life
Chapter 2. The ''Keystone Club: Who's Important
Chapter 3. Community Ties
Chapter 4. Water: The Essence of Life
Chapter 5. The Vitality of the Soil
Chapter 6. Of Plants and Productivity
Chapter 7. The Power to Shape the Land
Chapter 8. Climate and Atmosphere
Chapter 9. Do We Still Need Nature?
Notes
Index
Recenzii
"[a] 'must read' for teachers, students, scientists, and citizens at all levels of expertise. The valuation of nature should be considered and widely debated by all concerned with humanity's future."