Global Ecology in Human Perspective

Introduction PART I. INTRODUCTION TO GLOBAL ECOLOGY Chapter 1. The Meaning and Scope of Global Ecology A Few Basic Definitions The Environment Planet Earth in the Universe Summary and References Chapter 2. Properties and Components of Planet Earth The Lithosphere or Geosphere The Hydrosphere The Atmosphere Atmospheric Weather Climate The Biosphere Component Interactions Chapter 3. The Biosphere Extent of the Biosphere Functional Properties of the Biosphere Environmental Buffering and Homeostasis The Gaia Hypothesis PART II. BASIC ECOSYSTEM ECOLOGY Chapter 4. Ecological Principles: Ecosystems Some Basic Principles of Ecology Ecosystem Structure Abiotic Substances Producer Organisms Consumer Organisms Decomposer Organisms and Detritivores Incomplete Ecosystems Cybernetic Control in Ecosystems Systems Analysis and Modeling in Ecology Chapter 5. Ecosystem Organization and Function The Hydrologic Cycle The Carbon Cycle The Nitrogen Cycle The Phosphorus Cycle The Sulfur Cycle Chapter 6. Energy Flow and Trophic Structure The Source of Energy Food Chains and Trophic Structure Ecologic Pyramids Ecologic Efficiencies Energy and Human Activities Chapter 7. Ecosystem Homeostasis, Succession and Stability Homeostasis Homeostasis in Ecosystems Global Implications of Ecosystem Homeostasis Trophic Structure and Ecosystem Stability Ecosystem Development and Succession The Conservation of Diversity The Controversy over Old-Growth Forests PART III. HUMAN IMPACTS ON PLANET EARTH Chapter 8. Our Global Condition: A Clash of Concepts Global 2000 Opponents of Global 2000 Evaluation Chapter 9. Global Change and Development Human Modification of the Earth Sustainable Development Implications of Sustainable Development Chapter 10. Land Degradation The Loss of Functional Landscape Erosion in Developing Countries Other Forms of Land Degradation The Positive Side of Land Modification Chapter 11. Desertification Definitions and Categories of Deserts Natural Deserts Anthropogenic Deserts The Extent of Deserts and Desertification Desertification in the Sahel Desertification in the United States Chapter 12. Deforestation The Extent of Forest Ecosystems The Ecological Role of Forests Forest Types Tropical Forests Temperate Deforestation Causes of Deforestation The Role of Forests in Global Ecology What Can Be Done? Chapter 13. Historical Aspects of Environmental Destruction The Ecological Relationships of Hunter-Gatherers The Domestication of Plants and Animals The Rise of Agriculture Civilizations of the Middle East Relevance of Environmental History to Modern Problems North Africa and the Mediterranean Environmental Destruction in Other Parts of the World Chapter 14. Population Ecology Basic Population Biology Patterns of Population Change Growth Patterns Malthusian Growth Logistic Growth Reproductive Patterns: "r" and "K" Selection Density-Dependent and Density-Independent Factors Chapter 15. Human Populations Why Is Human Population Growth Occurring? Where is World