Environmental Science : The Way the World Works

by NEBEL

• ISBN13: 9780132854467
• ISBN10: 0132854465
• Edition: 4th
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1993-01-01
• Publisher: Prentice Hall Professional Technical Reference

Summary

B> Global warming, species extinction, overpopulation, recycling--as the millennium approaches, environmental science stands at the interface between humans and nature. This readable guide is an up-to-date source that explores these and many other issues, and assesses options or progress in their solution. Helps readers critically evaluate the latest environmental issues and make educated decisions about real-life situations and events. Provides the most up-to-date information available on environmental hazards and human health, economics, and public policy. Contains a fully updated and revised art program. Includes Making a Difference sections in every chapter that suggest courses of action readers can take to become involved in helping the environment. Offers a book-specific Website with many additional resources. For anyone interested in learning more about today's environmental concerns and in getting involved to effect change.

Table of Contents

The Aim of Environmental Science	p. 1
What Ecosystems Are and How They Work	p. 15
Ecosystems: What They Are	p. 16
Ecosystems: How They Work	p. 45
Ecosystems: What Keeps Them the Same? What Makes Them Change?	p. 72
Ecosystems: Adapting to Change - or Not	p. 94
Finding a Balance Between Population, Soil, Water, and Agriculture	p. 121
The Population Explosion: Causes and Consequences	p. 122
Addressing the Population Problem	p. 144
The Production and Distribution of Food	p. 168
Soil and the Soil Ecosystem	p. 187
Pests and Pest Control	p. 213
Water, the Water Cycle, and Water Management	p. 238
Pollution	p. 266
Sediments, Nutrients, and Eutrophication	p. 268
Sewage Pollution and Rediscovering the Nutrient Cycle	p. 290
Pollution from Hazardous Chemicals	p. 311
Air Pollution and Its Control	p. 334
Major Atmospheric Changes	p. 358
Risks and Economics of Pollution	p. 382
Resources: Biota, Refuse, Energy, and Land	p. 400
Wild Species: Diversity and Protection	p. 402
Ecosystems as Resources	p. 421
Converting Trash to Resources	p. 442
Energy Resources: The Rise and Fall of Fossil Fuels	p. 457
Nuclear Power: Promise and Problems	p. 480
Solar and Other Renewable Energy Sources	p. 502
Lifestyle and Sustainability	p. 528
Epilogue	p. 552
Table of Contents provided by Blackwell. All Rights Reserved.