The Balance of Nature and Human Impact

Nonfiction, Science & Nature, Nature, Environment, Ecology, Science
Cover of the book The Balance of Nature and Human Impact by , Cambridge University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: ISBN: 9781107301412
Publisher: Cambridge University Press Publication: February 14, 2013
Imprint: Cambridge University Press Language: English
Author:
ISBN: 9781107301412
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Publication: February 14, 2013
Imprint: Cambridge University Press
Language: English

It is clear that nature is undergoing rapid changes as a result of human activities such as industry, agriculture, travel, fisheries and urbanisation. What effects do these activities have? Are they disturbing equilibria in ecological populations and communities, thus upsetting the balance of nature, or are they enhancing naturally occurring disequilibria, perhaps with even worse consequences? It is often argued that large-scale fluctuations in climate and sea-levels have occurred over and over again in the geological past, long before human activities could possibly have had any impact, and that human effects are very small compared to those that occur naturally. Should we conclude that human activity cannot significantly affect the environment, or are these naturally occurring fluctuations actually being dangerously enhanced by humans? This book examines these questions, first by providing evidence for equilibrium and non-equilibrium conditions in relatively undisturbed ecosystems, and second by examining human-induced effects.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

It is clear that nature is undergoing rapid changes as a result of human activities such as industry, agriculture, travel, fisheries and urbanisation. What effects do these activities have? Are they disturbing equilibria in ecological populations and communities, thus upsetting the balance of nature, or are they enhancing naturally occurring disequilibria, perhaps with even worse consequences? It is often argued that large-scale fluctuations in climate and sea-levels have occurred over and over again in the geological past, long before human activities could possibly have had any impact, and that human effects are very small compared to those that occur naturally. Should we conclude that human activity cannot significantly affect the environment, or are these naturally occurring fluctuations actually being dangerously enhanced by humans? This book examines these questions, first by providing evidence for equilibrium and non-equilibrium conditions in relatively undisturbed ecosystems, and second by examining human-induced effects.

More books from Cambridge University Press

Cover of the book Living with Herds by
Cover of the book The Cambridge Introduction to Byron by
Cover of the book Bilingual Language Acquisition by
Cover of the book Collecting Qualitative Data by
Cover of the book Computing for Biologists by
Cover of the book Morphological Typology by
Cover of the book Global Changes in Children's Lives by
Cover of the book A Concise History of the United States of America by
Cover of the book Commercial Contract Law by
Cover of the book Global Perspectives on Teacher Motivation by
Cover of the book Children's Fantasy Literature by
Cover of the book Matrix Analysis and Applications by
Cover of the book Spinoza on Human Freedom by
Cover of the book History, Frankish Identity and the Framing of Western Ethnicity, 550–850 by
Cover of the book Neurohospitalist Medicine by
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy