Oswald J.Schmitz - The New Ecology

Our
species has transitioned from being one among millions on Earth to the
species that is single-handedly transforming the entire planet to suit its
own needs. In order to meet the daunting challenges of environmental
sustainability in this epoch of human domination―known as the
Anthropocene―ecologists have begun to think differently about the
interdependencies between humans and the natural world. This concise and
accessible book provides the best available introduction to what this new
ecology is all about―and why it matters more than ever before.

Oswald Schmitz describes how the science of ecology is evolving to provide
a better understanding of how human agency is shaping the natural world,
often in never-before-seen ways. The new ecology emphasizes the importance of
conserving species diversity, because it can offer a portfolio of options to
keep our ecosystems resilient in the face of environmental change. It
envisions humans taking on new roles as thoughtful stewards of the environment
to ensure that ecosystems have the enduring capacity to supply the
environmental services on which our economic well-being―and our very
existence―depend. It offers the ecological know-how to maintain and enhance
our planet's environmental performance and ecosystem production for the
benefit of current and future generations.

Informative and engaging, The New Ecology shows how today’s ecology can
provide the insights we need to appreciate the crucial role we play in this
era of unprecedented global environmental transition.