Environment / Peter H. Raven, Linda R. Berg, George B. Johnson.

CONTENTS

Our changing environment
human numbers
environmental science
the goals of environmental science


Solving environmental problems
solving environmental problems: an overview
the scientific analysis of environmental problems
working together
e.tc


Ecosystems and energy
the house we live in
the inhabitants of ecosystems
the flow of energy through ecosystems
e.tc

Ecosystems and living things
living organisms interact
The niche
coevolution
e.tc

Ecosystems and the physical environment
the cycling of materials within ecosystems
the physical environment
e.tc

Major ecosystems of the world
the geography of life
major terrestrial biomes
aquatic life zones
e.tc

Ecosystems, economics and government
an economist's view of pollution
how much pollution is acceptable
economic strategies for pollution control
e.tc

Understanding population growth
the biological success of humans
principles of population ecology
the human population
e.tc

Facing the problems of overpopulation
the human population crisis
reducing the fertility rate
a global plan to reduce population growth
e.tc

Fossil fuels
energy crisis
fossil fuels
coal
oil and natural gas
e.tc

Nuclear energy
how do we get energy from atoms
convectional nuclear fission
breeder nuclear fission
e.tc

Renewable energy and conservation
alternatives to fossil fuels and nuclear power
Direct solar energy
indirect solar energy
other renewable energy sources
e.tc

Water: a fragile resource
the importance of water
properties of water
our water supply and its renewal
how we use water
e.tc

Soils and their preservation
what is soil
soil structure
physical properties of soil
major soil types
soil problems
e.tc

Minerals: a non-renewable resource
reverse vending machines for steel and aluminium
use of minerals
mineral distribution and abundance
how minerals are found and extracts
e.tc

Wildlife: our plant and animal resources
the bald eagle: making a comeback
how many animal and plant species are there?
why we need wildlife
endangered and extinct species
e.tc

Land resources and conservation
importance of natural areas
current land use in the united states
wilderness
parks and wildlife refuges
e.tc

Food resources : a challenge for agriculture
human nutritional requirements
world food problems
history of agriculture
e.tc

Air pollution
the atmosphere as a resource
types, sources and effects of air pollution
urban air pollution
controlling air pollutants
e.tc

Global Changes
planting forest to offset carbon dioxide
acid deposition
global temperature changes
e.tc

Water and soil pollution
non traditional water treatment
types of water pollution
sources of water pollution
improving water quality
e.tc

The pesticide dilemma
controlling pests
what is a pesticides
benefits of pesticides
alternatives of pesticides
e.tc

Solid and hazardous wastes
the solid waste problem
types of solid wastes
disposal of trash
reducing the volume of trash
e.tc

Tomorrow's world
the problems we face
what should be done : an agenda for today
what kind of world do we want?

Includes bibliographical references and index.