Preface
TEN RESPECTED, SUCCESSFUL EDITIONS
As we produce the tenth edition of this text, it is appropriate to celebrate its success and reflect on how the field has changed over the past two decades. Since Environmental Science: A Study of Interrelationships was first published in 1983, it has been translated into Chinese and Korean, and we estimate that nearly a million students have used the text. Over the ten editions, we have seen the field of environmental science change significantly. Initially, most of the courses were designed to raise awareness about environmental issues. Today, the field of environmental science has become a major discipline at many colleges and universities. Students who enroll in an introductory environmental science course may move in several directions that were not present over twenty years ago. Fields such as environmental law and environmental engineering are new disciplines. In addition, other traditional disciplines such as landscape planning, urban planning, agriculture, and industrial engineering now pay significant attention to environmental concerns. It has been an interesting intellectual exercise to keep up-to-date in this rapidly changing field. For example, in the early 1980s, air and water pollution by industry was a key issue. Today, however, most industries have made major improvements in controlling pollution and are no longer the main sources of air and water pollution. The actions of individual citizens now have become major sources of pollution. Automobile use is responsible for much of the air pollution that affects cities and runoff from lawns, city streets, and farms is an important source of water pollution. Many new environmental problems have also arisen. Climate change, the AIDS pandemic, genetically modified crops, and concerns about the loss of biodiversity have become core issues. Over time, as these issues have assumed greater importance they have been incorporated into the text.
WHY “A STUDY OF INTERRELATIONSHIPS?”
Environmental science is an interdisciplinary field. Because environmental disharmonies occur as a result of the interaction between humans and the natural world, we must include both when seeking solutions to environmental problems. It is important to have a historical perspective, appreciate economic and political realities, recognize the role of different social experiences and ethical backgrounds, and integrate these with the science that describes the natural world and how we affect it. Environmental Science: A Study of Interrelationships incorporates all of these sources of information when discussing any environmental issue.
This text is written for a one semester, introductory course taken by students with a wide variety of career goals. The central theme of the book is interrelatedness. No text of this nature can cover all issues in depth. Although many facts are presented in charts, graphs, and figures to help illustrate the scope of environmental issues, the text’s main focus is on identifying major issues and giving appropriate examples to illustrate the complex interactions that are characteristic of all environmental problems. The facts are provided for the person who wants them, but they do not obscure the general concepts and principles being described. The authors have endeavored to present a balanced view of issues, diligently avoiding personal biases and fashionable philosophies. It is not the purpose of this textbook to tell you what to think. Rather, our goal is to provide access to information and the conceptual framework needed to understand complex issues so that you can comprehend the nature of environmental problems and formulate your own views.
NEW TO THIS ANNIVERSARY EDITION!
New Author Brings Expertise and Unique Perspective
A special contributing author, Anne Todd Bockarie, updated chapters 2 and 16 for the tenth edition. She is an Assistant Professor of Biology at Philadelphia University and teaches Ecology, Biodiversity, Environmental Science, Introductory Biology, and Special Topics: Tropical Conservation. She helped develop the Environmental Science program at the university as well as a new major in Environmental and Conservation Biology. She has created new courses in ecological field methods, coral reef assessment in Jamaica and wildlife management in Yellowstone National Park. She holds a Research Associate position at Yale University and has supervised graduate research on the ecological and social impacts of large-scale park restoration for the past six years. Dr. Bockarie’s M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in reforestation and forestry extension are from the University of Florida. She has extensive international consulting and training experience in agriculture, forestry, and parks management in Africa and the Caribbean.
New Biodiversity Chapter
Chapter 12, “Biodiversity Issues,” discusses how population growth and the ability of people to exploit resources led to current concerns about biodiversity. This important topic is examined at the genetic, species, and ecosystem levels, and the value of biodiversity is described from several points of view: ethics, direct economic values, and services provided by organisms in functioning ecosystems. A discussion of the threats to biodiversity looks at habitat loss, over-exploitation, introduction of exotic species, and control of pest organisms. The chapter ends with an overview of efforts to protect biodiversity, and includes a discussion of legal protection and steps being taken to ensure that sustainable management practices are used to preserve biodiversity.
In-Depth Coverage on Sustainability
Sustainability is a core concept in this text and is covered in several chapters. In chapter 2, sustainability is discussed in the context of ethical considerations. Chapter 3 expands on the idea by looking at the topic from an economic point of view. Sustainability is also discussed in the chapters on energy use, biodiversity, water management, agriculture, and at many other points in the text.
New Feature Examines Environmental Change
When we look at environmental issues in general, we find that the same basic issues exist today as in 1983. Although there has been significant progress toward solving some environmental problems, progress in others has been slow, and new threats or concerns have emerged. To help the reader evaluate progress and recognize how difficult some problems are, we have instituted a new feature with this edition. Each chapter begins with a feature entitled, Past, Present, Future, which shows how specific topics discussed in the chapter have changed over more than 20 years.
New Art Adds Depth and Realism
There are over 40 new figures and tables in this tenth edition, many of which have been drawn in a more realistic, three-dimensional style. Numerous other pieces have been revised to reflect updated data or content.
“Risk and Cost” Chapter Completely Rewritten
Chapter 3, Risk and Cost: Elements of Decision Making, has a new introduction to the topics of risk and economics, a new section on how risk is characterized, and a new table on the causes of accidental death. The chapter now describes renewable and nonrenewable resources, and includes a major section on assigning value to natural resources. There are also greatly expanded sections on deferred costs, external costs, and subsidies.
All New Issues—Analysis Case Studies
Every chapter in the tenth edition features a new Issues—Analysis reading, written to reflect current issues and/or new data pertaining to the chapter subject matter. In addition, there are ten other new readings, chosen to complement new text content.
New Fold-out World Map
This unique, oversized fold-out piece features full-color physiographic and political world maps and allows students to refer to either map while reading, helping them to better understand and appreciate global environmental issues.
Special Introduction to Critical Thinking
In preparation for the critical thinking questions found at the end of every chapter, this important preface to Chapter 1 explains the value of correctly evaluating available information to make informed decisions. Six key characteristics of critical thinking are examined.
Guest Essays Provide Regional Examples
In this tenth edition, each part opens with a new guest author’s essay highlighting an environmental issue close to their home. These articles offer expert insight into problems similar to those in students’ own backyards.
• Part I opens with an essay entitled “Can We Save Both Blue Crabs and Watermen?” which describes the regulation of the blue crab fishery in Chesapeake Bay by looking at a specific problem and the ramifications of regulatory action. Author: Jennifer Rhode, Georgia College and State University
• The Part II opening composition, “Imitating Mother Nature in a Florida Lake,”examines the cleanup of a lake in central Florida and its effects on ecosystems and businesses downstream. This essay is an excellent transition to the chapters in this unit, which provide an understanding of the ecological principles that are basic to organism interactions and the flow of matter and energy in ecosystems. Authors: Blase Maffia and Lisa Ganser, University of Miam
• Part III focuses on energy, beginning with its opening article, “Winds of Change,” which follows the events that led an electric utility that relies on nuclear power to invest in wind power in Minnesota. Author: John C. Cronn, St. Cloud State University
• Part IV begins with the essay, “Natural Community Planning,” which describes a California policy designed to preserve biodiversity. Author: Morgan Barrows, Saddleback College
• The Part V essay, “It Isn’t Easy Stayin’ Clean,” introduces the topic of pollution by tracing the effects of human activities on the Lake Champlain ecosystem, and provides a good introduction to the conflict between human impacts on the environment and efforts to reduce damage. Author: Alan McIntosh, University of Vermont
Significant Revision
As with previous editions, reviewers’ suggestions have been incorporated into the text. Some of these suggestions required small changes in text or figures to improve clarity and accuracy. Others required major revisions in the content of certain chapters. Specific changes include:
• Chapter 1 has two new boxed readings: Environmental Close-up: “Traditional Resource Use and Conflict in Keoladeo National Park, India” and Global Perspective: “Biodiversity, Human Welfare, and Economic Development.”
• Chapter 2 has a new table that lists the accomplishments of selected international treaties and a new Environmental Close-up: “What’s in Your Backyard?” that allows students to assess the level of pollution in their neighborhood. The sections dealing with the CERES principles, environmental justice issues and international trade in endangered species have all been expanded.
• Chapter 3 has been completely revised, and includes major new sections dealing with renewable and nonrenewable resources, environmental costs and pollution, and subsidies. These changes are supported with new tables and figures.
• Chapter 5 features a new Environmental Close-up entitled “Human Health and Exotic Species.”
• Chapter 6 includes a new Environmental Close-up on “Non-native Invasive Aquatic Plants.”
• Chapter 7 provides new material on lemming cycles in the arctic and the concept of cultural carrying capacity has been added.
• Chapter 8 has been updated with recent information on human population.
• Chapter 9 features a major new section on the politics and economics of energy use, which incorporates fuel efficiency standards and OPEC. It also has many new and revised figures and tables.
• Chapter 10 now includes expanded coverage on renewable energy as well as energy efficiency and conservation.
• Chapter 11 has a new section explaining the politics of nuclear power and additional material on world demand for nuclear power.
• Chapter 12 has been completely rewritten to emphasize biodiversity issues. Its new Global Perspective, “Biodiversity Hotspots,” has an extensive table and a map that details the characteristics and locations of these important ecosystems. The chapter also includes new material on the genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity aspects of biodiversity; information on the value of biodiversity; a major new section on threats to biodiversity that focuses on habitat loss, over-exploitation, introduction of exotic species, and control of pest organisms; and a new section on legal protection of endangered species.
• Chapter 13 contains a new Environmental Close-up entitled “Farmland Preservation in Pennsylvania.” The chapter also includes additional coverage on urban sprawl and sustainable growth.
• Chapter 14 features two new Environmental Close-ups: “Desertification and Global Security” and “The Conservation Security Program.”
• Chapter 15 has a new example and table showing the development of pesticide resistance by insects, and a new figure on the amount of pesticide used on agricultural land.
• Chapter 16 offers updated information on efforts to save the Aral Sea, the long-term impact of the Exxon Valdez oil spill, and water use throughout the world.
• Chapter 17 was updated throughout and modified to allow for a better flow of content. The chapter includes new information on the deaths in Europe due to the 2003 heat wave.
• Chapter 18 has a much-expanded section on mining waste and includes an Environmental Close-up entitled “Mountain Top Removal.”
• Chapter 19 has been updated throughout and includes a new pie graph that shows industries responsible for toxic releases.
• Chapter 20 has expanded coverage on the societal benefits of environmental compliance and a new section explaining the difference between governance and government. There are also two new tables and a new Global Perspective “ISO Standards for Environmental Management Systems” in this chapter.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The creation of a textbook requires a dedicated team of professionals who provide guidance, criticism, and encouragement. It is also important to have open communication and dialog to deal with the many issues that arise during the development and production of a text. Therefore, we would like to thank Publisher: Marge Kemp; Developmental Editors: Kathy Loewenberg and Kennie Harris; Marketing Managers: Lisa Gottschalk and Tami Petsche; Project Manager: Mary Powers; Production Supervisor: Sandy Ludovissy; Photo Research Coordinator: Lori Hancock; and Designer: David Hash for their suggestions and kindnesses.
We’d like to express our gratitude to the guest essay authors; their contributions add an interesting regional perspective to each of the five units: Jennifer Rhode, Georgia College and State University; Blase Maffia and Lisa Ganser, both of the University of Miami; John C. Cronn, St. Cloud State University; Morgan Barrows, Saddleback College; and Alan McIntosh, University of Vermont. Finally, we’d like to thank our many colleagues who have reviewed all, or part, of Environmental Science: A Study of Interrelationships. Their valuable input has continued to shape this text and help it meet the needs of instructors around the world. In particular, we’d like to thank: Saleem H. Ali,University of Vermont; Frank Bartell, Community College of Philadelphia; Donna Bivans,Pitt Community College; Daniel Capuano, Hudson Valley Community College; Richard Clements, Chattanooga State Tech College; John C. Cronn, St. Cloud State University; Peter Konovnitzine, Chaffey College; Julie Phillips, De Anza College; Lauren Preske,University of Southern Indiana; Jennifer Rhode, Georgia College and State University; Daniel Sivek, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point; Kristen Jensen Sullivan, De Anza College; Sara Topf, Parks College; Mike Toscano, San Joaquin Delta College; Arlene Westhoven, Ferris State University; and Jeff White; Lake Land College.
Eldon D. Enger
Bradley F. Smith
|
2006 McGraw-Hill Higher Education