Ebook: Economics and Ecology: New frontiers and sustainable development

In the Summer of 1991, Bob Carling, who was then Life Sciences Editor of Chapman & Hall, approached me over the possibility of producing an edited volume of works on economics and ecology. As we discussed the matter further, what became clear is that there is a growing literature on the' frontiers' of both disciplines that has involved economists 'borrowing' from ecology and ecologists 'borrowing' from economics. We decided that this volume should try to provide a small cross-section of that literature. I was very much interested in editing this volume for several reasons. First, one of my principal interests in economics has been how the economic analysis of natural resource and environmental problems can benefit from the concepts and lessons learned from other disciplines, in particular ecology. I was grateful at having the opportunity to pull together a selection of readings that illustrate how the integration of the two disciplines can lead to fruitful analysis. Second, I was also aware that, as Director of the London Environmental Economics Centre and as a Senior Researcher at the International Institute of Environment and Development, I was fortunate to have worked with or to have known a number of economists and ecologists whose work would be ideal for this volume. I was delighted that so many of my friends and colleagues were as enthusiastic about this project as I, and agreed to participate.

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There is a growing literature on the interface between the two disciplines of ecology and economics. Most of the international leaders in this are contributors to this book. It includes a number of topics on environmental resource utilization which concern scientists, ecologists, policy decision makers, economists, etc.

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There is a growing literature on the interface between the two disciplines of ecology and economics. Most of the international leaders in this are contributors to this book. It includes a number of topics on environmental resource utilization which concern scientists, ecologists, policy decision makers, economists, etc.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-xiv
Introduction: economics and ecology — the next frontier....Pages 1-10
Environmentally sustainable development: optimal economic conditions....Pages 11-28
Ecological economic systems analysis: order and chaos....Pages 29-45
Sustainable agriculture: the trade-offs with productivity, stability and equitability....Pages 46-65
Stress, shock and the sustainability of optimal resource utilization in a stochastic environment....Pages 66-95
Economic and ecological carrying capacity: applications to pastoral systems in Zimbabwe....Pages 96-117
Tropical forests and biodiversity conservation: a new ecological imperative....Pages 118-129
Optimal economic growth and the conservation of biological diversity....Pages 130-145
The viewing value of elephants....Pages 146-155
Ecology and economics in small islands: constructing a framework for sustainable development....Pages 156-176
Sustainable economic development: economic and ethical principles....Pages 177-194
Postscript....Pages 195-198
Back Matter....Pages 199-205

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There is a growing literature on the interface between the two disciplines of ecology and economics. Most of the international leaders in this are contributors to this book. It includes a number of topics on environmental resource utilization which concern scientists, ecologists, policy decision makers, economists, etc.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-xiv
Introduction: economics and ecology — the next frontier....Pages 1-10
Environmentally sustainable development: optimal economic conditions....Pages 11-28
Ecological economic systems analysis: order and chaos....Pages 29-45
Sustainable agriculture: the trade-offs with productivity, stability and equitability....Pages 46-65
Stress, shock and the sustainability of optimal resource utilization in a stochastic environment....Pages 66-95
Economic and ecological carrying capacity: applications to pastoral systems in Zimbabwe....Pages 96-117
Tropical forests and biodiversity conservation: a new ecological imperative....Pages 118-129
Optimal economic growth and the conservation of biological diversity....Pages 130-145
The viewing value of elephants....Pages 146-155
Ecology and economics in small islands: constructing a framework for sustainable development....Pages 156-176
Sustainable economic development: economic and ethical principles....Pages 177-194
Postscript....Pages 195-198
Back Matter....Pages 199-205
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