Ebook: Ecosystem Function & Human Activities: Reconciling Economics and Ecology
- Tags: Ecology, Ecotoxicology
- Year: 1997
- Publisher: Springer US
- Edition: 1
- Language: English
- pdf
R. David Simpson Norman L. Christensen, Jr. Human Activity and Ecosystem Function: Reconciling Economics and Ecology Recognizing the need to improve social decision making on tradeoffs between economic growth and ecological health, the Renewable Natural Resources Foundation convened a workshop in October 1995 on "Human Activity and Ecosystem Function: Reconciling Economics and Ecology. " While the subtitle perhaps reflected unrealistic expectations, the presentations and discus sions at the workshop were a preliminary step toward that rec onciliation: bringing together ecologists, economists, other nat ural and social scientists, and policy makers to layout the issues, articulate their needs and perspectives, and identify common ground for further work. This volume contains the pa pers presented and reports generated from the workshop. We emphasize ecology and economics in this discussion. We could argue that organizing our inquiry around these diSCiplines is only natural. Ecology is the study of behavior of organisms within complex systems composed of a myriad of other organ isms and their physical environments. Increasingly, this disci pline has focused on how interactions among biological and physical components influence the overall functioning of ecosys tems. These components are increasingly being determined by viii Ecosystem Function and Human Activities human activities. Economics is the study of how we decide which of our needs and wants we choose to satisfy given our limited re sources.
This innovative book examines a problem of growing concern and importance: obtaining accurate estimates of the ecological costs of human activities. The book covers a wide range of subjects, from the management and function of ecosystems to ecological issues affecting public policy. It focuses on the trade-offs inherent in environmental and conservation policy. Ecosystems provide resources that can be extracted and are valued in the market place, but the delivery of those resources depends on the functioning of natural processes whose maintenance may involve substantial costs.
This innovative book examines a problem of growing concern and importance: obtaining accurate estimates of the ecological costs of human activities. The book covers a wide range of subjects, from the management and function of ecosystems to ecological issues affecting public policy. It focuses on the trade-offs inherent in environmental and conservation policy. Ecosystems provide resources that can be extracted and are valued in the market place, but the delivery of those resources depends on the functioning of natural processes whose maintenance may involve substantial costs.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-xxxi
Ecosystem Function and Ecosystem Management....Pages 1-23
Ecosystem Valuation: An Overview of Issues and Uncertainties....Pages 25-44
Ecological Risk Assessment and Ecosystem Valuation....Pages 45-70
Estuarine Ecosystem Issues on the Chesapeake Bay....Pages 71-93
Riparian and Terrestrial Issues in the Chesapeake: A Landscape Management Perspective....Pages 95-124
History and Impact of Human Activities on Chesapeake Bay....Pages 125-145
Human Behavior and Ecosystem Valuation: An Application to the Patuxent Watershed of The Chesapeake Bay....Pages 147-173
“Green” Accounting for the Chesapeake Bay....Pages 175-197
Institutional Design for the Management of Estuarine Ecosystems: The Chesapeake Bay....Pages 199-223
Ecosystem Functions and Ecosystem Values....Pages 225-239
On Valuing the Services and Functions of Ecosystems....Pages 241-254
Ecology and Public Policy....Pages 255-271
Epilogue....Pages 273-278
Back Matter....Pages 279-297
This innovative book examines a problem of growing concern and importance: obtaining accurate estimates of the ecological costs of human activities. The book covers a wide range of subjects, from the management and function of ecosystems to ecological issues affecting public policy. It focuses on the trade-offs inherent in environmental and conservation policy. Ecosystems provide resources that can be extracted and are valued in the market place, but the delivery of those resources depends on the functioning of natural processes whose maintenance may involve substantial costs.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-xxxi
Ecosystem Function and Ecosystem Management....Pages 1-23
Ecosystem Valuation: An Overview of Issues and Uncertainties....Pages 25-44
Ecological Risk Assessment and Ecosystem Valuation....Pages 45-70
Estuarine Ecosystem Issues on the Chesapeake Bay....Pages 71-93
Riparian and Terrestrial Issues in the Chesapeake: A Landscape Management Perspective....Pages 95-124
History and Impact of Human Activities on Chesapeake Bay....Pages 125-145
Human Behavior and Ecosystem Valuation: An Application to the Patuxent Watershed of The Chesapeake Bay....Pages 147-173
“Green” Accounting for the Chesapeake Bay....Pages 175-197
Institutional Design for the Management of Estuarine Ecosystems: The Chesapeake Bay....Pages 199-223
Ecosystem Functions and Ecosystem Values....Pages 225-239
On Valuing the Services and Functions of Ecosystems....Pages 241-254
Ecology and Public Policy....Pages 255-271
Epilogue....Pages 273-278
Back Matter....Pages 279-297
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