The New Ecology: Rethinking a Science for the Anthropocene
How the science of ecology is changing to meet the daunting challenges of environmental sustainability

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.

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The New Ecology: Rethinking a Science for the Anthropocene
How the science of ecology is changing to meet the daunting challenges of environmental sustainability

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.

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The New Ecology: Rethinking a Science for the Anthropocene

The New Ecology: Rethinking a Science for the Anthropocene

by Oswald J. Schmitz
The New Ecology: Rethinking a Science for the Anthropocene

The New Ecology: Rethinking a Science for the Anthropocene

by Oswald J. Schmitz

Hardcover(New Edition)

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Overview

How the science of ecology is changing to meet the daunting challenges of environmental sustainability

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.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780691160566
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Publication date: 11/08/2016
Edition description: New Edition
Pages: 256
Product dimensions: 5.80(w) x 8.60(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

Oswald J. Schmitz is the Oastler Professor of Population and Community Ecology in the School of Forestry and Environmental Studies at Yale University. His books include Resolving Ecosystem Complexity (Princeton).

Table of Contents

Preface vii

1 The Challenge of Sustainability 1

2 Valuing Species and Ecosystems 19

3 Biological Diversity and Ecosystem Functions 40

4 Domesticated Nature 69

5 Socio-ecological Systems Thinking 106

6 Hubris to Humility 136

7 Ecologies by Humans for Humans 162

8 The Ecologist and the New Ecology 193

Bibliography 205

Index 225

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

Slim, highly readable, and well-written. . . . [In The New Ecology] Schmitz has done a remarkable job weaving together threads drawn from classical ecology, economics, and environmental studies and science into a wide-ranging yet coherent whole that should serve as a blueprint for 21st century research and praxis in ecology.
—Aaron M. Ellison, Ecology



Featuring novel ideas communicated clearly, [The New Ecology] is likely to have broad appeal. . . . [N]on-ecologists will comprehend the book easily, and ecologists will be interested in the fresh concepts.
—Anna Call, ForewordReviews.com



The New Ecology underlines the essential role that humans can play in shaping what the Earth will look like in the coming century. . . This book is an excellent introduction to the new ecology. It helps us understand that we humans—and all of nature—are intertwined and that we have to work with nature for a sustainable world. And it offers hope that change is possible.
—Lisa Kaaki, Arab News



Engaging, informative, easy to read, and filled with good examples that explained the interdependence between natural systems and human systems.
—Lisa Pike, NSTA Recommends

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