Understanding the growing complexities in environmental management and risk assessment involves four distinct disciplines: landscape ecology, environmental risk assessment, valuation of ecological goods and services, and environmental management decision processes.
An important guide to assessing and managing the environment from a landscape perspective
Ecological relationships are nested within the landscape. Identifying the relevant spatial and temporal scales is critical for an effective understanding of ecological functions that human societies depend upon. Moreover, human encroachment into natural areas, or changes in climate, can alter spatial relationships, which in turn can negatively affect vital plant and wildlife patterns--and weaken economic structures needed to sustain human societies. This book is the first to combine multiple disciplines into one cohesive strategy to study these crucial connections, and looks toward building a social paradigm that embraces the dynamics of ecological systems. This book:
* Integrates landscape ecology, environmental risk assessment, valuation of ecological goods and services, and environmental management decision processes into one single source
* Includes chapters on quantitative measures, Bayesian modeling,¿economic analysis, and sustainable landscapes
* Covers marine, forest, agricultural, and pharmaceutical risk assessment
* Has a chapter on predicting climate change risk to ecosystems
* Has a companion ftp site with color graphics, animations, and risk assessment tools
With material that is accessible across all knowledge levels, Environmental Risk Assessment and Management from a Landscape Perspective moves beyond looking solely at chemical contaminants to diagnose environmental threats, and aims to accomplish practical risk assessment in a manner that supports long-term sustainable management.
