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Contents

  1. Bill Freedman: an appreciation

  2. Preface

    1. Environmental Literacy
    2. A Canadian Textbook
    3. Approach and Organization of the Book
    4. Part I
    5. Part II
    6. Part III
    7. Part IV
    8. Part V
    9. Part VI
    10. New to This Edition
    11. Features
    12. Acknowledgements

  3. Acknowledgements

  4. Part I: Ecosystems and Humans

    1. Chapter 1 ~ Ecosystems and Humans

      1. Key Concepts
      2. Environmental Science and Its Context
      3. Earth, Life, and Ecosystems
      4. Species and Ecosystems
      5. Stressors and Responses
      6. Human Activities are Environmental Stressors
      7. Ethics and World Views
      8. The Environmental Crisis
      9. Environmental Impacts of Humans
      10. Ecologically Sustainable Development
      11. Conclusions
      12. References Cited and Further Reading
  5. Part II: The Biosphere: Characteristics and Dynamics

    1. Chapter 2 ~ Science as a Way of Understanding the Natural World

      1. Key Concepts
      2. The Nature of Science
      3. Inductive and Deductive Logic
      4. Goals of Science
      5. Facts, Hypotheses, and Experiments
      6. Uncertainty
      7. Conclusions
      8. References Cited and Further Reading

    2. Chapter 3 ~ The Physical World

      1. Key Concepts
      2. Introduction
      3. Planet Earth
      4. Geological Dynamics
      5. The Hydrosphere
      6. The Atmosphere
      7. Climate and Weather
      8. Conclusions
      9. Questions for Review
      10. Questions for Discussion
      11. Exploring Issues
      12. References Cited and Further Reading

    3. Chapter 4 ~ Energy and Ecosystems

      1. Key Concepts
      2. Introduction
      3. The Nature of Energy
      4. Units of Energy
      5. Energy Transformations
      6. Earth: An Energy Flow-Through System
      7. Earth’s Energy Budget
      8. Energy in Ecosystems
      9. Conclusions
      10. Questions for Review
      11. Questions for Discussion
      12. Exploring Issues
      13. References Cited and Further Reading

    4. Chapter 5 ~ Flows and Cycles of Nutrients

      1. Key Concepts
      2. Nutrients
      3. Nutrient Flows and Cycles
      4. The Soil Ecosystem
      5. The Carbon Cycle
      6. The Nitrogen Cycle
      7. The Phosphorus Cycle
      8. The Sulphur Cycle
      9. Conclusions
      10. Questions for Review
      11. Questions for Discussion
      12. Exploring Issues
      13. References Cited and Further Reading

    5. Chapter 6 ~ Evolution

      1. In the Beginning …
      2. “Progression” of Life
      3. Evolution
      4. Relatedness and Descent
      5. Religion and Evolution
      6. Evolution by Natural Selection
      7. The Importance of Genetics
      8. Additional Mechanisms of Evolution
      9. Conclusions
      10. Questions for Review
      11. Questions for Discussion
      12. Exploring Issues
      13. References Cited and Further Reading

    6. Chapter 7 ~ Biodiversity

      1. Biodiversity
      2. The Value of Biodiversity
      3. Classification of Organisms
      4. The Organization of Life
      5. Conclusions
      6. Questions for Review
      7. Questions for Discussion
      8. Exploring Issues
      9. References Cited and Further Reading

    7. Chapter 8 ~ Biomes and Ecozones

      1. Biomes: Global Ecosystems
      2. The Major Biomes
      3. Ecoregions and Ecozones
      4. Conclusions
      5. Questions for Review
      6. Questions for Discussion
      7. Exploring Issues
      8. References Cited and Further Reading

    8. Chapter 9 ~ Ecology: From Individuals to the Biosphere

      1. Introduction
      2. Individuals and Species
      3. Community Ecology
      4. Landscape Ecology
      5. The Biosphere
      6. Evolutionary Ecology
      7. Applied Ecology
      8. Conclusions
      9. Questions for Review
      10. Questions for Discussion
      11. Exploring Issues
      12. References Cited and Further Reading
  6. Part III: The Human Population

    1. Chapter 10 ~ Global Populations

      1. Introduction
      2. Cultural Evolution and Carrying Capacity
      3. Regional Variations
      4. Birth and Death Rates
      5. The Demographic Transition
      6. Future Populations
      7. Age-Class Structure
      8. Distribution of Populations
      9. Birth Control
      10. Population Policies
      11. Potential Causes of a Population Crash
      12. Conclusions
      13. Questions for Review
      14. Questions for Discussion
      15. Exploring Issues
      16. References Cited and Further Reading

    2. Chapter 11 ~ The Canadian Population

      1. Introduction
      2. Aboriginal Populations
      3. European Contact
      4. Early European Immigration
      5. Population Growth
      6. Future Growth
      7. Population Structure
      8. Regional Differences
      9. Rural and Urban Populations
      10. Population Policy
      11. Conclusions
      12. Questions for Review
      13. Questions for Discussion
      14. Exploring Issues
      15. References Cited and Further Reading
  7. Part IV: Natural Resources

    1. Chapter 12 ~ Resources and Sustainable Development

      1. Introduction
      2. Natural Resources
      3. Management of Renewables
      4. Non-Sustainable Use
      5. Growth, Development, and Sustainability
      6. Conclusions
      7. Questions for Review
      8. Questions for Discussion
      9. Exploring Issues
      10. References Cited and Further Reading

    2. Chapter 13 ~ Non-Renewable Resources

      1. Introduction
      2. Metals
      3. Fossil Fuels
      4. Other Minerals
      5. Energy Use
      6. Energy Production
      7. Conclusions
      8. Questions for Review
      9. Questions for Discussion
      10. Exploring Issues
      11. References Cited and Further Reading

    3. Chapter 14 ~ Renewable Resources

      1. Introduction
      2. Fresh Water
      3. Agricultural Resources
      4. Forest Resources
      5. Fish Resources
      6. Other Hunted Animals
      7. Conclusions
      8. Questions for Review
      9. Questions for Discussion
      10. Exploring Issues
      11. References Cited and Further Reading
  8. Part V: Environmental Damages

    1. Chapter 15 ~ Environmental Stressors

      1. Environmental Stressors
      2. Contamination and Pollution
      3. Disturbance
      4. Ecotoxicology
      5. Environmental Risks
      6. Conclusions
      7. Questions for Review
      8. Questions for Discussion
      9. Exploring Issues
      10. References Cited and Further Reading

    2. Chapter 16 ~ Gaseous Air Pollution

      1. Introduction
      2. Sulphur Gases
      3. Nitrogen Gases
      4. Organic Gases and Vapours
      5. Ozone
      6. Air Pollution and Health
      7. Case Studies of Ecological Damage
      8. Conclusions
      9. Questions for Review
      10. Questions for Discussion
      11. Exploring Issues
      12. References Cited and Further Reading

    3. Chapter 17 ~ Atmospheric Gases and Climate Change

      1. Introduction
      2. The Greenhouse Effect
      3. Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide
      4. Reducing Carbon Dioxide
      5. Conclusions
      6. Questions for Review
      7. Questions for Discussion
      8. Exploring Issues
      9. References Cited and Further Reading

    4. Chapter 18 ~Toxic Elements

      1. Introduction
      2. Concentration and Availability
      3. Toxicity
      4. Natural Pollution
      5. Anthropogenic Sources
      6. Conclusions
      7. Questions for Review
      8. Questions for Discussion
      9. Exploring Issues
      10. References Cited and Further Reading

    5. Chapter 19 ~ Acidification

      1. Introduction
      2. Chemistry of Precipitation
      3. Soil Acidity
      4. Factors Affecting Soil Acidity
      5. Terrestrial Vegetation
      6. Surface Waters
      7. Reclamation
      8. Reducing Emissions
      9. Conclusions
      10. Questions for Review
      11. Questions for Discussion
      12. Exploring Issues
      13. References Cited and Further Reading

    6. Chapter 20 ~ Additional Problems of Surface Waters

      1. Introduction
      2. Eutrophication
      3. Dams and Impoundments
      4. Conclusions
      5. Questions for Review
      6. Questions for Discussion
      7. Exploring Issues
      8. References Cited and Further Reading

    7. Chapter 21 ~ Oil Spills

      1. Introduction
      2. Petroleum and Its Products
      3. Oil Spills
      4. Toxicity
      5. Effects on Birds
      6. Ecological Effects
      7. Conclusions
      8. Questions for Review
      9. Questions for Discussion
      10. Exploring Issues
      11. References Cited and Further Reading

    8. Chapter 22 ~ Pesticides

      1. Introduction
      2. The Nature of Pesticides
      3. Pesticide Use
      4. Environmental Effects
      5. Pest Problems in Forestry
      6. Integrated Pest Management
      7. Conclusions
      8. Questions for Review
      9. Questions for Discussion
      10. Exploring Issues
      11. References Cited and Further Reading

    9. Chapter 23 ~ Environmental Effects of Forestry

      1. Introduction
      2. Forest Harvesting and Site Capability
      3. Integrated Forest Management
      4. Conclusions
      5. Questions for Review
      6. Questions for Discussion
      7. Exploring Issues
      8. References Cited and Further Reading

    10. Chapter 24 ~ Agriculture and the Environment

      1. Introduction
      2. Crop Plants
      3. Production of Crops
      4. Management Systems
      5. Livestock
      6. Environmental Impacts of Agriculture
      7. Organic Agriculture
      8. Conclusions
      9. Questions for Review
      10. Questions for Discussion
      11. Exploring Issues
      12. References Cited and Further Reading

    11. Chapter 25 ~ Urban Ecology

      1. Introduction
      2. Urban Ecosystems
      3. The Organization of Cities
      4. Urban Pollution
      5. Urban Biodiversity
      6. Conclusions
      7. Questions for Review
      8. Questions for Discussion
      9. Exploring Issues
      10. References Cited and Further Reading

    12. Chapter 26 ~ War

      1. Causes of Extreme Conflict
      2. Causes of War and Other Hot Conflicts
      3. Social and Economic Impacts
      4. Environmental Damage
      5. Nuclear War
      6. Avoiding War
      7. Questions for Review
      8. Questions for Investigation
      9. Exploring Issues
      10. References Cites and Additional Reading

    13. Chapter 27 ~ The Biodiversity Crisis

      1. Introduction
      2. Natural Extinctions
      3. Extinctions Caused by Humans
      4. Species Declines
      5. Back from the Brink
      6. Canadian Biodiversity at Risk
      7. Questions for Review
      8. Questions for Discussion
      9. Exploring Issues
      10. References Cited and Further Reading
  9. Part VI: Ecologically Sustainable Development

    1. Chapter 28 ~ Ecologically Sustainable Development

      1. Introduction
      2. Environmental Impact Assessment
      3. Planning Options
      4. Examples of Impact Assessments
      5. Environmental Legislation
      6. Environmental Monitoring and Research
      7. Some Challenges and Successes
      8. Environmental Literacy and Reporting
      9. Sustainability
      10. Environment and Society
      11. International Organizations
      12. Canadian Organizations
      13. Environmental Citizenship
      14. Prospects for Spaceship Earth
      15. Questions for Review
      16. Questions for Discussion
      17. Exploring Issues
      18. References Cited and Further Reading

  10. Glossary