Includes bibliographical references and index.

The environment and the nature of scientific enquiry -- Biosphere and the science of ecology -- Atmosphere, climate, and organisms -- The soil environment -- The aquatic environment -- Biogeochemical cycling of materials -- Energy flows and ecosystem productivity -- Population ecology -- Community ecology and succession -- Biomes : the major ecosystems of the world -- Human population growth -- Land use : agriculture -- Land use : forest resources -- Land use : mining for mineral and coal resources -- Land use : urbanization and transportation -- Water resources : quantity and quality -- Fuel energy -- Air quality and stratospheric ozone -- The greenhouse effect and climate change -- Biological diversity loss and the march of invasive species -- Environmental policy and law -- Economic systems, growth, and development -- Environmental management -- Restoration of disturbed ecosystems -- Conservation of biological diversity and natural resources -- Sustainable development.