Human Impacts on Ecosystem Dynamics (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9780226760346)

Serengeti National Park is one of the world's most diverse ecosystems, a natural laboratory for ecology, evolution, and conservation, with a history that dates back at least four million years to the beginnings of human evolution. The third book of a ground- breaking series, Serengeti III is the result of a long-term integrated research project that documents changes to this unique ecosystem every ten years. Bringing together researchers from a wide range of disciplines--ecologists, paleontologists, economists, social scientists, mathematicians, and disease specialists-- this volume focuses on the interactions between the natural system and the human-dominated agricultural system. By examining how changes in rainfall, wildebeest numbers, commodity prices, and human populations have impacted the Serengeti ecosystem, the authors conclude that changes in the natural system have affected human welfare just as changes in the human system have impacted the natural world. To promote both the conservation of biota and the sustainability of human welfare, the authors recommend community-based conservation and protected-area conservation. Serengeti III presents a timely and provocative look at the conservation status of one of earth's most renowned ecosystems.

Author: A. R. E. Sinclair
ISBN-10: 0226760340
ISBN-13: 9780226760346
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
Language: English
Published: 08/01/2008
Pages: 512
Format: Paperback
Weight: 1.60lbs
Size: 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.90d

Review Citation(s):
Choice 03/01/2009