Eco-history: An Introduction to Biodiversity and Conservation

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Eco-history: An Introduction to Biodiversity and Conservation
Description: Rotherham is convinced that to conserve wildlife or ecology, and to heal the wounds of human impacts, we must understand our own history and how, over countless centuries, we have forged today's ecologies from our impacts on, and utilisation of, nature. He argues that the interlinked concepts of biodiversity, nature conservation and of sustainability are too often mixed with notions of'wilderness'and'nature'and'naturalness'. Much of the biodiversity that we hope to conserve is the result of long-term interactions between people and nature. It is a'cultural ecology', the product of the environment, history and tradition. Recognising that the landscapes around us are'eco-cultural'not'natural'is, Rotherham suggests, the key to understanding contemporary biodiversity and major challenges for ideas of future conservation and sustainability. The book introduces the background to humanity's interactions with Nature and the forces at work in shaping today's world. Key issues are addressed in short, focused chapters, supported by a detailed thousand-year timeline based on the British Isles. It is essential reading for anyone wishing to understand the nature of the global environmental crisis and how we got here. In particular, it will be a stimulating guide to students and teachers or lecturers from sixth form and college to university. It will also appeal to the ordinary wildlife enthusiast wishing understand the past, and to gain insight into what might be in store for the future.
Authors: Ian D. Rotherham
Resource Type: eBook.
Subjects: Wildlife conservation--Great Britain
Categories: NATURE / Environmental Conservation & Protection, NATURE / Animals / Wildlife, SCIENCE / Life Sciences / Biological Diversity
Database: eBook Collection (EBSCOhost)
Description
Abstract:Rotherham is convinced that to conserve wildlife or ecology, and to heal the wounds of human impacts, we must understand our own history and how, over countless centuries, we have forged today's ecologies from our impacts on, and utilisation of, nature. He argues that the interlinked concepts of biodiversity, nature conservation and of sustainability are too often mixed with notions of'wilderness'and'nature'and'naturalness'. Much of the biodiversity that we hope to conserve is the result of long-term interactions between people and nature. It is a'cultural ecology', the product of the environment, history and tradition. Recognising that the landscapes around us are'eco-cultural'not'natural'is, Rotherham suggests, the key to understanding contemporary biodiversity and major challenges for ideas of future conservation and sustainability. The book introduces the background to humanity's interactions with Nature and the forces at work in shaping today's world. Key issues are addressed in short, focused chapters, supported by a detailed thousand-year timeline based on the British Isles. It is essential reading for anyone wishing to understand the nature of the global environmental crisis and how we got here. In particular, it will be a stimulating guide to students and teachers or lecturers from sixth form and college to university. It will also appeal to the ordinary wildlife enthusiast wishing understand the past, and to gain insight into what might be in store for the future.
ISBN:9781874267812
9781874267829