The State of the Nation’s Ecosystems: Measuring the Lands, Waters, and Living Resources of the United States

摘要: Review: The State of the Nation's Ecosystems: Measuring Lands, Waters, and Living Resources United States By H. John Heinz III Center for Science, Economics, Environment Reviewed by Dan Tufford University South Carolina, Columbia, USA Environment. States. New York, NY: Cambridge Press, 2002. 270 pp. ISBN 0-521-52572-1 (paperback). US$25.00 In modern Western culture, ecosystem awareness has evolved from a somewhat obscure scientific concept few decades ago, to its current state in vernacular large proportion population. Today it is increasingly hard find someone who does not have an idea what is, however fragmentary or inaccurate understanding may be. Yet even with increased impossible any certainty credibility overall status our most critical ecosystems. Some reason this can be attributed origins ecology reductionist sciences. Ecosystem indicators are integrative measures. This way looking at data seems unnatural erroneous many investigators. National Academy Sciences others asserted need various scales several years ago. Federal agencies, especially Environmental Protection Agency, been actively funding work develop that will useful policy development. federal agencies encourage use existing data, but also facilitate collecting new as needed would otherwise unavailable. 1995 began alternative approach. They organized group people expertise particular ecosystems, developed list each ecosystem, then assembled available quantify indicators. result volume clear stated purpose never strays. report aspires "an authoritative, comprehensive, succinct overview" natural economy It was prepared multi-year collaboration among dozens experts fields, were into broad-scale groups. composition membership methodologies used collection analysis, organizers sought objectivity final report. expected first continuing series, repeating interval approximately five years. Thus process now place provide regular credible reports decision makers public large. objective set state. Indicators national level, ecosystems grouped coasts oceans, farmlands, forests, fresh waters, grasslands shrublands, urban suburban lands. Within broad category system dimensions, chemical physical conditions, biological components, human uses. …