Seeking Sustainability in an Age of Complexity
Published on 11. May 2012
374 pages
978-1-139-24448-0 (ISBN)
Description
Seeking Sustainability in an Age of Complexity explains the difficulties of sustainability and why 'collapse' can occur. In the last twenty years the theory of complexity has been developed - complex systems science (CSS) speaks to natural systems and particularly to ecological, social and economic systems and their interaction. Due to the growing concern over the huge changes occurring in the global environment, such as climate change, deforestation, habitat fragmentation and loss of biodiversity, Graham Harris sets out what has been learned in an attempt to understand the implications of these changes and suggests ways to move forward. This book discusses a number of emerging tools for the management of 'unruly' complexity which facilitate stronger regional dialogues about knowledge and values, which will be of interest to ecologists, sociologists, economists, natural resource managers and scientists in State and local governments and those involved in water and landscape management.
Reviews / Votes
'An interesting and challenging book for those who see Earth System Science as a way forward.' Bulletin of the British Ecological Society '... a valuable resource for anyone interested in the relevance of complexity theory to applied ecology and the management of natural systems. ... Anyone who believes that landscape ecology offers tools and insights essential to effective management of natural resources and seriously wants to see landscape ecology integrated into management practices will find it an important and rewarding resource.' Landscape Ecology 'We have to be ready with the right ideas and proposals when the time comes and Harris provides a useful and timely synthesis of many of those ideas.' Trends in Ecology and EvolutionMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Cambridge University Press
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
Worked examples or Exercises; 1 Tables, unspecified; 1 Plates, unspecified
File size
3463,17 MB
ISBN-13
978-1-139-24448-0 (9781139244480)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Graham Harris
Seeking Sustainability in an Age of Complexity
Book
06/2007
Cambridge University Press
€83.70
Shipment within 15-20 days
Graham Harris
Seeking Sustainability in an Age of Complexity
Book
06/2007
Cambridge University Press
€108.94
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Person
GRAHAM HARRIS is Director of ESE Systems Pty Ltd. in Tasmania and Adjunct Professor at the Centre for Environment at the University of Tasmania.
Content
Preface; Dedication; Acknowledgements; 1. Preamble: the world we are in; 2. Complex systems; 3. New science, new tools, new challenges; 4. The complexity of ecology; 5. The generation of complexity; 6. Micro interactions and macro constraints; 7. A changing sense of place; 8. Complexity in created landscapes; 9. Catchment form and function; 10. Catchment loads - ecosystem impacts; 11. Change detection, monitoring and prediction; 12. Evidence, uncertainty and risk; 13. Modified landscapes: biodiversity; 14. Function in modified landscapes; 15. Environmental flows; 16. Evidence for global change; 17. Values and beliefs; 18. Managing environmental, social and economic systems; 19. Linking multiple capitals; 20. Community, capacity, leadership and collaboration; 21. A new environmental paradigm; 22. Emergent problems and emerging solutions; 23. Avoiding collapse.
