Principles of Environmental Science: Connecting Human Impact to Ecological Systems

This introductory environmental science textbook examines how the needs of daily life affect the ecological interactions of the natural world. It aims to help students understand their own personal ties to the environment, preparing them to foster the development of more sustainable approaches to minimizing human impact on the natural world. Text chapters explore human impact in relation to Earth’s ecological systems and how to reduce those impacts. Chapters focus on the following topics: environmental issues in the context of earth processes, the atmosphere, biomes, the carbon cycle, the nitrogen cycle, the water cycle, the transfer of energy, ecological communities, and sustainable solutions in energy, agriculture, waste management, and urban development. Additional chapters introduce the field of environmental science, explain the role of evolution and extinction in shaping life on Earth today, examine how human population growth puts pressure on the environment, and support scientific literacy and basic chemistry understanding. Designed for college students seeking an introduction to environmental science, the text is suitable for both environmental science majors and non-majors who want a more rigorous introduction to the field. Key Features: Data-driven approach that integrates graphs, charts, maps, and data tables throughout the text Specific real-world examples that connect readers to the complexity of environmental issues and stories High-quality figures and illustrations that build understanding of key concepts and themes Bulleted summaries and glossaries of key terms in every chapter End of chapter multiple choice and open-ended questions designed to test understanding and encourage deeper thinking Web presence for students and instructors that includes lecture slides and notes