Includes bibliographical references (p. [215]-230).

Defining ecology -- Changes -- Why another ecology book? -- Who are ecologists -- 1: The big picture : water and energy, life's necessities. The origin of life and of atmospheric oxygen -- Big systems: Lakes -- Lakes through the seasons -- Oceans -- Dry land -- How independent are ecological systems? -- 2: How do species survive? Populations -- Individuals and populations -- Species diversity -- Species extinction -- Are all invasive species villains? -- 3: Two major current problems : global warming and endangered species. What can be done about global warming? -- Protecting endangered species -- 4: Applying ecology : experts, pseudoexperts, and how to tell them apart. The importance of being natural and vegetarian -- Medicine and ecology as "health" sciences.

Publisher's description: The earth is continuously changing and evolving yet it is unclear how environmental changes will affect us in years to come. What changes are inevitable? What changes, if any, are beneficial? And what can we do as citizens of this planet to protect it and our future generations? Larry Slobodkin, one of the leading pioneers of modern ecology, offers compelling answers to these questions in A Citizen's Guide to Ecology. He provides many insights into ecology and the processes that keep the world functioning. This important guide introduces observations that underlie arguments about all aspects of the natural environment--including both global and local issues. To clarify difficult concepts, Slobodkin uses lake, ocean, and terrestrial ecosystems to explain ecological energy flows and relationships on a global scale. The book presents a clear and current understanding of the ecological world, and how individual citizens can participate in practical decisions on ecological issues. It tackles such issues as global warming, ecology and health, organic farming, species extinction and adaptation, and endangered species. An excellent introduction and overview, A Citizen's Guide to Ecology helps us to understand what steps we as humans can take to keep our planet habitable for generations to come.