Inventing Global Ecology

Contents: Preface. 1. Introduction to ecology. 2. Local and regional species richness and spatial turnover. 3. Patterns of within species body size variation of birds. 4. Global synthesis of leaf area index observations. 5. Ecological sounding. 6. Mainstreaming the environment: global ecology. 7. Forest conflicts. 8. Water conflicts. 9. The social and ecological consequences of conflict. Bibliography. Index.

"This book analyses environmental conflicts in contemporary human society. In general it relates to societies all over the world, but in particular it addresses the most intense and emerging social contradictions in India related to conflicts over natural resources. Science and technology are central to these conflicts because while scientific knowledge has been used by contemporary societies to considerably enlarge man\'s access to natural resources, it has also allowed the utilization of natural resources at extremely high rates. The contemporary period is characterized by the emergence of ecology movements in all parts of the world which are attempting to redesign the pattern and extent of natural resources utilization to ensure social equality and ecological sustainability. Ecology movements emerging from conflicts over natural resources and the people\'s right to survival are spreading in regions like the Indian subcontinent where most natural resources are already being utilized to fulfill the basic survival needs of a large majority of people.

The present book tries to explore all these topics and problems in an easy and comprehensive manner, author is confident enough that readers will enjoy and grasp the matter of the text." (jacket)