Ecosystems and Human Well-Being. Volume 1

Rashid M. Hassan, Robert Scholes, Neville Ash - Ecosystems and Human
Well-Being. Volume 1: Current State and Trends: Findings of the
Condition and Trends Working Group

Publisher: Islаnd Prеss | 2005-12-14 | ISBN: 1559632283, 1559632275 | PDF | 948 pages | 41.67 MB

Humans have changed ecosystems more rapidly and extensively in the last
50 years than in any comparable period of human history. We have done
this to meet the growing demands for food, fresh water, timber, fiber,
and fuel. While changes to ecosystems have enhanced the well-being of
billions of people, they have also caused a substantial and largely
irreversible loss in diversity of life on Earth, and have strained the
capacity of ecosystems to continue providing critical services.

Among the findings:
Approximately 60% of the services that support life on Earth are being
degraded or used unsustainably. The harmful consequences of this
degradation could grow significantly worse in the next 50 years.
Only four ecosystem services have been enhanced in the last 50 years:
crops, livestock, aquaculture, and the sequestration of carbon.
The capacity of ecosystems to neutralize pollutants, protect us from
natural disasters, and control the outbreaks of pests and diseases is
declining significantly.
Terrestrial and freshwater systems are reaching the limits of their ability to absorb nitrogen.
Harvesting of fish and other resources from coastal and marine systems
is compromising their ability to deliver food in the future.
Richly illustrated with maps and graphs, Current State and Trends
presents an assessment of Earth's ability to provide twenty-four
distinct services essential to human well-being. These include food,
fiber, and other materials; the regulation of the climate and fresh
water systems; underlying support systems such as nutrient cycling; and
the fulfillment of cultural, spiritual, and aesthetic values. The volume
pays particular attention to the current health of key ecosystems,
including inland waters, forests, oceans, croplands, and dryland
systems, among others. It will be an indispensable reference for
scientists, environmentalists, agency professionals, and students.

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