Environmental science

Written as a college text, this work examines how people and the natural world affect one another, grounding its discussion in core ecological ideas. It also weighs the economic, political, and legal forces that shape how societies use their environment. Real cases from many countries illustrate the material throughout.

This third edition expands its treatment of freshwater and stream ecosystems and adds new sections on soil and land resources. It gives unusual attention to how environmental conditions influence human health.

The book was produced for the environmental science courses that spread across campuses after the first Earth Day. Earlier editions and an international edition preceded this one. Under the title "Living Within the System of Nature," it was adopted by hundreds of colleges, universities, and schools worldwide. It has been out of print for many years.