The New Ecology: Rethinking a Science for the Anthropocene

by Oswald J Schmitz

How the science of ecology is changing to meet the daunting challenges of environmental sustainability

Our species has transitioned from being one among millions on Earth to the species that is single-handedly transforming the entire planet to suit its own needs. In order to meet the daunting challenges of environmental sustainability in this epoch of human domination―known as the Anthropocene―ecologists have begun to think differently about the interdependencies between humans and the natural world. This concise and accessible book provides the best available introduction to what this new ecology is all about―and why it matters more than ever before.

Oswald Schmitz describes how the science of ecology is evolving to provide a better understanding of how human agency is shaping the natural world, often in never-before-seen ways. The new ecology emphasizes the importance of conserving species diversity, because it can offer a portfolio of options to keep our ecosystems resilient in the face of environmental change. It envisions humans taking on new roles as thoughtful stewards of the environment to ensure that ecosystems have the enduring capacity to supply the environmental services on which our economic well-being―and our very existence―depend. It offers the ecological know-how to maintain and enhance our planet's environmental performance and ecosystem production for the benefit of current and future generations.

Informative and engaging, The New Ecology shows how today’s ecology can provide the insights we need to appreciate the crucial role we play in this era of unprecedented global environmental transition.

Genres: Environment, Science

256 pages, Hardcover

Published November 8, 2016

Reviews

[Linda Georges · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very accessible for people without a science background. I have an arts degree, so no science here. The book is an assessment of the way the world is moving in terms of enormous environmental change, and presents options for ways to combat these detrimental changes. While I was distressed by the facts, I was happily surprised at how hopeful the book is at the end of the day. We do need new ways of protecting the planet. I really liked the notion that an integrated scholarly approach to "the human/nature divide" is necessary for our future.

I also liked the way that the author gave things visual meaning. For example, he notes that the global solid-waste mass each year is "equivalent to about 3,500 of the largest ocean-going container ships (each the size of four football fields)." These equivalences help to put things in perspective.

The book is about planning for the future and finding ways to sustain and cohabit with nature, not just throwing up our collective hands and giving up on such a monumental issue. I don't generally read books like this one, but I'm really glad I did. Perhaps the people currently in the White House would benefit from reading The New Ecology.

[Anshuman Swain · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 rounded down to 3.

A very unique and interesting book about how to understand ecology and ecological principles and results in light of anthropological activities. I really liked the overall themes and what the author aimed to say. It is extremely important that we take a more holistic understanding of ecology and that ecology should involve humans. However, I would have liked more critical examples and connections with non-ecological disciplines and perspectives. Good read though.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book draws together a number of currents in contemporary ecology, showing how they relate to the field's history and contemporary concerns from collapsing fisheries to climate change to urban sustainability. Covering all this ground, Schmitz keeps the reader oriented with core ideas, like trophic cascades and telecoupling, that apply across different contexts. He argues that ecologists not only help us understand how our world works but can make important contributions to pressing problems by informing mainstream policy ideas like putting prices on ecosystem services and more challenging approaches like circular economies.

I was excited to learn a lot of new things with this book. I did learn some, but by the end I felt comforted that the courses I took a decade ago and some continued reading on the job (as a social scientist who studies how people use and change landscapes) have apparently kept me up to date with The New Ecology. People who want a clear and conversational, but not dumbed-down, introduction to the field will find this book helpful and enjoyable.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book with the intent of learning more about how to help the environment. Chapter 7 (Ecologies by Humans for Humans) was the ideal chapter for me. I enjoyed getting an introduction to Industrial Ecology and Urban Ecology, and learning about some case studies with solutions for improving how humans interact with nature.

Overall, I struggled to stay engaged while reading most of this book. It reminded me of an episode of Planet Earth, flitting from one idea/geographic region/example to another. The constant anaolgies of various ecosystems (and how humans have doomed them) is repetitive, basically boiling down to the point: biodiversity = good.

I came away feeling depressed and overwhelmed by the complexity of the relationship between humans and the Earth. But I will focus on the hope inspired in Chapter 7. I am glad I read it and will share some of the ideas/concepts presented with people I know in the urban planning and environmental consulting industry.

[Ryan · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you can picture the stereotypical bespectacled white-haired professor rambling on in a lecture, this book would pretty much be a written version of that. Undoubtedly the author has extensive knowledge on ecology, both traditionally as it pertains to natural history but also importantly its implications for today's society in the Anthropocene. Unfortunately, there was barely an attempt at organizing his thoughts and topics into coherent chapters, with each of them seemingly a random agglomeration of subjects, which could be anything ranging from population and community ecology, evolutionary biology to industrial and urban ecology. This made it very hard for one to retain much of what was written as the book jumped from one thing to the next, all described in verbose prose without the aid of any visuals to break up the monotony of the text.

It would have been better served as a series of power point slides, because at least some points would jump out and stick with the reader.

[Quinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book offered a good look at how humans fit into the environment and how we can change our societal practices to be more beneficial for the environment and ourselves. This was more of a broader introduction to a lot of the concepts and it used a lot of analogies to business, so those outside the STEM fields may benefit more from reading it than those who are already well versed in anthropocene related topics. However, it still brings up a lot of important points such as the intersectionality of humans and nature as well as between fields of study. I also enjoyed the discussions on the resiliency of species and ecosystems. Overall this book left me feeling a bit less guilty about being a human and more excited for how we as a species can adapt to help each other and the earth as a whole.

[K H · Rating 4 out of 5]

A concise synthesis of some ideas in ecological thought. I found chapters 5-7 particularly satisfying since someone else was writing a synopsis of my research; I definitely have a few more articles to read now. The book seemed geared toward well-educated people who have not thought about ecology in a while or maybe for people who need quick conversation starters with ecologists: “Did you hear about the North Atlantic cod fishery collapse? I mean, talk about the importance of understanding socio-ecological systems….”

[Drew Villeneuve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall an interesting and concise overview of how the field of ecology can adjust to better describe the reality of coupled human-environmental systems. Concepts introduced are similar to those from Ecology courses, but with more of a focus towards integrating human impacts into how we understand ecological processes. Overall a good read for those who have already read the ecological classics and is familiar with basic ecological concepts.

[Sam Miller · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pop science at its worst. Superficial in its ecological and ethical engagement while presenting as innovative status quo approaches to resource management. The science itself is simplified beyond the point of utility and I found it extremely hard to wade through. Consistently fails to differentiate ecology from environmentalist movements or land managers in ways that make its conclusions fundamentally impossible to internalize or apply. Would strongly recommend against engaging with it.

[Trevor Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. Very accessible, but still nuanced. Nicely charts a future for viewing humanity as part of nature and a new ecology that can be a valuable tool in planning for the future of stewardship of the environment.

[Emje McCarty · Rating 5 out of 5]

a good book with some clear actions & hope for the future.

[Alex]

I was looking for something a bit more technical, a great primer/intro for those who want to dip their toes in ecology

[Paul Lemaistre · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fine review for people interested but not working in the field. Otherwise if you are working in environmental science or sustainable business, many of the concepts are repetitive and covered better in other texts. The writing is overly academic for a general audience. Seems best suited for a Freshman year ecology course.