A Citizen's Guide to Ecology

by Lawrence B. Slobodkin

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.
"This beautifully written book brings together careful observation, personal reflection, and theoretical understanding to explain the major environmental problems that confront us. Dr. Slobodkin's superb and sweeping work invites us to contemplate a great many facts and a few large values to motivate a clear and compelling response to losses of biodiversity, the problem of invasive species, global warming, and other environmental concerns."--Mark Sagoff, School of Public Affairs, University of Maryland

Genres: Nonfiction, Ecology, Science

245 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2003

Reviews

[Tyler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good information in the book, but presented poorly in parts, and the writing style could use a little color, I thought.

Simply better organization would have improved the book by a star. Clear subject breaks and better transitions between both paragraphs and topics would produce an otherwise absent clarity.

Nevertheless, a worthwhile book, informative and hopefully an impetus to read more on ecology. Just a bit disappointed with the organization and style -- made it unpleasant to read at times.

[Jose Vazquez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good content, but either purposely or accidentally naive in admitting the crosshairs of race, class or government in ecology. There were many clear examples of Environmental Racism that was just glossed over as "not evil or bigoted".

[Syd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of course now there is outdated material but I find the writing charming and the comments enjoyable. I loved the first chapter, but that's no surprise considering I have a degree in biology for a reason.

[Chris Booth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great intro to ecology. Well written, the author keeps it interesting and relatable

[Ryan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This brief piece of work would've been rated higher had it not been so lackluster in its treatment of current problems such as climate change and endangered species, which was very random and highly disorganised, often rambling on in generalties. The author is more successful in introducing important key concepts in ecology in the front 2/3rds of the book, which was succinct, yet enlightening.

[Jlawrence · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clumsy writing and poor organization often obscure the fascinating facts covered, but it's still a decent overview of ecological concepts, with some bonus grousing about popular misuses and misinterpretations of said concepts.

[Alastor Blake · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting reading. It offers a good introduction to ecology that is not too dense or difficult to understand. And Slobodkin pulls no punches--plus he has a sense of humor...as dry as the Sahara, though.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

NF-Science
212 pages

The world around us and how it interacts is Ecology. How very simple that sounds but ecology is anything but simple. One factor effects the other and the next again and again. Very thought provoking.

[April · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring. I fell asleep at least 3 times. Chapter 2 was the only one of any sort of interest to me and I don't even remember what it was about.

[Joy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wanted to give no stars...I'm guessing 75% of the citizens wouldn't understand a word of what was written.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elegant, dryly funny, dense with information.