Summary
Contents
Subject index
This unique addition to reference literature provides an introduction to the major concepts and contemporary issues that are essential for students of environmental science and environmental studies to know. With over 200 entries authored by world-class names like Anthony Brazel, John Day and Edward Keller, this text is divided into six sections: Environmental Science, Environments, Paradigms & Concepts, Processes & Dynamics, Scales & Techniques, and Environmental Issues.
Nature
Nature
Nature’ is a word for the essential qualities of environment. P.J. O'Rourke (1991) said that ‘Worship of nature may be ancient, but seeing nature as cuddlesome, hug-a-bear and too cute for words is strictly a modern fashion’. Natural history as the study of the physical and biological environment was popular in the 19th century but was displaced as the environmental sciences became more specialized. It can be argued that nature is a human construct and that it exists only when there are individuals to perceive it and that it is perceived differently by different cultures. For this reason nature has been studied by philosophers, drawing attention to the fact that there are alternative views of nature: as a number of discrete elements including wildlife and ...
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