xv
What’s New
In this edition, we build on proven strengths of past
editions with the following major new features:
■ New concept-centered approach
■ Quantitative Data Analysis or Ecological Footprint
Analysis exercise at the end of each chapter and
additional Data Analysis exercises in the
Supplements■ New design along with many new pieces of art and
photographs
■ Comprehensive review section at the end of each
chapter with review questions that include all
chapter key terms in boldface
This edition also introduces a new coauthor, ScottSpoolman, who worked as a contributing editor on
this and other environmental science textbooks by Tyler
Miller for more than 4 years. (See About the Authors,
p. xxiii.)
New Concept-Centered Approach
Each major chapter section is built around one to three
key concepts—a major new feature of this edition.
These concepts state the most important take-away mes-
sages of each chapter. They are listed at the front of each
chapter (see Chapter 9, p. 184), and each chapter section
begins with a key question and concepts (see Chapter 9,
pp. 189, 193, and 206), which are highlighted and refer-
enced throughout each chapter.
A logo in the margin links the material in
each chapter to appropriate key concepts in foregoing
chapters (see pp. 101, 145, and 219).
New Design
The concepts approach is well-served by our new de-
sign, which showcases the concepts, core case studies,
and other new features as well as proven strengths of
this textbook. The new design (see Chapter 1, pp. 5–27),
which enhances visual learning, also incorporates a thor-
oughly updated art program with 134 new or upgraded
diagrams and 44 new photos—amounting to half of the
book’s 337 figures.
Sustainability Remains as the
Integrating Theme of This Book
Sustainability, a watchword in the 21st Century for
those concerned about the environment, is the over-
arching theme of this introductory ecological textbook.
You can see the sustainability emphasis by looking at
the Brief Contents (p. iii).
Fourscientific principles of sustainability play a ma-
jor role in carrying out this book’s sustainability theme.
These principles are introduced in Chapter 1, depicted
in Figure 1-17 (p. 23 and the back cover of the student
edition), and used throughout the book, with each ref-
erence is marked in the margin by. (See Chapter 3,
pp. 59, 60, 65, 74, and 75.)Core Case Studies and the
Sustainability Theme
Each chapter opens with a Core Case Study (see
Chapter 5, p. 100), which is applied throughout the
chapter. These connections to the Core Case Study
are indicated in the book’s margin by. (See Chap-
ter 5, pp. 102, 103, 104, 108, 110, 111, 119, and 120.)
Each chapter ends with a Revisiting box (see Chap-
ter 5, p. 119), which connects the Core Case Study
and other material in the chapter to the four scientific
principles of sustainability. Thinking About exer-
cises placed throughout each chapter (see Chapter 7,
pp. 144, 145, 146, 148, 152, 157, and 159) challenge
students to make these and other connections for
themselves.Five Subthemes Guide the Way
toward Sustainability
In the previous edition of this book, we used five major
subthemes, which are carried on in this new edition:
natural capital, natural capital degradation, solutions, trade-
offs, and individuals matter (see diagram on back cover of
student edition).
■ Natural capital. Sustainability focuses on the nat-
ural resources and natural services that support
all life and economies. Examples of diagrams thatPREFACE