Understanding Urban Ecosystems

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xxix

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2. Introduction: Ecosystem Understanding Is a Key to Understanding Cities

   1. Introduction: Ecosystem Understanding Is a Key to Understanding Cities

      • Charles H. Nilon, Alan R. Berkowitz, Karen S. Hollweg

      Pages 1-13

3. The Importance of Understanding Urban Ecosystems: Themes

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 15-17

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   2. Why Is Understanding Urban Ecosystems an Important Frontier for Education and Educators?

      • Karen S. Hollweg, Celestine H. Pea, Alan R. Berkowitz

      Pages 19-38

   3. The Role of Understanding Urban Ecosystems in Community Development

      • Jack K. Shu

      Pages 39-45

   4. Why Is Understanding Urban Ecosystems Important to People Concerned About Environmental Justice?

      • Bunyan Bryant, John Callewaert

      Pages 46-57

   5. Why Is Developing a Broad Understanding of Urban Ecosystems Important to Science and Scientists?

      • Steward T.A. Pickett

      Pages 58-72

4. Foundations and Frontiers from the Natural and Social Sciences: Themes

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 73-75

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   2. Natural Ecosystems in Cities: A Model for Cities as Ecosystems

      • Anthony D. Bradshaw

      Pages 77-94

   3. An Ecosystem Approach to Understanding Cities: Familiar Foundations and Uncharted Frontiers

      • Nancy B. Grimm, Lawrence J. Baker, Diane Hope

      Pages 95-114

   4. Understanding Urban Ecosystems: An Ecological Economics Perspective

      • William E. Rees

      Pages 115-136

   5. Social Science Concepts and Frameworks for Understanding Urban Ecosystems

      • Carolyn Harrison, Jacquie Burgess

      Pages 137-149

   6. The Future of Urban Ecosystem Education from a Social Scientist’s Perspective: The Value of Involving the People You Are Studying in Your Work

      • John B. Wolford

      Pages 150-166

   7. A Social Ecology Approach to Understanding Urban Ecosystems and Landscapes

      • J. Morgan Grove, Karen E. Hinson, Robert J. Northrop

      Pages 167-186

   8. The Historical Dimension of Urban Ecology: Frameworks and Concepts

      • Martin V. Melosi

      Pages 187-200

   9. Urban Ecosystems, City Planning, and Environmental Education: Literature, Precedents, Key Concepts, and Prospects

      • Anne Whiston Spirn

      Pages 201-212

   10. A Human Ecology Model for the Tianjin Urban Ecosystem: Integrating Human Ecology, Ecosystem Science, and Philosophical Views into an Urban Eco-Complex Study

       • Rusong Wang, Zhiyun Ouyang

       Pages 213-228

5. Foundations and Frontiers from Education Theory and Practice: Themes

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 229-231

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   2. Psychological and Ecological Perspectives on the Development of Systems Thinking

      • Kathleen Hogan, Kathleen C. Weathers

      Pages 233-260

   3. Toward Ecology Literacy: Contributions from Project 2061 Science Literacy Reform Tools

      • Jo Ellen Roseman, Luli Stern

      Pages 261-281

Nowhere on Earth is the challenge for ecological understanding greater, and yet more urgent, than in those parts of the globe where human activity is most intense - cities. People need to understand how cities work as ecological systems so they can take control of the vital links between human actions and environmental quality, and work for an ecologically and economically sustainable future. An ecosystem approach integrates biological, physical and social factors and embraces historical and geographical dimensions, providing our best hope for coping with the complexity of cities. This book is a first of its kind effort to bring together leaders in the biological, physical and social dimensions of urban ecosystem research with leading education researchers, administrators and practitioners, to show how an understanding of urban ecosystems is vital for urban dwellers to grasp the fundamentals of ecological and environmental science, and to understand their own environment.

• complexity
• ecology
• ecosystem
• education
• environment
• environmental management
• landscape/regional and urban planning

• Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook

  Alan R. Berkowitz

• School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, USA

  Charles H. Nilon

• The National Academies’ National Research Council, Washington, DC, USA

  Karen S. Hollweg

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