Human Ecology How Nature and Culture Shape Our World
Humans have always been influenced by natural landscapes, and always will be—even as we create ever‑larger cities and our developments fundamentally change the nature of the earth around us. In this publication, noted city planner and landscape architect
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Huma n Ecolog y Foreword by Richard T. T. Forman
F r e de r ic k S t e i n e r
HUMAN ECOLOGY
HUMAN ECOLOGY How Nature and Culture Following Nature's Lead Shape Our World
FREDERICK STEINER
ISLAND PRESS Washington |COVELO· Covelo | London WASHINGTON· LONDON
Copyright © 2016 Frederick Steiner Originally published in 2002 under the title Human Ecology: Following Nature’s Lead All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without permission in writing from the publisher: Island Press, 2000 M St., NW, Suite 650, Washington, DC 20036 Island Press is a trademark of The Center for Resource Economics.
Library of Congress control Number: XXXXXXXXXXXXXX Printed on recycled, acid-free paper
Manufactured in the United States of America 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Keywords: adaptation, anthropology, architecture, biology, bioregion, biosphere, boundaries, climate change, community, conservation, connectivity, culture, diversity ,ecology, economy, ecoregion, engineering, geography, habitat, landscape architecture, nature, regional planning, sustainability, water management
What does it mean, anyway, to be an animal in human clothing? -BARBARA KINGSOLVER
Hi8h Tide in Tucson
The story of man may be found in the palm of his hand, in the leaf of life impressed in his palm. The cohesive force between molecules in a drop of water is the start of identity in our body. -GIUSEPPE PENONE
Giuseppe Penone
CONTENTS
Foreword
xi
Priface
xv
INTRODUCTION: THE SUBVERSIVE SUBJECT
1. FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES 19 OF HUMAN ECOLOGY 2. HABITAT 39 3. COMMUNITY 57 4. LANDSCAPE 77 5. THE ECOLOGICAL REGION 95 6. NATION, STATE, AND NATION-STATE 125 7. THE GREEN CHAOS OF THE PLANET 145 8. FOLLOWING NATURE'S LEAD 167 177
Acknowledgments Notes
181
Biblionraphy Index
209
229
ix
1
FOREWORD
THE FUTURE? THAT'S WHAT LIES AHEAD. OR IS IT WHAT WE CREATE?
Suppose nature and people were each working independently to mold the future. Or even imagine a future with human ecology at its core. I recently heard of two prominent environmental leaders being separately asked by the press what they had accomplished in their careers. Mter a thoughtful pause each made essentially the same comment, "I believe I helped slow the rate of environmental (or land) degradation." The response was right on target. I was stunned by the answer. If leaders only slow the downward spirals so visible around us, there must be a more promising route. Many of us spend our life trying to make the world we are given a little better. Yet an alternative exists that might accomplish far more. Try sketching out a vision, a goal for the future. Highlight its key principles and foundations. Give it tangible spatial outlines so that people can relate personally to it. Of course the vision will be partially shrouded. It will provide only glimpses upon which to construct a future. Over time, alternative visions, and the alternative trajectories to attain them, will emerge. Fine. Evaluati
