Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
indices designed to quantify the overall loss of biodiversity: after all, even simplii ed
anthropogenic ecosystems can be aesthetically pleasing, highly productive, and,
when properly managed, also fairly resilient. The best way to judge the human
impact is to look at a number of indicators. Chapter 10 concentrates on the
evolution of postglacial global phytomass storage and on the land-cover changes
brought about by food production, deforestation, industrialization, and urbaniza-
tion. Chapter 11 takes apart the concept of NPP appropriation by humans, and
chapter 12 concludes the topic with some rel ections on the evolution, extent,
impact, and future of the human presence in the biosphere.
