Ecological Numeracy

Master the fundamental math skills necessary to quantify andevaluate a broad range of environmental questions.

Environmental issues are often quantitative--how much land, howmany people, what amount of pollution. Computer programs areuseful, but there is no substitute for being able to use a simplecalculation to slice through to the crux of the problem. Having agrasp of how the factors interact and whether the results makesense allows one to explain and argue a point of view forcefully todiverse audiences.

With an engaging, down-to-earth style and practical problem-solvingapproach, Ecological Numeracy makes it easy to understand andmaster basic mathematical concepts and techniques that areapplicable to life-cycle assessment, energy consumption, land use,pollution generation, and a broad range of other environmentalissues. Robert Herendeen brings the numbers to life with dozens offascinating, often entertaining examples and problems.

Requiring only a moderate quantitative background, EcologicalNumeracy is a superb introduction for advanced undergraduatestudents in environmental science, planning, geography, andphysical and natural sciences. It is also a valuable professionalresource for environmental managers, regulators, andadministrators. Context and Acclimatization.

Contributions to Environmental Impact: Analyzing the Components ofChange.

Consequences of Exponential (Geometric) Growth.

End-Use Analysis and Predicting Future Demand.

Economic Considerations, Discount Rates, and Benefit-CostAnalysis.

Limits.

Dynamics, Stocks and Flows, Age Class Effects.

Indirect Effects.

Shared Resources and the Tragedy of the Commons.

The Automobile: A Powerful Problem.

Ecological Economics and Sustainability.

Thermodynamics and Energy Efficiency.

Appendices.

References.

Index. ROBERT A. HERENDEEN is a staff scientist with the Illinois Natural History Survey at the University of Illinois. Dr. Herendeen also holds academic positions with the Departments of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences; Urban and Regional Planning; and Ecology, Ethology, and Evolution; and with the Office of Supercomputing Applications. Master the fundamental math skills necessary to quantify and evaluate a broad range of environmental questions.

Environmental issues are often quantitative—how much land, how many people, what amount of pollution. Computer programs are useful, but there is no substitute for being able to use a simple calculation to slice through to the crux of the problem. Having a grasp of how the factors interact and whether the results make sense allows one to explain and argue a point of view forcefully to diverse audiences.

With an engaging, down-to-earth style and practical problem-solving approach, Ecological Numeracy makes it easy to understand and master basic mathematical concepts and techniques that are applicable to life-cycle assessment, energy consumption, land use, pollution generation, and a broad range of other environmental issues. Robert Herendeen brings the numbers to life with dozens of fascinating, often entertaining examples and problems.

Requiring only a moderate quantitative background, Ecological Numeracy is a superb introduction for advanced undergraduate students in environmental science, planning, geography, and physical and natural sciences. It is also a valuable professional resource for environmental managers, regulators, and administrators.