For courses in introductory environmental science.
Engage students in science through current environmental issues
Essential Environment: The Science Behind the Stories, 6th Edition by Jay Withgott and Matt Laposata, is the #1 book in the introductory environmental science market and known for its student-friendly narrative style, integration of real stories and case studies, and presentation of the latest science and research. The 6th edition features new opportunities to help students see connections between integrated case studies and the science in each chapter, and highlights sustainable solutions that have successfully helped address environmental problems.
Coverage of topical issues upholds the text’s hard-won reputation for currency, using the most recent data available and focusing on emerging issues. Updates include new features such as Success Stories that demonstrate positive solutions to address local, national, and global environmental problems. New Case Study Video Tours take students on a virtual tour of the locations featured in each chapter’s Central Case Study and can be assigned in Mastering Environmental Science.
The succinct and affordable 6th Edition is streamlined with updated coverage and carefully crafted to make the text readable, informative, and engaging.
Pearson eText allows educators to easily share their own notes with students so they see the connection between their reading and what they learn in class – motivating them to keep reading, and keep learning. Portable access lets students study on the go, even offline. And, student usage analytics offer insight into how students use the eText, helping educators tailor their instruction.
NOTE: Pearson eText is a fully digital delivery of Pearson content. This ISBN is for the Pearson eText access card. In addition to your purchase, you will need a course invite link, provided by your instructor, to register for and use Pearson eText.
Jay Withgott has authored Essential Environment as well as Environment: The Science behind the Stories since their inception. In dedicating himself to these books, he works to keep abreast of a diverse and rapidly changing field and continually seeks to develop new and better ways to help today’s students learn environmental science.
As a researcher, Jay has published scientific papers in ecology, evolution, animal behavior, and conservation biology in journals ranging from Evolution to Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. As an instructor, he has taught university lab courses in ecology and other disciplines. As a science writer, he has authored articles for numerous journals and magazines including Science, New Scientist, BioScience, Smithsonian, and Natural History. By combining his scientific training with prior experience as a newspaper reporter and editor, he strives to make science accessible and engaging for general audiences. Jay holds degrees from Yale University, the University of Arkansas, and the University of Arizona.
Jay lives with his wife, biologist Susan Masta, in Portland, Oregon.
Matthew Laposata is a professor of environmental science at Kennesaw State University (KSU). He holds a bachelor’s degree in biology education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, a master’s degree in biology from Bowling Green State University, and a doctorate in ecology from The Pennsylvania State University.
Matt is the coordinator of KSU’s two-semester general education science sequence titled Science, Society, and the Environment, which enrolls over 5000 students per year. He focuses exclusively on introductory environmental science courses and has enjoyed teaching and interacting with thousands of nonscience majors during his career. He is an active scholar in environmental science education and has received grants from state, federal, and private sources to develop and evaluate innovative curricular materials. His scholarly work has received numerous awards, including the Georgia Board of Regents’ highest award for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning.
Matt resides in suburban Atlanta with his wife, Lisa, and children, Lauren, Cameron, and Saffron.
1. Science and Sustainability: An Introduction to Environmental Science
Our Island, Earth
The Nature of Environmental Science
The Science Behind the Story: What Are the Lessons of Easter Island?
The Nature of Science
Environmental Ethics
Sustainability and Our Future
2. Environmental Systems: Matter, Energy, and Ecosystems
CENTRAL CASE STUDY
The Vanishing Oysters of the Chesapeake Bay
Earth’s Environmental Systems
Matter, Chemistry, and the Environment
Energy Fundamentals
Ecosystems
The Science Behind the Story: “Turning the Tide” for Native Oysters in Chesapeake Bay
Biogeochemical Cycles
3. Evolution, Biodiversity, and Population Ecology
CENTRAL CASE STUDY
Saving Hawaii’s Native Forest Birds
Evolution: The Source of Earth’s Biodiversity
Ecology and the Organism
Population Ecology
The Science Behind the Story: Monitoring Bird Populations at Hakalau Forest
Conserving Biodiversity
4. Species Interactions and Community Ecology
CENTRAL CASE STUDY
Black and White, and Spread All Over: Zebra Mussels Invade the Great Lakes
Species Interactions
Ecological Communities
The Science Behind the Story: Determining Zebra Mussels’ Impacts on Fish Communities
Earth’s Biomes
5. Economics, Policy, and Sustainable Development
CENTRAL CASE STUDY
Costa Rica Values Its Ecosystem Services
Economics and the Environment
Environmental Policy: An Overview
The Science Behind the Story: Do Payments Help Preserve Forest?
U.S. Environmental Law and Policy
International Environmental Policy
Approaches to Environmental Policy
Sustainable Development
6. Human Population
CENTRAL CASE STUDY
China’s One-Child Policy: Is It a Population “Time Bomb”?
Our World at Seven Billion
Demography
Population and Society
The Science Behind the Story: Did Soap Operas Reduce Fertilityin Brazil?
7. Soil, Agriculture, and the Future of Food
CENTRAL CASE STUDY
Farm to Table–And Back Again: The Commons at Kennesaw State University
The Race to Feed the World
The Changing Face of Agriculture
Soils
Maintaining Healthy Soils
Watering and Fertilizing Crops
Controlling Pests, Preserving Pollinators
Raising Animals for Food
Genetically Modified Food
The Growth of Sustainable Agriculture
The Science Behind the Story: How Productive Is Organic Farming?
8. Biodiversity and Conservation Biology
CENTRAL CASE STUDY
Farm to Table–And Back Again: The Commons at Kennesaw State University
The Race to Feed the World
The Changing Face of Agriculture
Soils
Maintaining Healthy Soils
Watering and Fertilizing Crops
Controlling Pests, Preserving Pollinators
Raising Animals for Food
Genetically Modified Food
The Growth of Sustainable Agriculture
The Science Behind the Story: How Productive Is Organic Farming?
9. Forests, Forest Management, and Protected Areas
CENTRAL CASE STUDY
Certified Sustainable Paper in Your Textbook
Forest Ecosystems and Forest Resources
Forest Loss
Forest Management
Parks and Protected Areas
The Science Behind the Story: Forest Fragmentation in the Amazon
10. Environmental Health and Toxicology
CENTRAL CASE STUDY
Bisphenol A Is Everywhere–But Is It Safe?
Environmental Health
Toxic Substances and Their Effects on Organisms
The Science Behind the Story: Testing the Safety of Bisphenol A
Toxic Substances and Their Effects on Ecosystems
Studying Effects of Hazards
Risk Assessment and Risk Management
11. Geology, Minerals, and Mining
CENTRAL CASE STUDY
Mining for … Cell Phones?
Geology: The Physical Basis for Environmental Science
Geologic and Natural Hazards
Earth’s Mineral Resources
Mining Methods and Their Impacts
The Science Behind the Story: Can Acid Mine Drainage Reduce Fracking’s Environmental Impact?
Toward Sustainable Mineral Use
12. Fresh Water, Oceans, and Coasts
CENTRAL CASE STUDY
Starving the Louisiana Coast
Freshwater Systems
The Oceans
Marine and Coastal Systems
Effects of Human Activities on Waterways
Solutions to Depletion of Fresh Water
Water Pollution and Its Control
The Science Behind the Story: Predicting the Oceans’ “Garbage Patches”
Emptying the Oceans
13. Atmospheric Science, Air Quality, and Pollution Control
CENTRAL CASE STUDY
Clearing the Air in L.A. and in Mexico City
The Atmosphere
Outdoor Air Quality
The Science Behind the Story: Measuring the Health Impacts of Mexico City’s Air Pollution
Ozone Depletion
Addressing Acid Deposition
Indoor Air Quality
14. Global Climate Change
CENTRAL CASE STUDY
Rising Seas May Flood the Maldives
Our Dynamic Climate
Studying Climate Change
The Science Behind the Story: How Do Climate Models Work?
Current and Future Trends and Impacts
Responding to Climate Change
15. Nonrenewable Energy Sources, Their Impacts, and Energy Conservation
CENTRAL CASE STUDY
Hydrofracking the Marcellus Shale
Sources of Energy
Fossil Fuels: Their Formation, Extraction, and Use
Reaching Further for Fossil Fuels … and Coping with the Impacts
The Science Behind the Story: Discovering Impacts of the Gulf Oil Spill
Energy Efficiency and Conservation
Nuclear Power
16. Renewable Energy Alternatives
CENTRAL CASE STUDY
Germany Goes Solar
Renewable Energy Sources
The Science Behind the Story: Comparing Energy Sources
Solar Energy
Wind Power
Geothermal Energy
Ocean Energy Sources
Hydroelectric Power
Bioenergy
Hydrogen and Fuel Cells
17. Managing Our Waste
CENTRAL CASE STUDY
A Mania for Recycling on Campus
Approaches to Waste Management
Municipal Solid Waste
The Science Behind the Story: Tracking Trash
Industrial Solid Waste
Hazardous Waste
18. The Urban Environment: Creating Sustainable Cities
CENTRAL CASE STUDY
Managing Growth in Portland, Oregon
Our Urbanizing World
Sprawl
Creating Livable Cities
Urban Sustainability
The Science Behind the Story: Baltimore and Phoenix Showcase Urban Ecology
Epilogue: Sustainable Solutions
Appendix A: Answers to Data Analysis Questions
Appendix B: How to Interpret Graphs
Appendix C: Metric System
Appendix D: Periodic Table of the Elements
Appendix E: Geologic Time Scale Glossary Credits Index
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