Environmental Disasters, Natural Recovery and Human Responses

Natural disturbances are becoming more frequent and their consequences are becoming more devastating for humans. Volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunamis, floods, landslides, fires, and other natural events destroy more property and kill more people with each passing year. Nature recovers from these impacts, but often with uncertain results. This book provides a comprehensive summary of the diverse ways in which nature disrupts humanity and how humans have coped. Burgeoning human numbers, shrinking resources, and intensification of the consequences of natural disturbances have produced a crisis of unparalleled proportions. By closely studying natural recovery from disturbances, a template for improving restoration of damaged lands has been produced. Written for ecologists, policy makers, and concerned citizens, the goal of this book is to show how relatively simple approaches to restoration can enhance both human wellbeing and that of the other species on the planet. Book jacket.

Roger del Moral is Professor of Biology at the University of Washington Lawrence R. Walker is Professor of Biology at the University of Nevada Las Vegas