Ecological economics is an exciting interdisciplinary field of study that combines insights from the natural sciences, economics, philosophy and other fields to develop innovative approaches to environmental problems. It draws on a wide range of analytical perspectives, some radical others more conventional, to build a more complete understanding of human-ecosystem interactions. Current research in the field includes work on nature conservation, land use planning, pollution control, natural resource management, and environmental impact assessment/evaluation. Ecological Economics provides a comprehensive introduction to the core themes, presented in a clearly structured style, with chapters tailored specifically to readers without any economic or philosophical training. There is an emphasis throughout on the complementary roles of economics, ethics and ecology in environmental decision-making processes. The book reviews the evolution of important ideas in the field, explores the fundamental philosophies underlying different approaches to environmental problems, explains in detail the specific tools and techniques used in these approaches, and gives numerous examples of how they can be applied. Special importance is attached to understanding both the advantages and limitations of different analyses, in order to provide a balanced and coherent view of how these different approaches interrelate and how their roles vary in different contexts. Written by three authors specializing in ecology, economics and philosophy, this textbook provides an excellent introduction to the field of ecological economics for students in the natural sciences and other environmental disciplines. It will also be of interest to a wide range of professionals and researchers involved in environmental management and policy, and thers including economists seeking to broaden their knowledge of new methodologies and approaches. Further reading suggestions and extensive references are provided for those interested in pursuing particular themes beyond the introductory level. The first introductory ecological economics text written specifically for natural scientists. Assumes no prior knowledge of economics or philosophy. Emphasises the complementary roles of ecology, economics and ethics in environmental decision-making processes. An emphasis on clarity and accessibility throughout.

Ecological economics is an exciting interdisciplinary field ofstudy that combines insights from the natural sciences, economicsphilosophy and other fields to develop innovative approaches toenvironmental problems. It draws on a wide range of analyticalperspectives, some radical others more conventional, to build amore complete understanding of human-ecosystem interactions.Current research in the field includes work on nature conservationland use planning, pollution control, natural resource managementand environmental impact assessment/evaluation.Ecological Economics provides a comprehensiveintroduction to the core themes, presented in a clearly structuredstyle, with chapters tailored specifically to readers without anyeconomic or philosophical training. There is an emphasis throughouton the complementary roles of economics, ethics and ecology inenvironmental decision-making processes. The book reviews theevolution of important ideas in the field, explores the fundamentalphilosophies underlying different approaches to environmentalproblems, explains in detail the specific tools and techniques usedin these approaches, and gives numerous examples of how they can beapplied. Special importance is attached to understanding both theadvantages and limitations of different analyses, in order toprovide a balanced and coherent view of how these differentapproaches interrelate and how their roles vary in differentcontexts.Written by three authors specializing in ecology, economics andphilosophy, this textbook provides an excellent introduction to thefield of ecological economics for students in the natural sciencesand other environmental disciplines. It will also be of interest toa wide range of professionals and researchers involved inenvironmental management and policy, and thers including economistsseeking to broaden their knowledge of new methodologies andapproaches. Further reading suggestions and extensive referencesare provided for those interested in pursuing particular themesbeyond the introductory level.* * The first introductory ecological economics text writtenspecifically for natural scientists.* Assumes no prior knowledge of economics or philosophy.* Emphasises the complementary roles of ecology, economics andethics in environmental decision-making processes.* An emphasis on clarity and accessibility throughout.

Preface.Part I: Foundations for Ecological Economics:.1. Introduction.2. A Brief History of Ecological Economic Thought.3. Economic Principles for Non-economists.4. Ethics and Environmental Philosophy.Part II: Value and Valuation Tools:.5. The Concept of Value.6. The Economic Approach to Environmental Valuation.7. The Ecological Approach to Environmental Evaluation.Part III: Frameworks for Decision-Making:.8. Cost Benefit Analysis.9. Environmental Impact Assessment.10. Multicriteria Appraisal.11. National Income Accounting.Part IV: Applications: Theory and Practice:.12. Resource Harvesting.13. Nature Conservation.14. Pollution and Waste.References.Index