Human adaptability : an introduction to ecological anthropology.

Cover
Half Title
Endorsement
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Table of Contents
Illustrations
Preface to the Fourth Edition
About the New Edition
Part I Environmental Anthropology: History, Theory, and Method
	1 People in Ecosystems
		Introduction
		Human Adaptability as a Response to Constraints
			Adaptation and Adjustment
			The Ecosystem Concept
		Modeling
			Boundaries: Closed and Open Systems
			Advantages of Modeling
		Energy
		Matter
		Information
		Ecosystems and Global Change
		Suggested Readings and Useful Websites
		Note
	2 Theories of Human–Habitat Interaction
		Introduction
		Environmental Determinism
			Greek, Roman, and Arab Theories
			Theories of the Renaissance and the Eighteenth Century
			Nineteenth- and Twentieth-Century Theories
		Cultural Determinism: Nature as a Limiting Factor
		Human Adaptation to Environment
			The Humoral Doctrine
			Evolutionary Sequences: Eighteenth-Century Views
			Darwin’s Theory of Evolution
			Modern Evolutionary Theory
		Cultural Ecology: Comparison in Human-Environment Research
		Applications of the Cultural Ecological Method
			Hunter-Gatherers
			Preindustrial Cultivators
			Pastoralists
			Modern Farmers
		Ecological Anthropology
		Ethnoecological and Cognitive Approaches
		Historical Ecology
		Political Ecology
		Political Economy and Human Adaptability
		Suggested Readings and Useful Websites
		Notes
	3 Fundamental Concepts and Methods
		Introduction
		Ecosystem Relationships
			Population and Environment
		Soils and Plant Productivity
		Physiological Responses
			Human Thermoregulation
			Circadian Rhythms
			Work Capacity
			Work and Diet
		Sociocultural Regulatory Adjustments
			Health and Gender
		Information and Decisions: Toward Actor-Based Approaches
		Suggested Readings and Useful Websites
		Note
	4 Environmental Change and Spatial Analysis
		Introduction
		The Challenge of Scale and Levels of Analysis
		Human Adaptability to Global Environmental Change
		The Use of Remote Sensing and GIS in the Social Sciences
			Household/Farm Or Local Level of Analysis
			Landscape and Regional Level of Analysis
			Global Level of Analysis
		Experimental Approaches and the Study of Institutions
		Suggested Readings and Useful Websites
Part II Studies of Human Adaptability
	5 Human Adaptability to Arctic Zones
		Introduction
		The Arctic Ecosystem
		Adaptation to Cold Stress
			Cultural Regulatory Adjustments
			Physiological Adjustments
		Coping With Snow and Sea Ice
		Adaptation to Prolonged Light and Darkness
			Physiological Disturbances
			Religion as a Regulatory Adjustment
			Changes in Regimentation and Diet
		Coping With Low Biological Productivity
			Social Adjustments
			Diet
		Change in the Arctic
			Technological Adjustments
			Tradition, Modernization, and Changing Gender Roles and Participation
		Suggested Readings and Useful Websites
	6 Human Adaptability to High Altitudes
		Introduction
		Mountain Ecosystems
			Vertical Zonation
			Geoclimatic Characteristics
			Plant Productivity
		Adaptation to Hypoxia
			Physiological Adjustments
			Work Capacity and Diet
			Reproduction and Maturation
			Maladaptations
		Adaptability to Cold Stress in the Andes
			Physiological Adjustments
			Cultural Adjustments
		Aridity and Low Productivity
			Types of Subsistence Strategies
			Animals and Exchange
			Agricultural Practices
		Climate Change and Highland Ecosystems
		Suggested Readings and Useful Websites
		Notes
	7 Human Adaptability to Arid Lands
		Introduction
		Desert Ecosystems
			Desert Plants
			Desert Animals
			Soil Conditions
		Adjustments to Dry Heat
			Physiological Adjustments
			Cultural Adjustments
		Utilization of Resources
			Utilization of Surface Water
			Utilization of Groundwater
			Utilization of Plants and Animals
			Effects of Social and Cultural Practices
		Irrigation
			Water Distribution
			Access to Water
			Investments in Irrigation
			Nile River Irrigation
			Harnessing Runoff for Agriculture
		Change in Desert Ecosystems
		Suggested Readings and Useful Websites
	8 Human Adaptability to Grasslands
		Introduction
		Grasslands Ecosystems
			Climatic and Vegetation Features
			Soil Conditions
			Formation and Development of Grasslands
			Fire Management
		Herd Management
			Gaining Access to Water and Pasture
			Herd Size and Composition
			Disease
			Diversification and Specialization
			Resource Partitioning
		Adaptive Strategies in the Northern Plains
			Exploitation of Wild Flora and Fauna
			Farming Versus Ranching
			Farming With Ranching
		Global Change and the Future of Grasslands and Pastoralism
		Suggested Readings and Useful Websites
	9 Human Adaptability to the Humid Tropics
		Introduction
		Tropical Rain Forest Ecosystems
			Climate and Productivity
			Soils of the Humid Tropics
			Rain Forest Flora
			Rain Forest Fauna
		Coping With Ecosystem Complexity
			Hunting and Gathering Strategies
			Fishing Strategies
			Farming Strategies
			Animal Husbandry
		Adaptability to Humid Heat
		Global Change Processes and Alternatives to Deforestation
		Suggested Readings and Useful Websites
		Notes
Part III Urban Sustainability and New Directions in Human Adaptability
	10 Urban Ecology and Urban Sustainability
		Introduction
		The History of Cities
		The Ecology of Cities
		Spatial Aspects of the City: Compact Versus Sprawl Patterns
		Reducing Dependence On the Automobile
		Cities and the Upcoming Water Crisis
		An Integrative View of the Urban Ecosystem
		The Urban LTERs
		Final Remarks
		Suggested Readings and Useful Websites
	11 New Directions in Human Adaptability Research
		Introduction
		Global Change and Human Adaptability
		Human Adaptability to Extreme Events and Hazards
		Decarbonizing the Economy and Moving Away From a Fossil Fuel-Driven Economy
		Agroecological Sustainability
		Infectious and Emergent Diseases as a Disruptive Force
		Gendered Research
		Environmental Justice: Bringing Justice and Equity to Adaptability Research
		The Future of Human Adaptability Studies
		Suggested Readings and Useful Websites
Glossary
Bibliography
Index