The State of the Nation's Ecosystems: Measuring the Lands, Waters, and Living Resources of the United States - Tapa dura

' ... this report is noteworthy in initiating an essential and long overdue dialogue about the state of our nation's ecosystems. The Heinz Center and the authors of the report are to be commended for pursuing the project, documenting our current understanding of the state of the nation's environment, and attempting to insert the topic of ecosystem integrity into contemporary political discourse.' BioScience

'this beautifully illustrated book in full color provides a blue print for periodic reporting on the state and the use of ecosystems in the USA.' International Journal of Environmental Studies

We all rely on a familiar set of indicators - interest rates, unemployment, inflation, the Dow Jones index, and GDP, for example - to gauge the performance of national economies. No such measures are currently available to describe the environment. This book lays out a blueprint for periodic reporting on the condition and use of ecosystems in the United States. Developed by experts from businesses, environmental organizations, universities, and federal, state, and local government agencies, it is designed to provide policymakers and the general public with a succinct and comprehensive - yet scientifically sound and non-partisan - view of 'how we are doing'. This book should prove invaluable for decision makers in natural resource management and environmental policy in government and environmental organizations, businesses, and trade associations; academics with a research or teaching interest in environmental issues; and the general public interested in the continued well-being of American ecosystems.