Ecological Engineering: Principles and Practice

472pp  ISBN 1566705991      £40.00

• Describes basic ecological concepts and theories of constructed ecosystems
• Uses numerous case studies to illustrate particular sub-fields and applications of ecological engineering
• Focuses on biodiversity to demonstrate the range of different kinds of species that are involved in ecological engineering designs
• Covers the design process, including several design equations
• Presents highly visible and widespread applications of ecological engineering, including treatment wetlands, microcosms, composting systems, restoration ecology, soil bioengineering, and invasive species control

Less expensive and more environmentally appropriate than conventional engineering approaches, constructed ecosystems are a promising technology for environmental problem solving. Graduate students need an introductory text that details the biology and the ecology of this rapidly developing discipline, known as ecological engineering. Ecological Engineering: Principles and Practice fills this need by describing ecological concepts and theory and demonstrating their application to constructed ecosystems.

Designed as a textbook for a semester length graduate-level course, the text introduces the major concepts and methods of ecological engineering along with this new discipline's most important real-world applications: treatment wetlands, microcosms, composting systems, restoration ecology, soil bioengineering, and invasive species control. The text surveys the field with an introductory chapter on definitions and principles, six chapters treating major sub-fields, a chapter on applications of economics, and a conclusion chapter with synthetic propositions with comments on education and future directions.

Contents

INTRODUCTION
A Controversial Name
Relationship to Ecology
Relationship to Engineering
Design of New Ecosystems
Principles of Ecological Engineering
Strategy of the Book

TREATMENT WETLANDS
Introduction
Strategy of the Chapter
Sanitary Engineering
An Audacious Idea
The Treatment Wetland Concept
Biodiversity and Treatment Wetlands
Parallel Evolution of Decay Equations
Ecology as the Source of Inspiration in Design

SOIL BIOENGINEERING
Introduction
Strategy of the Chapter
The Geomorphic Machine
Concepts of Soil Bioengineering
Deep Ecology and Soft Engineering: Exploring the Possible Relations Between Soil Bioengineering
and Eastern Religions
Case Studies

MICROCOSMOLOGY
Introduction
Strategy of the Chapter
Microcosms for Developing Ecological Theory
Microcosms in Ecotoxicology
Design of Microcosms and Mesocosms
Microcosm Replication
Comparisons with Natural Ecosystems

RESTORATION ECOLOGY
Introduction
Strategy of the Chapter
Restoration and Environmentalism
How to Restore an Ecosystem
Procedures and Policies
Case Studies

ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING FOR SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT
Introduction
Strategy of the Chapter
The Sanitary Landfill as an Ecosystem
Composting Ecosystems for Organic Solid Wastes
Industrial Ecology
Economic Concepts and the Paradox of Waste

EXOTIC SPECIES AND THEIR CONTROL
Introduction
Strategy of the Chapter
Exotics as a Form of Biodiversity
Exotics and the New Order
Learning from Exotics
Control of Exotic Species and Its Implications
Concepts of Control in Ecology and Engineering

ECONOMICS AND ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
Introduction
Strategy of the Chapter
Classical Economics Perspectives on Ecological Engineering
Problems with Conventional Economics
Ecological Economics
Emergy Analysis
Related Issues

CONCLUSIONS
The Emergence of New Ecosystems
The Ecological Theater and the Self-Organizational Play
Epistemology and Ecological Engineering
Future Directions for Design
Ecological Engineering Education