Scan barcode
daryase's review against another edition
4.0
В дискурсі про збереження природи (conservation) багато десятиліть домінантною парадигмою була ідея, що важливо тільки відновлювати й зберігати екосистеми в якомусь первісному вигляді, оскільки будь-який людський вплив - це зло, треба підтримувати заповідні території в такому вигляді, якими вони були "до людей". [Люди - це, звісно, зло, але] у цієї парадигми є купа проблем. Наприклад, якщо йдеться про природу на континентах, які європейці заселяли тільки починаючи з епохи географічних відкриттів, то виходить, що за базу було взято якийсь досить випадковий стан, в якому білі люди застали певну місцевість в той момент, коли дійшли до її дослідження (і зовсім проігноровано, що корінні люди тисячоліттями взаємодіяли з цією екосистемою, теж змінюючи її, тільки не так радикально й екстенсивно - а тепер, наприклад, вони виселяються з новоствореного національного парку в ім'я збереження "глушини" у її первісному вигляді). Або ж той факт, що за реальних умов того, наскільки вже людська діяльність змінила екосистеми по всьому світу (і переносячи види між континентами, і спричиняючи зміну клімату, через які раніше поширеним видам уже стає некомфортно там, де вони традиційно жили), вирішувати, що треба зберігати тільки "первісний" стан - це опустити руки і нічого не робити для збереження тих видів й екосистем, яким потрібна, навпаки, допомога до пристосування до нових умов. Книжка Емми Марріс послідовно розглядає різні аспекти цього питання (з яких я тут згадала тільки два), наводячи також приклади альтернативних практик, до яких беруться деякі екологи: наприклад, задля збереження біорозмаїття цілеспрямоване переселення екосистем до місцини, де клімат буде сприятливим до неї через кілька десятиліть.
В цілому дуже цікаво, але чомусь я її читала 9 місяців.
В цілому дуже цікаво, але чомусь я її читала 9 місяців.
ks2_alwaysreading's review against another edition
3.0
Very thought-provoking. I didn't agree with a lot of Marris's points, but the book's argument is a necessary thing for all of us to think about.
abrataydabra's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
I really enjoyed this book. I read Wild Souls: Freedom and Flourishing in the Non-Human World by Emma Marris first and it really changed the way I think about conservation so I knew I would have to read her other book eventually. I wish I was more eloquent and could really describe the way this book and Wild Souls have changed the way I view the world but, unfortunately, I am not gifted in such a way. I’ll just say that everyone should read it and talk about it.
nhelregel's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Read for a class in my masters program. An interesting exploration of different ideas in the conservation ecology space. Problematizes the idea of "pristine wilderness" as spaces untouched by humans and the goal of reverting natural spaces to a time before humans or before colonialization. Presents an alternative model in which the focus is more on specific conservation goals within a framework of what is possible. Very thought-provoking! Shows its age here and there, but mostly still very relevant.
seclement's review against another edition
5.0
This is one of those rare books where the author discusses controversial and somewhat complex ecological ideas in a way that is clear but engaging, and neither overly technical or in an overly literary style. Novel ecosystems are one of my central research interests these days, and Marris manages to capture the main points of the concepts relating novelty, wilderness, nativeness, etc. with just the right the level of detail. In a fairly brief book, she manages enough history and science to provide a foundation and context for the general reader, while also providing many points to ponder for those of us who think about these issues fairly often. I hope people read this book and are challenged by it, and I think the book is written in just the right sort of tone and pitched at just the right level to encourage the reader to think about their assumptions.
The book is also organised well, with the narrative holding together across different topics and different geographies, with each chapter building on the last. This is exactly the sort of book that built the publisher's reputation (Bloomsbury) for publishing books with both rigour and interesting content.
I think this is a book for many different people: 1) academics working in ecology, environmental governance policy, and related fields, wanting to know more about how to manage ecosystems in a time when historical baselines are becoming increasingly difficult to achieve and out of reach for many places, 2) the nature lover who wants to understand more deeply the state of the places they love, and how those places can be managed as well as how they may look in the future, 3) students just starting to study environmental science (I could use this in both a class for my environment majors as well as a class with humanities students who take environmental science as an elective), and 4) the reader with a casual interest in the environment who has heard about this thing called "the Anthropocene" but wonders about what that actually means in practice.
The book is also organised well, with the narrative holding together across different topics and different geographies, with each chapter building on the last. This is exactly the sort of book that built the publisher's reputation (Bloomsbury) for publishing books with both rigour and interesting content.
I think this is a book for many different people: 1) academics working in ecology, environmental governance policy, and related fields, wanting to know more about how to manage ecosystems in a time when historical baselines are becoming increasingly difficult to achieve and out of reach for many places, 2) the nature lover who wants to understand more deeply the state of the places they love, and how those places can be managed as well as how they may look in the future, 3) students just starting to study environmental science (I could use this in both a class for my environment majors as well as a class with humanities students who take environmental science as an elective), and 4) the reader with a casual interest in the environment who has heard about this thing called "the Anthropocene" but wonders about what that actually means in practice.
quixoticreader13's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting concepts for rethinking our approach to the natural world.
heatherbond's review against another edition
5.0
Anyone mildly interested in ecology and/or the future of our Earth should read this book. Really impressed with how Marris flipped traditional ecological philosophy and land management on it's head to reveal controversial yet simple ways to sustain biodiversity and nature.