Although people have been altering earth's landscapes to some extent for tens of thousands of years, humankind today is causing massive changes to the planet. Such widespread environmental change is accompanied by accelerating rates of species extinction. In this book, noted ecologist H. H. Shugart presents important ecological concepts through entertaining animal parables. He tells the stories of particular birds and mammals - the packrat, ivory-billed woodpecker, penguin, dingo, European rabbit, and others. Shugart explores past environmental change, discusses the non-existence of a "balance of Nature", and documents how human alterations have affected plants, soils, and animals. He looks with hope toward a future in which thoughtful people learn and use ecological science to protect the landscapes upon which terrestrial creatures depend.

H. H. Shugart is W. W. Corcoran Professor, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia. He is the author or editor of more than 300 publications.

'This fine book tells some timely tales. ... All the illustrations are clear and relevant...[and] it's a thorough book... The style is moderate...but the allusions are literary and the whole book highly satisfying.' - Brian J Ford, Biologist