Environmental Disasters, Natural Recovery & Human Responses By Roger del Moral and L. R. Walker Natural disasters destroy more property and kill more people with each passing year. Volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunamis, floods, landslides, fires and other natural events are becoming more frequent and their consequences more devastating. Del Moral and Walker provide a comprehensive summary of the diverse ways in which natural disasters disrupt humanity and how humans cope. Burgeoning human numbers, shrinking resources and intensification of the consequences of natural disasters have produced a global crisis of unparalleled proportions. Through this detailed study, the authors provide a template to improve restoration to show how relatively simple approaches can enhance both human well-being and that of the other species on the planet. They demonstrate that we no longer have the luxury to let damaged landscapes recover by natural processes and argue for the development of the political will to act to return lands damaged by natural and human forces to productivity. This book will appeal to ecologists, land managers and planners, decision makers, and to anyone curious about the world and how natural disasters continue to shape civilizations. This book developed from the authors’ strong interests in the mechanisms of primary succession and how understanding these mechanisms can be used to enhance the quality of life across the planet. For information: Go to Cambridge University Press catalogue: http://www.cambridge.org/us/catalogue/catalogue.asp?isbn=9780521677660 (Also available in hardback) CONTENTS: PREFACE 1. Introduction 2. Natural disasters - synergistic interactions with humans 3. Infertile and unstable habitats 4. Infertile and stable habitats 5. Fertile and unstable habitats 6. Fertile and stable habitats 7. The lessons learned Glossary Further reading INDEX