Publications of Michael L. Rosenzweig

on

Environmental issues and public policy

The following contributions address matters of public concern by trying to apply the results of basic ecological research. One paper shows how to use the principles of density-dependent habitat selection to achieve cheap, quick censuses of economically important, annually harvested animal populations. Another is a National Research Council book, the fruit of several years of association with a committee of scientists charged with developing environmental indicators for the nation. In it, we use the rules of species-area relationships to develop early warning indicators of environmental health.
      Several contributions point out the non-confrontational relationship or even fundamental agreement of western religions and environmentalism. Two (including the 1974 book) identify natural selection as the ultimate long-term threat to any attempt we make to keep human population size within bounds. The most recent (a book ms.) faces the problem of conserving the Earth's species diversity and suggests that the science of diversity mandates a revolution in how society attempts to preserve species.

IN REVIEW: The Careful Foot: Designing Our World to Save Earth's Species (a book ms)

2000 National Research Council Environmental Indicators for the Nation. National Academy Press, Washington, DC

1999: with S. Archer, W. Mackay, J. Mott, S.E. Nicholson, M. Pando Moreno, MLR, N.G. Seligman, N.E. West and J. Williams, Arid and semi-arid land community dynamics in a management context, pp.48-74 in Hoekstra, T.W. and M. Shahak, Arid Lands Management: toward ecological sustainability. Univ. of Ill. Press. 279 p.

1996 The Green Commandments, Eco-Health: News & Views 2:4-5

1995 Review: Trees... the green testament, by Y. Kirschen. Restoration and Mgmt. Notes 13:136-7.

1990 Commentary (on ecological uniqueness and loss of species), p. 188-198 in Orians, G., G.M. Brown, Jr., W. E. Kunin & J.E. Swierzbinski (eds.), The preservation and valuation of biological resources. Univ. of Wash. Press, Seattle.

1988 The silly war: religion vs. science. The World and I, Feb:194-197.

1987 Density-dependent habitat selection: a tool for more effective population management, pp. 98-111 in Vincent, T. Y. Cohen, W.J.Grantham, G.P. Kirkwood & J.M. Skowronski (eds.), Modeling & Management of Resources under uncertainty. Springer-Verlag, Berlin.

1974 And Replenish the Earth: the evolution, consequences and prevention of overpopulation. Harper & Row, N.Y. 304 p.

1974 On carrying capacity and U.S. policy, pp.29-30,85,94,98-99,141 in Proc. Science Advisory Panel of the Committee on Public Works, U.S. House of Representatives, print #93-36, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C.

1974 J. Sundquist, B.J.L. Berry, M. Brewer, A. Davis, L. Dworsky, D. McGrath, MLR, J. Sterner & W. Thompson. National population distribution policy, pp. 5-26 in A national public works investment policy. Committee print #93-53 of the Committee on Public Works, U.S. House of Representatives. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C.

1974 L. Duhl, A. Davis, J.R. Newbrough, MLR & R. Aldrich. Values and the public works investment policy, pp.87-105 in Committee print #93-53 (ibid.).

1972 Natural selection and artificial control of human populations, pp.82-84 in Ecology and Pollution (White, W.W.,Jr. & F.J. Little, eds.). North American Publishing Co., Philadelphia, PA.