Town Ecology for the Land of Towns and Villages
Richard T. T. Forman, Professor Emeritus at Harvard University and long-time research scientist and collaborator at the Harvard Forest, is often considered a "father" of landscape ecology and road ecology. He helped spearhead the field of urban ecology, and recently pioneered the concept of town ecology. His primary scholarly interest links science with spatial pattern to interweave nature and people on the land. Other research interests include changing land mosaics, conservation, and land-use planning.
In Forman's new book - the focus of his presentation - Towns, Ecology, and the Land (Cambridge University Press, 2019), he makes the case for towns and villages as important, dynamic environmental 'hotspots'. The book features ecological patterns, processes, and change, as well as human dimensions, both within towns and in strong connection to surrounding agricultural land, forest land, and arid land. It highlights ecological dimensions - water, soil and air systems, together with habitats, plants, wildlife and biodiversity. A concluding section presents concepts for making better towns and better land. From a pioneer in both landscape ecology and urban ecology, this town ecology book pulls from examples across the globe, opening an important frontier for researchers, students, educators, and conservation/planning professionals - and those who care about the land in their town.
Learn more: https://harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu/news/museum-event-explore-ecology-...
This event is free and open to the public, and will be followed by a book signing with the author. Light refreshments will be served.
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