Also See: Editor's Note, Endorsements, and Purchase Information
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1: Introduction
INSECTS AND INSECT CONTROL
SCOPE oF THIS BOOK
CHAPTER 2: HUMANS VS. INSECTS: THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY
Honey Bees (The "Good")
Other Insects Used As Food Or Cosmetics
Indicators of Environmental Change
Nuisances (the "Bad")
Venomous Insects and Other Arthropods
Vectors Of Human and Livestock Diseases
Instruments Of Warfare (the "Ugly")
CHAPTER 3: INSECT RESPONSES TO ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES
Life History Strategy
Mechanism Of Dispersal
Habitat and Resource Conditions
Direct Effects Of Abiotic Changes
Indirect Effects Of Post-Disturbance Changes
RATE OF ADAPTATION BY INSECTS
CHAPTER 4: CHANGES IN INSECT ABUNDANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
POPULATION FLUCTUATION THROUGH TIME
FACTORS AFFECTING POPULATION SIZE
REGULATION OF POPULATION SIZE
POPULATION FLUCTUATION IN SPACE
CHAPTER 5: HOW DO ECOSYSTEM PROVIDE SERVICES?
ECOSYSTEM STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION
DIRECT AND INDIRECT INTERACTIONS AMONG SPECIES
REGULATION OF ECOSYSTEM CONDITIONS
Evidence For Self-Regulation
DIFFERENCES AMONG ECOSYSTEMS
CHAPTER 6: EFFECTS OF ANTHROPOGENIC CHANGES AND MANAGEMENT
HOW HUMANS AFFECT ECOSYSTEMS
Pollution and Invasive Species
Ecosystem Fragmentation and Conversion
Induction Of Insect Problems
ALTERNATIVE CONTROL OPTIONS
CHAPTER 7: EFFECTS OF INSECTS ON ECOSYSTEM SERVICES
EFFECTS ON PROVISIONING SERVICES
EFFECTS ON CULTURAL SERVICES
EFFECTS ON SUPPORTING SERVICES
Decomposition and Soil Formation
EFFECTS ON REGULATING SERVICES
Climate And Disturbance
CHAPTER 8: VALUATION OF INSECT AND MANAGEMENT EFFECTS
VALUATION OF INSECT EFFECTS ON PROVISIONING SERVICES
VALUATION OF INSECT EFFECTS ON CULTURAL SERVICES
VALUATION OF INSECT EFFECTS ON SUPPORTING SERVICES
VALUATION OF INSECT EFFECTS ON REGULATING SERVICES
VALUATION OF MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES
CHAPTER 9: CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
WHY NEW PEST MANAGEMENT APPROACHES ARE NEEDED
DECIDING WHEN TO CONTROL
GREATER EMPHASIS ON ECOLOGICAL PRINCIPLES
USE OF A BROADER RANGE OF TACTICS
Marketing Insects As Food
IMPLEMENTATION OF IPM STRATEGY
INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT: A CASE STUDY
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Editor's Note for the "CRC Press" Book Series, Social-Environmental Sustainability:
In this book about the role of insects as components of the biophysical services of nature that we humans rely on, Dr. Schowalter examines not only the various ecosystem functions provided by insects but also our human perceptions of their respective values. In the context of general human perceptions, it needs to be understood that, since biblical times, most insects that interfere in one way or another with the plants we humans value for our own uses have been considered to have only negative effects on the resource, and so are thought of as "pests." On the other hand, insects are not considered pests—if they are noticed at all by the lay populous—when they feed on plants for which we find no social or economic value.
The term pest reflects this traditional bias and the perceived necessity of always having to battle insects for control of the resources we humans value as commodities or for the maintenance of our physical health. Only within the past three of decades or so has evidence become sufficiently available to show that many of the so-called "insect pests"—like all other species—enrich the world, and in the process provide largely unrecognized benefits. Dr. Schowalter has been a pioneer and leader in raising the level of consciousness in science, forestry, and agricultural with respect to the beneficial contributions insects make to our overall social-environmental well-being.
As Dr. Schowalter points out in this book, insects are critical pollinators of our food crops and medicinal plants, as well as being essential in their role of breaking down and recycling the nutrient resources in dead plants and animal waste, thereby allowing them to be reused in the ecosystem. In addition, insects are important sources of food in many cultures, as well being the primary food for numerous commercial fisheries and game animals. And, this says nothing of their significance as cultural icons, such as Egyptian scarabs and oriental crickets, or their vital nature as regulatory instruments in ecosystems wherein plant production is nearing the environmental carrying capacity. Finally, some medicinal and industrial products benefit from the existence of certain insects as part of their ingredients—all of which are elucidated within the pages of the book you are holding.
Chris Maser, Series Editor
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"Although some effects of various insects will continue to be viewed as undesirable, the idea that insects should, or can, be 'managed,' this book explores reasons that may be unrealistic. It explores an approach to suppressing insect populations, considers information on the multiple, often compensatory, effects of insects on particular resources or ecosystem services and on the consequences of control tactics on those resources or services. It emphasize critical effects of insects on the sustainability of ecosystem processes and services and recommend changes in our management practices and policies to promote sustainability."—Publisher's description.
"As the most diverse taxon on earth, insects have complex roles in ecosystems and hence affect provisioning services, regulating services, cultural services and supporting services provided by ecosystems. This new synthesis enhances our understanding of the important functional roles of insects in ecosystem services, which will help us manage our natural resources in a better way to reach the goal of sustainability."
Dr. Jung-Tai Chao
Senior Scientist, Division of Forest Protection
Taiwan Forestry Research Institute, Taipei
"Understanding how insects sustain ecosystem services is a most topical focus for a review. Insects affect ecosystem functioning in a highly complex and diverse way, so the chapters of Schowalter's interesting new book range from insect ecology to the valuation and management of their benefits. He does not forget the important fact that insects provide not just services, but also disservices, addressed in his chapter on 'the good, the bad and the ugly.' This timely book is an important source for everybody interested in sustainable management of insects driving ecosystem functioning."
Dr. Teja Tscharntke
Professor, Dept. of Crop Sciences
"Insects: you can't live with them and you can't live without them. With current world debates on water and land availability, the relationship between insects and their cumulative effects on the environment have never been more important to understand. Dr. Schowalter brings forth many important topics within this realm as he ultimately leads the reader to a strong understanding of the important interplay between humans, insects, and the shaping of environments throughout the world.
"The chapters within this book are well written and designed to allow the reader to quickly grasp and understand even the most difficult concepts. I have little doubt that this will become a 'must have' reference for anyone interested insects and their role in the sustainability of ecosystem services."
Dr. Matthew Camper
Professor, Department of Bioagricultural Sciences and Pest Management
Colorado State University,
Fort Collins, CO.
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