Green Equilibrium: The Vital Balance of Humans and Nature

Field biologist Wills (biological sciences, emeritus, Univ. of California, San Diego; The Darwinian Tourist) here recounts visits to diverse wildlife reserves around the world, illustrated with his photographs, while discussing many aspects of evolution. The author describes a green equilibrium as balance among organisms that maintains a local ecosystem. No paradise, it includes predation, disease, and starvation. Humans have been a destructive force pushing many ecosystems out of equilibrium, for example, by deforestation and by killing off top predators. Yet organizations, scientists, and park rangers are working to maintain or restore many areas, sometimes risking their lives confronting illegal loggers or poachers. Two American reserves undergoing restoration ecology are the Santa Cruz Island and the former Sedgwick Ranch, both located near Santa Barbara in southern California. Wills believes growing awareness of our huge environmental impact means we must take responsibility.