The Odums described cities (or "technoecosystems") as parasites on the
surrounding landscape. I suppose we can consider heavily
urbanized/industrialized countries as dense concentrations of parasites
that have feeding tentacles stretching all over the world.
But the analogy isn't entirely apt anymore. Almost all Americans are
parasitic, no matter how rural their living environment. They eat
bananas, use petroleum products, wear clothes made in China, etc. It's
hard to draw boundaries around the parasites anymore
However, urban residents have a smaller footprint than suburban and rural
ones. Having many people living in an apartment building is much more fuel
efficient than single family houses. The availablilty of mass transit
means that people do not drive cars as much. They can walk to lots of
places that others have to drive to - e.g food shopping, other
shopping, schools, etc. So they are less virulent parasites than
suburbanites or rural residents.
1880's: "There's lots of good fish in the sea" W.S. Gilbert
1990's: Many fish stocks depleted due to overfishing, habitat loss,
and pollution.
2000's: Marine reserves, ecosystem restoration, and pollution reduction
MAY help restore populations.
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Judith S. Weis, Professor Department of Biological Sciences
Rutgers University, Newark NJ 07102 jw...@andromeda.rutgers.edu
Phone: 973 353-5387 FAX 973 353-5518
http://newarkbioweb.rutgers.edu/department/FacultyProfiles/weis.html
