Managing Scotland's Environment

About this book

Written in the light of international thinking on environment management, this third edition tackles the hottest debates of recent years – deer management, the post-Brexit future of farming, land reform, rewilding v. repeopling, windfarms and conflicts between game sport and conservation. Underlying all the practical and policy choices are intriguing ethical and philosophical considerations which the book addresses head-on, including debates about the goals of conservation in a pervasively humanised world. This is an ideal text for those studying Scotland's environment at an undergraduate and graduate level, as well as for those already involved in or interested in managing land and nature in Scotland. Throughout, it is well illustrated with photographs and specially prepared maps and diagrams.

Completely revised and updated to reflect the current debates in Scotland’s natural environment:
- Why have Scotland’s landscapes and wildlife been the focus of such persistent disagreement?
- Why is it so difficult to reconcile the competing demands of society and nature?
- Is it possible to meet our needs for food and energy while also satisfying our desire to protect and enhance the natural heritage?
- To what extent can the management of the various land uses be effectively integrated?
- Does the imperative of tackling climate change require a radically different approach to environmental management?

Contents

List of figures
Preface to the first edition
Preface to the second edition
Preface to the third edition
Acknowledgements
List of abbreviations and acronyms
Foreword to the third edition: Mike Robinson, Chief Executive, RSGS

PART ONE THE NATURE AND CONTROL OF THE LAND
Chapter 1. Shaping Scotland’s Environment
Chapter 2. The Political and Planning Context

PART TWO THE PIECES OF THE JIGSAW
Chapter 3. The Land: Who Should Own Scotland?
Chapter 4. The Trees: Forest Management
Chapter 5. The Fields: Agriculture and Crofting
Chapter 6. The Waters: Freshwater Resource Management
Chapter 7. The Animals: Wildlife Management
Chapter 8. The ‘Natural’: Conservation Management

PART THREE INTERACTIONS AND CONTROVERSIES
Chapter 9. Natives, Aliens and Reintroductions: what species where?
Chapter 10. Integrating Forestry: deer in woodlands, and trees on farms
Chapter 11. Powering Scotland: Energy and the Environment

PART FOUR THINKING AND DECIDING ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT
Chapter 12. Environmental Ethics and Decision Making

PART FIVE CONCLUSION
Chapter 13. Managing Scotland’s environment: taking stock and looking ahead

References
Index

Customer Reviews

Biography

Charles Warren is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Geography & Geosciences at the University of St Andrews.