Applied ecology is a framework for the application of knowledge about ecosystems so that actions can be taken to create a better balance and harmony between people and nature in order to reduce human impact on other beings and their habitats. With respect to scope, it is intended that the book should contain a body of knowledge about the use of ecological theory and principles to solve problems associated with the intensive human use of the environment. It is beyond our capacity to return Earth to a primeval state, but what we can do is build a technological ‘ark’ to retain as much ecological integrity as possible. To achieve this, many aspects of ecology have to be applied to manage conservation systems where the maintenance, restoration, and creation of diverse and healthy ecosystems are principal objectives. Some conservation systems may be broadly classified as in situ operations. These include:
• protection of rare species and habitats; • restoration of industrial wasteland and the mitigative creation of new ecosystems; • using wetland ecosystems for treating wastewater; • environmental valuation in relation to the needs for conservation and development to go hand in hand; • integration of sustainable ecosystems with commercial enterprises, such as agriculture and nature tourism; • study of the ecology of human diseases in relation to their control