Changes

==Human interrelationship==

==Human interrelationship==

Although humans currently comprise only about one-half of one percent of the total living biomass on Earth,<ref> For an example of a range of opinions, see: {{cite web |url=http://www.wilderness.org/Library/Documents/Beauty_Quotes.cfm |title=On the Beauty of Nature |publisher=The Wilderness Society |accessmonthday=September 29|accessyear=2006 }} and [[Ralph Waldo Emerson]]'s analysis of the subject: {{cite book |last=Emerson |first=Ralph Waldo |year=1849 |title=Nature; Addresses and Lectures |chapter=Beauty |chapterurl=http://www.emersoncentral.com/beauty.htm}}</ref> the human effect on nature is disproportionately large. Because of the extent of human influence, the boundaries between what we regard as nature and "made environments" is not clear cut except at the extremes. Even at the extremes, the amount of natural environment that is free of discernible human influence is presently diminishing at an increasingly rapid pace, or, according to some, has already disappeared.

Although humans currently comprise only about one-half of one percent of the total living biomass on Earth. For an example of a range of opinions, see: [http://www.wilderness.org/Library/Documents/Beauty_Quotes.cfm] and [[Ralph Waldo Emerson]]'s analysis of the subject: [http://www.emersoncentral.com/beauty.htm] the human effect on nature is disproportionately large. Because of the extent of human influence, the boundaries between what we regard as nature and "made environments" is not clear cut except at the extremes. Even at the extremes, the amount of natural environment that is free of discernible human influence is presently diminishing at an increasingly rapid pace, or, according to some, has already disappeared.

The development of technology by the human race has allowed the greater exploitation of natural resources and has helped to alleviate some of the risk from natural hazards. In spite of this progress, however, the fate of human [[civilization]] remains closely linked to changes in the environment. There exists a highly complex feedback-loop between the use of advanced technology and changes to the environment that are only slowly becoming understood.<ref>{{cite news | title=Feedback Loops In Global Climate Change Point To A Very Hot 21st Century | publisher=Science Daily | date=May 22, 2006 | url=http://www.lbl.gov/Science-Articles/Archive/ESD-feedback-loops.html | accessdate=2007-01-07 }}</ref> Manmade threats to the Earth's natural environment include [[pollution]], [[deforestation]], and disasters such as oil spills. Humans have contributed to the [[extinction]] of many plants and animals.

The development of technology by the human race has allowed the greater exploitation of natural resources and has helped to alleviate some of the risk from natural hazards. In spite of this progress, however, the fate of human [[civilization]] remains closely linked to changes in the environment. There exists a highly complex feedback-loop between the use of advanced technology and changes to the environment that are only slowly becoming understood.[http://www.lbl.gov/Science-Articles/Archive/ESD-feedback-loops.html] Manmade threats to the Earth's natural environment include [[pollution]], [[deforestation]], and disasters such as oil spills. Humans have contributed to the [[extinction]] of many plants and animals.

Humans employ nature for both leisure and economic activities. The acquisition of natural resources for industrial use remains a primary component of the world's economic system. Some activities, such as [[hunting]] and [[fishing]], are used for both sustenance and leisure, often by different people. [[Agriculture#History|Agriculture]] was first adopted around the [[9th millennium BCE]]. Ranging from food production to [[energy]], nature influences economic wealth.

Humans employ nature for both leisure and economic activities. The acquisition of natural resources for industrial use remains a primary component of the world's economic system. Some activities, such as [[hunting]] and [[fishing]], are used for both sustenance and leisure, often by different people. [[Agriculture#History|Agriculture]] was first adopted around the [[9th millennium BCE]]. Ranging from food production to [[energy]], nature influences economic wealth.

Although early humans gathered uncultivated plant materials for food and employed the medicinal properties of vegetation for healing,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.nps.gov/plants/medicinal/plants.htm | title = Plant Conservation Alliance - Medicinal Plant Working Groups Green Medicine | publisher = US National Park Services | language = English |accessmonthday=September 23|accessyear=2006}}</ref> most modern human use of plants is through agriculture. The clearance of large tracts of land for crop growth has led to a significant reduction in the amount available of forestation and wetlands, resulting in the loss of habitat for many plant and animal species as well as increased erosion.<ref>{{cite web | last = Oosthoek | first = Jan | year = 1999 | url = http://www.eh-resources.org/philosophy.html | title = Environmental history: between science & philosophy | publisher = Environmental History Resources | accessdate = 2006-12-01 }}</ref>

Although early humans gathered uncultivated plant materials for food and employed the medicinal properties of vegetation for healing,[http://www.nps.gov/plants/medicinal/plants.htm] most modern human use of plants is through agriculture. The clearance of large tracts of land for crop growth has led to a significant reduction in the amount available of forestation and wetlands, resulting in the loss of habitat for many plant and animal species as well as increased erosion.[http://www.eh-resources.org/philosophy.html]

===Wilderness===

===Wilderness===

'''Wilderness''' is generally defined as a [[natural environment]] on [[Earth]] that has not been directly modified by [[human]] activity. [[Ecologist]]s consider wilderness areas to be an integral part of the planet's self-sustaining natural [[ecosystem]] (the [[biosphere]]).   

'''Wilderness''' is generally defined as a [[natural environment]] on [[Earth]] that has not been directly modified by [[human]] activity. [[Ecologist]]s consider wilderness areas to be an integral part of the planet's self-sustaining natural [[ecosystem]] (the [[biosphere]]).   

The word, "wilderness", derives from the notion of [[wildness]]; in other words that which is not controllable by humans.  The word's [[etymology]] is from the [[Old English]] ''wildeornes'', which in turn derives from ''wildeor'' meaning ''wild beast'' (wild + deor = beast, deer).<ref>"Wilderness", in ''The Collins English Dictionary'' (2000)</ref> From this point of view, it is the wildness of a place that makes it a wilderness.  The mere presence or activity of people does not disqualify an area from being "wilderness."  Many ecosystems that are, or have been, inhabited or influenced by activities of people may still be considered "wild." This way of looking at wilderness includes areas within which natural processes operate without very noticeable human interference.

The word, "wilderness", derives from the notion of [[wildness]]; in other words that which is not controllable by humans.  The word's [[etymology]] is from the [[Old English]] ''wildeornes'', which in turn derives from ''wildeor'' meaning ''wild beast'' (wild + deor = beast, deer). From this point of view, it is the wildness of a place that makes it a wilderness.  The mere presence or activity of people does not disqualify an area from being "wilderness."  Many ecosystems that are, or have been, inhabited or influenced by activities of people may still be considered "wild." This way of looking at wilderness includes areas within which natural processes operate without very noticeable human interference.

==Beauty in nature==

==Beauty in nature==