An ecological grading of human settlements

This paper attempts to place within an ecological framework the way in which man has appropriated and changed landscape. The ecosystem concept is used in order to facilitate a realistic examination of the ever changing relationship of man and nature. The resultant ecological grading of human settlements covers the full range of environments from “wild” to “urban”. It is hoped that such an approach will help to alert, educate, and instruct planners and decision makers as to the ecological cost of a number of problems which are normally viewed in economic, political, or social terms.