Following the rapid development of anthropogenic changes in the environment in recent years there emerged a heightened interest in problems of global ecology. This is why it was important to write a book devoted entirely to the problems of that science, even though this has presented some difficulties.

Global ecology as a distinct scientific discipline is still in a state of development,rand its boundaries are not yet clearly defined. While not seeking to encompass all branches of that science, the author has found it appropriate to emphasize the central problem of world ecology, namely, the [circulation of energy and of different types of matter within the biosphere. Wide use has been made of the author’s own earlier studies, including relevant sections of Thermal Balance of the Earth’s Surface (1956), Climate and Life (1971), and Climatic Changes (1974).

These studies are fneeded to solve current problems of global ecology, as well as to explain the patterns of the biosphere’s evolution in the past and to forecast its possible changes in the future.

Particular emphasis has been given to the geophysical aspects of global ecology, since the author possessed more data on that subject than on other aspects of that science.

Translated from the Russian
Designed by Mikhail Shevtsov

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Preface 5
The Biosphere 6
1. The Problems and Tasks of Global Ecology 6
2. The Structure of the Biosphere 17
The Transformations of Solar Radiation 36
1. Components of the Biosphere’s Energy Balance 36
2. The Geographical Distribution of Energy Balance Components 50
III Climate 72
1. Climate and Life 72
2. The Theory of Climate 81
3. Changes in Climate 99
IV The Hydrological Cycle 114
1. The Water Balance 114
2. Relations Between Energy and Water Balances on Land 120
3. The Water Exchange in the Atmosphere 128
V Geographical Zones 136
1. Climatic Factors Determining Geographical Zonality 136
2. A Periodic Law of Geographical Zonality 142
VI The Circulation of Organic Matter 154
1. Activities of Autotrophic Plants 154
2. The Global Biological Cycle 175
VII The Ecological Mechanism of the Evolution of Organisms 191
1. The Stability of Ecological Systems 191
2. Critical Ages in the History of the Biosphere 202
VIII The Ecological Mechanism of the Evolution of Man 222
1. The Origin of Man 222
2. The Ecological Crisis of the Upper Paleolithic 233
IX Man and the Biosphere 249
1. The Current Ecological Situation 249
2. Man’s Influence on Global Processes 259
X The Future of the Biosphere 276
1. The Evolution of the Biosphere 276
2. The Biosphere in the Near Future 293
Conclusion 310
Bibliography 313