Part Three III › Division V V › Section 355 355

The Place of Humans in the Biosphere

Subject Outline

AThe qualities that set human beings apart in the biosphere
- 1Structural characteristics and physical capabilities providing humans with a versatility unparalleled in the biosphere
- 2Physiological characteristics underlying the unique behaviour of humans: lack of a definite breeding season, long life span with slow development and lengthy dependency to maturity
- 3Behavioral capacity as the basis of the unique culture of humans: communication through propositional speech, intellect and conceptualization
BThe effects of human action upon the biosphere
- 1The influence of the human species on the modification of the environment
- 2The influence of the environment on the modification of the human species
- 3The attempts to change genetic endowments through deliberate selective measures: eugenics
CThe utilization of organisms by humans
- 1Domestication of plants and animals: distribution and development
- 2The cultivation of plants: plant breeding and growing
- 3The uses of plants [see also 724.C.8. and 731]
- 4The cultivation of animals: animal breeding and raising
- 5Major uses of animals [see also 724.C.8. and 731]
- 6The maintenance of public and private collections of live and preserved animals and plants
  - aMuseums of natural history
  - bZoological gardens and aviaries
  - cInstitutional and private aquariums
  - dBotanical gardens and arboretums
DThe conservation and management of natural resources
- 1The nature and scope of conservation management
- 2Types of natural resources
- 3Management of natural resources
- 4Management of the world's food supply
  - aThe problem of food supply: special difficulties facing the developing countries