The Effects of Weapons on Ecosystems

The Effects of Weapons on Ecosystems is a five-chapter book that describes the destruction of environment and its various ecosystems by humans. The book also explains the harmful effects, both intended and unanticipated, of the production, testing, stockpiling, and use of weapons of mass destruction. Organized into five chapters, the book begins with a classification of weapons of mass destruction and ecosystems. Subsequent chapter reviews the ecosystemic effects of weapons from data of ecological surveys of actual weapon test-sites and theaters of war. The book will clarify some outstanding issues on effects of weapons on ecosystems to concerned individuals, stimulate follow-up studies to advance the cause of disarmament and the protection of the environment, and lead to further action on these issues.

Introduction Chapter 1. Background and Approach Background Approach Chapter 2. Weapons Classification of weapons High-explosive weapons Incendiary weapons Chemical weapons Biological weapons Nuclear weapons Chapter 3. Ecosystems Structural and functional components Adaptability and vulnerability Classification of ecosystems Arid ecosystems Tropical ecosystems Arctic ecosystems Insular ecosystems Temperate ecosystems Chapter 4. Possible Impacts of Weapons on Ecosystems Empirical data Theoretical framework Stress through soil damage Stress through plant-cover destruction Stress through biocide Relationships between scales of weapons-use and magnitudes of stress and strain Impacts on tropical ecosystems Impacts on arid ecosystems Impacts on arctic ecosystems Chapter 5. Conclusions and Recommendations Overall implications Desertification Magnitude of impact Further study Recommendations Tables

Annex Field investigations into the ecological sequelae of military herbicide operations in Indochina: A bibliography