Rather than the 25 to 30 chapters found in most environmental science textbooks, the authors have limited Principles of Environmental Science: Inquiry and Applications to 16 chapters, perfect for the one semester, non majors environmental science course. True to its title, the goal of this concise text is to provide an up to date, introductory view of essential themes in environmental science along with offering students numerous opportunities to practice scientific thinking and active learning.

1. Understanding Our Environment
2. Environmental Systems : Matter and Energy of Life
3. Evolution, Species Interactions, and Biological Communities
4. Human Populations
5. Biomes and Biodiversity
6. Environmental Conservation: Forests, Grasslands, Parks, and Nature Preserves
7. Food and Agriculture
8. Environmental Health and Toxicology
9. Climate
10. Air Pollution
, etc.