Synopsis

This millennial edition focuses on five critical ecosystems that have been shaped by the interaction of physical environment, biological conditions, and human intervention: Croplands, forests, coastal zones, freshwater systems, and grasslands.

Executive Summary

World Resources 2000-2001 is the definitive guide to the global environment. The millennial edition presents a comprehensive assessment of vie fo the world's major ecosystems:

  • agroecosystems
  • coastal and marine ecosystems
  • forest ecosystems
  • freshwater systems
  • grassland ecosystems

Scorecard of conditions and changing capacities. The PAGE technical reports provides an in-depth examination of the condition of these five major ecosystems -- examining not only the quantity and quality of outputs but also the biological basis for production, including soil and water condition, biodiversity, and changes in land use over time.

Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. An initiative to generate new information, integrate current knowledge, develop methodological tools, and increase public understanding of the present and likely future condition of the world's ecosystems.

Pilot analysis of global ecosystems (PAGE) technical reports provides an in-depth examination of the condition of these five major ecosystems -- examining not only the quantity and quality of outputs but also the biological basis for production, including soil and water condition, biodiversity, and changes in land use over time.

Bill Moyers Reports: Earth on Edge. A special environmental program examines the status of the world's ecosystems. Visit the Web site to find out more about the changing status of the world's ecosystems.

World Resources 2000-2001 featured in TIME magazine

Database on CD-ROM

Gain instant access to the World Resources Institute's authoritative database on global conditions and trends. This time-saving research and reference tool contains all the vital economic, population, natural resource, and environmental statistics found in the print edition of World Resources 2000-2001, plus 20-year time series for many variables, and more. You won't find this extensive collection of global data anywhere else. Equally suitable for fast fact-finding and extensive statistical analysis, this valuable database contains 450 essential variables for 170 countries and regional and economic groupings. User-friendly software lets you browse, select, and export any or all of the data.