The purpose of this book is to provide decision-makers and their non-scientific advisers and planners with an insight into the many ways in which man is dependent on the Earth for survival, the consequent need to apply the principles of conservation management to it and the contribution that earth scientists can make towards this end. Being primarily intended for the non-speicalist, the use of technical terms and the jargon of the scientists has been kept to a minimum, but it is hoped that earth scientists unfamiliar with the subject will also benefit.