Introduction: The role of nature in the Anthropocene – Defining and reacting to a new geological epoch

Abstract

In a paradigmatic selection, the Special Issue unites contributions from biology, sustainability research, psychology and philosophy as well as media science and literary studies. It aims to discuss to what extent and on what basis the concept of nature is treated in the Anthropocene discourse with new perspectives, intentions and narratives. Not only the possibly changed conditions for a definition of nature in the Anthropocene are questioned, but also the necessity of an inter- and transdisciplinary opening, which goes along with this questioning and its connection with theoretical and practical issues.

Environmental parasitology: stressor effects on aquatic parasites

“…Such anthropogenic influences have increased greatly in recent decades, which is why this era is often summarised as the Anthropocene [1]. Although it is still being debated whether this epoch constitutes an official geological unit of time, it is characterised by the fact that humans have become the most influential species on the planet and have caused fundamental changes in the atmosphere and the entire ecology of the Earth [1], with farreaching consequences for all levels of organisation of life, including parasites [2]. Freshwater habitats are particularly affected by human impact and subsequent species loss [3,4].…”