If there's a fault with Krech's work, it's that he almost completely ignores the role of institutions in discussing how Indians interfaced with nature. Unfortunately, he fails to carry this theme consistently through the book. That' s a shame, since many of the problems faced by and solutions arrived at by Indians speak directly to contemporary conservation issues. Of course, this research into institutional incentives developed by Indians doesn't undercut Krech's work. Rather, it complements it.
Conservation depends on whether the institutions get the incentives right.
Thanks to The Ecological Indian , we have a clearer, more realistic picture of the first Americans.