Applied ecology Books

Book Synopsis'Simply wonderful.' - BEN FOGLE'Kate's book has the warmth and calming effect of a log fire and a glass of wine. Unknit your brow and let go. It's a treat.' - GARETH MALONE'Kate Humble pours her enviable knowledge into attainable goals. It's a winning combination and the prize - a life in balance with nature - is definitely worth claiming.' - LUCY SIEGLE'As ever, where Kate leads, I follow. She has made me reassess and reset.' - DAN SNOW'Kate Humble's new book is a lesson in moving on from a tragedy and finding our place in the world' - WOMAN & HOME'A Year of Living Simply is timely, given that the pandemic has forced most of us, in some way to simplify our lives, whether we planned to or not. Kate wrote it before any of us were aware of the upcoming crisis, but it captures the current moment perfectly... It's not necessarily a "how to" book, more of a "why not try?" approach.' - FRANCESCA BABB, MAIL ON SUNDAY YOU'What I particularly love is her philosophy for happiness, which is the subject of her new book, A Year of Living Simply. The clue is in the title. Remember the basics. Instead of barging through the day on autopilot, really stop to think about the tiniest little things that added a moment of joy. No, of course stopping and smelling the flowers won't cure all our ills and woes. But taking the time to savour the things that bring pleasure, really being in that moment and appreciating it, can remind you that most days have moments that buoy your mood.' - JO ELVIN, MAIL ON SUNDAY YOUIf there is one thing that most of us aspire to, it is, simply, to be happy. And yet attaining happiness has become, it appears, anything but simple. Having stuff - The Latest, The Newest, The Best Yet - is all too often peddled as the sure fire route to happiness. So why then, in our consumer-driven society, is depression, stress and anxiety ever more common, affecting every strata of society and every age, even, worryingly, the very young? Why is it, when we have so much, that many of us still feel we are missing something and the rush of pleasure when we buy something new turns so quickly into a feeling of emptiness, or purposelessness, or guilt?So what is the route to real, deep, long lasting happiness? Could it be that our lives have just become overly crowded, that we've lost sight of the things - the simple things - that give a sense of achievement, a feeling of joy or excitement? That make us happy. Do we need to take a step back, reprioritise? Do we need to make our lives more simple? Kate Humble's fresh and frank exploration of a stripped-back approach to life is uplifting, engaging and inspiring - and will help us all find balance and happiness every day.

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Book Synopsis''One of the most influential books about the natural world ever published'' Paul Kingsnorth, Guardian''There are some who can live without wild things, and some who cannot,'' begins Aldo Leopold''s totemic work of ecological thought. Ranging from lyrical observations of the changing seasons over a year on his Wisconsin farm to his hugely influential idea of a ''land ethic'' signifying moral equilibrium between humans and all other life on earth, A Sand County Almanac changed perceptions of the natural world and helped give birth to the modern conservation movement.''An unequivocal statement of conscience that will carry down the generations ... his argument seems more urgently true now than ever'' The New York TimesTrade ReviewWise and lyrical meditations on environmental ethics, human and natural history, and the passage of time. Some measure of how fiercely good it is: a well-read, retired U.S. Army colonel once told me that he considered Leopold to be better than Shakespeare * Helen Macdonald *These beautiful essays, based on the restoration of an exhausted 80-acre farm in the sand country of central Wisconsin, are full of insights rooted in intelligent humility that inform naturalists to this day * Isabella Tree *A classic ... there are moments of soft beauty [and] his epigrams are whipcrack smart -- Robert Macfarlane * Wall Street Journal *A trenchant book, full of vigor and bite * The New York Times *One of the seminal works of the environmental movement * Boston Globe *

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Book SynopsisExposes the destruction of wildlife through the widespread use of pesticides. This book aims to creates public awareness of the environment.Trade ReviewOne of the very few books truly to have changed the course of history * The Times *Rachel Carson educated a planet ... Silent Spring is the cornerstone of the conservation movement. Its impact was immediate, far-reaching and ultimately life-enhancing ... One of the most effective books ever written * Guardian *

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Book Synopsis A landmark book that overturns everything we think we know about humankind’s greatest idea.

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Book Synopsis''One of history''s most impressive field studies; an instant animal classic'' TIMEJane Goodall''s classic account of primate research provides an impressively detailed and absorbing account of the early years of her field study of, and adventures with, chimpanzees in Tanzania, Africa. It is a landmark for everyone to enjoy.

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Book SynopsisIn twenty short books, Penguin brings you the classics of the environmental movement.From the ravages of the global economy to the great pleasures of growing a garden, Wendell Berry''s powerful essays represent a heartfelt call for humankind to mend our broken relationship with the earth, and with each other.Over the past 75 years, a new canon has emerged. As life on Earth has become irrevocably altered by humans, visionary thinkers around the world have raised their voices to defend the planet, and affirm our place at the heart of its restoration. Their words have endured through the decades, becoming the classics of a movement. Together, these books show the richness of environmental thought, and point the way to a fairer, saner, greener world.

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Book SynopsisCall it ?Zen and the Art of Farming? or a ?Little Green Book,? Masanobu Fukuoka?s manifesto about farming, eating, and the limits of human knowledge presents a radical challenge to the global systems we rely on for our food. At the same time, it is a spiritual memoir of a man whose innovative system of cultivating the earth reflects a deep faith in the wholeness and balance of the natural world. As Wendell Berry writes in his preface, the book ?is valuable to us because it is at once practical and philosophical. It is an inspiring, necessary book about agriculture because it is not just about agriculture.? Trained as a scientist, Fukuoka rejected both modern agribusiness and centuries of agricultural practice, deciding instead that the best forms of cultivation mirror nature?s own laws. Over the next three decades he perfected his so-called ?do-nothing? technique: commonsense, sustainable practices that all but eliminate the use of pesticides, fertilizer, tillage, and perhaps most significantly, wasteful effort.Whether you?re a guerrilla gardener or a kitchen gardener, dedicated to slow food or simply looking to live a healthier life, you will find something here?you may even be moved to start a revolution of your own.

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Book SynopsisA thrilling exploration of nature's symbiotic relationships, some comforting and familiar, others wildly alien, by the award-winning author of Forget Me Not.What can nature teach us about living together? Investigating eight symbiotic relationships trying to survive the climate and biodiversity crises, Sophie Pavelle explains why it has never been more vital for us to understand symbiosis. Symbiotic relationships regulate ecosystems, strengthen resilience and bind pivotal connections.Species living together in symbiosis is no accident these dynamics evolved. Species form and sever alliances everywhere, from deep within temperate rainforests to the open ocean, quiet tidal pools or chalk grasslands, and nature thrives on relationships as glamorous as they are grotesque and as bizarre as they are engrossing.In To Have or To Hold, Sophie relishes the interconnectedness between species and celebrates the relationships that under

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Book SynopsisAre you excited about permaculture but unclear how to put it into practice for yourself? In this unique, full colour guide, experienced permaculture teacher Aranya leads you through the design process from beginning to end, using clear explanations, flowcharts and diagrams. It is based on course worksheets which have been designed, refined and tested on students over time. Linking theory to practice, he places the ethics, principles, philosophies, tools and techniques directly into the context of the process itself. While written for anyone with a basic grasp of permaculture, this book also has plenty to offer the more experienced designer. This guide covers: Systems and patterns ~ Working as part of a design team ~ Land and non-land based design ~ Design frameworks ~ Site surveying and map making ~ Interviewing clients ~ Working with large client groups ~ Identifying functions ~ Choosing systems and elements ~ Placement and integration ~ Creating a design proposal ~ Project management ~ Presenting your ideas to clients ~ and much more. A great reference for anyone who has done, or is thinking of doing, any kind of permaculture course.Trade ReviewFor most people, taking the permaculture design course is a major life event. It opens the door on a new way of looking at the world, a new way of being in the world. It affects you on so many levels that, however well you took notes, inevitably some of what you learnt passes you by. That s why Aranya wrote this book: so that people could go away from the design courses he teaches and have a reference to the design methods he s taught them. In effect it s a toolbox of permaculture design methods. So this book provides two useful functions. It s a useful primer to prepare you for the major life event that is a permaculture design course, giving you many insights into applying the design process. And if you ve already done the course, it will consolidate and reinforce the many design skills you ve learned, enabling you to put permaculture into practice on the ground. Patrick Whitefield is an author, teacher and permaculture consultant

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisGrowing more mushrooms may be the best thing we can do to save the environment, and mushroom expert Paul Stamets explains how in this groundbreaking manual. The science goes like this: fine filaments of cells called mycelium, the fruit of which are mushrooms, already cover large areas of land around the world. As the mycelium grows, it breaks down plant and animal debris, recycling carbon, nitrogen, and other elements in the creation of rich new soil. What Stamets shows is that the enzymes and acids thatmycelium produces to decompose this debris are superb at breaking apart hydrocarbons--the base of many pollutants. Stamets discusses the various branches of this exciting new technology, including mycorestoration (biotransforming stripped land), mycofiltration (creating habitat buffers), myco-remediation (healing chemically harmed environments), and mycoforestry (creating truly sustainable forests)--From publisher description.

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Book Synopsis'A book of wonders' Bee Wilson, Sunday Times Books of the YearWinner of the Wainwright Prize 2022 - Eating to Extinction is an astonishing journey through the past, present and future of food, showing why reclaiming a diverse food culture is vital.'Saladino inspires us to believe that turning the tide is still possible' Yotam OttolenghiFrom a tiny crimson pear in the west of England to an exploding corn in Mexico, there are thousands of foods that are at risk of being lost for ever. Dan Saladino spans the globe to uncover their stories, meeting the pioneering farmers, scientists, cooks, food producers and indigenous communities who are defending food traditions and fighting for change.Eating to Extinction is about so much more than preserving the past. It is about the crisis facing our planet today, and why reclaiming a diverse food culture is vital for our future.* With a new preface by the author *Winner of multiple awards, including the Fortnum & Mason Food Book Award and the Guild of Food Writers Food Book Award.'I love this book... I wish the whole world could read it' Raymond Blanc'A brilliant read' Tim SpectorTrade ReviewWe all need to pay more attention to what we are (and are no longer) eating... Dan Saladino inspires us to believe that turning the tide is still possible. -- Yotam OttolenghiA rallying cry to us all to protect the world's diversity before it's too late. But this is also a book filled with optimism; it captures the energy of a global movement of people dedicating their lives to saving the plants, the animals, the flavours and the food knowledge we must preserve. -- Alice WatersFor anyone interested in Darwin, world power, and life itself, read on. -- Cerys MatthewsDan Saladino's brilliant book answers the questions we forgot to ask, and highlights the incredible diversity we stand to lose. A genuine masterpiece and a call to arms. Everyone who loves food and cooking should read this. -- Gill MellerThis inspiring and urgent book is one of the few food books that has ever given me goosebumps... A love letter to the huge diversity of foods enjoyed by human beings, but it is also a call to arms to preserve that diversity and strangeness against the onslaught of a globalised industrial food system... It is a story full of both loss and hope. -- Bee Wilson

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Book SynopsisPlacing twenty first-century climate change in deep context, A Brief History of Earth is an indispensable look at where we’ve been and where we’re going.Features original illustrations depicting Earth history and nearly 50 figures (maps, tables, photographs, graphs).Trade Review“A fantastic distillation of Earth's history, from one of the world’s leading geologists: Andrew H. Knoll has written an engrossing, witty, and eminently readable romp through our home planet’s 4.5 billion years, from trilobites and dinosaurs to human origins and our rapidly changing modern times.” — Steve Brusatte, New York Times bestselling author of The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs "Having spent decades at the forefront of discovery and research, Andrew H. Knoll has been one of our planet's leading scientists. In A Brief History of Earth, Knoll treats us to a 4.6-billion-year detective story revealing the origins and inner workings of our home in the solar system. In these pages you'll discover something profound: how our past, present, and future are grounded in Planet Earth." — Neil Shubin, author of Your Inner Fish and Some Assembly Required "Covers the arc of our planet’s history from its earliest formation to the present day in a succinct and deftly-written way." — Forbes “Charts the planet’s history in accessible style, from its beginning as ‘a small planet accreted out of rocky debris circling a modest young star’ through the development of minerals, geographical formations, atmosphere, and life forms large and small.” — Associated Press "Skillfully condenses the history of the Earth. ... An expert primer on the history of everything." — Kirkus Reviews "A sublime chronicle of our planet’s formation and beginnings, the perhaps unlikely yet awe-inspiring interactions that created life, diverse and abundant, and mass extinctions and recoveries. Knoll skillfully presents the extreme conditions, violence, and delicate fragility that mark the cycles and evolution of our home." — Booklist (starred review) "The type of book that is sorely needed at this moment in history. ... Knoll assembles facts from a wide variety of fields to tell our planet’s story in a clear and accessible narrative." — Scientific Inquirer “An eloquent call to action.” — CNN.com "In spite of its sweeping scale, the Harvard geologist and natural history professor’s primer not only makes the titular four billion years understandable – his accessible expertise makes it interesting." — Globe and Mail (Toronto)

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Book SynopsisBees are enigmatic creatures that have long attracted human admiration and fascination. But even more than that, they are a key lynchpin in the workings of the entire natural world. And we’re not just talking about honey bees. There are over 20,000 species of bees worldwide and only a handful of those actually make honey. Some live in colonies but others are solitary. We can all help protect them - and they desperately need protecting - but you can’t save what you don’t love. And you can’t love what you don’t know. The Good Bee is a celebration of this most vital and mysterious of nature’s wizards. Here you’ll discover the complexities of bee behaviour - as well as the intriguing bits that continue to baffle us - the part they play in the natural world, their relationship with us throughout history, how they are already under serious threat, and, crucially, what we can all do about

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Book SynopsisIn twenty short books, Penguin brings you the classics of the environmental movement.This is Jared Diamond''s haunting account of visiting the mysterious stone statues of Easter Island, showing how a remote civilization destroyed itself by exploiting its own natural resources - and why we must heed this warning.Over the past 75 years, a new canon has emerged. As life on Earth has become irrevocably altered by humans, visionary thinkers around the world have raised their voices to defend the planet, and affirm our place at the heart of its restoration. Their words have endured through the decades, becoming the classics of a movement. Together, these books show the richness of environmental thought, and point the way to a fairer, saner, greener world.

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewSustainability is the hot buzzword these days. Does it take a whole book to explain what it means? Yes and how lucky we are to have it. This is a book about how to think about what it takes to keep systems going. The Q and A format makes difficult and contested concepts especially easy to follow. * Marion Nestle, Professor Emerita, New York University, and author of Let's Ask Marion: What You Need to Know about Food, Nutrition, and Health *This book may surprise many readers by exploring sustainability from such diverse fields as business and scientific realms to social justice and the arts. Their lens of 'systems thinking' helps explain why sustainability and resilience increasingly dominates public and private sector agendas today. * Christine Ervin, Former President and CEO, U.S. Green Building Council *Thompson and Norris are some of the most distinguished academics in the field of sustainability. Although the book is clearly underpinned by a considerable body of evidence, the writing style is engaging and easily digestible. It will serve as an excellent introduction to the topic for students and curious readers alike. * Michael Braungart, Chemist and Founder of EPEA International GmbH, and Co-Founder of MBDC *Systems thinking shows that seeking sustainability is a learning process in which we need to remain faithful and embrace uncertainty. * L. Díez Sanjuán, Agriculture and Human Values *Table of ContentsChapter 1. What is Sustainability? Chapter 2. Sustainability and Business Chapter 3. Sustainability and Ecology Chapter 4. Sustainability and Environmental Quality Chapter 5. Sustainable Development Chapter 6. Sustainability and Social Justice Chapter 7. Sustainable Governance Chapter 8. Sustainability in Science, Education, Religion, and the Arts Chapter 9. Sustainability: What Everyone Needs to Ask

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Book Synopsis?“Gets deep into the weeds, so to speak, of the microscopic architecture of plants and the biochemical processes at play.” —Washington Post Most gardeners realize that plants need to be fed, but many of us know little about the nature of the science involved. In Teaming with Nutrients, Jeff Lowenfels explains the basics of plant nutrition from an organic gardener’s perspective. In his trademark down-to-earth, style, Lowenfels explains the role of both macronutrients and micronutrients and shows gardeners how to provide these essentials through organic, easy-to-follow techniques. Along the way, Lowenfels provides easy-to-grasp lessons in the biology, chemistry, and botany needed to understand how nutrients get into the plant and what they do once they’re inside.

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Book SynopsisProgress requires the conquest of nature. Or does it? This new account overturns conventional interpretations of Marx and in the process outlines a more rational approach to the current environmental crisis. Marx, it is often assumed, cared only about industrial growth and the development of economic forces. John Bellamy Foster examines Marx's neglected writings on capitalist agriculture and soil ecology, philosophical naturalism, and evolutionary theory. He shows that Marx, known as a powerful critic of capitalist society, was also deeply concerned with the changing human relationship to nature. Marx's Ecology covers many other thinkers, including Epicurus, Charles Darwin, Thomas Malthus, Ludwig Feuerbach, P. J. Proudhon, and William Paley. By reconstructing a materialist conception of nature and society, Marx's Ecology challenges the spiritualism prevalent in the modern Green movement, pointing toward a method that offers more lasting and sustainable solutions to the ecological crisis.Table of ContentsThe materialist conception of nature; the really earthly question; parsonian naturalism; the materialist conception of history; the metabolism of natue and society; coevolution and sustainability.

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Book SynopsisThe first book to chronicle how innovation in laboratory designs for botanical research energized the emergence of physiological plant ecology as a vibrant subdiscipline

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Book SynopsisHow can we become more in tune with nature, even in the heart of the city? Once upon a time, a burnt-out Claire Dunn spent a year living off the grid in a wilderness survival experiment. Yet love and the possibilities of human connection drew her back to the city, where she soon found herself as overscheduled, addicted to her phone, and lost in IKEA as the rest of us. Given all the city offers — comfort, convenience, community, and opportunity — she wants to stay. But to do so, she’ll have to learn how to rewild her own urban soul. Claire swims in city rivers, forages in the suburbs, and explores many other practices to connect to the world around her. Rewilding the Urban Soul is a field guide to being at one with nature, wherever you are.Trade Review‘In Rewilding the Urban Soul, Claire asks an important question, “How can I expect us to fall in love with the world in the way that’s so needed if it’s dependent on going bush for a year? No, it has to be possible, right where we are.” A cliffhanger from that point on, Claire’s wonderful storytelling, research, and perspectives make it clear it’s not only possible, but it’s incredibly healing and fun! This book is essential for our times.’ -- Jon Young, author of Coyote’s Guide to Connecting with Nature and What the Robin Knows‘This beautiful and hopeful new memoir by Claire Dunn, about reconnecting with nature in the city, will leave you informed and inspired.’ * Stylist *‘Love makes us move to the city. Duty makes us stay. But how do we create a liveable habitat for our bodies and spirits and relations in these murderous places? You might find the answer in this book.’ -- Tyson Yunkaporta, author of Sand Talk‘In this beautifully written book, Claire Dunn encourages the reader to welcome back the fox woman with her untameable pelt and unfamiliar woody scent, to cherish numinous encounters, to fall in love with the world, to be enchanted once again. She inspires the possibility to wildness, both inner and outer, for all those living within city limits and beyond. Rewilding the Urban Soul will stir people’s souls, for sure.’ -- Miriam Lancewood, author of Woman in the Wilderness and Wild at Heart‘Claire Dunn, author of the classic My Year Without Matches, takes her next step into rewilding — the process of waking to the sit spot we call Earth. Even in cities, where the majority of people now live, we can still become indigenous to our universe. I was deeply moved by the eloquence of each page and the soul that fuels her words.’ -- Richard Louv, author of Our Wild Calling and Last Child in the Woods‘Looking for what’s untamed and true, but you’re ensconced in the city? No need to leave town. The wild is all around you — and in you, and as you — and you could not have a more seasoned, engaging, or big-hearted guide than Claire Dunn, she who has devoted years to wandering trail, thicket, and waterway, as well as the urban wilds. No matter your address, this deeply wise and spellbinding book is your portal out of the Matrix and into the Real, into the windswept world as beloved, into the mysteries of both nature and your own psyche, a siren’s song you cannot afford to resist.’ -- Bill Plotkin, author of Soulcraft, Wild Mind, and The Journey of Soul Initiation‘In the same way that Wohlleben wants us to visit the woods to connect with nature, Claire Dunn implores us to search for it within our urban environments. Spawned from a year living completely off-grid, Dunn explores the practices that make it possible for even the most ardent city slicker to enjoy a healthier relationship with the wilderness that surrounds us all.’ * Happy Mag, starred review *‘Part memoir, part urgent appeal, Claire Dunn’s new book explores how our urban lives can become more intimate with nature … [Rewilding the Urban Soul] is made of love, and it draws us in.’ -- Tracy Sorensen * The Newtown Review of Books *‘[T]hose intrigued by the wildness just beyond their apartment windows will find this to be a gem.’ * Publishers Weekly *Praise for My Year Without Matches: ‘This is a brave and adventurous book - a memoir that took me into the heart of the wilderness through the eyes of a courageous young woman. Claire’s writing is full of life and profound surprises. She writes with stunning intricacy of the world around her as she is caught in the spell of the wilderness. Read, and you will be caught in the ripple of the land as Claire leads us into alien yet intimate landscapes.’ -- Anne Deveson AO, author of Tell Me I'm Here and ResiliencePraise for My Year Without Matches: ‘Claire Dunn’s account of her year of living simply is so beautifully written, with such wisdom, wit and heart, and so many well-observed details, that you feel yourself alongside a dear friend, seeing and experiencing all she does, and hoping the journey will never end. This is the best, most honest book I have read in a long time.’ -- Louise Southerden, award-winning travel writerPraise for My Year Without Matches: ‘This is a surprising and remarkable account of one woman's quest to reconnect with the earth and herself. Written with raw honesty, humour, and poetic beauty, Claire swept me along through the swamps and mountaintops of her experience. Thrumming with the sounds of nature, read this book and hear in yourself the call to the wilds.’ -- John Seed, co-author of Thinking Like a Mountain

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Book SynopsisHow do we get to know air? Aeropolis: Queering Air in Toxicpolluted Worlds offers a speculative and interdisciplinary framework to reorient common understandings of air and air pollution as matter “out there.” Aeropolis contests regimes of managing air which ultimately operate toward upholding dominant modes of world-making that are dependent on forms of exclusion and inequity. Instead, Aeropolis proposes that air is thought of as a city, to center its social, cultural, political, ecological entanglements. Drawing upon feminist technoscience and queer ecological frameworks, Aeropolis moves away from solutions toward a methodology of “designing-thinking-making” that redirects and connects our understandings of air—as designers, as citizens—with ongoing struggles for just futures. Moving through a series of design interventions, histories of air, and theoretical coordinates, Aeropolis thinks with air across its many forms—through smog and dust, bodies and breath, pollen and weeds, and from urban design to geopolitics, polluted environments to open data, parks to aerial infrastructures. It insists that we acknowledge the diversity of air and its relation to humans, non-humans, and environments, both physically and affectively. That we become sensible to air by following its unruliness—by living, breathing, seeing, holding, touching, queering airs.With contributions from María Puig de la Bellacasa and Timothy K. Choy.Trade ReviewThe airs of Aeropolis are full of political agonism and liberatory potential, and this book serves as a guide to navigating the world of the potently-affective and semi-visible. -- Jaffer Kolb * BOMB Magazine *

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Book SynopsisAn absorbing celebration of the ecology, biology and cultural history of the rich hedgerow heritage in the British Isles.Much of the UK is intensively farmed, and in such landscapes hedges are often the only refuge for wildlife. In addition to providing shelter, protection and food for animals, they also connect and bind together the patches of habitat that do remain, as well as playing vital roles in soil conservation and flood prevention in short, they are vital for nature's recovery.In Hedges, Robert Wolton brings together decades of research, while also incorporating personal experiences from his farm in Devon, to explore the ecology, nature conservation and wider environmental values of our hedges. From improving water quality and producing wood fuel as a renewable energy source to the use of hedges in boosting crop pollination, this engaging and authoritative book will help to inspire people to value and look after the remarkably rich hedgerow he

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Book SynopsisA manifesto?and a field guide?for a new dawn of natural history, practiced by community scientists in their own urban jungle.Imagine taking your smartphone-turned-microscope to an empty lot and discovering a rare mason bee that builds its nest in empty snail shells. Or a miniature spider that hunts ants and carries their corpses around. With a team of citizen scientists, that?s exactly what Menno Schilthuizen did?one instance in the evolutionary biologist?s campaign to take natural science to the urban landscape where most of us live today. In this delightful book, The Urban Naturalist, Schilthuizen invites us to join him, to embark on a new age of discovery, venturing out as intrepid explorers of our own urban habitat?and maybe in the process do the natural world some good.Thanks to the open science revolution, real biological discoveries can now be made by anyone right where they live. Schilthuizen shows readers just how to go about making those discoveries, introducing them to the tools of the trade of the urban community scientist, from the tried and tested (the field notebook, the butterfly net, and the hand lens) to the newfangled (internet resources, low-tech gadgets, and off-the-shelf gizmos). But beyond technology, his book holds the promise of reviving the lost tradition of the citizen scientist?rekindling the spirit of the Victorian naturalist for the modern world.At a time when the only nature most people get to see is urban, The Urban Naturalist demonstrates that understanding the novel ecosystems around us is our best hope for appreciating and protecting biodiversity.

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Book SynopsisBiogeography is the study of geographic variation in all characteristics of life - ranging from genetic, morphological and behavioural variation among regional populations of a species, to geographic trends in diversity of entire communities across our planet''s sufrace. From the ancient hunters and gatherers to the earliest naturalists, Charles Darwin, Alfred Russel Wallace, and scientists today, the search for patterns in life has provided insights that proved invaluable for understanding the natural world. And many, if not most, of the compelling kaleidoscope of patterns in biological diversity make little sense unless placed in an explicit geographic context. The Very Short Introduction explains the historical development of the field of biogeography, its fundamental tenets, principles and tools, and the invaluable insights it provides for understanding the diversity of life in the natural world. As Mark Lomolino shows, key questions such as where species occur, how they vary from place to place, where their ancestors occurred, and how they spread across the globe, are essential for us to develop effective strategies for conserving the great menagerie of life across our planet.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade ReviewThis is a good read on a fascinating discipline that Lomolino's holistic approach, which includes geology, paleontology, anthropology, ecology, evolution, and conservation science, serves well. * Society for Conservation Biology *Table of ContentsAcknowledgements List of illustrations 1: Biological diversity and the geography of nature 2: Dynamics maps of a dynamic planet 3: Geography of diversification 4: Retracing evolution across space and time 5: The geography of biological diversity 6: Macroecology and the geography of micro-evolution 7: The geographic and ecological advance of humanity Further reading Index

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Book SynopsisFrom entomologist Barrett Klein comes a buzz-worthy exploration of the many ways insects have affected human society, history, and culture Insects surround us. They fuel life on Earth through their roles as pollinators, predators, and prey, but rarely do we consider the outsize influence they have had on our culture and civilization. Their anatomy and habits inform how we live, work, create art, and innovate. Featuring nearly 250 color images—from ancient etchings to avant-garde art, from bug-based meals to haute couture—The Insect Epiphany proves that our world would look very different without insects, not just because they are crucial to our ecosystems, but because they have shaped and inspired so many aspects of what makes us human.  

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Book Synopsis One of the earliest warnings about climate change and one of environmentalism''s lodestars''Nature, we believe, takes forever. It moves with infinite slowness,'' begins the first book to bring climate change to public attention.Interweaving lyrical observations from his life in the Adirondack Mountains with insights from the emerging science, Bill McKibben sets out the central developments not only of the environmental crisis now facing us but also the terms of our response, from policy to the fundamental, philosophical shift in our relationship with the natural world which, he argues, could save us. A moving elegy to nature in its pristine, pre-human wildness, The End of Nature is both a milestone in environmental thought, indispensable to understanding how we arrived here.Trade ReviewPart science and part poetry, a sensitive and provocative essay of alarm, a kind of song for the wild, a lament for its loss, and a plea for its restoration -- Daniel J. Kevles * New York Review of Books *Permeated with the immediacy of the Adirondack Mountains, the trees he can see from his window, the changing seasons, the wild creatures he encounters. An extraordinary book -- Jonathon Porritt * Sunday Telegraph *The fundamental book about the planetary change we are undergoing -- Gaia VinceMcKibben explores the philosophies and technologies that have brought us here, and he shows how final a crossing we have made -- James Gleick

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Book SynopsisFood security and environmental conservation are two of the greatest challenges facing the world today. It is predicted that food production must increase by at least 70% before 2050 to support continued population growth, though the size of the world's agricultural area will remain essentially unchanged. This updated and thoroughly revised second edition provides in-depth coverage of the impact of environmental conditions and management on crops, resource requirements for productivity and effects on soil resources. The approach is explanatory and integrative, with a firm basis in environmental physics, soils, physiology and morphology. System concepts are explored in detail throughout the book, giving emphasis to quantitative approaches, management strategies and tactics employed by farmers, and associated environmental issues. Drawing on key examples and highlighting the role of science, technology and economic conditions in determining management strategies, this book is suitable foTrade Review'The new edition of Crop Ecology, by Connor, Loomis, and Cassman, retains the strengths of the earlier edition, namely, insightful analysis of the key principles that explain crop resource use and growth, based on extensive use of peer-reviewed data, averaging more than one graph or table per page. Any practitioner or student of 'evidence-based agriculture' needs a copy of this book.' R. Ford Denison, University of Minnesota, and author of Darwinian Agriculture'… a timely update of a foundational text for college or graduate curricula providing comprehensive treatment of ecological principles and concepts central to achieving global food security and to conducting the environmental accounting critical to sustaining productivity through judicious natural resource management … an essential desk reference for practising systems agronomists, agro-ecologists, and agricultural economists and biological engineers pursuing biophysical life cycle analyses. With a predominant focus on staple crop systems, [the] authors … present key biophysical mechanisms and processes with detailed explanations of the quantitative approaches to their estimation; in-depth examples and case studies facilitate comprehension. Important new sections include ideotype concepts in respiration and partitioning, spatial variability in soil management, energy and labor requirements for bioenergy crops, and irrigation and world food supply. This book is remarkably easy to read and will be accessible to a range of knowledge levels and backgrounds.' Sylvie M. Brouder, Purdue University'… a good introductory text for students of agriculture and environmental science.' The Biologist'The second edition provides a worthy successor to the first. … It is easy to read despite containing a wealth of detail. It is definitely a book to recommend to serious students of crop science and of managed ecosystems.' Journal of Agricultural Science'This edition retains the engaging conversational tone that made the original volume popular with students. The presentation of crop ecology in this text employs unparalleled clarity to facilitate interest and learning. Despite its focus as an educational work, this book would have considerable utility as a reference for practitioners in the field. As with the original text, the second edition saves the best for last - Chapter 18 conveys the authors' collective vision for the future of agriculture. If this edition weathers the test of time as well as [the] original, then this chapter alone is required reading for agriculturalists.' Thomas G. Chastain, The Quarterly Review of BiologyTable of ContentsPreface; Part I. Farming Systems and Their Biological Components: 1. Agricultural systems; 2. Trophic chains; 3. Community concepts; 4. Genetic resources; 5. Development; Part II. Physical and Chemical Environments: 6. Aerial environment; 7. Soil resources; Part III. Production Processes: 8. Nitrogen processes; 9. Water relations; 10. Photosynthesis; 11. Respiration and partitioning; Part IV. Resource Management: 12. Soil management; 13. Strategies and tactics for rainfed agriculture; 14. Water management in irrigated agriculture; 15. Energy and labor; Part V. Farming, Then, Now and in the Future: 16. Evolution of wheat farming systems in southern Australia; 17. Technological change in high-yield agriculture; 18. The future of agriculture; Species list; Conversions and constants useful in crop ecology; Index.

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Book SynopsisSecond edition of a biographical approach to Schauberger, uncovering his remarkable ideas and inventions through his life and experiences.Trade Review'Readers unfamiliar with Schauberger will find this an excellent place to start… As one who is convinced that our attitude to nature must undergo a complete revolution, I regard the work of Schauberger as essential reading.'-- Scientific Medical Network Review'The life and thinkings of the visionary natural scientist explained in fascinating detail.'--BBC Gardens Illustrated'Illuminating and accessible'--Resurgence

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Book SynopsisOriginally published in French in 1974, radical feminist Francoise d'Eaubonne surveyed women's status around the globe and argued that the stakes of feminist struggle was not about equality but about life and death-for humans and the planet. In this wide-ranging manifesto, d'Eaubonne first proposed a politics of ecofeminism, the idea that the patriarchal system's claim over women's bodies and the natural world destroys both, and that feminism and environmentalism must bring about a new 'mutation'-an overthrow of not just male power but the system of power itself. As d'Eaubonne prophesied, "the planet placed in the feminine will flourish for all."Never before published in English, and translated here by French feminist scholar Ruth Hottell, this edition includes an introduction from scholars of ecology and feminism situating d'Eaubonne's work within current feminist theory, environmental justice organizing, and anticolonial feminism.Trade ReviewStudents of feminism will savor this cogent presentation of a landmark text. * Publishers Weekly *An iconic text, one of the first to discuss ecofeminism and the inherent connections between women and nature ... with its urgent discussions of climate change and human rights, Feminism or Death is a perennial feminist text... potent and timeless. * Foreword Reviews *Table of ContentsPreface, by Carolyn MerchantIntroduction, by Myriam Bahaffou and Julie Gorecki (translated by Emma Ramadan) INTRODUCTION FEMINITUDE, OR RADICAL SUBJECTIVITY The Tragedy of Being a Woman Majority or Minority?Work and Prostitution Rape FROM REVOLUTION TO MUTATIONThe Stress of the Rat Regarding AbortionFor a Planetary Feminist Manifesto For a Planetary Feminist Manifesto (continued) For a Feminist Planetary Manifesto (end) Departure for a Long March THE TIME FOR ECOFEMINISM New Perspectives Ecology and Feminism Appendices A. How women do not control their destinyB. The New Feminine Mystique (Liberation) C. A Rose for Valerie D. A Tract for a "Feminist Front" E. To See Clearly (Combat for Man) Bibliography

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Book SynopsisBat detector surveys are carried out by ecological consultants, researchers, conservationists and hobbyists. Understanding and categorising non-bat sounds in surveys offers the potential of knock-on benefits for informing development projects (e.g. other important records discovered within a site), as well as the possibility of associated conservation benefits. In recent years the number of people carrying out these surveys and recording calls with bat detectors has grown considerably. These surveys often generate vast amounts of audio recordings, resulting in the heavy workload associated with completing the sound analysis and reporting process. Those carrying out analysis can be distracted, intrigued or delayed owing to the occurrence of recordings that are unfamiliar and not identifiable to them. These recordings can relate to ‘difficult to ID’ bat species, but also, often, sounds not related to bats. This can be especially true when noise triggers such as insects, small mammals or birds look like bat-related noise. Therefore, only knowing what bats sound like is not enough. It is extremely useful to know what other sources of noise look and sound like within the same soundscape. This resource will help bat workers, in whatever environment they are in, to be more confident in recognising, categorising and dismissing other sounds. The book includes a substantial downloadable sound library (.wav format) that readers can listen to by ear or process through sound analysis software. Is That a Bat? also caters for sounds that are also heard by ear alone, in the field, during the hours of darkness. These scenarios often have bat surveyors intrigued or confused as to what they are listening to. Occasionally, knowing what these sounds are could be important, or at the very least, of interest. The first chapter caters for the subject overall, including suggestions from the author as to why the subject matter is of value. It also discusses bat-related calls (including social calls) with a view to offering comparisons against the other sources of sound discussed in separate chapters. Continuing through the book, there are chapters covering the following: small mammals; amphibians; insects; birds; electrical/mechanical noise; and other noise/nuisances. Within each chapter there are sub-sections about bat detector recorded sound, sound by ear, as well as advice on techniques and methods to reduce or increase the likelihood of recording other sounds. The book concludes with associated appendices, including a ‘Problem Solving Key’ to help those encountering an unfamiliar sound to narrow it down to the likely source. With technology advancing at pace, the technical ability of the analyst is of huge importance. With a wider perspective and more knowledge, those responsible for interpreting field encounters can be more confident when making decisions about sources of sound. Apart from that, ‘knowing stuff’ makes the job far more interesting and gives the bat worker a greater appreciation of the natural world within which they are working.Trade ReviewIn fact it is an invaluable read and reference for anyone identifying bats through sound analysis at any level, from beginners to the more experienced. .… This book succeeds brilliantly in encouraging appreciation of the rich and varied world of sound around us. These sounds can sometimes confound our attempts to accurately identify bat species from their calls but at the same time they greatly increase our scope for evaluating and enjoying the biodiversity around us (very timely in the context of current multi-taxa monitoring initiatives). It also makes an important contribution to helping raise standards in the acoustic identification of bats. -- Philip Briggs, Bat Conservation Trust.. this is the book highlight for me this year. -- Stuart Newson * BTO News *Very readable book... I expect to use it regularly as a source of reference. I recommend it not just to those members interested in bats and ultrasonics, but to the growing number of us doing nocmig, or using an Audiomoth or other long-term monitoring device. -- Simon Elliott * Wildlife Sound *… a nice overview of problems a non-expert in bat echolocation research might encounter during a nightly excursion, or when analysing their recordings. -- Martin K. Obrist * Bioacoustics *Without a doubt, anyone who intends to record bats in their natural environment, would do well with a copy of this book. -- Al Milano * batdetecting.blogspot.com *Table of ContentsPreface Acknowledgements Preamble: Before We Get Started Downloading Files from the Sound Library 1. Well, What On Earth Could It Be? 2. Terrestrial Mammals 3. Birds 4. Amphibians 5. Insects 6. Electronic & Mechanical 7. Weather, People & Other Nuisances References Appendix I Supporting Figures Appendix II Problem Solving Appendix III Useful Additional Resources Appendix IV Test Yourself Appendix V Glossary Index

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Book SynopsisThe social calls of bats are an area about which relatively little is known, with more research still required to expand our understanding. However, these calls are increasingly recognised as a useful aid to identification: they appear to be species specific and are indicative of behaviour – as in territorial activity of males during the mating season. Because the gathering and interpretation of bat echolocation data are a matter of course during research, conservation and consultancy, it is a logical progression to build momentum behind the consideration of social calls in mainstream bat-related work. A better understanding of this subject could mean that non-intrusive survey methods are developed, ensuring that what is being observed is, as far as possible, purely natural behaviour. In turn this will contribute to better interpretation and more suitable mitigation, compensation and/or enhancement solutions. The book summarises what is understood so far about social calls of the bat species occurring in Britain and Ireland, and north-west Europe. This new edition has been updated and expanded throughout, now containing: foreword by the bat authority Michel Barataud, author of Acoustic Ecology of European Bats almost double the number of figures and tables as appeared in the first edition completely overhauled call library, all in full spectrum format, with new additional examples three entirely new chapters, covering bat-related acoustics, settings for social interaction, and survey guidelines The material will be useful to people carrying out bat studies, at whatever level and for whatever purpose, and will also encourage others to undertake further research. What's more, social calls are fascinating to listen to: they are, after all, produced with listeners in mind (other bats). In light of this, the book is accompanied by an extensive downloadable library of sound files which offer a unique gateway into the private life of bats. Trade ReviewThis much expanded 2nd edition provides a thorough overview of bat social calls and the current state of knowledge...I hope for continued expansions of this book in future, but in the meantime, there is plenty within this second edition to further illuminate some of the most fascinating yet often mysterious aspects of bat vocalisations. -- Philip Briggs, Bat Conservation TrustThe authors can be congratulated for their work and for opening up new insights and offering a better understanding of this complex area of research. -- Wiesław Bogdanowicz * Acta Chiropterologica *Table of ContentsForeword Preface Acknowledgements About the Authors Important Notices 1 An Overview of Bats in Britain and Ireland 2 Bat-related Acoustics: An Introduction 3 Settings for Social Interaction 4 Classification of Social Calls 5 Analysis of Social Calls 6 Considerations in Survey Design 7 Survey Guidelines (Bat Social Calls) 8 Species Groups Appendix Bibliography References Index

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Book SynopsisWe live in an oil-dependent world, and have got to this level of dependency in a very short space of time, using vast reserves of oil in the process without planning for when the supply is not so plentiful. Most people don't want to think about what happens when the oil runs out (or becomes prohibitively expensive), but The Transition Handbook shows how the inevitable and profound changes ahead can have a positive effect. They can lead to the rebirth of local communities, which will generate their own fuel, food and housing. They can encourage the development of local currencies, to keep money in the local area. They can unleash a local 'skilling-up', so that people have more control over their lives. The Transition Handbook is the manual which will guide communities to begin this 'energy descent' journey. The argument that 'small is inevitable' is upbeat and positive, as well as utterly convincing. The Transition Companion by Rob Hopkins was published in 2012, and The Power of Just Doing Stuff in 2014.Trade ReviewIf your town is not yet a Transition Town, here is guidance for making it one. We have little time, and much to accomplish * Richard Heinberg, Post Carbon Institute, Santa Rosa, California, author of Power Down *Table of ContentsForeword by Richard Heinberg Introduction Part 1 The Head: understanding peak oil Part 2 The Heart: positive visions of a post peak oil future Part 3 The Hands: a manual for developing the transition town model

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Book SynopsisA guide on the fundamental concepts, applications, algorithms, protocols, new trends and challenges, and research results. It offers information on the core and specialized issues in the field, making it suitable for both the new and experienced researcher.Table of ContentsCognitive Strategies for Green Two-Tier Cellular Networks: A Critical OverviewA Survey of Contemporary Technologies for Smart Home Energy ManagementEmbedded Computing in the Emerging Smart GridIEEE 802.15.4 Based Wireless Sensor Network Design for Smart Grid CommunicationsSmart Grid Communications NetworksWireless Technologies, Protocols, Issues and StandardsIntercell Interference Coordination: Towards A Greener Cellular Network; Energy-efficient Radio Resource Management for Green Radio SystemsGreen computing and Communication ArchitectureGreen Computing Platforms for Biomedical SystemsGreen Datacenter Infrastructures in the Cloud Computing EraEnergy Efficient Cloud Computing: A Green Migration of the Traditional ITGreen Data Centers; Energy-Efficient Sensor NetworksEnergy Efficient Next Generation Wireless CommunicationsEnergy Efficient MIMO-OFDM SystemsConstrained Green Base Station Deployment with Resource Allocation in Wireless NetworksGreen Broadband Access NetworksOverview of Energy Saving Techniques for Mobile and Wireless Access NetworksTowards Energy-Oriented Telecommunication NetworksEnergy-Efficient Peer-to-Peer Networking and OverlaysPower Management for 4G Broadband Wireless Access NetworksGreen Optical Core NetworksAnalysis and Development of Green-Aware Security Mechanisms for Modern Internet ApplicationsUsing Ant Colony Agents for Designing Energy-Efficient Routing Protocols for Wireless Ad Hoc and Sensor NetworksSmart Grid Communications: Opportunities and ChallengesA Survey on Smart Grid Communications: From an Architecture Overview to Standardization ActivitiesTowards Energy Efficiency in Next Generation Green Mobile Networks: a Queueing Theory Perspective

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Book SynopsisIn the past few decades, the field of ecology has made huge advancements thanks to stable isotopes. Ecologists need to understand the principles of stable isotopes to fully appreciate many studies in their discipline. Ecologists also need to be aware of isotopic approaches to enrich their toolbox for further advancing the discipline. A Primer on Stable Isotopes in Ecology is a concise and foundational resource for anyone interested in acquiring theoretical and practical knowledge for the application of stable isotopes in ecology.Readers will gain a more in-depth and complete knowledge of stable isotopes and explore isotopic methods used in ecological research, learning about stable isotope definitions, measurement, ecological processes, and applications in research. Chapters include in-depth descriptions of stable isotopes and their notation, isotope fractionation, isotope mixing, heavy isotope enrichment, and quantification methods by mass spectrometry and laser spectroscopy. The textTable of Contents1: Stable isotopes as a tool for ecologists 2: Stable isotopes, notations, and standards 3: Isotopic fractionation 4: Isotope mixing 5: Heavy isotope enrichments 6: Measuring stable isotopes

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Book SynopsisBiostatistics with R provides a straightforward introduction on how to analyse data from the wide field of biological research, including nature protection and global change monitoring. The book is centred around traditional statistical approaches, focusing on those prevailing in research publications. The authors cover t-tests, ANOVA and regression models, but also the advanced methods of generalised linear models and classification and regression trees. Chapters usually start with several useful case examples, describing the structure of typical datasets and proposing research-related questions. All chapters are supplemented by example datasets, step-by-step R code demonstrating analytical procedures and interpretation of results. The authors also provide examples of how to appropriately describe statistical procedures and results of analyses in research papers. This accessible textbook will serve a broad audience, from students, researchers or professionals looking to improve their Trade Review'We will never have a textbook of statistics for biologists that satisfies everybody. However, this book may come closest. It is based on many years of field research and the teaching of statistical methods by both authors. All useful classic and advanced statistical concepts and methods are explained and illustrated with data examples and R programming procedures. Besides traditional topics that are covered in the premier textbooks of biometry/biostatistics (e.g. R. R. Sokal & F. J. Rohlf, J. H. Zar), two extensive chapters on multivariate methods in classification and ordination add to the strength of this book. The text was originally published in Czech in 2016. The English edition has been substantially updated and two new chapters 'Survival Analysis' and 'Classification and Regression Trees' have been added. The book will be essential reading for undergraduate and graduate students, professional researchers, and informed managers of natural resources.' Marcel Rejmánek, Department of Evolution and Ecology, University of California, Davis, CA, USATable of Contents1. Basic statistical terms, sample statistics; 2. Testing hypotheses, goodness-of-fit test; 3. Contingency tables; 4. Normal distribution; 5. Student's T distribution; 6. Comparing two samples; 7. Nonparametric methods for two samples; 8. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Kruskal–Wallis test; 9. Two-way analysis of variance; 10. Data transformations for analysis of variance; 11. Hierarchical ANOVA, split-plot ANOVA, repeated measurements; 12. Simple linear regression: dependency between two quantitative variables; 13. Correlation: relationship between two quantitative variables; 14. Multiple regression and general linear models; 15. Generalised linear models; 16. Regression models for nonlinear relationships; 17. Structural equation models; 18. Discrete distributions and spatial point patterns; 19. Survival analysis; 20. Classification and regression trees; 21. Classification; 22. Ordination; Appendix 1. First steps with R software.

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Book Synopsis_______________''When the history of the climate crisis is written, Hansen will be seen as the scientist with the most powerful and consistent voice calling for intelligent action to preserve our planet''s environment'' - Al GoreFew people know more about climate change than James Hansen ... This unnerving and fluently written book is the definitive one to read'' - BBC WildlifeAnyone concerned about the world our children and grandchildren must inherit owes it to themselves to read this book'' - Irish Times_______________An urgent and provocative call to action from the world''s leading climate scientist Dr James Hansen, the world''s leading scientist on climate issues, speaks out with the full truth about global warming: the planet is hurtling to a climatic point of no return. Hansen - whose climate predictions have come to pass again and again, beginning in the 1980s when he first warned US Congress about global warming -Trade Review'When the history of the climate crisis is written, Hansen will be seen as the scientist with the most powerful and consistent voice calling for intelligent action to preserve our planet's environment.' * Al Gore *‘Anyone concerned about the world our children and grandchildren must inherit owes it to themselves to read this book' * Irish Times *‘James Hansen gives us the opportunity to watch a scientist who is sick of silence and compromise; a scientist at the breaking point - the point at which he is willing to sacrifice his credibility to make a stand to avert disaster' * LA Times *‘Few people know more about climate change than James Hansen ... This unnerving and fluently written book is the definitive one to read' * BBC Wildlife *

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Book SynopsisDuring the nineteenth century, Britain maintained a complex network of garrisons to manage its global empire. During their tours abroad, many British officers engaged in formal and informal scientific research. In this ambitious history of ornithology and empire, Kirsten A. Greer tracks British officers as they moved around the world.

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Book SynopsisThis book will provide the first study of how the Gothic engages with ecocritical ideas. Ecocriticism has frequently explored images of environmental catastrophe, the wilderness, the idea of home, constructions of 'nature', and images of the post-apocalypse – images which are also central to a certain type of Gothic literature. By exploring the relationship between the ecocritical aspects of the Gothic and the Gothic elements of the ecocritical, this book provides a new way of looking at both the Gothic and ecocriticism. Writers discussed include Ann Radcliffe, Mary Shelley, Ambrose Bierce, Algernon Blackwood, Margaret Atwood, Cormac McCarthy, Dan Simmons and Rana Dasgupta. The volume thus explores writing and film across various national contexts including Britain, America and Canada, as well as giving due consideration to how such issues might be discussed within a global context.Trade Review‘As a platform for the development of a distinct ecoGothic theoretical framework, this volume certainly provides some tantalizing ideas, but equally, it invites further academic study surrounding ‘dark ecology’ as a convention to explore contemporary socio-political anxieties.’Teresa Fitzpatrick, The Dark Arts Journal Volume 3.1 April 2017 -- .Table of Contents1. Introduction: defining the ecoGothic - Andrew Smith and William Hughes 2. Panic, paranoia, and pathos: ecocriticism in the eighteenth-century Gothic novel - Lisa Kröger 3. Monsters on the Ice and global warming: From Mary Shelley and Sir John Franklin to Margaret Atwood and Dan Simmons - Catherine Lanone 4. Algernon Blackwood: nature and spirit - David Punter 5. 'A strange kind of evil': superficial paganism and false ecology in The Wicker Man - William Hughes 6. Bodies on earth: exploring sites of the Canadian ecoGothic - Alanna F. Bondar 7. Margaret Atwood's monsters in the Canadian ecoGothic - Shoshannah Ganz 8. From Salem Witch to Blair Witch: the Puritan Influence on American Gothic nature -Tom J. Hillard 9. 'The Blank Darkness Outside': Ambrose Bierce and wilderness Gothic at the end of the frontier - Kevin Corstorphine 10. Locating subjectivity in the post-apocalypse: the American Gothic journeys of Jack Kerouac, Cormac McCarthy, and Jim Crace - Andrew Smith 11. A Gothic apocalypse: encountering the monstrous in American cinema - Susan J. Tyburski 12. The riddle was the angel in the house: towards an American ecofeminist Gothic - Emily Carr 13. 'Uncanny States': global ecoGothic and the world-ecology in Rana Dasgupta's Tokyo Cancelled - Sharae Deckard Index

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Book SynopsisEnormous ecological losses and profound planetary transformations mean that ours is a time to grieve beyond the human. Yet, Joshua Trey Barnett argues in this eloquent and urgent book, our capacity to grieve for more-than-human others is neither natural nor inevitable. Weaving together personal narratives, theoretical meditations, and insightful readings of cultural artifacts, he suggests that ecological grief is best understood as a rhetorical achievement. As a collection of worldmaking practices, rhetoric makes things matter, bestows value, directs attention, generates knowledge, and foments feelings. By dwelling on three rhetorical practices—naming, archiving, and making visible—Barnett shows how they prepare us to grieve past, present, and future ecological losses. Simultaneously diagnostic and prescriptive, this book reveals rhetorical practices that set our ecological grief into motion and illuminates pathways to more connected, caring earthly coexistence.

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Book SynopsisThis is a guide to finding tree-roosts. It is the result of the collaborative efforts of professional surveyors and amateur naturalists across Europe as part of the Bat Tree Habitat Key project, and represents a combination of firsts: It is the first time legislation and planning policy have been reviewed and put to practical use to define an analysis framework with clearly identifiable thresholds for action. Yet, despite its efficacy in a professional context, it is also the first time a guide has been produced that is equally effective in achieving its objective for amateurs. It is the first time such a method has been evidence-supported throughout, with summary reviews of each aspect of the roosting ecology of the individual 14 tree-roosting species, with illustrative photographs and data to which the reader has open access. It is the first time a repeatable analysis framework has been defined against which the surveyor may compare their results at every stage, from the desk-study, through ground-truthing, survey and analysis, thereby ensuring nothing is overlooked and that every result can be objectively compared. The survey and analysis framework itself is ground-breaking in that it may readily be adapted for any taxa; from moths, through amphibians, reptiles, birds and all other mammals. Used diligently, these methods will reward disproportionately and imbue the reader with renewed confidence as they quickly progress from beginner to competency. Thus, this book is for everyone who has ever wanted to find a tree-roost, or to safeguard against inadvertently damaging one.Trade ReviewThis work will serve as an invaluable reference for field biologists who might be called upon to conduct relevant survey work and environmental impact assessments. -- Danny A. Brass * National Speleological Society News *... for anyone wanting to learn more about this fascinating subject it will be the landmark work for many years to come. -- Mark Tunmore * Atropos *I would highly recommend this book for tree-care and ecology professionals. It brings into one place a wealth of knowledge and experience. The links to resources held on the BTHK are very useful. I know that it will be on the shelves of many ecologists but I would urge everyone to read it right through at least once and then dip back into it as you need. That way you will get the most from the knowledge being shared. -- Carol Williams, Director of Conservation, Bat Conservation TrustI would strongly recommend this book (and framework) to tree-care and ecology professionals, and it is potentially of broader interest within the scientific community. -- Stuart Newson, Senior Research Ecologist, BTO * BTO About Birds *Table of ContentsCh 1. Rationale -Introduction -Pre-existing published advice -Motivation -Objective -Proportionality Ch 2. Tree-Roosting Bats -Tree-roosting bat species -Wooded habitat and tree species -Sensitivity to isolation -Seasonal tree-roost occupancy and roost size -Roost heights -General tree-roost preferences Ch 3. Potential Roost Features -Introduction -The Disease and Decay PRF -The Damage PRF -The Association PRF Ch 4. Intelligence-Gathering -Introduction -Resources -Collation of the results Ch 5. The Desk-Study -Introduction -The desk-study objective -The test of 'reasonable likelihood' -To survey or not to survey Ch 6. Ground-Truthing -Introduction -Ground-truthing method -Ground-truthing interpretation Ch 7. Choosing Surveillance Methods -Introduction -Close-inspection -Remote-observation -Static-netting -Radio-tracking -Putting it all together -The proportionality text Ch 8. Close-Inspection -Introduction -Equipment -Health and Safety -Close-inspection method -Interpretation Ch 9. Remote-Observation -Introduction -Confounding factors -Equipment -Health and Safety -Remote-observation method -Interpretation Ch 10. Static-Netting -Introduction -Equipment -Health and Safety -Static-netting method -Interpretation Ch 11. Surveillance Effort -Introduction -Detectability variables -Surveillance periods and intensity therein Ch 12. Trouble-Shooting -Introduction -Fundamental principles -Inconclusive and 'null' results -Indirect damage and disturbance -Comparative assessment of environment -Late commissions -Unlicensed assessments -Getting a second-opinion -Fault-finding

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Book SynopsisHealthy Planet offers a clear and concise overview of the global ecological crisis that humanity has brought upon itself, and what options we still have to save a benevolent climate, to restore biodiversity, reduce pollution, and heal the ecosphere of this planet, including ourselves. Since well before the Covid-19 crisis the United Nations have been emphasizing that only a healthy planet can support healthy people. The degradation and pollution of nature also poisons our own bodies. Climate breakdown and the global loss of biodiversity also threaten the human species. But what is a "healthy planet"? How does it work, how much do we disrupt the planet’s life support systems, and what changes are overdue? We have all the necessary means at our disposal, though just patching up the worst symptoms won’t do anymore, we have to address the underlying causes, including our habits, values, and paradigms. We are at a crucial crossroads, and time is running short. If we act fast enough, a dignified and truly sustainable healthy future awaits.

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