Biodiversity / Ecosystems Books

Book SynopsisCentring on South Africa''s Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, this book synthesizes a century of insights from the ecology and conservation management of one of Africa''s oldest protected wildlife areas. The park provides important lessons for conservation management, as it has maintained conservation values rivalling those of much larger parks sometimes through, and sometimes despite, strong management interventions, including the rescue of the white rhino from extinction. In addition, the book highlights the ecological science produced in the park, much of which has become widely influential, including the megaherbivore concept, new functional approaches to understanding biomes, and new understandings about the role of consumers in shaping ecosystems. The volume is ideal for researchers and policymakers interested in the conservation of relatively small, isolated and protected areas.Trade Review'… contains a wealth of information on a particularly well-studied area, and the editors and authors are to be complimented in compiling this record. It presents much in the way of useful data, and interpretations of the significance of these data both for the science of ecology and the practice of ecosystem management. It is highly recommended for students, ecological researchers, managers of protected areas, historians, and anyone interested in ecosystem conservation.' Brian W. van Wilgen, African Journal of Range and Forage ScienceTable of ContentsPart I. Setting the Scene: 1. Anthropogenic influences in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park: from early times to recent management Mariska te Beest, Norman Owen-Smith, Roger Porter and Jim Feely; 2. The abiotic template for the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park's landscape heterogeneity Ruth A. Howison, Han Olff, Norman Owen-Smith, Joris P. G. M. Cromsigt and Sally Archibald; 3. Long-term vegetation dynamics within the Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park A. Carla Staver, Heath Beckett and Jan Graf; 4. Temporal changes in the large herbivore fauna of Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park Elizabeth le Roux, Geoff Clinning, Dave J. Druce, Norman Owen-Smith, Jan A. Graf and Joris P. G. M. Cromsigt; Part II. Theoretical Advances in Savanna Ecology: 5. Megaherbivores, competition and coexistence within the large herbivore guild Norman Owen-Smith, Joris P. G. M. Cromsigt and Randal Arsenault; 6. The functional ecology of grazing lawns - how grazers, termites, people and fire shape HiP's savanna grassland mosaic Joris P. G. M. Cromsigt, Michiel Veldhuis, William Stock, Elizabeth le Roux, Cleo Gosling and Sally Archibald; 7. Demographic bottlenecks and savanna tree abundance William J. Bond, A. Carla Staver, Michael Cramer, Julia Wakeling, Jeremy J. Midgley and Dave Balfour; 8. Woody plant traits and life history strategies across disturbance gradients and biome boundaries in the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park Laurence Kruger, Tristan Charles-Dominique, William Bond, Jeremy Midgley, Dave Balfour and Abednig Mkhwanazi; 9. Contributions of smaller fauna to ecological processes and biodiversity Norman Owen-Smith, Cleo Gosling, Nicole Hagenah, Marcus Byrne and Catherine Parr; 10. Interactions between fire and ecosystem processes Sally Archibald, Heath Beckett, William J. Bond, Corli Coetsee, Dave J. Druce and Carla Staver; Part III. Where Science and Conservation Management Meet: 11. Rhino management challenges: spatial and social ecology for habitat and population management Wayne Linklater and Adrian M. Shrader; 12. Reassembly of the large predator guild into Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park Michael J. Somers, Penny Becker, Dave J. Druce, Jan Graf, Micaela Szykman Gunther, David Marneweck, Martina Trinkel, Marcos Moleón and Matt W. Hayward; 13. Wildlife disease dynamics in carnivore and herbivore hosts in the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park Anna E. Jolles, Nicki Le Roex, Gabriella Flacke, David Cooper, Claire Geoghegan and Michael J. Somers; 14. Elephant management in the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park Dave J. Druce, Heleen Druce, Mariska te Beest, Joris P. G. M. Cromsigt and Susan Janse van Rensburg; 15. Successful control of the invasive shrub Chromolaena odorata in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park Mariska te Beest, Owen Howison, Ruth A. Howison, L. Alexander Dew, Mandisa Mgobozi Poswa, Lihle Dumalisile, Susan J. van Rensburg and Colette Terblanche; 16. Conserving Africa's mega-diversity in the Anthropocene: the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park story Joris P. G. M. Cromsigt, Sally Archibald and Norman Owen-Smith.

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Book SynopsisOver the last decade, molecular studies carried out on the Australasian biota have revealed a new world of organic structure that exists from submicroscopic to continental scale. Furthermore, in studies of global biogeography and evolution, DNA sequencing has shown that many large groups, such as flowering plants, passerine birds and squamates, have their basal components in this area. Using examples ranging from kangaroos and platypuses to kiwis and birds of paradise, the book examines the patterns of distribution and evolution of Australasian biodiversity and explains them with reference to tectonic and climatic change in the region. The surprising results from molecular biogeography demonstrate that an understanding of evolution in Australasia is essential for understanding the development of modern life on Earth. A milestone in the literature on this subject, this book will be a valuable source of reference for students and researchers in biogeography, biodiversity, ecology and conTable of ContentsPreface; Acknowledgements; Abbreviations; 1. The spatial component of evolution; 2. Evolution in time; 3. Global affinities of Australasian groups; 4. Biogeography of Australia; 5. The Tasman-Coral Sea region: a centre of high biodiversity; 6. Distribution in and around the Tasman region; 7. Biogeography of New Zealand; 8. Biogeography of New Caledonia; 9. Biogeography of New Guinea and neighbouring islands; 10. Biogeography of the Philippines; 11. Conclusions; Glossary; References; Index.

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Book SynopsisAgriculture as a social-ecological system embraces many disciplines. This book breaks through the silos of individual disciplines to bring ecologists and economists together to consider agriculture through the lens of resilience. It explores the economic, environmental and social uncertainties that influence the behaviour of agricultural producers and their subsequent farming approach, highlighting the importance of adaptability, innovation and capital reserves in enabling agriculture to persist under climate change and market volatility. The resilience concept and its relation to complexity theory is explained and the characteristics that foster resilience in agricultural systems, including the role of biodiversity and ecosystem services, are explored. The book discusses modelling tools, metrics and approaches for assessing agricultural resilience, highlighting areas where interdisciplinary thinking can enhance the development of resilience. It is suitable for those researching sustaiTrade Review'The 36 contributors from various institutions have produced a valuable text that is a vital reminder of the multifaceted nature of agriculture at a time when a warming world is changing rapidly and the global population is increasing.' A. M. Mannion, The Biologist'It is suitable for both researchers and policymakers, especially those who are genuinely interested in bridging economics and ecology in agriculture.' Lixin Wang, The Quarterly Review of BiologyTable of Contents1. Introducing resilience Sarah M. Gardner and Stephen J. Ramsden; Part I. Biodiversity, Ecosystem Services and Resilience in Agricultural Systems: 2. Complexity and resilience in agriculture Sarah M. Gardner; 3. Biodiversity and agriculture David Tilman; 4. Determining the value of ecosystem services in agriculture Rosemary S. Hails, Rebecca Chaplin-Kramer, Elena Bennett, Brian Robinson, Gretchen Daily, Kate Brauman and Paul West; 5. Resilience in agricultural systems Stephen J. Ramsden and James Gibbons; 6. Building resilience into agricultural pollination using wild pollinators Neal Williams, Rufus Isaacs, Eric Lonsdorf, Rachel Winfree and Taylor Ricketts; 7. Conflicts and challenges to enhancing the resilience of small-scale farmers in developing economies Richard Ewbank; 8. Modern biotechnology and sustainable intensification: chances and limitations Rolf Meyer; 9. Pastoralism, conservation and resilience: causes and consequences of pastoralist household decision-making Katherine Homewood, Marcus Rowcliffe, Jan De Leeuw, Mohamed Y. Said and Aidan Keane; Part II. Integrating Biodiversity and Building Resilience into Agricultural Systems: 10. Delivering sustainability in agriculture: some implications for analysis Ian Hodge; 11. The resilience of agricultural landscapes characterised by land sparing versus land sharing Dave Abson, Kate Sherren and Joern Fischer; 12. Ecological-economic modelling for designing cost-effective incentives to conserve farmland biodiversity Martin Drechsler and Frank Wätzold; 13. Viability analysis as an approach for assessing the resilience of agroecosystems Sophie Martin; 14. Integrating economics and resilience thinking: the context of natural resource management in Australia Michael Harris, Graham Marshall and David Pannell; 15. Integrating biodiversity and ecosystem services into European agricultural policy: a challenge for the common agricultural policy Allan Buckwell; 16. Ecosystem-service based metrics of sustainability as tools for promoting conservation and food security Jonathan R. B. Fisher and Peter Kareiva; 17. Conclusions on agricultural resilience Sarah M. Gardner, Stephen J. Ramsden and Rosemary S. Hails.

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Book SynopsisMountains support high biodiversity including 12% of birds globally many of them endemic or threatened. Written for ecologists, naturalists, and those interested in wildlife conservation, this unique book provides the first global ecological review of birds in high mountains, their key threats, and guidelines to ensure their continued persistence.Table of Contents1. Mountain birds and their habitats Dan Chamberlain, Aleksi Lehikoinen, Davide Scridel and Kathy Martin; 2. Avian adaptations to high mountain habitats: solving the challenges of living in alpine ecosystems Kathy Martin, Devin R. de Zwaan, Davide Scridel and Tomás A. Altamirano; 3. Global bird communities of alpine and nival habitats Devin R. de Zwaan, Arnaud G. Barras, Tomás A. Altamirano, Addisu Asefa, Pranav Gokhale, R. Suresh Kumar, Shaobin Li, Ruey-shing Lin, C. Steven Sevillano-Ríos, Kerry A. Weston and Davide Scridel; 4. Birds of treeline ecotones Dan Chamberlain, Evgeniya Melikhova, Susanne Jähnig and C. Steven Sevillano-Ríos; 5. Population trends of mountain birds in Europe and North America Aleksi Lehikoinen, Åke Lindström, John Calladine, Tommaso Campedelli, William V. DeLuca, Virginia Escandell, Jiří Flousek, Sergi Herrando, Frédéric Jiguet, John Atle Kålås, Romain Lorrilliere, Timothy D. Meehan, Ingar Jostein Øien, Clara Pladevall, Brett K. Sandercock, Thomas Sattler, Benjamin Seaman, Laura Silva, Hans Schmid, Norbert Teufelbauer and Sven Trautmann; 6. Climate change impacts on mountain birds James W. Pearce-Higgins and Kathy Martin; 7. Anthropogenic activities and mountain birds Enrico Caprio, Antonio Rolando, Raphaël Arlettaz and Dan Chamberlain; 8. Modelling large-scale patterns in mountain bird diversity and distributions Mattia Brambilla, Matthew G. Betts, Ute Bradter, Hankyu Kim, Paola Laiolo and Thomas Sattler; 9. The alpine avifauna of tropical mountains Jon Fjeldså, Jesper Sonne and Carsten Rahbek; 10. Priorities for information, research and conservation of birds in high mountains Kathy Martin, Dan Chamberlain and Aleksi Lehikoinen; Bird species index; Subject index.

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Book SynopsisThis is the first scientific-educational work in English on this topic. The Caucasus Isthmus between the Black and Caspian Seas (38025' and 47015'N, 36030' and 50020'E) is a region in the Northern Hemisphere. It covers an area of approximately 441,000km2. Being a natural bridge between Europe and Asia, the Caucasus is an extraordinary crossroads in terms of its geopolitical status, cultural heritage, and biodiversity. The Caucasus is famous for having some of the richest biodiversity, making it one of the 34 most diverse and endangered biodiversity hotspots in the world. The region occurs from among the lush, broad-leaved forests along the Black Sea coastal area, to the well-expressed nival zone and the deserts of the eastern Caucasus. Flora within the Caucasus is diverse, with about 6,300 species of vascular plants, 1,600 of which are endemic and relict endemics (25.3 %). Biota of the Caucasus has always aroused the interest of scholars. Studies conducted by botanists and zoologists on the biodiversity of the Caucasus started in the beginning of the 18th century. Such research activities were relatively short-term, and based solely on either plant or animal investigations. Long-term, comprehensive (floristic, faunistic, biogeographical) studies of the wilderness of the Caucasus in all biomes and altitudinal zones, and in all vegetation seasons, were carried out by Dr G. Radde in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and Dr A. M. Gegechkori in the second half of the 20th and early 21st centuries. In the framework of the Caucasus biota, the main target of research activity of Dr. Gegechkori (1962-2018) was psyllids (Insecta; Hemiptera: Psylloidea) - a highly indicative (bio-indicator) group for environmental research. This text aims to provide information for naturalists, concerning the biota of the Caucasus, through its biomes, amd refugial areas and habitats. The work is focused on supplying a datebase for the current presence and distribution of many speceis, with an emphasis on the keastone species, the existance and range of which face major challenges and threats today, caused primarily by human's direct and indirect activity, and global warming. The book incorporates the most recent taxonomic ranking of plants and animals species in the Caucasus, and the regularity and history of its biomes, among other topics. The monograph is also heavily illustrated with mostly original color photos, which reinforce the scientific quality of the text. This book will be of great interest to scholars of life and earth sciences and geographers. As an interdisciplinary work, the monograph provides students of all levels with valuable information on the environmental sciences, which may isnpire them to pursue this topic within natural science, stimulating their research and career choices. Finally, the purpose of the work is to strenghten the readers' awareness of the environmental challenges among the local people of the Caucasus, in light of on-going environmental changes, and the necessity of protection of this region's natural resources.Table of ContentsPreface; Introduction; General Characteristics of the Caucasus; Biomes of the Caucasus; Index.

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Book SynopsisThis book provides current research on terrestrial biomes. Chapter One demonstrates the severe conditions of arctic areas that lead to the formation of common characteristics for all complexes of soil microfungi. Chapter Two discusses plant and terrestrial microbial communities in the Alaskan tundra. Chapter Three examines spontaneous stand regeneration and herb layer restoration in post-fire woods 16 years after a forest fire. Chapter Four reviews regularities and features of differentiation and anthropogenic transformation of steppe vegetation. In Chapter Five, the capacity of combination of biomass and native microorganism for fique bagasse from farmers from a region of Colombia named Oriente Antioqueño, was studied with the objective to degrade the tetracolorisoftalonitril active ingredient.

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Book SynopsisThe international botanical community recognizes that plants create the ecological habitat for all terrestrial organisms. This title compiles the knowledge on various aspects of biodiversity.

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Book SynopsisOver-exploitation of resources of commercial value, changes in land use and land cover, and fragmentation of habitats, have led to extreme decline in biodiversity. This book offers an insight into the concept of biodiversity, its value and uses, aspects of conservation of material and traditional knowledge.

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Book SynopsisThe book "Biodiversity, Community, and Climate Change" emphasizes biodiversity conservation, climate change, and community engagement. It discusses biodiversity assessment tools, allelopathic compounds' impacts, geospatial monitoring of urban ecosystems, community forestry, and participatory conservation methods.

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Book SynopsisSustainability of agricultural growth crucial for food security. Agricultural biodiversity essential for food, income, materials, breeding new varieties, and soil fertility. Erosion of biodiversity in agro-ecosystems causing economic losses, jeopardizing productivity, and food security.

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Book SynopsisThis path-breaking study open the way for a better understanding of the environmental conflict, showing how language can be seen to shape our view of what environmental politics is really about and how those perceptions can differ between countries. The book identifies the emergence and increasing political importance of ''ecological modernization'' as a new concept in the language of environmental politics. This concept, which has come to replace the antagonistic debates of the 1970s, stresses the opportunities of environmental policy for modernizing the economy and stimulating the technological innovation. Combining abstract social theory with detailed empirical analysis, the author illustrates the social and political dynamics of ecological modernization in a detailed analysis of the acid rain controversies in Great Britain and the Netherlands. The book concludes by reflecting on the institutional challenge of the environmental politics in the years to come.Trade ReviewHajer establishes once and for all the importance of attending to the discourse dimension of public policy, and in this respect his is a truly pathbreaking work. * Policy Sciences *This superb book is one of the few successful attempts to apply contemporary sociological thinking to a detailed empirical case-study in the environmental sphere in a way which is genuinely enlightening for policy-makers as well as for academic social science disciplines ... Such challenging questions are a fitting conclusion to an excellent book. * Global Environmental Change *Maarten Hajer has delivered a book that is remarkable for its comprehensiveness and its incisiveness ... this volume establishes a firm foundation for the study of ecological modernisation and serious scholars of environmental policy will derive immense benefit from the author's astute insights. * Environmental Values *this is an important book which will interest many political scientists apart from those focusing on the environment ... There are excellent summary tables and a model of an index. For environment specialists, there are fresh insights on issues such as risk; the role of scientists and scientific data; and the emergence - with its institutional repercussions - of ecological modernization as the dominent way of conceptualizing environmental problems. The way he draws from German and Dutch primary and secondary sources is especially valuable. * Stephen C. Young, University of Manchester, Political Studies *

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Book SynopsisDr Hajer''s path-breaking study opens the way for a better understanding of the environmental conflict, showing how language can be seen to shape our view of what environmental politics is really about and how those perceptions can differ between countries. The author identifies the emergence and increasing political importance of ''ecological modernization'' as a new concept in the language of environmental politics. This concept, which has come to replace the antagonistic debates of the 1970s, stresses the opportunities of environmental policy for modernizing the economy and stimulating the technological innovation. Combining abstract social theory with detailed empirical analysis, Martin Hajer illustrates the social and political dynamics of ecological modernization in a detailed analysis of the acid rain controversies in Great Britain and the Netherlands. He concludes by reflecting on the institutional challenge of the environmental politics in the years to come.Trade Reviewthis is an important book which will interest many political scientists apart from those focusing on the environment ... There are excellent summary tables and a model of an index. For environment specialists, there are fresh insights on issues such as risk; the role of scientists and scientific data; and the emergence - with its institutional repercussions - of ecological modernization as the dominent way of conceptualizing environmental problems. The way he draws from German and Dutch primary and secondary sources is especially valuable. * Stephen C. Young, University of Manchester, Political Studies *This superb book is one of the few successful attempts to apply contemporary sociological thinking to a detailed empirical case-study in the environmental sphere in a way which is genuinely enlightening for policy makers as well as for academic scoial science disciplines ... an excellent book * Simon Shackley, Global Environmental Change, vol.7 no.2 1997 *Table of ContentsIntroduction ; 1. The New Environmental Conflict ; 2. Discourse Analysis ; 3. The Historical Roots of Ecological Modernization ; 4. Accumulating Knowledge, Accumulating Pollution? Ecological Modernization in the United Kingdom ; 5. The Micro-Powers of Apocalypse: Ecological Modernization in the Netherlands ; 6. Ecological Modernization: Discourse and Institutional Change

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Book SynopsisWidely regarded as the most captivating, accessible and comprehensive text for undergraduate marine biology courses, Marine Biology examines the subject from a unique global and evolutionary perspective.

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Book SynopsisBiological diversity is considered one of the most urgent environmental concerns. This book explores the historical roots of biological diversity, tracing the evolution of the term as well as the history of the conservation traditions that contributed to its rapid acceptance and popularity.Trade Review“In examining an idea that is now driving conservation worldwide, Tim Farnham gets the story right in a way that no one else has. His book is richly detailed, yet catches the large themes beautifully.”—Elliott Norse, president, Marine Conservation Biology Institute -- Elliott Norse"This book contributes something unique to the literature of what might be called the history and philosophy of conservation. It treats the term and concept of biodiversity itself as its subject and provides an analytic and historical study of it."—J. Baird Callicott, University of North Texas -- J. Baird Callicott

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