Biodiversity / Ecosystems Books

Book SynopsisGroundwater resources are facing increasing pressure from consuming and contaminating activities. There is a growing awareness that the quantitative and qualitative preservation of groundwater resources is a global need, not only to safeguard their future use for public supply and irrigation, but also to protect those ecosystems that depend partially or entirely on groundwater to maintain their species composition and natural ecological processes. Known as groundwater dependent ecosystems (GDEs), they have been a fast-growing field of research during the last two decades. This book is intended to provide a diverse overview of important studies on groundwater and ecosystems, including a toolbox for assessing the ecological water requirements for GDEs, and relevant case studies on groundwater/surface-water interactions, as well as the role of nutrients in groundwater for GDEs and ecosystem dependence (vegetation and cave fauna) on groundwater. Case studies are from Australia (nineTrade ReviewThe book is of interest to everybody dealing with groundwater and its relationship with ecosystems. It is of value for water and environmental authorities, water managers and students. The interdisciplinary approach of the presented contributions is the only way to achieve good groundwater, surface water and ecological status so as to control the impact of groundwater abstraction and other human activities. Radomir Muzikar In: Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, (2014), 47(1):111Table of ContentsForeword 1. A toolbox for assessing the ecological water requirements of groundwater dependent ecosystems in Australia.2. Water table dynamics of a severely eroded wetland system, prior to rehabilitation, Sand River Catchment, South Africa3. Small-scale water- and nutrient-exchange between lowland River Spree (Germany) and adjacent groundwater4. Artificial maintenance of groundwater levels to protect carbonate cave fauna, Yanchep, Western Australia5. Spatial and temporal heterogeneity in the flux of organic carbon in caves6. The influence of groundwater/surface water exchange on stable water isotopic signatures along the Darling River, NSW, Australia.7. A geochemical approach to determining the hydrological regime of wetlands in a volcanic plain, south–eastern Australia8. Mapping surface water-groundwater interactions and associated geological faults using temperature profiling9. Typology of Groundwater - Surface water Interaction (GSI typology) - with new developments and case study supporting implementation of the EU Water Framework and Groundwater Directives10. Conservation of trial dewatering discharge through re-injection in the Pilbara region, Western Australia.11. Nitrogen cycle in gravel bed rivers: The effect of the hyporheic zone12. Groundwater recharge quantification for the sustainability of ecosystems in plains of Argentina.13. Nutrient sources for green macroalgae in the Ria Formosa lagoon – assessing the role of groundwater14. Relationships between wetlands and the Doñana coastal aquifer (SW Spain)15. Groundwater dependent ecosystems associated with basalt aquifers of the Alstonville Plateau, New South Wales, Australia16. A Shift in the ecohydrological state of groundwater dependent vegetation due to climate change and groundwater drawdown on the swan Coastal Plain of Western Australia17. Response of wetland vegetation to climate change and groundwater decline on th

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Book SynopsisUsers Guide to Ecohydraulic Modelling and Experimentation has been compiled by the interdisciplinary team of expert ecologists, geomorphologists, sedimentologists, hydraulicists and engineers involved in HYDRALAB IV, the European Integrated Infrastructure Initiative on hydraulic experimentation which forms part of the European Communityâs Seventh Framework Programme. It is designed to give an overview of our current knowledge of organism-environment interactions in marine and freshwater aquatic systems and to provide guidance to those wishing to use hydraulic experimental facilities to explore ecohydraulic processes. By highlighting the current state of our knowledge, this design manual will act as a guide to the use of living organisms in physical models and experiments and help scientists and engineers understand limitations on the use of surrogates. It incorporates chapters on the general decisions that need to be taken when designing an ecohydraulic experiment as well aTable of ContentsIntroduction. Section 1: Methods, Materials and Measurement. Husbandry. Surrogates. Flow Measurement. Section 2: Organism Specific Considerations. Biofilms. Plants. Macrozoobenthos. Conclusions and Decision Matrix.

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Book SynopsisIlluminating opportunities to develop a more integrated approach to municipal water system design, Natural and Engineered Solutions for Drinking Water Supplies: Lessons from the Northeastern United States and Directions for Global Watershed Management explores critical factors in the decision-making processes for municipal water system delivery. The book offers vital insights to help inform management decisions on drinking water supply issues in other global regions in our increasingly energy- and carbon-constrained world.The study evaluates how six cities in the northeastern United States have made environmental, economic, and social decisions and adopted programs to protect and manage upland forests to produce clean drinking water throughout their long histories. New York, New York; Boston and Worcester, Massachusetts; New Haven and Bridgeport, Connecticut; and Portland, Maine have each managed city watersheds under different state regulations, plannTable of ContentsGray to Green: An Introduction to Four Case Studies on Drinking Water Supply in the Northeastern United States. An Assessment of Drinking Water Systems in Connecticut: Optimizing Natural and Engineered Systems for Protecting the Quality of Surface Drinking Waters. Source Water Protection in Massachusetts: Lessons from and Opportunities for Worcester and Boston. New York City Watershed Management: Past, Present, and Future. The Crooked River Watershed, Sebago Lake, and the Drinking Water Supply for the City of Portland, Maine. Comparing Drinking Water Systems in the New England/New York Region: Lessons Learned and Recommendations for the Future. Global Relevance of Lessons Learned in Watershed Management and Drinking Water Treatment from the Northeastern United States. Index.

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Book SynopsisThis book is a compilation of detailed and latest knowledge on the various types of environmental pollutants released from various natural as well as anthropogenic sources, their toxicological effects in environments, humans, animals and plants as well as various bioremediation approaches for their safe disposal into the environments. In this book, an extensive focus has been made on the various types of environmental pollutants discharged from various sources, their toxicological effects in environments, humans, animals and plants as well as their biodegradation and bioremediation approaches for environmental cleanup.Table of ContentsBioremediation: An eco-sustainable Green Technology, it’s Aplications and Limitations. Role of Microbes in Management of Solid Wastes. Role of Constructed Wetlands in Treatment of Industrial Wastewaters. Role of Rhizobacteria in Phytoremediation of Metal Contaminated Sites. Uranium Radionuclides Contamination in Environments, its Ecotoxicological Effects, Health Hazards and Bioremediation. Plastic Wastes: Environmental Pollution, Health Hazards and its Management. Pesticides Contamination in Environments, their Toxicological effects and biodegradation and bioremediation mechanisms for environmental safety. Toxic metals contamination in environments, their toxicological effects and bioremediation approaches for environmental cleanup. Dyes contamination in environments, their Ecotoxicological effects and Health Hazards and Biodegradation and Bioremediation Mechanisms for Environmental Cleanup. Bioremediation of Metal Pollutants from Electroplating Industry Wastewater. Organic and Inorganic Pollutants in Industrial Wastes, their Ecotoxicological Effects and Health Hazards and Bioremediation Approaches. Pharmacological Implications of Tannery Wastewater Pollutants and their Bioremediation. Role of Methanotrophic Bacterial Community in Lindane Degradation at Contaminated sites. Microbial Cellulases and their Applications in Pulp and Paper Industry: An Emerging Paradigm. Bioremediation of Non-Aqueous Phase Liquids (NAPLS) Polluted Soil and Water Resources. Strategies for Enhanced Bioremediation of Organo-metallic Pollutants. Role of Nano-structured Manganese Oxides in Remediation of Environmental Pollutants. Biomedical Waste: Environmental Threats and its Management

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Book SynopsisThis volume provides a reference textbook and comprehensive compilation of multifaceted perspectives on the legal issues arising from the conservation and exploitation of non-human biological resources. Contributors include leading academics, policy-makers and practitioners reviewing a range of socio-legal issues concerning the relationships between humankind and the natural world. The Routledge Handbook of Biodiversity and the Law includes chapters on fundamental and cutting-edge issues, including discussion of major legal instruments such as the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Nagoya Protocol. The book is divided into six distinct parts based around the major objectives which have emerged from legal frameworks concerned with protecting biodiversity. Following introductory chapters, Part II examines issues relating to conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, with Part III focusing on access and benefit-sharing. Part Trade Review"The Handbook of Biodiversity and the Law, edited by Charles R. McManis and Burton Ong, is required reading for lawyers, scholars and policymakers for the most recent comprehensive scholarship on a broad spectrum of issues relating to biodiversity. In one single volume world renowned environmental law scholars examine cutting edge issues ranging from genetic resources, biosecurity, access and benefit sharing, synthetic biology, intellectual property, cultural heritage, conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity, indigenous peoples human rights and more. This will clearly become a 'must have' reference book." - Dr. Nilufer Oral, Law Faculty, Istanbul Bilgi University, Turkey"This book illuminates the complex set of legal issues surrounding biodiversity by examining them from a wide range of different perspectives. The editors are to be commended for the incredibly rich, varied, and informative scholarship that they have brought together in one volume." - Prof. Graeme B. Dinwoodie, University of Oxford, UKTable of ContentsPart I: Introduction 1. Biodiversity and the Law: Mapping the International Legal Terrain 2. Biodiversity and the Law in Brief Part II: Conservation and Sustainable Use of Genetic Resources 3. Biodiversity in International Environmental Law Through the UN Sustainable Development Goals 4. Biodiversity, Protected Areas and the Law 5. The International Legal Framework for the Protection of and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity 6. Biosecurity, Invasive Species and the Law 7. Biotechnology, Biodiversity and the Environment 8. Legal Responses in the United States to Biodiversity Loss and Climate Change 9. China’s Biodiversity Law 10. The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture: Toward the Realization of Farmers’ Rights as a Means of Protecting and Enhancing Crop Genetic Diversity Part III: Access and Benefit-Sharing 11. Access to and Benefit-Sharing of Marine Genetic Resources Beyond National Jurisdiction: Developing a New Legally Binding Instrument 12. The Impact of Natural Products Discovery Programs on our Knowledge of the Flora of Madagascar 13. Regulatory Measures on Access and Benefit-Sharing for Biological and Genetic Resources: National and Regional Perspectives from the Philippines, Singapore and ASEAN 14. One Step Forward, Two Steps Back? Implementing Access and Benefit-Sharing Legislation in South Africa 15. De-Materialising Genetic Resources: Synthetic Biology, Intellectual Property and the ABS Bypass Part IV: Traditional Knowledge Protection 16. Traditional Knowledge: Lessons from the Past, Lessons for the Future 17. Bioprospecting and Traditional Knowledge in Australia 18. If we have never been Modern, they have never been Traditional: ‘Traditional Knowledge’, Biodiversity, and the Flawed ABS Paradigm 19. Where Custom is the Law: State and User Obligations to 'Take into Consideration' Customary Law Governing Traditional Knowledge and Genetic Resources Part V: Biodiversity and Intellectual Property Protection 20. Biodiversity, Intangible Cultural Heritage and Intellectual Property 21. Intellectual Property, Biodiversity and Food Security 22. Sisyphus Redivivus? The Work of WIPO on Genetic Resources and Traditional Knowledge 23. Is the Whole Greater than the Sum of its Parts? A Critical Reflection on the WIPO IGC Part VI: The Ethics, Economics and Science-Policy Interface of Biodiversity Protection 24. Naturalizing Morality 25. Making Legal Use of the Valuation of Nature 26. Bounded Openness as the Modality for the Global Multilateral Benefit-Sharing Mechanism of the Nagoya Protocol 27. The IPBES, Biodiversity and the Law: Design, Functioning and Perspectives of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services

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Book SynopsisNature conservation planning tends to be driven by models based on Western norms and science, but these may not represent the cultural, philosophical and religious contexts of much of Asia. This book provides a new perspective on the topic of sacred natural sites and cultural heritage by linking Asian cultures, religions and worldviews with contemporary conservation practices and approaches.The chapters focus on the modern significance of sacred natural sites in Asian protected areas with reference, where appropriate, to an Asian philosophy of protected areas. Drawn from over 20 different countries, the book covers examples of sacred natural sites from all of IUCNâs protected area categories and governance types. The authors demonstrate the challenges faced to maintain culture and support spiritual and religious governance and management structures in the face of strong modernisation across Asia.The book shows how sacred natural sites contribute to defining new, more sTrade Review"During the past three decades I have photographed and studied 800 places of pilgrimage in more than 150 countries. This gives me a rare vantage point from which to comment on the research and publishing work of Bas Verschuuren. In his newest book, Asian Sacred Natural Sites, he has with consistently high quality given us a comprehensive coverage of the fascinating subject." – Martin Gray, National Geographic photographer and author of Sacred Earth: Places of Peace and Power (2007)"An exciting set of essays contributing to one of humanity's most pressing challenges: how to re-establish our place within nature, respecting it as the source of all life, in ways that go beyond the physical and material into the spiritual and ethical, and learning from peoples who have done it for millennia." – Ashish Kothari, Kalpavriksh, India and co-editor of Protected Areas, Governance and Management (2015) "Asian Sacred Natural Sites shows that today’s protected areas draw from ancient ideas of the sacred values of nature. Our ancestors gave special status to certain ecologically productive places, and the authors convince us that treating protected areas with a sense of sacredness will help ensure a productive future for all." – Jeffrey A. McNeely, former IUCN Chief Scientist and Asian protected area systems design expert for the Asian Development Bank "At last! This fascinating and in-depth book tells of the inherent links between sacred places and environment and therefore between faith and conservation. Most of our national parks only exist because they have been sacred for centuries and therefore could become parks. This book provides the vital stepping stone for secular conservation to finally work as partner with the worlds of faith and together to create a more sacred future." – Martin Palmer, Alliance of Religion and Conservation "This is a very skillfully edited, most substantial, and high-quality survey in depth of sacred natural sites in Asia, covering theory as well as practice. This fascinating benchmark contribution deserves careful consideration by a wide and diverse audience including scientists and academics interested in the interrelationships of culture, religion, and ecology as well as conservationists and environmentalists in general." – Leslie E. Sponsel, University of Hawai`i, USA and author of Spiritual Ecology (2012) "This book’s exceptionally rich set of case studies from across Asia powerfully attests to the important role of sacred natural sites in biocultural diversity. To this the volume adds a strong critique of mainstream conservation and a cogent call for reforming the conceptualization, governance, and management of protected areas to respect sacred natural sites' conservation significance, numinous character, and the worldviews, rights, responsibilities, and concerns of their indigenous, community, and faith group custodians. Highly recommended." – Stan Stevens, University of Massachusetts, USA and author of Indigenous Peoples, National Parks, and Protected Areas (2014) "The value of sacred sites for the conservation of ecosystems and organisms is increasingly being recognised... This is both a wide-reaching and specialist text which brings together a broad range of authors, disciplines and examples". - A.M. Mannion, Bulletin of the British Ecological SocietyTable of Contents1. Introduction: Re-awakening the Power of Place: Ancient Philosophy and Practice with Current Relevance for Protected Areas and Conservation in Asia Bas Verschuuren Section 1: Themes and Perspectives on the Conservation of Asian Sacred Natural Sites 2. The Asian Philosophy of Protected Areas Amran Hamzah 3. Sacred Mountains in Asia: Themes and Implications for Protected Areas Edwin Bernbaum 4. Can World Heritage Status Help Protect Sacred Sites in Asia? Alison Ormsby, Wendy Jackson and Shonil Bhagwat Section 2: National Perspectives and Strategies for the Conservation of Sacred Natural Sites 5. Sacred Mandala: Protecting Bhutan’s Sacred Natural Sites Liza Zogib, Khenpo Phuntshok Tashi, Tshewang Gyalpo, Sangay Dendhup, Riamsara Kuyakanon, Kelzang Wangchuk, Lopen Namgay Tenzin and Ngawang Gyeltshen 6. Indian Sacred Natural Sites: Ancient Traditions of Reverence and Conservation Explained from a Hindu Perspective Rana P.B. Singh and Pravin S. Rana 7. Interface between Sacred Natural Sites and Formal Protected Areas for Biodiversity Conservation in Nepal Jailab Kumar Rai and Sudeep Jana Section 3: Legal Approaches and Governance of Sacred Natural Sites 8. Customary Laws Governing the Sacred Natural Sites of the Xe Champhone Ramsar Site in Lao PDR: Implications for Site Management Raphaël Glémet, Patricia Moore, Ketsana Phommachanh and Minavanh Pholsena 9. Legal Interpretation of the Sacred Natural Sites and Cultural Heritage of the Dongaria Kondhs in India Radhika Borde 10. Forum Pekaseh in the Management of Subak Landscape of Catur Angga Batukaru, UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Bali Antoinette Royo, Wiwik Dharmiasih and Yunus Arbi 11. The Pa’oh’s Governance System and Kakku: Implications for Heritage Conservation from Burma/Myanmar Jonathan Liljeblad Section 4: The Conservation of Sacred Lands Meets the Challenges of Development 12. Kailash Sacred Landscape: Bridging Cultural heritage, Conservation and Development through a Transboundary Landscape Approach Abhimanyu Pandey, Rajan Kotru and Nawraj Pradhan 13. Mount Fuji’s History as a Spiritual Realm and Means for its Preservation Toshihiko Ono, Tetsuro Hongo and Kiyotatsu Yamamoto 14. Animism and Traditional Knowledge Disappear in Virachey National Park, Cambodia Gregory McCann and Yi-Chung Hsu 15. Holy Hills: Sanctuaries of Biodiversity in Xishuangbanna, South West China Lily Zeng and Gaëtan Reuse Section 5: A Role for Custodians and Religious Leaders in the Conservation of Sacred Natural Sites 16. Lakes of the Gods: Sacred High Altitude Lakes of Uttarakhand, India Jatinder Kaur and Khima Nand Balodi 17. Ysyk-Köl Lake, the Planet’s Third Eye: Sacred Sites in Ysyk-Köl Biosphere Reserve, Kyrgyzstan Aibek Samakov and Fikret Berkes 18. Sacred Tsum Valley: Improving Biodiversity Conservation with Lessons for Effective Management of Protected Areas in Nepal Jailab Rai, Nima Lama and Bas Verschuuren 19. Past and Present Biocultural Significance of Sea Turtles for Local Communities on the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia Vanda Mendonca, Boutros Abi-Aoun and Mohamed El Baradey Section 6: Dualing Spirits and Sciences: Revisiting the Foundations of Conservation 20. Lua people: Traditions, Beliefs and Sacred Natural Sites in Northern Thailand Narong Pongpandecha and Ken Taylor 21. Creating New Discursive Terrain for the Custodians of the Tibetan Spiritscape in North West Yunnan John Studley and Awang Jikmed 22. Where Culture and Nature Meet: Recreating Spiritual and Religious Practices for Site Management and Governance in Takht-e Soleyman Lake, Iran Minoo Hassani Esfehani 23. Ritual and Cultural Revival at Tuvan Sacred Natural Sites Supports Indigenous Governance and Conservation of Nature in China Yuxin Hou 24. Conclusions: How the Cultural, Spiritual and Philosophical Underpinnings of Sacred Natural Sites can make Conservation in Asia more Effective and Sustainable Bas Verschuuren

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Book SynopsisA New York Times Book Review Editors' ChoiceWhat Saladino finds in his adventures are people with soul-deep relationships to their food. This is not the decadence or the preciousness we might associate with a word like foodie,' but a form of reverence . . . Enchanting. Molly Young, The New York TimesDan Saladino's Eating to Extinction is the prominent broadcaster's pathbreaking tour of the world's vanishing foods and his argument for why they matter now more than ever.Over the past several decades, globalization has homogenized what we eat, and done so ruthlessly. The numbers are stark: Of the roughly six thousand different plants once consumed by human beings, only nine remain major staples today. Just three of theserice, wheat, and cornprovide 50 percent of all our calories. Dig deeper and the trends are more worrisome still: 95 percent of milk consumed in the United States comes from a single breed of cow, while one in fo

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Book SynopsisA beautifully written and illustrated account of the threatened plant species that inhabit the British Isles.Britain and Ireland are home to around 300 species of rare flowering plants, and many more rare ferns, mosses, liverworts and freshwater algae. These are species at the cutting edge of biodiversity: fascinating, often beautiful, and in decline. Yet as some teeter on the brink, more rare species are still being discovered.In Rare Plants, prize-winning author Peter Marren describes the allure of Britain and Ireland's vanishing wild flora, from the simple joy of plant hunting to the wonder and (sometimes) weirdness of the plants themselves, as well as their important place in our landscape and culture. He also explores the condition of rarity in the context of our changing world and climate: why do plants become rare, what threats do they face, and what opportunities do we have to protect them before it is too late? The book concludes with an overvi

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Book Synopsis* Written by an international renowned team of authors. * Addresses key contemporary issues in conservation biology and looks at the realities and problems of applied conservation. * Emphasizes the three key themes in conservation biology: principles, policy and practice.Trade Review'This is probably one of the best recent books on this area of work. It deserves the widest readership and should be a 'must-buy' text for the library both institutional and personal.' British Ecological Society “The book is well edited…I highly recommend this well-written volume…it provides diverse essays that address conservation topics in a refreshing manner…good companion textbook.” Quarterly Review of Biology "[T]he result is an authoritative yet accessible work, which should attract a diverse readership." Biologist "An excellent textbook describing various aspects of conservation science and practice … .Greatly recommended." Folia GeobotanicaTable of ContentsPreface. List of Contributors. List of Boxes. 1. The Pathology of Biodiversity Loss: the Practice of Conservation: Chris R. Dickman (University of Sydney), Stuart L. Pimm (Duke University) and Marcel Cardillo (Imperial College London). 2. Prioritizing Choices in Conservation: Georgina M. Mace (Zoological Society of London), Hugh P. Possingham (University of Queensland) and Nigel Leader-Williams (University of Kent). 3. What is Biodiversity Worth? Economics as a Problem and a Solution: David Pearce (deceased), Susanna Hecht (University of California at Los Angeles) and Frank Vorhies (Consultant Sustainability Economist). 4. Impacts of Modern Molecular Genetic Techniques on Conservation Biology: Eli Geffen (Tel Aviv University), Gordon Luikart (University of Montana)and Robin S. Waples (NOAA). 5. The Role of Metapopulations in Conservation: H. Resit Akçakaya (Applied Biomathematics), Gus Mills (University of Pretoria) and C. Patrick Doncaster (University of Southampton). 6. Managing Biodiversity in the Light of Climate Change: Current Biological Effects and Future Impacts: Terry L. Root (Stanford University), Diana Liverman (University of Oxford) and Chris Newman (University of Oxford). 7. Technology in Conservation: a Boon but with Small Print: Stephen A. Ellwood (University of Oxford), Rory P. Wilson (University of Wales Swansea) and Alonzo C. Addison (Virtual Heritage Network). 8. Animal Welfare and Conservation: Measuring Stress in the Wild: Graeme McLaren (UK Environment Agency), Christian Bonacic (University of Oxford) and Andrew Rowan. 9. Does Modelling have a Role in Conservation?: Mark S. Boyce (University of Alberta), Steve P. Rushton (University of Newcastle) and Tim Lynam (CSIRO). 10. Conservation in the Tropics: Evolving Roles for Governments, International Donors and Non-governement Organizations: Steve Cobb (Environment and Development Group), Joshua Ginsberg (Columbia University) and Jorgen Thomsen (Conservation International). 11. Do Parasites Matter? Infectious Diseases and the Conservation of Host Populations: Philip Riordan (University of Oxford), Peter Hudson (Penn State University) and Steve Albon (Macaulay Institute). 12. The Nature of the Beast: Using Biological Processes in Vertebrate Pest Management: Sandra Baker (University of Oxford), Grant Singleton and Rob Smith (University of Huddersfield). 13. Introduced Species and the Line between Biodiversity Conservation and Naturalistic Eugenics: David W. Macdonald (University of Oxford), Carolyn M. King (University of Waikato) and Robert Strachan (Environment Agency Wales). 14. Bushmeat: the Challenge of Balancing Human and Wildlife Needs in African Moist Tropical Forests: John E. Fa (Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust), Lise Albrechtsen (Food and Agriculture Organization) and David Brown (Overseas Development Institute). 15. Does Sport Hunting Benefit Conservation?: Andrew K. Loveridge (University of Oxford), J.C. Reynolds (The Game Conservancy Trust) and E.J. Milner-Gulland (Imperial College London). 16. Can Farming and Wildlife Coexist?: Ruth E. Feber (University of Oxford), Elizabeth J. Asteraki (CAB International) and Les G. Firbank (Centre for Ecology and Hydrology). 17. Living with Wildlife: the Roots of Conflict and the Solutions: Claudio Sillero-Zubiri (University of Oxford), Raman Sukumar (Indian Institute of Science) and Adrian Treves (Makerere University). 18. Principles, Practice and Priorities: the Quest for Alignment: David W. Macdonald (University of Oxford), N. Mark Collins (Commonwealth Foundation) and Richard Wrangham (Harvard University). Index

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Book SynopsisIn the new edition of this highly successful book, Malcolm Hunter and new co-author James Gibbs offer a thorough introduction to the fascinating and important field of conservation biology, focusing on what can be done to maintain biodiversity through management of ecosystems and populations.Trade Review"Drawing on their experience in teaching and instructive writing, the authors provide an accessible, well-organized and updated review suitable for undergraduate and graduate students in various biological and environmental sciences. The book will also serve as a reference work for researchers, and the expressive and lively prose, reflecting the dedication of the authors, will hopefully inspire not only future conservation biologists but anyone who is interested in the richness of life surrounding us." (Ecoscience, Volume 15, Issue 4, 2008) "One could imagine a whole course being based on this book as it has so much to offer." (Journal of Biological Education)Table of ContentsFull Contents. List of Case Studies. Preface. Acknowledgments. Part I: Biodiversity and Its Importance:. 1. Conservation and Conservation Biology. 2. What is Biodiversity?. 3. Species Diversity. 4. Ecosystem Diversity. 5. Genetic Diversity. Part II: Threats to Biodiversity:. 6. Mass Extinctions and Global Change. 7. Extinction Processes. 8. Ecosystem Degradation and Loss. 9. Overexploitation. 10. Invasive Exotics. Part III: Maintaining Biodiversity:. 11. Protecting Ecosystems. 12. Managing Ecosystems. 13. Managing Populations. 14. Zoos and Gardens. Part IV: The Human Factors:. 15. Social Factors. 16. Economics. 17. Politics and Action. Epilogue. Glossary. Literature Cited and Author Index. Species Index. Subject Index

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Book SynopsisThanks to advances in electronic archiving of biodiversity data and the digitization of climate and other geophysical data, a new era in biogeography, functional ecology, and evolutionary ecology has begun. In Data Mining for Global Trends in Mountain Biodiversity, Christian Korner, Eva M. Spehn, and a team of experts from the Global Mountain Biodiversity Assessment of DIVERSITAS explore two of the hottest subjects in science and technology: biodiversity and data mining. They demonstrate how to harness the scientific power of biological databases for furthering ecological and evolutionary theory. Expert contributors address two aspects of the Global Mountain Biodiversity Assessment. They cover how to link biodiversity data with geophysical data and how to use biodiversity data to substantiate evolutionary and ecological theory. The text provides different methodological approaches and examples of successful mining of geo-referenced data in mountain regTrade Review"Overall, the book provides a rich resource of valuable information and stimulation for those who are willing to dig into the detail of the individual chapters, As a whole, it demonstrates well how data mining techniques ran complement, but not necessarily replace, expensive experiments, thus furthering ecological and evolutionary theory."-- Spehn. Mountain Research and Development (MRD). August 2010, Vol 30, No. 3Table of ContentsExploring and Explaining Mountain Biodiversity: The Role and Power of Geophysical Information Systems. Primary Biodiversity Data—The Foundation for Understanding Global Mountain Biodiversity. Using Primary Biodiversity Data in Mountain Species Numbers Assessments. The Global Need for, and Appreciation of, High-Quality Metadata in Biodiversity Database Work. A Possible Correlation between the Altitudinal and Latitudinal Ranges of Species in the High Elevation Flora of the Andes. Exploring Patterns of Plant Diversity in China’s Mountains. Elevational Pattern of Seed Plant Species Richness in the Hengduan Mountains, Southwest China: Area and Climate. Elevational Gradients of Species Richness Derived from Local Field Surveys versus “Mining” of Archive Data. Species Richness of Breeding Birds along the Altitudinal Gradient—An Analysis of Atlas Databases from Switzerland and Catalonia (NE Spain). Diverse Elevational Diversity Gradients in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Integrating Data across Biodiversity Levels: The Project IntraBioDiv. A Plant Functional Traits Database for the Alps—Application to the Understanding of Functional Effects of Changed Grassland Management. Using Species Occurrence Databases to Determine Niche Dynamics of Montane and Lowland Species since the Last Glacial Maximum. A Georeferenced Biodiversity Databank for Evaluating the Impact of Climate Change in Southern Italy Mountains. Using Georeferenced Databases to Assess the Effect of Climate Change on Alpine Plant Species and Diversity. The “Mountain Laboratory” of Nature— Largely Unexplored Mine of Information: Synthesis of the Book. Creative Use of Mountain Biodiversity Databases: The Kazbegi Research Agenda of GMBA-DIVERSITAS. Index.

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Book SynopsisAimed at naturalists, professional biologists, and students, this book will serve as a valuable reference for those conducting biodiversity surveys and conservation throughout the world.Trade ReviewContains the latest range and taxonomic information as well as a description of key characteristics that can help distinguish species in the field . . . a useful book in my opinion. And a great format, which . . . is a welcome trend.—Jon Hall, Mammal WatchingAndrew Smith and his colleagues have produced an outstanding book that summarises the current knowledge of the world's 92 species of lagomorphs in one reference volume. Drawing on the expertise of 82 specialists on lagomorphs, this is a truly comprehensive reference work that provides detailed, species-specific information as well as a review of the ecological role of lagomorphs.—The BiologistTable of ContentsPrefaceContributors1. Introduction2. Evolution of Lagomorphs3. Systematics of Lagomorphs4. Introduced Lagomorphs5. Diseases of Lagomorphs6. Conservation of LagomorphsSPECIES ACCOUNTSOrder LagomorphaFamily OchotonidaeFamily LeporidaeThe RabbitsSylvilagusLepusReferencesIndex

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Book SynopsisThe modern southwestern cities of Phoenix, Tucson, Las Vegas, Albuquerque, and El Paso occupy lands that once supported rich desert ecosystems. Typical development activities often resulted in scraping these desert lands of an ancient living landscape, to be replaced with one that is human-made and dependent on a large consumption of energy and natural resources. Design with the Desert: Conservation and Sustainable Development explores the natural and built environment of the American Southwest and introduces development tools for shaping the future of the region in a more sustainable way.Explore the Desert Landscape and EcologyThis transdisciplinary collaboration draws on insights from leading authorities in their fields, spanning science, ecology, planning, landscape development, architecture, and urban design. Organized into five parts, the book begins by introducing the physical aspects of the desert realm: the laTable of ContentsIntroduction. Physical Aspects of the Desert Environment: Deserts of the World. Geology and Soils in Deserts of the Southwestern United States. Scales of Climate in Designing with the Desert. Water Resources in the Desert Southwest. Geologic, Hydrologic, and Urban Hazards for Design in Desert Environments. The Living Desert: Deep History and Biogeography of La Frontera. Vegetation Zones of the Southwest. Plant Ecology of the Sonoran Desert Region. Wildlife and Anthropogenic Changes in the Arid Southwest. Healing the Wounds: An Example from the Sky Islands. Built toBurn. Restoring Ecosystem Health in Frequent-Fire Forests of the American West. Desert Planning: Ecological Planning Method. Phoenix as Every City: A Closer Look at Sprawl in the Desert. Water Planning for Growing Southwestern Communities. Removable and Placed-Based Economies: Alternative Futures for America's Deserts. Environmental Injustice in the Urban Southwest: A Case Study of Phoenix, Arizona. Dwelling in Expanded Biotic Communities: Steps Toward Reconstructive Postmodern Communities. Dialogue on Development. Ecology in Design of Urban Systems: Ecological Design. Rainwater Harvesting and Stormwater Reuse for Arid Environments. Designing Habitats in Urban Environments. Native Plant Salvaging and Reuse in Southwestern Deserts. Sustainable Urban Living: Green Solar Energy for Food and Biofuels Production. Integral Urbanism in Desert Cities: Recapturing Links in Metro Phoenix. Urban Sustainability: Settlement, Growth, and Water Security for Southwest Cities. Creating Tomorrow. Desert Vernacular: Green Building and Ecological Design in Scottsdale, Arizona. Sustainable Energy Alternatives for the Southwest. Search for a Lean Alternative. Creating Sustainable Futures for Southwestern Cities: The ProtoCity™ Approach in the Ciudad Juarez Mexico/El Paso, Texas Metroplex. Index.

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Book SynopsisPreface.- I. CONTEXT.- The Ecosystem Concept.- Earth's Climate System.- Geology, Soils, and Sediments.- II. MECHANISMS.- Water and Energy Balance.- Carbon Inputs to  Ecosystems.- Plant Carbon Budgets.- TerrDecomposition and Ecosystem Carbon Budgets.- Plant Nutrient Use.- Nutrient Cycling.- Trophic Dynamics.- Species Effects on Ecosystem Processes.- III. PATTERNS.- Temporal Dynamics.- Landscape Heterogeneity and Ecosystem Dynamics.- IV. INTEGRATION.- Changes in the Earth System.- Managing and Sustaining Ecosystem.- Abbreviations.- Glossary.- References.Trade ReviewReviews of the first edition:"This textbook includes 16 chapters, each ending with a summary, review questions and references to additional readings. … It is especially characterized by the great importance (250 pp.) which is attributed to abiotic aspects of ecosystem ecology and to production processes as well as nutrient cycling … . All these chapters are structured in an excellent and well organized way. … Altogether, the authors have well succeeded in writing a comprehensive textbook, mainly for graduate students." (Angelika Schwabe, Phytocoenologia, Vol. 34 (3), 2004)"This comprehensive textbook outlines the central processes that characterize terrestrial ecosystems, tracing the flow of water, carbon, and nutrients from their abiotic origins to their cycles through plants, animals, and decomposer organisms. … This book synthesizes current advances in ecology with established theory to offer a complete survey of ecosystem pattern and process in the terrestrial environment. … suitable for use in all courses on ecosystem ecology. Resource managers, land use managers, and researchers will also welcome its thorough presentation of ecosystem essentials." (Ethology, Ecology & Evolution, Vol. 15 (4), 2003)From the reviews of the second edition:“An outstanding textbook which, after definitions, sets the stage with primers on Earth’s climate system and geological processes. What follows is a magisterial and comprehensive account of the movements of water, energy, carbon and nutrients though natural systems. … authors delve into the finer detail and explain how biological processes can have important modulating effects through space and time. … The book is well written throughout and punctuated with excellent colour illustrations; no-one from undergraduates to established researchers can fail to learn something from it.” (Frontiers of Biogeography, Vol. 3 (3), 2011)Table of ContentsPreface.- I. CONTEXT.- The Ecosystem Concept.- Earth's Climate System.- Geology, Soils, and Sediments.- II. MECHANISMS.- Water and Energy Balance.- Carbon Inputs to Ecosystems.- Plant Carbon Budgets.- TerrDecomposition and Ecosystem Carbon Budgets.- Plant Nutrient Use.- Nutrient Cycling.- Trophic Dynamics.- Species Effects on Ecosystem Processes.- III. PATTERNS.- Temporal Dynamics.- Landscape Heterogeneity and Ecosystem Dynamics.- IV. INTEGRATION.- Changes in the Earth System.- Managing and Sustaining Ecosystem.- Abbreviations.- Glossary.- References.

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Book SynopsisAs the impacts of anthropogenic activities increase in both magnitude and extent, biodiversity is coming under increasing pressure. Scientists and policy makers are frequently hampered by a lack of information on biological systems, particularly information relating to long-term trends. Such information is crucial to developing an understanding as to how biodiversity may respond to global environmental change. Knowledge gaps make it very difficult to develop effective policies and legislation to reduce and reverse biodiversity loss. This book explores the gap between global commitments to biodiversity conservation, and local action to track biodiversity change and implement conservation action. High profile international political commitments to improve biodiversity conservation, such as the targets set by the Convention on Biological Diversity, require innovative and rapid responses from both science and policy. This multi-disciplinary perspective highlights barriers to consTrade Review“If you are a teacher, conservation scientist, or biodiversity manager and want to choose one book integrating biodiversity monitoring and indicators, this is the volume to get.” (The Quarterly Review of Biology, 1 October 2015) “This does nothing to take away from the editors’ primary accomplishment, however, which is to have produced the most authoritative volume currently available on biodiversity monitoring.” (Biological Conservation,1 October 2014) “Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above.” (Choice, 1 March 2014)Table of ContentsContributors xi Acknowledgements xv 1. Biodiversity Monitoring and Conservation: Bridging the Gaps Between Global Commitment and Local Action 1Ben Collen, Nathalie Pettorelli, Jonathan E.M. Baillie and SarahM. Durant Part I Species-Based Indicators of Biodiversity Change 17 2. Tracking Change in National-Level Conservation Status: National Red Lists 19Ben Collen, Janine Griffiths, Yolan Friedmann, Jon Paul Rodriguez, Franklin Rojas-Suarez and Jonathan E.M. Baillie 3. TheWildlife Picture Index: A Biodiversity Indicator for Top Trophic Levels 45Timothy G. O'Brien and Margaret F. Kinnaird 4. Tracking Change in Abundance: The Living Planet Index 71Ben Collen, Louise McRae, Jonathan Loh, Stefanie Deinet, Adriana De Palma, Robyn Manley and Jonathan E.M. Baillie Part II Indicators of the Pressures on Biodiversity 95 5. Satellite Data-Based Indices to Monitor Land Use and Habitat Changes 97Nathalie Pettorelli 6. Indicators of Climate Change Impacts on Biodiversity 120Wendy B. Foden, Georgina M. Mace and Stuart H.M. Butchart 7. Monitoring Trends in Biological Invasion, its Impact andPolicyResponses 138Piero Genovesi, Stuart H.M. Butchart, Melodie A. McGeoch and David B. Roy 8. Exploitation Indices: Developing Global and National Metrics of Wildlife Use and Trade 159Rosamunde E.A. Almond, Stuart H.M. Butchart, Thomasina E.E. Oldfield, Louise McRae and Steven de Bie 9. Personalized Measures of Consumption and Development in the Context of Biodiversity Conservation: Connecting the Ecological Footprint Calculation with the Human Footprint Map 189Eric W. Sanderson Part III The Next Generation of Biodiversity Indicators 211 10. Indicator Bats Program: A System for the Global Acoustic Monitoring of Bats 213Kate E. Jones, Jon A. Russ, Andriy-Taras Bashta, Zoltan Bilhari, Colin Catto, Istvan Csosz, Alexander Gorbachev, Peter Gyorfi, Alice Hughes, Igor Ivashkiv, Natalia Koryagina, Aniko Kurali, Steve Langton, Alanna Collen, Georgiana Margiean, Ivan Pandourski, Stuart Parsons, Igor Prokofev, Abigel Szodoray-Paradi, Farkas Szodoray-Paradi, Elena Tilova, Charlotte L. Walters, Aidan Weatherill and Oleg Zavarzin 11. Occupancy Methods for Conservation Management 248Darryl I. MacKenzie and James T. Reardon 12. Monitoring and Evaluating the Socioeconomic Impacts of Conservation Projects on Local Communities 265Katherine Homewood 13. Science to Policy Linkages for the Post-2010 Biodiversity Targets 291Georgina M. Mace, Charles Perrings, Philippe Le Prestre, Wolfgang Cramer, Sandra Diaz, Anne Larigauderie, Robert J. Scholes and Harold A. Mooney Part IV Biodiversity Monitoring in Practice 311 14. Building Sustainable National Monitoring Networks 313Sarah M. Durant 15. Monitoring in the Real World 335Julia P.G. Jones 16. Monitoring in UNDP-GEF Biodiversity Projects: Balancing Conservation Priorities, Financial Realities, and Scientific Rigour 348Sultana Bashir 17. Scaling Up or Down? LinkingGlobal and National Biodiversity Indicators and Reporting 402Philip Bubb 18. Conserving Biodiversity in a Target-Driven World 421Simon N. Stuart and Ben Collen Index 439

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Book SynopsisAs the impacts of anthropogenic activities increase in both magnitude and extent, biodiversity is coming under increasing pressure. Scientists and policy makers are frequently hampered by a lack of information on biological systems, particularly information relating to long-term trends. Such information is crucial to developing an understanding as to how biodiversity may respond to global environmental change. Knowledge gaps make it very difficult to develop effective policies and legislation to reduce and reverse biodiversity loss. This book explores the gap between global commitments to biodiversity conservation, and local action to track biodiversity change and implement conservation action. High profile international political commitments to improve biodiversity conservation, such as the targets set by the Convention on Biological Diversity, require innovative and rapid responses from both science and policy. This multi-disciplinary perspective highlights barriers to consTrade Review“If you are a teacher, conservation scientist, or biodiversity manager and want to choose one book integrating biodiversity monitoring and indicators, this is the volume to get.” (The Quarterly Review of Biology, 1 October 2015) “This does nothing to take away from the editors’ primary accomplishment, however, which is to have produced the most authoritative volume currently available on biodiversity monitoring.” (Biological Conservation,1 October 2014) “Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above.” (Choice, 1 March 2014)Table of ContentsContributors xi Acknowledgements xv 1. Biodiversity Monitoring and Conservation: Bridging the Gaps Between Global Commitment and Local Action 1Ben Collen, Nathalie Pettorelli, Jonathan E.M. Baillie and SarahM. Durant Part I Species-Based Indicators of Biodiversity Change 17 2. Tracking Change in National-Level Conservation Status: National Red Lists 19Ben Collen, Janine Griffiths, Yolan Friedmann, Jon Paul Rodriguez, Franklin Rojas-Suarez and Jonathan E.M. Baillie 3. TheWildlife Picture Index: A Biodiversity Indicator for Top Trophic Levels 45Timothy G. O'Brien and Margaret F. Kinnaird 4. Tracking Change in Abundance: The Living Planet Index 71Ben Collen, Louise McRae, Jonathan Loh, Stefanie Deinet, Adriana De Palma, Robyn Manley and Jonathan E.M. Baillie Part II Indicators of the Pressures on Biodiversity 95 5. Satellite Data-Based Indices to Monitor Land Use and Habitat Changes 97Nathalie Pettorelli 6. Indicators of Climate Change Impacts on Biodiversity 120Wendy B. Foden, Georgina M. Mace and Stuart H.M. Butchart 7. Monitoring Trends in Biological Invasion, its Impact andPolicyResponses 138Piero Genovesi, Stuart H.M. Butchart, Melodie A. McGeoch and David B. Roy 8. Exploitation Indices: Developing Global and National Metrics of Wildlife Use and Trade 159Rosamunde E.A. Almond, Stuart H.M. Butchart, Thomasina E.E. Oldfield, Louise McRae and Steven de Bie 9. Personalized Measures of Consumption and Development in the Context of Biodiversity Conservation: Connecting the Ecological Footprint Calculation with the Human Footprint Map 189Eric W. Sanderson Part III The Next Generation of Biodiversity Indicators 211 10. Indicator Bats Program: A System for the Global Acoustic Monitoring of Bats 213Kate E. Jones, Jon A. Russ, Andriy-Taras Bashta, Zoltan Bilhari, Colin Catto, Istvan Csosz, Alexander Gorbachev, Peter Gyorfi, Alice Hughes, Igor Ivashkiv, Natalia Koryagina, Aniko Kurali, Steve Langton, Alanna Collen, Georgiana Margiean, Ivan Pandourski, Stuart Parsons, Igor Prokofev, Abigel Szodoray-Paradi, Farkas Szodoray-Paradi, Elena Tilova, Charlotte L. Walters, Aidan Weatherill and Oleg Zavarzin 11. Occupancy Methods for Conservation Management 248Darryl I. MacKenzie and James T. Reardon 12. Monitoring and Evaluating the Socioeconomic Impacts of Conservation Projects on Local Communities 265Katherine Homewood 13. Science to Policy Linkages for the Post-2010 Biodiversity Targets 291Georgina M. Mace, Charles Perrings, Philippe Le Prestre, Wolfgang Cramer, Sandra Diaz, Anne Larigauderie, Robert J. Scholes and Harold A. Mooney Part IV Biodiversity Monitoring in Practice 311 14. Building Sustainable National Monitoring Networks 313Sarah M. Durant 15. Monitoring in the Real World 335Julia P.G. Jones 16. Monitoring in UNDP-GEF Biodiversity Projects: Balancing Conservation Priorities, Financial Realities, and Scientific Rigour 348Sultana Bashir 17. Scaling Up or Down? LinkingGlobal and National Biodiversity Indicators and Reporting 402Philip Bubb 18. Conserving Biodiversity in a Target-Driven World 421Simon N. Stuart and Ben Collen Index 439

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Book SynopsisFINALIST IN THE PEOPLE''S BOOK PRIZE FOR NON-FICTION 2022/2023 WRITTEN BY THE WAINWRIGHT-CONSERVATION-PRIZE-WINNING AUTHOR OF REBIRDING. Transform your understanding of the natural world forever and discover the wild forces that once supported Britain's extraordinary natural riches, and could again.Our precious archipelago is ravaged by climate change, bereft of natural ecosystems and lies at the mercy of global warming, flooding, drought and catastrophic biodiversity loss. But could restoring species that once helped protect our islands help turn this crisis around?From familiar yet imperilled honeybees and ancient oak woods to returning natives like beavers and boars, Britain's cornerstone species may hold the key to recovering our biodiversity on land and in our seas. In Cornerstones, we discover how beavers craft wetlands, save fish, encourage otters, and prevent rivers from flooding. We learn how disruptive' boars are seasoned butterfly conservationisTrade ReviewCornerstones makes a bold, riveting and visionary case for reviving the wild species that can help us restore our living planet. This is an exciting read! * Patrick Barkham, author of The Butterfly Isles and Wild Child *By concentrating on 'cornerstones', we have the potential to transform landscapes and lives. A brilliant read. * Bird Watching magazine *Very few writers can navigate the complexities of the interconnectedness of nature and humanity, but Macdonald achieves this with skill and impact. Cornerstones paves a compelling pathway of hope, and it is as bright and brilliant as it is essential. * Sophie Pavelle, author of Forget Me Not *It’s an interesting debate and one we should have. * Simon Lester, Country Life *This celebration of the species that anchor healthy, life-giving ecosystems is a timely reminder to recognise – and urgently protect – our common roots. * New Statesman *A primordially fortifying book. * New Statesman *It is ultimately a hopeful tale, and one well worth reading. * Lorraine Connolly, Country Life *Benedict Macdonald continues to come up with practical and effective solutions to the biodiversity crisis, with his latest book, Cornerstones. -- Stephen MossI think this is this author’s best book, so far, and that makes it excellent. -- Mark AveryMacdonald crams in evidence from a dizzying array of studies and writes with the urgency of an evangelist […] it’s exciting, convincing stuff. * Countryfile *Macdonald's skill is in painting a big picture and communicating the benefits for all to see. -- Keith Betton * Birdwatch magazine *This book is a brave, wonderfully descriptive and immensely important diagnosis of how far the countryside has drifted. -- Chris Fitch * Geographical *From the first sentence of the introduction, I was drawn in by evocative descriptions of Nature at its best. * Lorraine Connolly, Country Life *The author’s great strength is in painting vivid pictures, helping us to imagine a possible future where we have more self-willed, wilder land. -- Ian Carter * British Wildlife *Macdonald excels in describing the who and what of rewilding. He offers fascinating tales of the ways in which animals may transform British landscapes [...] Macdonald’s vision for rewilding reminds us of the potentially transformative animal lives around us. Humans could and should allow them to help restore our natural world. -- Barbara J. King * Times Literary Supplement *From this book you will uncover the important role ‘wild forces’ once played, and could play again, in boosting biodiversity and restoring broken ecosystems — all described in remarkably researched detail [...] one very important book. * Rewilding Britain *Table of ContentsIntroduction Chapter one - Boar Chapter two - Birds of Prey Chapter three - Beavers Chapter four - Whales Chapter five - Bees Chapter six - Cattle and Horses Chapter seven - Trees Chapter eight - Lynx and Wolves Chapter nine - Humans

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Book SynopsisIn 1992, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), signed by over 160 countries and hailed as the key symbol of a common vision for saving Earth''s biodiversity, set forth three primary mandates: preserving biodiversity, using biodiversity components sustainably, and enabling economic benefit-sharing. The CBD—which gave signatory countries the ability to claim sovereignty over nonhuman genetic resources native to each nation—defined biodiversity through a politics of nationhood in ways that commodified genetic resources. In Biogenetic Paradoxes of the Nation Sakari Tamminen traces the ways in which the CBD''s seemingly compatible yet ultimately paradox-ridden aims became manifest in efforts to create, conserve, and capitalize on distinct animal and plant species. In using Finland as a case study with which to understand the worldwide efforts to convert species into manifestations of national identity, Tamminen shows how the CBD''s policies contribute less to biodTrade Review“How do animals and plants ground the making of national natures today, in the age of biotechnology, when we know those natures to be thoroughly social, technical, and economic? Sakari Tamminen's excellent ethnography examines what he arrestingly names as ‘nonhuman nationhood,’ using the case of Finland to show us how histories of animal breeding along with new genres of molecular manipulation are shaping fresh claims and contests over genetic sovereignty.” -- Stefan Helmreich, author of * Sounding the Limits of Life: Essays in the Anthropology of Biology and Beyond *“Sakari Tamminen offers a deft combination of field observation and theoretical analysis to persuasively problematize the whole notion of national genetic heritage. Outlining the tension between increasingly energetic claims about indigeneity, originality, and nativeness and the fact that all such claims inevitably rest on construction and wishful thinking, he uses his focus on Finland to illuminate issues of global relevance.” -- Harriet Ritvo, author of * Noble Cows and Hybrid Zebras: Essays on Animals and History *"This highly informative study should be widely read." -- R. S. Kowalczyk * Choice *"The contribution of the book to critical discussions on the politics of life lies in highlighting the entangled relations between nation-building and biology, and the re-emergence of the nation as a crucial player in biopolitical battles. Furthermore, in a political climate where nations are increasingly interested in strengthening their borders – both physically and discursively – we will do well to remember Tamminen’s message about how new biotechnological relations and the related politics and institutions can expand territories and borders, but also redraw and reinforce existing ones." -- Annika Lonkila * New Genetics and Society *Table of ContentsList of Abbreviations vii Acknowledgments ix Introduction. The New Biopolitics of Nature and the Nature of (Mis)Stakes 1 1. Finncattle: Biowealth as National Life 38 2. Alexander and the (Re)Birth of Nation: Apple Trees' Genetic Fingerprinting and the Making of a Molecular Nationhood 84 3. Stilled Life: Animal Gene Banks and New Infrastructures of Life 127 4. Experimental Administration: Genetic Sovereignty and the Institutional (Bio)Politics of Nonhuman Nationhood 173 Conclusion. Biogenetic Paradoxes of the Nation 210 Notes 223 References 237 Index 259

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Book SynopsisIn 1992, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), signed by over 160 countries and hailed as the key symbol of a common vision for saving Earth''s biodiversity, set forth three primary mandates: preserving biodiversity, using biodiversity components sustainably, and enabling economic benefit-sharing. The CBD—which gave signatory countries the ability to claim sovereignty over nonhuman genetic resources native to each nation—defined biodiversity through a politics of nationhood in ways that commodified genetic resources. In Biogenetic Paradoxes of the Nation Sakari Tamminen traces the ways in which the CBD''s seemingly compatible yet ultimately paradox-ridden aims became manifest in efforts to create, conserve, and capitalize on distinct animal and plant species. In using Finland as a case study with which to understand the worldwide efforts to convert species into manifestations of national identity, Tamminen shows how the CBD''s policies contribute less to biodTrade Review“How do animals and plants ground the making of national natures today, in the age of biotechnology, when we know those natures to be thoroughly social, technical, and economic? Sakari Tamminen's excellent ethnography examines what he arrestingly names as ‘nonhuman nationhood,’ using the case of Finland to show us how histories of animal breeding along with new genres of molecular manipulation are shaping fresh claims and contests over genetic sovereignty.” -- Stefan Helmreich, author of * Sounding the Limits of Life: Essays in the Anthropology of Biology and Beyond *“Sakari Tamminen offers a deft combination of field observation and theoretical analysis to persuasively problematize the whole notion of national genetic heritage. Outlining the tension between increasingly energetic claims about indigeneity, originality, and nativeness and the fact that all such claims inevitably rest on construction and wishful thinking, he uses his focus on Finland to illuminate issues of global relevance.” -- Harriet Ritvo, author of * Noble Cows and Hybrid Zebras: Essays on Animals and History *"This highly informative study should be widely read." -- R. S. Kowalczyk * Choice *"The contribution of the book to critical discussions on the politics of life lies in highlighting the entangled relations between nation-building and biology, and the re-emergence of the nation as a crucial player in biopolitical battles. Furthermore, in a political climate where nations are increasingly interested in strengthening their borders – both physically and discursively – we will do well to remember Tamminen’s message about how new biotechnological relations and the related politics and institutions can expand territories and borders, but also redraw and reinforce existing ones." -- Annika Lonkila * New Genetics and Society *Table of ContentsList of Abbreviations vii Acknowledgments ix Introduction. The New Biopolitics of Nature and the Nature of (Mis)Stakes 1 1. Finncattle: Biowealth as National Life 38 2. Alexander and the (Re)Birth of Nation: Apple Trees' Genetic Fingerprinting and the Making of a Molecular Nationhood 84 3. Stilled Life: Animal Gene Banks and New Infrastructures of Life 127 4. Experimental Administration: Genetic Sovereignty and the Institutional (Bio)Politics of Nonhuman Nationhood 173 Conclusion. Biogenetic Paradoxes of the Nation 210 Notes 223 References 237 Index 259

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Book SynopsisDespite their diversity, amphibians and reptiles share many physiological traits, such as their dependence on external heat sources for body temperature regulation, that are of pivotal importance to their ability to cope with the environment. Considerable variation in physiological capabilities exists in these groups and often can be related to seasonal and geographic differences in environmental parameters. This book provides a comprehensive and integrative view of the interplay between physiology and behavior in amphibians and reptiles, leading to a better understanding of the subject.The book covers topics that have recently been in the spotlight for scientific research on the physiology, behavior, and conservation of amphibians and reptiles. It brings together recent information from a range of disciplines that address critical topics for understanding their biology. As these studies are scattered across articles in specialized journals, this book provides a single and exTable of ContentsBehavior and Physiology: An Ecological and Evolutionary Viewpoint on the Energy and Water Relations of Ectothermic Amphibians and Reptiles. Acclimation, Acclimatization, and Seasonal Variation in Amphibians and Reptiles. Physiological and Biochemical Correlates of Calling Behavior in Anurans with Different Calling Strategies. Digestive Physiology in Reptiles with Special Reference to Pythons. Effects of Feeding on the Respiration of Ectothermic Vertebrates. Temperature Effects on the Metabolism of Amphibians and Reptiles: Caveats and Recommendations. Physiological Ecology and Conservation of Anuran Amphibians. Assessing the Physiological Sensitivity of Amphibians to Extreme Environmental Change Using the Stress Endocrine Responses.

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Book SynopsisMullets (grey mullets) are a family (Mugilidae) and order of ray-finned fish found in temperate and tropical waters worldwide. There are approximately 80 species of mullet; these fish have been considered an important food source in Mediterranean Europe since Roman times. This book provides a long overdue update on the biology and ecology of mullets and features comprehensive coverage of the key features of the Mugilidae family, such as recent DNA evidence and morphological data that challenge the traditional taxonomy.Table of ContentsMorphology and Morphometry Based Taxonomy of Mugilidae. Implications of Molecular Phylogeny for the Taxonomy of Mugilidae. Biogeography and Distribution of Mugilidae in the Americas. The Biogeography of Mugilidae in India, South-East and East Asia. Biogeography and Distribution of Mugilidae in Australia and Oceania. Biogeography and Distribution of Mugilidae in the Western, Central and Southern Regions of Africa. Biogeography and Distribution of Mugilidae in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, and North-East Atlantic. Muscoskeletal Anatomy of the Flathead Grey Mullet Mugil cephalus (Teleostei: Mugilidae). Food and Feeding of MugilidaeAge and Growth of Mugilidae. Sexuality and Reproduction. Biology and Ecology of Fry and Juveniles of Mugilidae. Adaptation to Salinity and Osmoregulation in Mugilidae. Ecological Role of Mugilidae in the Coastal Zone. Genetics of Mugilidae. Current State of Capture Fisheries and Culture of Mugilidae. Capture Methods and Commercial Fisheries for Mugilidae. Case study: Stock Enhancement of Mugilidae in Hawaii (USA). Capture and Culture of Mugilidae in Taiwan. Culture of Mugilidae in Egypt. Grey Mullet as Possible Indicator of Coastal Environmental Changes: the MUGIL Project.

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Book SynopsisAnswers the questions on everyone's mind about a diverse range of topics, abstract concepts, and popular and hard core science. Sections include: animals and agriculture, body, climate and energy, medical myths, mind and brain, research and technology, and more. Table of Contents Foreword 1 Foreword 2 Acknowledgements Animals and agriculture Body Climate and energy Ever wondered? Medical myths Mind and brain Research and technology Space, time and matter Glossary

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Book SynopsisCaptures the thinking of many dedicated scientists and researchers who have devoted their careers to exploring and understanding change. The change heralded by megatrends lies beyond our direct control but not beyond our influence. In Global Megatrends, Stefan Hajkowicz identifies seven patterns of global change and tells a story about how the world will change over the next 20 years.

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Book SynopsisBrings together more than 150 of the best walks, tracks or trails in Queensland’s Tropics, located within the coastal strip between Rockhampton and Cooktown. Walks vary from short boardwalk strolls in the lowland rainforests of Daintree National Park to 4-6 day hiking and camping trips on Hinchinbrook Island.

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Book SynopsisThe story of the evolution of biogeographical practice in Australasia.

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Book SynopsisExplains how research programs can work more effectively across the boundaries between science, society and decision-making by building social and institutional networks. The book suggests ways of defining and thinking about problems and then offers five frameworks for embedding science within specific governance contexts.

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Book SynopsisPresents the most comprehensive review of the status of Australia's avifauna yet attempted. The accounts in this plan have been authored by more than 300 of the most knowledgeable bird experts in Australia, and feature more detail than earlier plans. The volume also includes accounts of over 60 taxa that are no longer considered threatened.Trade Review"This book is an up-to-date review of the status of endangered Australian birds ... each chapter (species account) is the product of multiple authors; in all this has involved more than 300 experts. In a sense this Action Plan is like a dictionary. It is very unlikely to be read from cover to cover but will be an absolute essential reference to dip into for details. It will provide critical answers to the main issues that define the present status of endangered Australian Birds." -- Peter Fullagar * Canberra Bird Notes *"The 2020 Action Plan is a thought-provoking document that is well worth reading by everyone with a serious interest in bird conservation. It will undoubtedly be a very important reference for conservation agencies in directing land management initiatives and should inspire specific research directions for those agencies, other institutions and private individuals for at least the next decade" -- Jeff Hardy * Corella *

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Book SynopsisThe Murray cod is Australia's largest and most iconic freshwater fish. Tales of the species have long been part of Australian folklore and this book describes its history, biology, cultural significance and conservation.Trade Review"Paul Humphries is team leader of the river ecology group at Charles Sturt University; clearly he is highly qualified to write this book, but equally he is a beautiful writer." * Ian Fraser's Natural History Reviews #32 *"If you have ever wanted to know anything about Australia’s largest fish species, the Murray Cod, this is the book for you. […] This study is natural history writing at its best. It is erudite and articulate, but never hard to understand. " -- Gary Presland * The Victorian Naturalist, Vol 140 (6) *

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Book SynopsisAlthough not closely related, quail, buttonquail and the Plains-wanderer have much in common. This book examines 14 species of these small, secretive ground-dwelling birds, including Old World and New World quail, the endangered Buff-breasted Buttonquail, the elusive Plains-wanderer and the extinct New Zealand Quail.Trade Review"This book is a must have for anyone with a serious interest in the birds of the region!" * The Birdbooker Report *"This is another very fine and comprehensive publication from Joseph Forshaw, and anyone with an interest in these birds will profit greatly from reading it" -- Steve Holliday * Canberra Bird Notes 48(1) *"The text is nicely enhanced by Frank Knight's paintings. Each species account has field-guide type illustrations of adults of each sex, a bird in flight, and of downy young." * Canberra Bird Notes Vol 48(1) *

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Book SynopsisA land of extremes, the Northern Territory's arid deserts and monsoonal forests harbour some of Australia's smallest and the world's largest reptiles, as well as some of the world's most venomous snakes. This is the first regional guide to the crocodiles, turtles, lizards and snakes of this megadiverse region.Trade Review"Want or need an up-to-date field guide specific to the territory, then in your shoes I wouldn’t be waiting for a better option to come along." * Ian Fraser's Natural History Reviews #32 *

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Book SynopsisProvides an overview of the ecology of Victoria's Box-Ironbark habitats and their wildlife, and how climate change is having a major influence. This edition covers all of the mammals, birds, reptiles and frogs in the region, with a description of their distribution, status, ecology and identification, plus a distribution map and colour photographs.Trade Review"This is an essential resource for anyone living in or interested in Victoria's box–ironbark region." * North Central Chat, North Central Catchment Management Authority *"Overall a valuable addition to the natural history literature and it will certainly be in our book box for our next trip south." * Ian Fraser Natural History Reviews #30 *

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Book SynopsisAustralia's native land snails are an often-overlooked invertebrate group that forms a significant part of terrestrial biodiversity, with an estimated 2,500 species present in Australia today. This volume offers an overview of Australia's land snail faunas, offering a greater understanding of their role in the natural environment.Trade Review"This guide presents an overview of both native and introduced snail species around the country, offering a greater understanding of their role in our natural environment. It’s packed with information, beautiful photographs and diagrams, which include detailed features of snails and their shells. It also lists a broad range of Australia’s native snail, semi-slug and slug species, plus many of the large number of introduced exotic species." * Gardening Australia magazine *"Overall, this book is richly illustrated throughout, well presented and is an excellent first introduction to Native Australian Landsnails." -- Ben Schneider * Western Australian Naturalists Club *

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Book SynopsisDescribes the 582 species of wild orchids that occur in NSW and the ACT. Guide to Native Orchids of NSW and ACT describes each species, enabling their identification in the field, and includes over 600 photographs of wild orchids in their natural habitat and distribution maps for almost all species.Trade Review"It is a very useful, readable resource and I recommend the inclusion of Guide to Native Orchids of NSW and ACT on your book case… or better still beside your computer as you identify your orchid photos." -- Jeanette Jeffery * Australian Native Plants Society Canberra Region 21(1) *"This is an important addition to the already rich trove of Australian field guides, is a must for any NSW field naturalist, and would also be of practical interest to those in northern Victoria and south-eastern Queensland." -- Ian Fraser * Natural History Reviews #30 *"Featuring orchids with a dazzling array of colour and form, this is the essential guide for all orchid enthusiasts." * Australian Wildlife Volume 3 *

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Book SynopsisAustralia is home to an incredible diversity of native animals. While Australian animals are among the most unique in the world, they are also among the most endangered, with hundreds currently on the brink of extinction. We must act quickly if we are to save these species, as once gone, they are gone forever. Extinct is a collection of artworks from established and emerging Australian fine artists, each depicting an Australian animal that has already, for various reasons, tumbled over the edge into extinction. Extinct laments their loss, but also celebrates their former existence, diversity and significance. The stunning artworks are accompanied by stories of each animal, highlighting the importance of what we have lost, so that we appreciate what we have not lost yet. FEATURESFeatures original artworks by over 40 of Australia's contemporary and most distinguished artists, including those from Indigenous and migrant backgrounds and artists with intellectual disabilities. HighligTrade Review"I am devastated that I will never see a Gastric Brooding Frog give birth through her mouth or a Big Eared Hopping Mouse disappear into the distance. I will never hear the call of a Christmas Island Pipistrelle pierce the night or the roar of a Thylacinus. With whimsical portraits and sober words, Dr Benjamin Gray reminds us of what we have already lost and implores us to keep fighting for all our unique creatures – be they small, brown or hopping." -- Dr Jenny Gray * Chief Executive Officer, Zoos Victoria *"Notwithstanding the eloquence and insightfulness of the words, it is the artworks that give this book its power, pathos and beauty; its ability to move us. Each of the 39 extinct species is portrayed in a manner that gives some sense of its essence." -- John Woinarski * Historical Records of Australian Science 33(1) *"The stunning artworks are accompanied by stories of each animal, highlighting the importance of what we have lost so that we appreciate the species we have not yet lost." * Australian Wildlife Volume 3 *

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Book SynopsisTapping into the deep knowledge of the best frog experts in south-eastern Australia, Frogs of Victoria not only provides the tools to identify Victorian frogs - including keys, photographs and comparative information on similar species - it also presents detailed information on their biology, habitats, status and threats.Trade Review"Including stunning images from some of Australia’s finest wildlife photographers, Frogs of Victoria is an authoritative resource for ecologists, land managers, conservationists and all who are fascinated by frogs." * Frogcall 185 *"The authors not only provide thorough descriptions of adults, mostly showing adult dorsal and ventral views, but also give a good summary of species’ biology, including some egg and tadpole photos. The distribution maps for each species are very clear, showing where each frog occurs in red grid squares overlain on the green map. Distribution text provides both the species full Australian distribution as well as where it occurs in Victoria. So, should you add this book to your amphibian library? Absolutely without a doubt, I highly recommend it!" -- Marion Anstis * FrogCall 188 *"This comprehensive and informative guide to every species of frog in Victoria, is the definitive reference guide for nature enthusiasts and professionals alike." -- Ray Draper * Growing Australian 266 *

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Book SynopsisPresents seven key natural assets and why they are so valuable for biodiversity and productivity on farms. Drawing on two decades of long-term ecological monitoring and knowledge exchange, this book is a tool for building and enhancing natural assets in agricultural landscapes.

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Book SynopsisAustralia is home to many distinctive species of birds, and Aboriginal peoples have developed close alliances with them over the millennia of their custodianship of the country. This book provides a review of the broad physical, historical and cultural relationships that Aboriginal people have had with the Australian avifauna.Trade Review"With its exploration of Indigenous knowledge of birds, this book should help inform future research in ornithology, anthropology and ethnoscience, and will be of interest to everyone who has an interest in the Australian landscape, ecology and it’s avian inhabitants." * Wildlife Health Australia *From the Prologue: "Since the dawn of time our people have had a spiritual, environmental and cultural connection to all birds and their habitats. Whether it be through our Ngartji [ngaitji] system which defines our roles and responsibilities of caring for Country and all in it, our storylines and songlines, as a food source, as a material source or as a transmitter of messages – birds are and have always been a part of our daily rituals and wellbeing. This book encompasses all that is our connection to Country and self." -- Mark Koolmatrie * Ngarrindjeri Elder *"This is a very welcome publication. Anthropologist Philip Clarke has produced a wide-ranging survey of the historical and cultural relationships between Australia’s aboriginal peoples and its distinctive avifauna." -- Jeremy Mynott * Association of Field Ornithologists BookReview *

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