Biodiversity / Ecosystems Books

Book SynopsisMistletoes are fascinating, diverse, colourful and ecologically important plants, found in most parts of Western Australia. This book is a guide to identification, mistletoe ecology, conservation, biogeography and evolution, including how mistletoes cope with fire.Trade Review"This is a comprehensive guide to the identification, ecology, evolution, biogeography and conservation of the colourful, diverse and ecologically important indigenous mistletoes of Western Australia." * Gardening Australia *"I consider this book to be of tremendous value, even to the non-mistletoe enthusiast." -- Peter Rogers * Growing Australian No 264 *

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Book SynopsisPresents contributions by more than 200 researchers and managers with direct involvement in the management and conservation of the biodiversity affected by Australia’s Black Summer wildfires. The book provides a comprehensive review of the impacts of these fires on all components of biodiversity, and on Indigenous cultural values.Trade Review"Australia’s Megafires contains an outstanding amount of information and should serve as both a useful reference resource for future natural disaster events, together with bring a sombre reminder of the impact of the 2019-20 bushfires. The lessons learned have global relevance, and will support future wildfire preparedness and response efforts." * Wildlife Health Australia *"[Australia's Megafires] involved contributions from more than 200 scientists and experts. It provides the most comprehensive assessment yet of how the fires affected biodiversity and Indigenous cultural values, and how nature has recovered." * The Conversation *

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Book SynopsisDescribes the 447 species of wild orchids that occur in Victoria, Australia. The guide includes brief descriptions of all species, enabling their identification in the field. With more than 460 photographs of wild orchids in their natural habitat and distribution maps, this guide will delight and inspire anyone interested in orchids.Trade Review"It is the thoroughness of the treatment which is so impressive, with close up photographs of nearly everything, detailed locality maps and the author’s passion for assisting with identification and providing more information in the form of the Notes." -- Tony Cavanagh * Growing Australia No 264 *"Orchid enthusiasts will love this comprehensive guide to the 447 species of wild orchids in Victoria, including 66 species not previously described." * Gardening Australia *

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Book Synopsisâa number of chapters provide excellent summaries of the modern methods available for studying fungal ecology, along with those more traditional methods that are still extremely valuableâoverall it is a hugely valuable compendium of fungal ecology research. It is a must for the library shelf.-Lynne Boddy, Cardiff University, UK, Mycological Research, 2006These 44 chapters are an excellent starting point for anyone interested in fungal communities, in the broadest sense of the term. It is a book for dipping intoâmay be the last comprehensive treatment of fungal communities before the molecular revolution.-Meriel Jones, University of Liverpool, UK, Microbiology Todayâ the scope of the work is tremendous. â Excellent chapters providing overviews of methods â provide a snap shot of the current approaches used to understand fungal communities at several levels of organization. This book should probably be on the shelf of every student of mycology, and many ecoloTrade ReviewPRAISE FOR THE THIRD EDITION"…a number of chapters provide excellent summaries of the modern methods available for studying fungal ecology, along with those more traditional methods that are still extremely valuable…overall it is a hugely valuable compendium of fungal ecology research. It is a must for the library shelf, and at its reasonable price I highly recommend it for purchase by any researcher with an interest in fungi and the environment."—Lynne Boddy, Cardi University, UK, Mycological Research, 2006"These 44 chapters are an excellent starting point for anyone interested in fungal communities, in the broadest sense of the term. It is a book for dipping into…may be the last comprehensive treatment of fungal communities before the molecular revolution."—Meriel Jones, University of Liverpool, UK, Microbiology Today"… the scope of the work is tremendous. The editors have done an admirable job of assembling authors whose combined writings convey current ideas in fungal ecology while still managing to introduce mycologists and ecologists to the concepts and historical context of each others’ work. Excellent chapters providing overviews of methods … provide a snap shot of the current approaches used to understand fungal communities at several levels of organization. This book should probably be on the shelf of every student of mycology, and many ecologists too. For all students, this book should be a valuable resource and source of inspiration."—Daniel Henk, Imperial College Faculty of Medicine, Dept. of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London in Inoculum, Vol. 59, No. 3, May 2008"Thorough taxonomic and subject indices further aid the reader in navigating through multiple authors’ treatments of subjects of interest. Well provisioned bibliographies are another useful addition. … this book would be a handy reference for researchers … ."—Anthony Amend, Department of Botany, University of Hawai at Manoa in Economic Botany, Vol. 61, No. 1, 2007Table of ContentsIntegrating genomics and metagenomics into community analysis. Changing the species concept. Molecular methods for fungal identification. Metagenomics, transcriptomics and proteomics. Recent advances in fungal endophyte research. Host switching and speciation in Cordicipitaceae. Endophytes and plant stress protection. Endophytes and defensive mutualism. Ecologies of endophytes (life styles of endophytes). Fungal communities in natural ecosystems. Terrestrial communities. Marine and Aquatic communities. Fungal Faunal Interactions. Below ground trophic interactions. Fungal propagule dispersal. Entomopathogenic fungi. Emerging fungal diseases. Bark beetle fungal interactions. Fungal communities and climate change and pollution. Climate change. Metal and organic pollutants. Invasive plant diseases. Fungal conservation. Harvesting practices and impacts. State of fungal conservation around the world. Fungi in the built envitonment. Decomposition of structures. Molds asthmas and allergies. Spoilage of human artefacts (paper, film etc.). Fungal communities in stresses environments (space station, Antarctic structures, etc.). Fungal signaling and communication. Mycorrhizal network as a communication system. Plant fungal communications. Plant animal communication. Fungal bacterial communication.

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Book SynopsisMarine macrophytes (macroalgae, seagrasses, and mangroves) comprise thousands of species distributed in shallow water areas along the world's coastlines. They play a key role in marine ecosystems regarding biodiversity and energy flow. A large proportion of macrophyte species can be characterised as ecosystem engineersorganisms that directly or indirectly affect the availability of resources to other species by modifying, maintaining, and creating habitats. This book is divided into three main themes: Marine macroalgae and seagrasses as sources of biodiversity gives an overview of the diversity of the main organisms associated with macrophytes, and their functional role and interactions within their hosts. Primary and secondary production of Macrophytes synthesizes research on food web structures derived from/or associated with, macrophytes and the transfer of macrophytic primary and secondary production from one ecosystem to another.Trade ReviewThis excellent new volume is devoted to the ecology, biodiversity, and energy production and flow of macroalgae and seagrasses living along the coastlines of oceans and the most recent environmental threats to their communities. Chapters are written by experts in the field and packed with detailed information and primary sources, together forming a synopsis of the role of these critical producers…. The editor has nicely tied the chapters together, and the volume…is impressive in its coverage. --C. W. Schneider, Trinity College (CT)Table of ContentsSection 1: Marine Macroalgae and Seagrasses as Sources of Biodiversity. Section 2: Production of Macrophytes. Section 3: Human Threats to Macrophytic Ecosystem Engineers.

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Book SynopsisThis book reviews up-to-date knowledge on the biology of sole (Solea senegalensis and S. solea). These flatfish species are increasingly important in Europe both from the ecological and production point of view. This book is divided into two sections: A. general fisheries, aquaculture and engineering overviews; B. physiological, developmental, rhythmic, welfare and genetic aspects which will be of immense interest for the aquaculture industry. Experts, from both academia and research institutes, provide their expertise on sole biology.Trade Review"This work, which combines the efforts of Muñoz-Cueto (Univ. of Cádiz), Sánchez (Spanish National Research Council), and Vázquez (Univ. of Murcia) with those of at least 50 other contributing authors, provides fisheries managers and researchers with one concise reference on the genus Solea. As an important commercial food fish in much of the Mediterranean (and elsewhere), the sole is a worthy subject for this collection of essays, which amounts to a comprehensive resource for life history and management information. The book is presented in two sections. Section A comprises only two chapters, providing a basic overview of the biology and culture of the sole. Section B comprises 15 chapters, which are grouped in subareas covering reproduction, larval development, nutrition, welfare, ecotoxicology, pathology, osmoregulation, and genomic characteristics. The book is highly technical in style and scope, and probably would not be attractive to a general readership. Nonetheless, it would be an excellent resource for fisheries managers, fisheries professionals including those involved in aquaculture, and other researchers with a specific interest in the biology and flourishing survival of the sole."— K. R. Thompson, Missouri State University, CHOICE, June 2020 Vol. 57 No. 10Table of ContentsBiology, Ecology and Exploitation. General biology, ecology, and distribution. Fisheries, aquaculture, and marketing. Grow out holding systems. Reproduction, Development, Nutrition, Genetics, Welfare, and Pathology. Environmental transduction: pineal organ and melatonin. Neuroendocrine control of reproduction. Reproductive physiology and spawning techniques. Gamete physiology and artificial fertilization. Mating behavior. The biological clock: from early stages to adults. Embryo and larval ontogeny. Light, temperature, and feeding during early development. Larval production techniques. Nutrition and feeding behavior. Diet formulation and feeding systems. Stress, welfare issues, and immune system. Ecotoxicology. Pathology and diseases control. Genetics and genomic tools.

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Book SynopsisPinnipeds are a fascinating group of marine mammals that play a crucial role as apex predators and sentinels of the functioning and health of marine ecosystems. They are found in the most extreme environments from the Polar regions to the tropics. Pinnipeds are comprised of about 34 species, and of those at least 25% live permanently in tropical zones. This book reviews and updates current research on the biology, marine ecology, bio-monitoring, and conservation of tropical pinniped populations, including their behavior, anthropogenic stressors, and health. It also looks at challenges to be faced for the conservation of tropical pinnipeds, many of which are threatened species.Table of ContentsIntroduction to Tropical and Subtropical Pinnipeds. An Overview on the Evolutionary History of Tropical Pinnipeds. Variability in the Skull Morphology of Adult Male California Sea Lions and Galapagos Sea Lions. Hawaiian Monk Seals: The Biology and Ecology of the World’s only Tropical Phocid. Hawaiian Monk Seal Conservation: Past, Present and Future. Guadalupe Fur Seal Population Expansion and its Post-Breeding Male Migration to the Gulf of Ulloa, México. Population Status, Anthropogenic Stressors and Conservation of the Galapagos Fur Seal (Arctocephalusgalapagoensis): An Overview. Diving Physiology, Foraging and Reproductive Behavior of the Galapagos Sea Lion (Zalophus wollebaeki). Management Strategies and Conservation Status of Galapagos Sea Lion Populations at San Cristobal Island, Galapagos, Ecuador. Population Ecology, Trends and Distribution of the Juan Fernandez Fur Seal, Arctocephalus philippii (Peters 1866) in Chile. Population Ecology and Conservation Status of the South American Sea Lion in Uruguay Ecology and Conservation Status of the South American Fur Seal in Uruguay. The Uncertain Fate of the Endangered Mediterranean Monk Seal Monachus monachus in the 21st Century: Population, Ecology and Conservation Threats. Bioecology and Conservation Threats of the Cape Fur Seal Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus. Emerging Pathogens and Health Issues in the 21st Century: A Challenge for Tropical and Subtropical Pinnipeds. Pathologies of Pinnipeds in Brazil.

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Book SynopsisBiogeography and Evolution in New Zealand provides the first in-depth treatment of the biogeography of New Zealand, a region that has been a place of long-enduring interest to ecologists, evolutionary scientists, geographers, geologists, and scientists in related disciplines. It serves as a key addition to the contemporary discussion on regionalizationhow is New Zealand different from the rest of the world? With what other areas does it share its geology, history, and biota? Do new molecular phylogenies show that New Zealand may be seen as a biological parallel universe' within global evolution? Trade ReviewI believe this to be a significant, and comprehensive, account of the plants and animals of New Zealand. It is replete with distribution maps done in an original style. Heads’s approach to biogeography is notable for its originality, and this manuscript is an especially good example. There is nothing like it. Forty years ago I wrote (and am quoted by Heads): ‘With regard to general problems of biogeography, the biota of New Zealand has been, perhaps, the most important of any in the world. …all notable authorities have felt obliged to explain its history: explain New Zealand and the world falls into place around it.’And so it is with Heads’ manuscript!—Gareth Nelson, School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, AustraliaThe author has made a significant contribution by drawing together information on the New Zealand biota and its relationships from around 2000 primary sources. As a compendium, it has no equal. Although its theoretical content will be challenged, Heads has provided an accessible entrée to the diversity of the New Zealand biota.-- Richard N. Holdaway, Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand, in The Quarterly Review of Biology, Vol 93, 2018I believe this to be a significant, and comprehensive, account of the plants and animals of New Zealand. It is replete with distribution maps done in an original style. Heads’s approach to biogeography is notable for its originality, and this manuscript is an especially good example. There is nothing like it. Forty years ago I wrote (and am quoted by Heads): ‘With regard to general problems of biogeography, the biota of New Zealand has been, perhaps, the most important of any in the world. …all notable authorities have felt obliged to explain its history: explain New Zealand and the world falls into place around it.’And so it is with Heads’ manuscript!—Gareth Nelson, School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, AustraliaThe author has made a significant contribution by drawing together information on the New Zealand biota and its relationships from around 2000 primary sources. As a compendium, it has no equal. Although its theoretical content will be challenged, Heads has provided an accessible entrée to the diversity of the New Zealand biota.-- Richard N. Holdaway, Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand, in The Quarterly Review of Biology, Vol 93, 2018Table of ContentsAnalyzing the Spatial Component of Evolution. Analyzing the Timeline of Evolution. New Zealand Geology. An introduction to the New Zealand Biota and its Geography. Biogeography of the Northern New Zealand Offshore Islands. Biogeography of the New Zealand Subantarctic Islands and the Chatham Islands. Biogeography of Mainland New Zealand and Neogene Geology: the Alpine Fault, the Kaikoura Orogeny, and the Pleistocene Glaciation. Case Studies of New Zealand Plants. Some More Case Studies of New Zealand Plants. Case Studies of New Zealand Animals. Structural Evolution and Ecology. Biogeography and Evolution in New Zealand Birds. Biogeography and Evolution in New Zealand Bats. Conclusions.

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Book SynopsisThis handbook focuses on the enormous literature applying statistical methodology and modelling to environmental and ecological processes. The 21st century statistics community has become increasingly interdisciplinary, bringing a large collection of modern tools to all areas of application in environmental processes. In addition, the environmental community has substantially increased its scope of data collection including observational data, satellite-derived data, and computer model output. The resultant impact in this latter community has been substantial; no longer are simple regression and analysis of variance methods adequate. The contribution of this handbook is to assemble a state-of-the-art view of this interface. Features: An internationally regarded editorial team. A distinguished collection of contributors. A thoroughly contemporary treatment of a substantial interdisciplinary interTrade Review"This is an extremely well-composed book, offering an interdisciplinary exposure to the concepts and methods that are very valuable to perform environmental and ecological data analysis. The contributors are recognized experts in the topics of their writing...Noteworthy features in this book are introducing uncertainty, anisotropy and non-stationarity, threshold exceedance, coenospace, stochasticity, tail-down models, entropy-based design among others...I highly recommend this book to environmental, climate, statistics and computing researchers and practicing professionals."- Ramalingam Shanmugam, JSCS, Aug 2020 Table of ContentsIntroduction. Methodology for Statistical Analysis of Environmental Processes. Basics of modeling for environmental processes. Time series methodology. Dynamic models. Geostatistical modeling for environmental processes. Point patterns. Data fusion. Analysis of Extremes. Environmental sampling methods. Zero-inflation modeling and hurdle models. Ordination methods. Topics in Ecological Processes. Species distribution models – Plants. Species distribution models - Animals. Demography. Modeling traits. Ecology of infectious diseases. Wildfires and fire recovery. Modeling of streams. Topics in Environmental Exposure. Modeling environmental contaminants. Data fusion for exposure. Modeling other exposures and modeling personal exposure. Preferential sampling with regard to exposure levels. Dynamic source apportionment. Dynamics of environmental epidemiology. Connecting exposure to outcome. Experimental design for environmental epidemiology. Topics in Climatology. Trends in climatology. Climate models. Spatial analysis for climatology. Remote sensing - the statistical contribution. Data assimilation. Spatial extremes with application to climate and environmental exposure. Paleoclimate and paleoecology. Detection and attribution. Effects of climate change on health effects.

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Book SynopsisShortlisted for the 2018 TWS Wildlife Publication Awards in the edited book categoryThe various species of new world blackbirds, often intermingled in large foraging flocks and nighttime roosts, collectively number in the hundreds of millions and are a dominant component of the natural and agricultural avifauna in North America today. Because of their abundance, conspicuous flocking behavior, and feeding habits, these species have often been in conflict with human endeavors. The pioneering publications on blackbirds were by F. E. L. Beal in 1900 and A. A. Allen in 1914. These seminal treatises laid the foundation for more than 1,000 descriptive and experimental studies on the life histories of blackbirds as well as their ecology and management in relation to agricultural damage and other conflicts such as caused by large winter roosting congregations. The wealth of information generated in over a century of research is found in disparate outlets thTrade ReviewRecommended by CHOICE (January 2018 Vol. 55 No. 5) for upper-division undergraduates and above; faculty and professionals.The beauty of a displaying territorial male red-winged blackbird pales when magnified a million fold. Blackbirds, cowbirds, grackles, and starlings are among the most conspicuous and abundant North American birds and gather in huge flocks in the non-breeding season. These birds can inflict costly damage on crops, and their huge roosts can be a nuisance. Mainly through the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, researchers have studied the biology of these birds and invested in a variety of "control methods." Red-winged and yellow-headed blackbirds, cowbirds, and grackles each merit a chapter reviewing their ecology. General chapters address economic impacts, habitat and climate change, and management, including repellents, frightening devices, and lethal methods. A chapter on preventive strategies for avoiding damage is unique, and the chapter entitled "The Future of Blackbird Management Research" is promising. Each chapter has its own extensive bibliography. Additionally, each chapter is a valuable contribution to the comprehension of blackbird’s "functional roles." This work will also benefit those who handle the management of blackbird flocks and roosts. Inexplicably, there is hardly a mention of the European starling, which also forms huge, hungry flocks and roosts in urban areas. --M. Gochfeld, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical SchoolTable of ContentsHistory of Research and Management, Policy and Regulations of Blackbirds. Red-winged Blackbirds. Yellow-headed Blackbirds. Common Grackles. Brown-headed Cowbirds. Effects of Habitat and Climate Change on Blackbird Populations. Population Dynamics and Management of Blackbird Populations. Repellents. Frightening Devices. Evading Strategies. Case Study: Using Harvest Theory and the Prescribed Take Level Framework to Assess Allowable Take of a Population of Red-winged Blackbirds in the northern Great Plains. The Economic Impacts of Bird Damage to Crops. The Future of Blackbird Management in United States.

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Book SynopsisOn the Origin of Species outlines Charles Darwin's world-changing theory that life on Earth had not been brought into being by a creator, but had arisen from a single common ancestor and had evolved over time through the process of natural selection. This beautiful Macmillan Collector's Library edition of On the Origin of Species is complete and unabridged, and features an afterword by Oliver Francis. Designed to appeal to the booklover, the Macmillan Collector's Library is a series of beautiful gift editions of much loved classic titles. Macmillan Collector's Library are books to love and treasure.Received with both enthusiasm and hostility on its publication, it triggered a seismic shift in our understanding of humanity's place in the natural world. It is not only a brilliant work of science but also a clear, vivid, sometimes moving piece of popular writing that reflects both Darwin's genius and his boundless enthusiasm for our planet and its species.

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Book SynopsisWe don't know what we've got until it's gone...This brief, lucid book by the Director of Science at Royal Botanical Gardens takes you on an unforgettable tour of the natural world, showing how biodiversity - the rich variety of life in the world and in our own backyards - provides both the source and the salvation of our existence. Combining inspiration stories and the latest scientific research, Alex Antonelli reveals the wonders of biodiversity at a genetic, species and ecosystem level - what it is, how it works, and why it's the most important tool in our battle against climate change.A deeper understanding of biodiversity has never been more important, as the slow violence of habitat loss has put the fate of almost one-fifth of all species on Earth at risk of extinction in the coming decades. These building blocks of life form a network that underpins almost every aspect of our lives, providing invaluable sources of food, medicine, fibre, clothing, building material and more. With simplicity and clarity, The Hidden Universe shows you not only what's at stake, but what can be done (and is already being done) to protect and restore biodiversity around the world. It marks the arrival of a bold new voice in popular science.Trade Review'Engaging and urgent' * Nature *'The Hidden Universe is a smooth read ... biological facts are leavened by personal stories Antonelli tells of his "adventures" as a botanist traveling the world in search of plants.' * NewCity Lit *'For anyone who still needs winning around to our planet's beauty - and wants to know how we can save it - this is the book they should read.' * The Guardian *

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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 elegant treatise examines the nature of kindness through the fascinating lenses and contexts of ancient, medieval and contemporary philosophy, natural history, theories of mind, of natural selection, eco-psychology and sociobiology. It challenges the reader to consider the myriad potential consequences of human behaviour, examining various iconographic moments from the history of art and science as a precursor to the concept and vital potentials for ecological conversion. Focusing on the fundamental mechanisms of reciprocity among humans, other species, communities and nations, Tobias and Morrison lead readers on a remarkable journey whose itinerary, and the provocative questions explored, seek to affirm a pattern in evolution and in human thought that is emphatically oriented towards benevolence, not tyranny. Prosociality in all species - making others happy, kind gestures at any and every juncture of life - has, as a discipline of enquiry, enjoyed a social scientific renaissance during the last decade. Can natural selection move rapidly enough to meet that ultimate challenge? Can our species re-evolve in real time, moving from the ideas, to the ideals, to their applied engineering in a real world that is ecologically haemorrhaging? Which all the critical moral and cognitive changes in social communion such new human nature, as the Authors suggest, clearly requires? This ground-breaking work of ecological philosophy, with its roots in ancient Greek thought, represents a radical break with nearly every traditional scientific paradigm, in exploring the intuitive geography and dramatic questions of ourselves -- each and every one of us -- that will prove crucial to the survival of our species, and all those we co-habit this miraculous planet with.Table of ContentsAcknowledgments; Introduction; A Basis for Physiolatry; Options for Natural Selection; Prosociality; The Proportion of Handshakes; Violence and Utopia; The Puffendorf Hypothesis; The Rudimentary Ethics of Parmenides; Being-in-the-Worldness: das-in-der-Welt-sein; The Metaphysics of the Peaceable Kingdom; Equations of Potentiality; Indigenous Critical Mass: Neural and Biocultural; Dependent Transitional States; Albrecht Dürer and the Nature of Ecological Conversion; The Dialectics of Epiphany; Re-Negotiating the Labyrinth; Ten-Crossing Knots; Semiotic Holons; Future Symbols; A New Natural Positivism; Non-Asymptotic Boundary Solutions; Parasparopagraho Jīvānām; The Fourth Order Simile; Biological Scaling for a New Nature; Reciprocity Paradoxes; Theories of Pairing in a World of Differences; The Procaccini Effect; Bereitschaftspotential; Zoosemiotic Translations; Conscious Speciation; Coda; About the Authors/Translator; Index.

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Book SynopsisExploring the link between human well-being and the environment, "Biodiversity Change and Human Health" brings together leading experts from the natural science and social science realms as well as the medical community to explore the explicit linkages between human-driven alterations of biodiversity and documented impacts of those changes on human health.The book utilizes multidisciplinary approaches to explore and address the complex interplay between natural biodiversity and human health and well-being. The five parts examine: health trade-offs between competing uses of biodiversity (highlighting synergistic situations in which conservation of natural biodiversity actually promotes human health and well-being); relationships between biodiversity and quality of life that have developed over ecological and evolutionary time; the effects of changing biodiversity on provisioning of ecosystem services, and how they have affected human health; the role of biodiversity in the spread of infectious disease; and, native biodiversity as a resource for traditional and modern medicine." Biodiversity Change and Human Health" synthesizes our current understanding and identifies major gaps in knowledge as it places all aspects of biodiversity and health interactions within a common framework. Contributors explore potential points of crossover among disciplines (both in ways of thinking and of specific methodologies) that could ultimately expand opportunities for humans to both live sustainably and enjoy a desirable quality of life.

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Book SynopsisThe Sunday Times Best Nature Writing Books 2020 SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2020 WAINWRIGHT PRIZE A naturalist’s passionate dive into the lives of bees (of all stripes) and the natural world in her own backyard Brigit Strawbridge Howard was shocked the day she realised she knew more about the French Revolution than she did about her native trees. And birds. And wildflowers. And bees. The thought stopped her—quite literally—in her tracks. But that day was also the start of a journey, one filled with silver birches and hairy-footed flower bees, skylarks, and rosebay willow herb, and the joy that comes with deepening one’s relationship with place. Dancing with Bees is Strawbridge Howard’s charming and eloquent account of a return to noticing, to rediscovering a perspective on the world that had somehow been lost to her for decades and to reconnecting with the natural world. With special care and attention to the plight of pollinators, including honeybees, bumblebees, and solitary bees, and what we can do to help them, Strawbridge Howard shares fascinating details of the lives of flora and fauna that have filled her days with ever-increasing wonder and delight.Trade ReviewKirkus Reviews— A British naturalist offers crisp essays on her relationship with bees. In her debut book, Howard, a devoted bee advocate, pens a lengthy, knowledgeable, and occasionally poetic tribute to honeybees, bumblebees, and other buzzy creatures . . . [She] provides a nice balance between the very real science of studying bees and their function in nature and her cleareyed and eloquent observations about the natural world. Because of that balance, what might have sounded like a dry lecture turns into something far more interesting. Whether she's explaining how different bee species are classified, describing her mother's deteriorating health (and eventual death), or simply ruminating on the beauty around her, Howard creates a text that is compelling and worth your time even if you're not a fellow bee advocate."Library Journal— "[A] fascinating and wide-ranging exploration of nature. . .This satisfying memoir of a woman’s reawakening to the importance of nature in her life will appeal to fans of natural history memoirs, bees, the natural world, or ecology."Booklist, Starred Review— “[An] engaging, richly descriptive tale of natural discovery."“In this delightful book, Brigit Strawbridge Howard brings us into the fascinating and often overlooked world of bees. She introduces us to solitary nesting bees that lay their eggs in empty snail shells, cuckoo bees that make other bees take care of their eggs, and the amazing social lives of bumblebees and honeybees. Her curiosity and wonder at these small creatures are infectious and will inspire a greater appreciation of our natural world.”—Nancy J. Hayden, coauthor of Farming on the Wild Side“Hovering through Brigit Strawbridge Howard’s remarkable encounters with bees, alighting on beautiful and often unexpected descriptions of bumblebees, miner bees, and even parasitizing cuckoo bees, one dips into a world most of us have forgotten. By leading us gently and discretely into the minutiae of nature, Brigit shows how rewarding it is to reconnect—how the world’s tiniest beings can not only lift our spirits, but signal the way to a richer, wilder future.”—Isabella Tree, author of Wilding“Dancing with Bees is a passionate hymn to nature, a joyful celebration not just of bees, but of the power of paying attention. Strawbridge Howard’s rediscovery of the natural world is infused with a sense of wonder both irresistible and infectious. And the promise of this beautiful book is that if we take the trouble to notice our natural surroundings, we too can find a way to reconnect not just to nature, but to a deeper sense of ourselves.”—Caroline Lucas, MP, former Green Party Leader“I devoured this book as I would a jar of exquisite honey. I was as fascinated by it as I would be watching a hive of bees at work. I may read another nature book this year, but not a better one. Or a more important one. As is made so manifestly clear in these pages, we need our bees. Thank God, then, for Brigit Strawbridge Howard, our queen bee-advocate.”—John Lewis-Stempel, author of Still Water and Meadowland“Dancing with Bees is one of the most important and accessible and entertaining books I’ve ever read. Brigit has poured meticulous detail and research into her book, which has left me with even more respect for our precious bees than I ever thought possible. What’s more, it’s a touching, sensitive account of what makes us human and how we connect to the natural world. Everyone should read it.”—Kate Bradbury, author of Wildlife Gardening and The Bumblebee Flies Anyway“A beautiful book and one that hums with good life. Brigit Strawbridge Howard came late to bees but began noticing them at a time when their going was being widely announced. Her attention has been clear-sighted but also loving. By looking closely at the hummers and the buzzers, she has begun to take in the whole of what Charles Darwin called the ‘tangled bank’ of life, where there are bees (and Brigit’s winning descriptions will help you know them) and there are plants, and there are other pollinators and nectar-seekers, including Homo sapiens. No other insect—surely no other animal—has had such a long and life-giving relationship with humans. Bees may well have shaped our evolution; our continued well-being is certainly dependent on them. Bees have long been part of our consciousness and art, buzzing in parables and fables and ancient and modern poems made out of their industry and their organisation and their marvellous sweet products. All that is in this book: It is ambrosia.”—Tim Dee, author of Landfill“While the plight of our overworked honeybees elicits much hand-wringing, the rest of Earth’s splendorous apian diversity has remained unjustly obscure. In this winning tribute to our black-and-yellow fellows, Brigit Strawbridge Howard celebrates the virtues of dozens of less heralded, but no less crucial, wild species—mining bees, leaf-cutting bees, mason bees, cuckoo bees. Like a bee herself, Strawbridge Howard is at once pragmatic and whimsical, flitting lightly between practical advice for crafting a bee-friendly garden and wise digressions about our manipulative relationship with nature. By the end of Dancing with Bees, you’ll wholeheartedly agree that these indispensable creatures should be extolled as ‘our equals, not our minions.’”—Ben Goldfarb, author of Eager“A joy-filled voyage of discovery through the wonderful world of bees.”—Dave Goulson, author of Bee Quest and A Sting in the Tale“Sprinkled with moments of pathos, this exquisite book is the perfect introduction to the often neglected world of wild bees—and the beautiful plants with which they dance an ecosystem into life.”—Hugh Warwick, author of Linescapes and Hedgehog“Brigit Strawbridge Howard is an excellent pollinator of information. Dancing with Bees is a book teeming with love: for bees but also for the natural world as a whole and, by extension, for life itself. Everyone who cares about the future of our planet should read it.”—Tom Cox, author of 21st-Century Yokel“Dancing with Bees is an antidote to the reality of modern life that’s spent nose down in our smartphones while the wondrous stuff—nature—goes on all around us. Brigit Strawbridge Howard chronicles her own journey of reconnecting with the natural world with heartfelt eloquence. Her descriptions of the creatures, plants, and landscapes that populate her journey are made with the unabashed joy of someone for whom a veil has been lifted, revealing a world to be cherished but also in great need of our protection.”—Matthew Wilson, garden designer; author; panelist, BBC Radio 4’s Gardeners’ Question Time“We are handed a lens—light, bright, beautiful things come into focus. Brigit’s flare for observation and description, passion for knowledge, and ease with communication involve us in adventuring through the looking glass to explore with her the intimate life of wild bees. Gently, this timely book reminds us that nature is in trouble and that we must all join the dance.”—Sue Clifford and Angela King, founding directors, Common Ground“Dancing with Bees is a brilliantly described journey of discovery of bees, trees, people, and places, imbued with a childlike wonderment. Learn about cuckoo bees, carder bees, bees that are not bees, the commonplace and the rare. It is never too late to reconnect with nature and rewild oneself.”—Steven Falk, author of Field Guide to the Bees of Great Britain and Ireland“Well written and researched, beautifully illustrated, and packed with natural history detail, Dancing with Bees is a book to start you off on a journey that could well become an obsession. Even if you are well versed in the ways of bees, you will still want to wrap yourself in the warmth of this charming book. Brigit Strawbridge Howard gently shows you all the things you may have been missing; you are about to enter a macro-world of wonder and delight. I absolutely loved this book. If, due to infirmity perhaps, I am ever unable to walk in the countryside, I can now go dancing with bees whenever I choose.”—Dr. George McGavin, president, Dorset Wildlife Trust; honorary research associate, Oxford University Museum of Natural History“Brigit Strawbridge Howard leads us on a wistful pilgrimage of awakening into the world of bees who are among the most fascinating, charismatic, and important of insects. Written in an easy, accessible style without shying away from solid facts and beguiling detail, and beautifully illustrated by renowned Devon naturalist John Walters, Strawbridge Howard’s book is the result of hundreds of hours of watching, listening, and learning in her garden and the wider countryside, wondering what the future might bring and how human excesses may be curbed.”—Stuart Roberts, entomologistTable of ContentsPreface: Realisations Introduction: The Honey Trap 1. Spring on the Wing 2. A Nest of One's Own 3. What's in a Name? 4. The Boys Are Back in Town 5. Bees Behaving Badly 6. The Upside-Down Bird 7. The Cabin by the Stream 8. Cuckoo, Cuckoo 9. On Swarms and Stings 10. To Bee, or Not to Bee 11. Seeking the Great Yellow Bumblebee, Part 1 12. Seeking the Great Yellow Bumblebee, Part 2 13. On Bovey Heathfield 14. In Praise of Trees 15. Sedgehill, a Natural History 16. Cotton Weavers 17. Time for Tea 18. Evergreen 19. Amongst the Snowdrops Epilogue. Reflections Acknowledgements List of Illustrations Selected Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisConservation Biology brings together theory, applied research, basic research, and hundreds of real-world examples and stories from dozens of disciplines to teach students how to become practicing conservation biologists who protect and manage Earth's biodiversity. A major theme throughout the book is the active role that researchers, local communities, the general public, conservation organizations, and governments can play in protecting biodiversity, even while maintaining a high quality of life for humankind.Trade ReviewBradley Cardinale and his coauthors have channeled their expertise and insights to produce a wonderful new textbook on Conservation Biology. Along with the expected expert contributions on biodiversity and its patterns, drivers, and threats, there are novel transdisciplinary sections on ethics, morals, and values associated with conservation, all brought to life through vivid imagery, case studies, and inspirational stories. I have no doubt that this book will be a fundamental resource for a generation of conservation scientists to come. * Robin Naidoo, Senior Conservation Scientist, World Wildlife Fund *Conservation Biology is the best textbook on nature conservation I've seen. Its authors have an exceptional depth of knowledge that comes from decades of work around the world and their roles as leading scientific writers and journal editors. The prose is crisp, the real-world complexities of conservation come through powerfully, and the case studies and examples are highly topical and up to date. If I were going to teach a course on conservation biology or an allied topic, this is the textbook I'd choose * hands down.William F. Laurance, James Cook University, Australia and Singapore *This textbook is absolutely terrific! The stories and examples are enlightening and bring the whole subject to life in a scientifically compelling and personally engaging way. The illustrations are superb and the tools and approaches are state-of-the-art. The book is a tremendous asset for researchers, educators, students, and practitioners. * Gretchen Daily, Stanford University *This new textbook on conservation biology surpasses all previous texts, especially in its thorough coverage of the drivers and values of biodiversity, the threats, and available solutions. It will be of interest not only to the target audience (upper-division undergraduate and beginning graduate students), but to anyone interested in nature and conservation. The high quality of this book reflects the combined expertise and writing skills of the authors. * Reed Noss, former editor-in-chief of Conservation Biology and past-president, Society for Conservation Biology *Conservation Biology is up to date and engaging, with excellent examples from in situ and ex situ programs. It has a more hands-on approach and a global perspective that is just what I am looking for. The text includes many examples with a global perspective on key components such as biodiversity loss, climate change, and remedial actions. * Nicole Duplaix, Oregon State University *Cardinale's Conservation Biology is an excellent text that takes the best of previous texts and adds interactive and applied content to better engage modern students. * Stephen G. Mech, Albright College *Conservation Biology is driven by examples and explanations of topics like extinction that are generally left out of other texts. It has the best chapter I have read on global patterns of biodiversity * not only is it up to datebut it touches on the major drivers.Alexander Wait, Missouri State University *The writing style is very clear, understandable, and engaging, while not compromising detail and rigor. * Jay T. Lennon, Indiana University *I found the balance of material to be outstanding and especially liked the concrete, real-world examples and website links that really bring the material to life and make it especially relevant. * Mark Manteuffel, Washington University in St. Louis *I was extremely impressed * the balance of this complex topic and breadth of coverage is particularly good.Dov Sax, Brown University *Table of ContentsPreface Part I: Foundations of Conservation Biology Chapter 1. State of Our Planet Chapter 2. The Rise of Conservation Biology Chapter 3. Biodiversity Concepts and Measure Chapter 4. Global Patterns and Drivers of Biodiversity Part II: Importance of Biodiversity Chapter 5. The Many Values of Biodiversity Chapter 6. Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Chapter 7. Ecological Economics Part III: Threats to Biodiversity Chapter 8. Extinction Chapter 9. Habitat Loss, Fragmentation, and Degradation Chapter 10. Overexploitation Chapter 11. Invasive Alien Species Chapter 12. Climate Change Part IV: Approaches to Conservation Chapter 13. Species-Level Conservation Chapter 14. Community and Ecosystem Conservation Chapter 15. Landscape Scale Conservation Chapter 16. Ex Situ Conservation Chapter 17. Conservation and Sustainable Development Glossary Chapter References Index

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Book SynopsisGenetic diversity is a level of biodiversity that refers to the total number of genetic characteristics in the genetic makeup of a species. It is distinguished from genetic variability, which describes the tendency of genetic characteristics to vary. Research has found that genetic diversity and biodiversity are dependent upon each other, that diversity within a species is necessary to maintain diversity among species, and vice versa. If any one type is removed from the system, the cycle can break down, and the community may become dominated by a single species. Thus, genetic diversity plays a huge role in survival and adaptability of a species. This book provides research on genetic diversity in plant, animal and human species. Relationships to environment changes and global warming are also studied.

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Book SynopsisCurrent loss of biodiversity places a premium on the task of recognising and formulating proposals on potential areas for biological conservation based on scientific criteria; among these tasks, identification of hotspots has a relevant role on conservation of biodiversity. In this book, the authors discuss the application of different biogeographic methods to identify plant biodiversity hotspots. The areas recognised as such have a relevant role in plant biodiversity and are important in conservation due to their climatic conditions, the historical factors that have been involved in their evolution, and the restricted distribution of some plant taxa that inhabit them. Furthermore, the consequences of deforestation on biodiversity are substantial and widely recognised. This book predicts future land-use change, generates ecological niches of large mammals and assesses wildlife concentrations and their hotspots in different areas of the world. The evolution of the forest fragmentation in the Brazilian Atlantic forest, the present situation of its remnants, and the main strategies, conflicts and potentials for conservation are evaluated as well.

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Book SynopsisThe pace, intensity, and scale at which humans have altered our planet in recent decades is unprecedented. We have dramatically transformed landscapes and waterways through agriculture, logging, mining, and fire suppression, with drastic impacts on public health and human well-being. What can we do to counteract and even reverse the worst of these effects? Restore damaged ecosystems. The Primer of Ecological Restoration is a succinct introduction to the theory and practice of ecological restoration as a strategy to conserve biodiversity and ecosystems. In twelve brief chapters, the book introduces readers to the basics of restoration project planning, monitoring, and adaptive management. It explains abiotic factors such as landforms, soil, and hydrology that are the building blocks to successfully recovering microorganism, plant, and animal communities. Additional chapters cover topics such as invasive species and legal and financial considerations. Each chapter concludes with recommended reading and reference lists, and the book can be paired with online resources for teaching. Perfect for introductory classes in ecological restoration or for practitioners seeking constructive guidance for real-world projects, Primer of Ecological Restoration offers accessible, practical information on recent trends in the field.

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Book SynopsisThis book presents current research in the study of biodiversity conservation. Topics discussed include agricultural land-use in forest frontier areas; utilization of bovids in traditional folk medicine and their implications for conservation; conservation and management of the biodiversity in a hotspot; surface stratification of soil nutrients in no till limits nutrient availability; forage resources renewal and biodiversity conservation and outcomes of invasive plant-native plant interactions in North American freshwater wetlands.

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Book SynopsisCITIZEN SCIENTIST is award-winning environmental journalist and author Mary Ellen Hannibal's story of becoming a citizen scientist - and finding more than she bargained for at every turn. She knew she was joining a flourishing community of volunteers who help conserve nature, but she was surprised to learn how this new and tech-enabled movement continues a rich tradition of amateur observation established by writers and naturalists over centuries. And she knew, in the midst of an unprecedented mass extinction, that she would find a shrinking number of species, but she couldn't know how her father's sudden passing would tear open her quest to confront loss.Ultimately, to be a citizen scientist is to intimately examine all the life that still finds a way. So as Hannibal, alongside an inspiring cast of fellow citizen scientists, discovers a wealth of species - by wading into tide pools, tracking hawks, scouring mountains - she also rescues herself from an odyssey of loss, and finds a hopeful and practical way forward.

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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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