Biogeography Books

Book SynopsisThis book presents 41 selected articles written by leading researchers from the Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry, part of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The articles are grouped by the following topics: (1) Geochemistry, (2) Meteoritics, Cosmochemistry, Lunar and Planetary Sciences, (3) Biogeochemistry and Ecology, and (4) Analytical Chemistry, Radiochemistry, and Radioecology. The articles present recent experimental data, theoretical investigations, critical reviews, the results of computer modeling in the above-mentioned fields.Intended to provide a scientific “snapshot” of the institute, the book also includes content on its history, main scientific achievements and current goals, together with detailed descriptions of its 25 laboratories and three museums so as to promote new international collaborations.Given its scope, the book will be of interest to all scientists and graduate students working in the areas of geochemistry, analytical chemistry and radiochemistry, earth and environmental sciences, biogeosciences, meteoritics and planetary science, and to those seeking new collaboration opportunities in these areas in Russia.Table of ContentsPGE-Cu-Ni Norilsk Deposits and Siberian Traps: Genetic Relationships.- Intrusive COMAGMAT: From Simple Magma Differentiation Models to Complex Algorithms Simulating the Structure of Layered Intrusions.- Forms of Existence of PGE and Gold in Natural Systems and their Geochemical Behavior.- Study of Elemental Composition and Properties of Volcanic Ash and Urban Dust Nanoparticles.- Layered Titanosilicates Melting: Experimental Study at 1 Atmosphere and Application for Agpaitic Rocks Petrology.- The Scale of Extraction of Ore Elements Zn and Pb by Aqueous Chloride Fluids in the Process of Degassing of Granite Magmas during their Rise to the Surface and Crystallization.

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Book SynopsisThis edited book brings together a diverse group of environmental science, sustainability, and health researchers to address the challenges posed by global mass poisoning caused by chromium contamination of soil and plants. In recent years, contamination of the environment by chromium has become a major concern. Chromium is a non-degradable, harmful, and toxic pollutant which negatively affects the environment. It is unique among the heavy metals found in industrial wastewater and sewage and sludge, as it may exist as a trivalent cation and as anion in the hexavalent state in the pH range of agricultural soils. It is used on a large scale in many different industries, including metallurgy, electroplating, production of paints and pigments, tanning, wood preservation, chemical production, and pulp and paper production. These industries are contributing larger amount of chromium, which can ultimately have significant adverse effects on biological and ecological activities of ecosystem. Chromium enters the food chain through consumption of plant material. A high concentration of chromium has been found to be harmful to vegetation. As the chromium concentration in plants increases, it adversely affects several biological parameters and eventually renders the soil barren.The book sheds light on this global environmental issue and proposes solutions to contamination through multi-disciplinary approaches and case studies from different parts of the world.This book is a valuable resource to students, academicians, researchers, and environmental professionals who are doing field work on chromium contamination throughout the world.Table of ContentsChromium: Sources, speciation, toxicity and chemistry.- Chromium dynamics in the soil-plant continuum.- Distribution of Cr in soil and its uptake by plants.- Chromium profile in soil, fodders and plasma of crossbreed cattle.- Speciation, chemistry, geogenic formation and dispersion of Chromium in groundwater.- Health risk linked to Cr toxicity in food and environment.- Health impacts of Cr contamination on human health.- A critical evaluation of chromium (III) ecotoxicity to aquatic and terrestrial plants.- Antioxidant defense: A key mechanism of Cr tolerance.- Effects and responses of Cr in plants.- Molecular mechanisms of chromium tolerance in plants: a key role of antioxidant defense.- Microbial remediation technologies for chromium removal: Mechanism, challenges and Future prospect.- Employing microbes for Cr removal.- Toxicity of rhizospheric chromium contaminated soil and its phytoremediation.- Phytoremediation Cr from soil/water.- Genetic engineering for Cr removal.- Toxicity of hexavalent Chromium: A review.

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Book SynopsisThis book takes a non-technical approach in covering the evolution of South American mammalian fauna throughout geological history, and discusses how South America has changed due to mammalian invasions. Unlike other works on the subject, this book attempts to answer several crucial questions that often go unmentioned together in one cohesive monograph. What was the fauna like before the American interchange? What were the origins of the now-extinct groups when northern species arrived and out-competed them? How did the modern mammalian fauna come into being with such disparate animal groups? This information is given from a historical perspective throughout the book's 15 chapters, and is presented in an easily graspable fashion by mostly avoiding technical language. The book is written for academics, scientists and scholars engaged in paleontology, zoology and evolutionary biology, but may also appeal to a larger audience of general readers interested in mammalian evolution. The book begins with an introduction, describing the tools necessary to interpret the evolutionary history of South American mammals in geological terms and some of the early people who helped found South American mammalian paleontology. Chapter 2 describes the Mesozoic first mammals of Gondwana and what we are learning about them, dominant before the K/T extinction event. Then chapters 3 through 8 cover the Cenozoic, or "Age of Mammals", highlighting the major mammalian groups of South America that replaced the earlier mammals of Gondwana. These groups include the marsupials, native ungulates, the xenarthrans (armadillos, anteaters, sloths), the caviomorphs (rodents), and the platyrrhine monkeys. Chapters 9 and 10 address the Antarctic La Meseta fossils and the Colombian La Venta fossil faunal assemblages. Chapter 11 discusses the neotropical mammals that invaded the Caribbean Islands, and illustrates the influence South America has had on adjacent faunas. Chapter 12 describes the origin of the Amazon River and the role it has played in the evolution of the mammals and other flora and fauna. Chapter 13 tells the story of the Great American Biotic Interchange (GABI), and chapter 14 follows this up with a discussion of the Pleistocene mammal communities and their eventual extinction. Chapter 15 concludes the text by discussing the modern mammals of South America, and how despite the extensive Pleistocene extinctions there is still a lot of mammalian diversity in South America. Table of ContentsChapter1: Introduction.- Chapter2: Ancient mammals of Gondwanan South America.- Chapter3: Early Cenozoic mammals in South America.- Chapter4: Marsupials and other metatheres of South America.- Chapter5: The native ungulates of South America.- Chapter6: The xenarthrans-armadillos, glyptodonts, anteaters, sloths.- Chapter7: The Caviomorphs – First South American Rodents.- Chapter8: The Platyrrhine Monkeys.- Chapter9: An Antarctic Eocene Mammalian Community.- Chapter10: La Venta: A Miocene Colombian Mammalian Community.- Chapter11: The Genesis of the Modern Amazon River Basin and its Role in Mammalian Evolution.- Chapter12: Mammalian Invasion of the Caribbean Islands.- Chapter13: The Great American Biotic Interchange.- Chapter14: Pleistocene Mammal Communities and their Extinction.- Chapter15: The Modern Mammals of South America

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Book SynopsisThis book examines the impacts of global change on terrestrial ecosystems. Emphasis is placed on impacts of atmospheric, climate and land use change, and the book discusses the future challenges and the scientific frameworks to address them. Finally, the book explores fundamental new research developments and the need for stronger integration of natural and human dimensions in addressing the challenge of global change.Trade ReviewFrom the reviews: "This volume integrates 25 contributors prepared by over 100 authors from around the world working under the auspices of the Programme. … this book brings the IGBP research on terrestrial ecosystems to a wide scientific audience, and includes the latest developments and achievements in this area. … The introductory and summary chapters are very valuable, rendering the book accessible to a general audience, not only to specialists. The book can also be highly recommended to the broad scientific community interested in global change." (Urszula Somorowska, Papers on Global Change, Issue 15, 2008)Table of ContentsGlobal change and the Earth System.- Global Ecology, Networks, and Research Synthesis.- Carbon and Water Cycles in the 21st Century.- CO2 Fertilization: When, Where, How Much?.- Ecosystem Responses to Warming and Interacting Global Change Factors.- Insights from Stable Isotopes on the Role of Terrestrial Ecosystems in the Global Carbon Cycle.- Effects of Urban Land-Use Change on Biogeochemical Cycles.- Saturation of the Terrestrial Carbon Sink.- Changing Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning.- Functional Diversity — at the Crossroads between Ecosystem Functioning and Environmental Filters.- Linking Plant Invasions to Global Environmental Change.- Plant Biodiversity and Responses to Elevated Carbon Dioxide.- Predicting the Ecosystem Consequences of Biodiversity Loss: the Biomerge Framework.- Landscapes under Changing Disturbance Regimes.- Plant Species Migration as a Key Uncertainty in Predicting Future Impacts of Climate Change on Ecosystems: Progress and Challenges.- Understanding Global Fire Dynamics by Classifying and Comparing Spatial Models of Vegetation and Fire.- Plant Functional Types: Are We Getting Any Closer to the Holy Grail?.- Spatial Nonlinearities: Cascading Effects in the Earth System.- Dynamic Global Vegetation Modeling: Quantifying Terrestrial Ecosystem Responses to Large-Scale Environmental Change.- Managing Ecosystem Services.- Wheat Production Systems and Global Climate Change.- Pests Under Global Change — Meeting Your Future Landlords?.- Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Potential in Agricultural Soils.- Carbon and Water Tradeoffs in Conversions to Forests and Shrublands.- Natural and Human Dimensions of Land Degradation in Drylands: Causes and Consequences.- Regions under Stress.- Southeast Asian Fire Regimes and Land Development Policy.- Global Change Impacts on Agroecosystems of Eastern China.- Terrestrial Ecosystems in Monsoon Asia: Scaling up from Shoot Module to Watershed.- Responses of High Latitude Ecosystems to Global Change: Potential Consequences for the Climate System.- Future Directions: the Global Land Project.- The Future Research Challenge: the Global Land Project.

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Book SynopsisLandscape Resilience at Risk - Forest Plantations as an Answer?.- Pinus Plantations Impact Hillslope Stability and Decrease Landscape Resilience by Changing Biogeomorphic Feedbacks in Chile.- Industry Impacts More Than Nature: Risk Perception of Natural Hazards in More-than-human Worlds.- Navigating a Trojan Horse in the Last of the Wild: Pine Trees, Agroforestry, and Land Zoning Assemble the Landscape Resilience Dilemma in Patagonia.- What Can We Learn from Aysén? Discussion and Derivation of Follow-up Research Questions.

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Book SynopsisThis book provides a comprehensive overview of the taxonomy, biology, sedimentation, and carbonate geochemistry of modern species. Students, early career and advanced scientists alike will profit from a broad synthesis of the current understanding of planktic foraminifers as an ecological indicator, biogeochemical factories, and proxies in paleoceanography. The classification of modern species is amply illustrated with electron and light microscope images of morphotypes, addresses the state-of-the-art of molecular genetics of species, and provides a detailed guide for any laboratory analyses. The biology of planktic foraminifers is extensively discussed in chapters dedicated to the cellular ultrastructure, nutrition, symbionts, reproduction, ontogeny, and test architecture. Building on the biological prerequisites, the distribution of planktic foraminifers is discussed at regional to global scale. The geochemistry and sedimentation of tests are considered in relation to the ecology of the living animal. In the final chapter, which examines the most common methods in planktic foraminifer research, hands-on information is provided on sampling, processing and analyzing samples in the laboratory, as well as selected established methods for data interpretation. The various topics discussed in this book are aimed at the application of planktic foraminifers as sensitive indicators of the changing climate and marine environment.Trade Review“This is an excellent state-of-the-art book containing a wealth of information attractively presented in well-written text and high quality plates and diagrams. As knowledge of modern processes is essential to the interpretation of the fossil record this book will be essential reading for biologists and geologists undertaking research on planktic foraminifera.” (John Murray, Newsletter of Micropaleontology, Issue 96, October, 2017)Table of ContentsSpecies Classification, Test Architecture, Shell Ontogeny, Species Phylogeny.- Sampling Methods and Faunal Analysis.- Cultivation.- Biology, Cellular Ultrastructure, Host Symbiont Relationships, Trophic Activity and Nutrition, Reproduction.- Molecular Genetics in Modern Species.- Ecology.- Stable Isotopes - Paleoceanography.- Element Ratios.- Sedimentation and Preservation of Tests.- Applications.

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Book SynopsisIn Loe Bar and the Sandhill Rustic Moth, Adrian Spalding examines the survival of plants and animals on Loe Bar, a shingle beach on the coast of Cornwall, in the context of its history, geomorphology and exposure to the Atlantic environment. He develops these themes within a detailed study of the Sandhill Rustic moth that endures this harsh environment where storm surges, high salinity, high temperatures, strong winds and burial by sand affect the wildlife that occurs there.Trade Review"I dare to suggest that this book should become a classic, of which I am reminded of the original 'Natural History of Selborne'." - Dr Chris Page (Former Principal Scientific Officer of the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh). "Armed with the considerable amount of information provided, the author has ensured that the reader has much to mull over while enjoying this highly informative book. [...] this book follows the foundation and examples provided by E.B. Ford (1955) and Young (1997) in generating an inquisitiveness about the natural world and in demonstrating what can be achieved with dedicated study." - The editor of Butterfly, the magazine of Butterfly Conservation. [A] pleasure to read, partly because he doesn’t use technicalities or jargon, and also because Spalding takes as much delight in the Bar’s story, its shipwrecks, its storms and shifting sands, and its well-adapted denizens, as he does in the fortunes of L.nickerlii leechi. His study of a small, rare moth and its habitat has the makings of a grass-blade classic. - Peter Marren in British Wildlife (January 2016). At 346 pages, it is not a short read, but it is well worth it for its fascinating cultural history (think Poldark), the natural history of the many creatures that inhabit the bar, but above all the painstaking observations of the moth itself. This is an immaculate study of a corner of Britain by a prominent entomologist who clearly loves and cares about its future. Dr Martin Warren in Butterfly (Spring 2016, p. 34). "Adrian Spalding has studied Loe Bar and its biota for many years since 1984, and the history and biology of the Sandhill Rustic and its environment (based largely on the author’s work) is encapsulated in this impressive book. [...] The book is a valuable contribution to the region’s natural history, as a thought-provoking and informative account of a highly specialised association and the conservation approaches that may be illuminated by long-term detailed documentation and study. It illustrates well the ecological detail and background information that contribute to practical conservation of taxa, and is an object lesson for emulation elsewhere." - Tim R. New (La Trobe University, Melbourne) in Journal of Insect Conservation (March 2016). "Readers will find plentiful information at their disposal to guide them through the intricate relationship of both moth and bar and to generate their own thoughts. First, there is the profusion of figures, maps, tables, citations, and photographs –many attractively in colour – accompanying the text. Second, the author builds a solid context for the plants [...] and animals found on Loe Bar and on similar features around the British coast [...] Third, and of huge importance for understanding the moth, there is an extensive, in depth study of the genus Luperina elsewhere, not just over Britain but over europe. Most intriguing and vital are the details on other coastal populations (distinguished by the author as subspecies) of Luperina nickerlii in Britain (i.e. leechi, demuthi, gueneei, knilli) and on mainland europe (e.g. nickerlii, graslini, tardenota, albarracina), including their biology, biogeography, ecology and genetics." - R. L. H. Dennis in Entomologist’s Gazette (2016) Vol. 67, p. 82-84.Table of ContentsForeword by Professor Jeremy Thomas OBE Acknowledgements Preamble Chapter 1. Man and The Bar Chapter 2. Formation, Geology and Physical Processes Chapter 3. Plants Chapter 4. Sand Couch Grass Chapter 5. Mammals, Birds and Invertebrates Chapter 6. Moths on Loe Bar Chapter 7. The Sandhill Rustic Moth on Loe Bar in the context of the European Populations Chapter 8. The Sandhill Rustic on Loe Bar Chapter 9. The Past and The Future Appendix 3.1. National Vegetation Classification communities on Loe Bar 2012 Appendix 9.1. Threats to the Sandhill Rustic moth from predicted sea-level rise - in the forefront of climate change Scientific names of plants listed in the text Scientific names of birds, animals and invertebrates listed in the text References Index

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Book SynopsisWhile the possible depletion of energy sources has been emphasized in most literatures, this book aims to show that the increase of entropy in the biosphere, resulting since the dawn of industrial era, is a cause for urgent concern.As the entropy release puts a limit on sustainable growth, and the CO₂ atmospheric content is a reliable indicator of global entropy release that threatens the biospheric balance, a change of paradigm is necessary with the need to switch from an economy of exploitation to an economy of entropy.

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Book SynopsisThe Aegean Sea, the original Archipelago of the Greeks and Romans, is a truly unique sea. Located among three continents, each one leaving a distinct mark on local biodiversity, the Aegean comprises over 6,000 islands that vary extensively in size, age and palaeogeographical history and are home to hundreds of endemic species.This is the first thorough scientific compendium dealing with the terrestrial components of the archipelago's biodiversity. The 48 experts that have authored its 16 chapters offer a detailed account of research that has been done so far in many animal and plant taxa, as well as a review of the geology and paleogeography, the phylogeography and the biogeography of Aegean Islands, highlighting its importance as a paradigmatic system for such studies at a global scale.The volume is dedicated to Professor Moysis Mylonas, mentor of the majority of authors, who retired in 2018. Professor Mylonas devoted his entire career to research on Aegean biodiversity and biogeography, founded the Natural History Museum of Crete (at the University of Crete), and has been the founder of the ecological and evolutionary biogeography 'school of thought' in Greece.

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