Earth Sciences, Geography & Environment Books

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book provides an overview of the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) which co-ordinates and integrates scientific research across thirteen agencies of the United States Government and whose mission focuses on changes in the global environment and their implications for society. The environment is changing rapidly. Increases in world population, accompanied by industrialisation and other human activities, are altering the atmosphere, ocean, land, ice cover, ecosystems, and the distribution of species over the planet. Understanding these and other global changes, including climate change, is critical to our Nation''s health and economic vitality. Scientific research is critical to gaining this understanding. Research, along with an array of increasingly sophisticated tools for collecting and analysing data, can provide essential knowledge to governments, businesses, and communities as they plan for and respond to the myriad manifestations of global change, including sea-level rise and ocean acidification, heat waves and drought, and the severe storms, floods, and forest fires that pose an ever-growing risk to life, property, and agriculture.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn this book, the authors discuss the management, legal issues and health aspects of environmental policy. Topics include health-care solid waste management in Vietnam; regulating the waste management industry in the EU; environmental policy tools to improve the management of marine and coastal zones in Italy; managing ecosystem services for human benefit; issues of importance in waterbird ecology, conservation and environmental policy; biogeographical change and environmental policy in the western greenbelt of Ottawa, Canada; upstream pollution, downstream competition and environmental policy; China''s quest for environmental sustainability; assessment of the geochemical status of landscapes in the Ukraine; aeration zone protective properties estimation using GIS technologies.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn this book, the authors present current research in the study of the geochemistry, composition and environmental impacts of seawater. Topics discussed include the impact of internal wave breaking on the ocean upper layer formation; trace elements in seawater in offshore oil production platform areas; self-purification of seawater; the Salton Sea megaport and seawater canal; and assessing the effect of nearshore currents over the SO2 absorption in Caribbean seawater.

Read more less

Book SynopsisFor most of us, the impression of the word "tsunami" is a combination of multiple elements of action movie, thriller, drama and science fiction, which can only be experienced through movies such as "The Poseidon Adventure", "The Impossible", "Bait 3D", and "Haewundae, 2012". However, we have now indeed witnessed a tsunami in 2011. People are now very concerned and some are afraid of the realisation of movie scenes in our real life. More research fields have started to give attention and thought to the tsunami itself and its impact on economics, disaster management and future challenges. This book discloses the close relationship between the tsunami and all aspects of our real life: communities, markets, economic systems, industrial operations, the natural environment, medical care, emergency response, and whole societies. This book is timely and in some ways timeless; the issues discussed within its pages are matters that are of interest to all people across the world and really across time. The chapters presented focus on the theoretical positions and cognition about engineering, and different segments of research fields: the innovative integration of geographic information system with point-of-care testing for emergency response and disaster management after tsunami (Chapter 1), the adaptive capacity building through public participation (Chapter 2), the modelling and simulation of mixing and sediment processes induced by tsunamis propagating upriver (Chapter 3), the perspective of risk quantification for commercial nuclear power plants (Chapter 4), and the future role of mathematical modelling for local energy shortage recovery after tsunamis (Chapter 5). These chapters demonstrate the complexities involved in attempting to understand the impact of tsunamis in different aspects. Furthermore, it will also help to improve disaster management systems for better preparedness and future challenges.

Read more less

Book SynopsisDecisions about how and where we build our communities have significant impacts on the natural environment and on human health. Cities, regions, states, and the private sector need information about the environmental effects of their land use and transportation decisions to mitigate growth-related environmental impacts and to improve community quality of life and human health. This book discusses the status of and trends in land use, development, and transportation, and their environmental implications. This book also articulates the current understanding of the relationship between the built environment and the quality of air, water, land resources, habitat, and human health and provides evidence that certain kinds of land use and transportation strategies can reduce the environmental and human health impacts of development.

Read more less

Book SynopsisCongress has, over the past three decades, authorised and funded federal programs to improve understanding of climate changes and their implications. Climate changes have potentially large economic and ecological consequences, both positive and negative, which depend on the rapidity, size, and predictability of change. Some of the impacts of past change are evident in shifting agricultural productivity, forest insect infestations and fires, shifts in water supply, record-breaking summer high temperatures, and coastal erosion and inundation. People and natural systems respond to climate changes regardless of whether the government responds. Over time, the consequences of climate change for the United States and the globe will be influenced by choices made or left to others by the U.S. Congress. Policy proposals take different approaches to setting goals or managing climate change-related risks. This book describes four strategies for setting climate change policies: (1) research and wait-and-see, (2) science-based goal setting, (3) economics-based policies, and (4) incrementalism or adaptive management. Each may take into account the concerns, values, and scepticisms of some constituencies, but each also has limitations. It is unclear whether any single conceptual approach could cover all elements of the policy debate, though hybrid approaches may help to build political consensus over whether and how much policy intervention is appropriate.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Forest Service manages more than 158,000 miles of recreational trails offering hikers, horseback riders, cyclists, off-highway-vehicle drivers, and others access to national forests. To remain safe and usable, these trails need regular maintenance, such as removal of downed trees or bridge repairs. This book examines (1) the extent to which the Forest Service is meeting trail maintenance needs, and effects associated with any maintenance not done; (2) resources, including funding and labour, that the agency employs to maintain its trails; (3) factors, if any, complicating agency efforts to maintain its trails; and (4) options, if any, that could improve the agency''s trail maintenance efforts.

Read more less

Book SynopsisOn 25 June 2013, President Obama announced a national plan to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases (GHG), as well as to encourage adaptation to expected climate change. The President affirmed his commitment to his 2009 policy pledge to reduce U.S. GHG emissions by 17% below 2005 levels by 2020 if all other major economies agreed to limit their emissions as well. In 2011, the United States'' gross GHG emissions were approximately 7% below their 2005 levels. The President stated a willingness to work with Congress toward enacting a bipartisan, market-based scheme to reduce GHG emissions. The President''s Climate Action Plan lays out a series of measures in three categories: 1) cut carbon pollution in America, 2) prepare the United States for the impacts of climate change and 3) lead international efforts to address global climate change. Many measures included in the Climate Action Plan have been underway. The plan specifies few timelines or metrics for evaluating progress of individual measures beyond national aggregate or sectoral GHG emissions or energy efficiency. The centrepiece of the President''s announcement arguably is a Presidential Memorandum, also issued June 25, that directs EPA to issue two types of rules to curtail carbon dioxide emissions from new and existing power plants before the end of his term. This book provides an overview of President Obama''s Climate Action Plan, with a focus on key elements and analyses.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA floodplain is a flat, or nearly flat, land that is adjacent to a stream or river which experiences occasional flooding (a naturally occurring process), and those who live near rivers and floodplains are especially interested in them. Historically, floodplains have been used for waste disposal, supplies, power generation, transport and food. In this book, the student or professional will find information about some floodplains around the world and their main problems, as well as some techniques used to study them. This book is divided into nine chapters, and each one aims to show some relevant studies in floodplains and lakes using assorted themes, such as: mercury speciation and bioavailability, plant-soil interactions, indicators for evaluating floodplain restoration, floodplain formation, phytoplankton community, storage and release of water, hydrogenic heavy metals and hydrodynamics.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn this handbook, the authors present current research in the study of the biological activity, classification and health and environmental implications of herbicides. Topics discussed include productive degradation of dichlorprop by transconjugant strains; weeds and their mechanisms of resistance to herbicides; application of 31P-NMR spectroscopy to glyphosate studies in plants; lethal and sublethal glyphosate effects on non-target fish species; chemical properties and genotoxic effects of phenylurea herbicides; action mode of triazines and toxic effects on vertebrates; photolysis experiments on alloxydim herbicide and biological response of its transformation product; glyphosate-resistant weeds in Southern Europe; herbicide paraquat genotoxicity-enhancement by the phenolic antioxidants Dl-A-tocopherl and 2,6-Di-Tert-Butyl-P-Cresol; glyphosate adsorption in a soil depth profile; adsorption-desorption processes and mobility of (4-Chloro-2-Methylophenoxy) acetic acid (Mcpa) in Irish grassland soils; pesticides and cancer with a study on the interaction of phenoxy acid herbicides with DNA; herbicidal activity of pyrazole derivatives; behaviour of herbicides in paddy water and soil after application; and laboratory lysimeter for pesticide transport studies.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book seeks to provide policy-makers and other stakeholders with actionable information towards a road map for reducing energy consumption cost-effectively. A focus on individual end use equipment types (hereafter referred to as appliance groups) that might be the subject of policies -- such as labels, energy performance standards, and incentives -- to affect market transformation in the short term, and on high-efficiency technology options that are available today is examined. There is a strong, profit-based business case for investing in more energy-efficient products and designs. Energy efficiency, however, often is viewed as something that businesses and individuals "should" do as good citizens. The reality is that using energy inefficiently is like walking past money on the ground -- money that could be put to far better use than paying electricity bills. Investing in energy efficiency therefore creates economic value. This book provides an overview of business case scenarios for energy efficiency in the United States, China and India.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book examines the first of the Environmental Protection Agency''s (EPA''s) triennial reports on the current and potential future environmental impacts associated with the requirements of the Clean Air Act. It reviews environmental and resource conservation impacts, as well as opportunities to mitigate these impacts, at each stage of the biofuel supply chain: feedstock production, feedstock logistics, biofuel production, biofuel distribution, and biofuel use. The information included here is considered foundational for future efforts to quantitatively compare the environmental impacts of alternative scenarios for meeting the goals of the RFS2 program, representing the best available information through July 2010 and reflecting the current understanding about biofuel production and use, including input from the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Energy.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book assesses the state of the science on the environmental impacts of mountaintop mines and valley fills (MTM-VF) on streams in the Central Appalachian Coalfields. These coalfields cover about 48,000 square kilometres (12 million acres) in West Virginia, Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee, USA. This book focuses on the impacts of mountaintop removal coal mining, which, as its name suggests, involves removing all -- or some portion -- of the top of a mountain or ridge to expose and mine one or more coal seams. The excess overburden is disposed of in constructed fills in small valleys or hollows adjacent to the mining site. Conclusions are drawn, based on evidence from peer-reviewed literature, and from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency''s Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement released in 2005, and that MTM-VF lead directly to five principal alterations of stream ecosystems: (1) springs, and ephemeral, intermittent, and small perennial streams are permanently lost with the removal of the mountain and from burial under fill, (2) concentrations of major chemical ions are persistently elevated downstream, (3) degraded water quality reaches levels that are acutely lethal to standard laboratory test organisms, (4) selenium concentrations are elevated, reaching concentrations that have caused toxic effects in fish and birds and (5) macroinvertebrate and fish communities are consistently degraded.

Read more less

Book SynopsisChildren living in circumstances of social and economic disadvantage are at high risk for experiencing health problems caused or exacerbated by environmental factors. They are not only vulnerable to adverse chemical and physical factors in their environment, but often become trapped in the cycle of environmental health disparities due to low parental health literacy, limited social capital, and a lack of access to comprehensive healthcare and appropriate educational services. They will only be able to escape that cycle when children''s environmental health becomes a priority and the resources, energy and creativity are amassed and allocated to address environmental health concerns. In this book, we look at issues concerned with the home environment, the school and the community. Investing in children''s environmental health will prove cost-beneficial in the long run.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book covers many aspects of global climate change and flooding within the Caribbean region and examines the impacts of these on the agricultural sector in the Caribbean, on coastal and wetland ecosystems, and on the health sector in Trinidad. It provides an account of and the vulnerability and successful adaptation measures of Jamaica. A report of a Knowledge, Attitudes and Practice (KAP) study provides a better understanding of the socio-economic impacts of flooding, people''s role in exacerbating actual and potential flooding episodes and in evaluating their prevention measures. There are contributions on the cost of flooding, the role governments do and should play in flood prevention and backstopping, and the case is made for comprehensive law relating specifically to flooding. There are chapters on some hard and soft engineering tools that may be used for adaptation to flooding and other climate change events. Current climate modelling and projections are explained. This book is written for technical officers within ministries of government and both undergraduate and post graduate student''s pursuing climate change courses and programs at Universities within small islands developing states and especially the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Mona and St. Augustine campuses. The various chapters are written by current academics from all three campuses, together with regional experts. This book, therefore, represents another example of Caribbean scientists/experts tackling Caribbean issues and developing adaptation measures relevant, not only to the region, but to the rest of the world.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn this book, the authors discuss new developments in global warming research. Topics discussed in this compilation include the impact of climate change on food security and health in Northern Cameroon; a reversal of global warming using a $3 trillion market force of chemicals and fuels produced directly and selectively in continuous fermentations of gas blends comprising CO and CO2; global warmings'' effects on mesospheric airglow in the Mesosphere and Lower Thermosphere (MLT) region; the implication of regionalism, bilateralism or fragmentation on the universal climate change treaty for Asia; bud dormancy in woody fruit species; evidence of climate change from an urban environment comprising long-term climatic records; changes in temperature in 46 capital cities of Asia from 1901 to 1998; and an investigation of how to explore different levels of parallelism in climatological models using mixed interfaces of parallel programming and how these models can provide mesh refinement at execution time.

Read more less

Book SynopsisPolicy-makers at all levels of government are debating a wide range of options for addressing the nation''s faltering economic conditions. One option that is once again receiving attention is accelerated investments in the nation''s public infrastructure - that is, highways, mass transit, airports, water supply and wastewater, and other facilities -- in order to create jobs while also promoting long-term economic growth. This book examines policy issues associated with using infrastructure as a mechanism to benefit economic recovery. Discussed are airline passenger rights and the federal role in aviation consumer protection; an overview of the federal public transportation program; improved guidance in federal-aid highways which could enhance the states''s use of life-cycle cost analysis in pavement selection; passenger rail security and consistent incident reporting and analysis to achieve program objectives; and the TSA explosives detection canine program.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book examines the competitiveness of Mexican and Canadian ports with U.S. West Coast ports; discusses the history and the theories of cargo diversion and of the Harbor Maintenance Tax (HMT); reviews ocean freight rates, transit times and rail charges; and examines other potential relevant factors influencing the movement of cargo.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book presents state-of-the-art research on bioremediation, which is understood as a discipline that uses organisms or their products to reduce or eliminate the adverse effects of pollutants in the environment. Today, there are many research groups that focus on remedying the adverse effects of our industrialised society, which release compounds daily, increasingly polluting the environment. This book compiles the most important work of distinguished scientists around the world who are at the vanguard in this discipline, covering the environments of soil and water, as well as a great variety of micro-organisms and mechanism bioremediators. Thus, the bioremediation strategy and bioremediator should be chosen according to the pollutant. This material is one of the few available for discussion in literature, and the authors and editorial board hope that this book can be used as a guide or as a base material useful for people who want to develop or apply new strategies in the bioremediation field. The book consists of the following sections: 1) bacterial bioremediation, 2) microbioremediation, 3) phyto- and phycoremediation, 4) composite bioremediation and finally 5) derivative bioremediation. Each section is disposed depending on the kind and type of pollutant; inorganic or organic; and by the complexity of organic mixtures. Studies include in silico, in vitro, in situ, ex situ approaches, from mathematical models to real landscape cases, including analytical methods to assess bioremediation efficacy and the biotechnological use of rhamnolipids, acetogenins, surfactants, micro-bubbles, agricultural residues and enzymes to improve or achieve bioremediation. This book is intended to provide tools to readers in order to apply or to understand the feasibility, advances, advantages, disadvantages, aspects, processes, challenges and future prospects in bioremediation.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn this book, the authors present current research in the study of the mineral composition, geology and petrogenesis significance of feldspar, a group of rock-forming tectosilicate minerals that make up as much as 60% of the Earth''s crust. Topics discussed in this compilation include the patterns of phosphorus enrichment in alkali feldspars; crystallisation conditions of feldspars in basement rocks in Bangladesh; industrial evaluation and beneficiation of Jordanian feldspar for application in the ceramic industry; unimpeded growth of K-feldspar megacrysts in granitic liquids; the extent to which simple twinning occurs in igneous K-feldspar; and multiple growth twinning of K-feldspar in hypersolvus granite.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act (FDASIA), amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) to expand the authority of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in performing its human drug, biological product, and medical device responsibilities. Frequently referred to as the user fee reauthorisation act, FDASIA does include four titles relating to user fees. This book focuses on these acts, as well as the prescription drug user fee act, the FDA medical device user fee program and discusses the proposed FDA user fee acts generic drug user fee amendments.

Read more less

Book SynopsisLittle is known about lithium-7 production in China and Russia and whether their supplies can meet future domestic demand. According to industry representatives, China and Russia produce enough lithium-7 to meet demand from U.S. pressurised water reactors, a type of commercial nuclear power reactor that requires lithium-7 for safe operation. This book examines what is known about the supply and demand of lithium-7, what federal agencies are responsible for managing supply risks, and alternative options to mitigate a potential shortage. The authors of this book also discuss the management of helium-3 and the availability of tritium for the weapons stockpile to the National Nuclear Security Administration.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe United States (US) program for siting interim storage and permanent disposal facilities for used nuclear fuel (UNF) is at a crossroads. The March 2010 request by the US Department of Energy (DOE) to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for termination of the Yucca Mountain Project (YMP) license application, followed one year later by the disastrous nuclear events in Fukushima, Japan, have resulted in a fundamental reconsideration of approaches for siting interim and permanent UNF management facilities in the US. This book provides findings from a set of social science studies undertaken by the Center for Risk and Crisis Management (CRCM) and Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), which focus on public attitudes and preferences concerning the siting of nuclear repositories and interim storage facilities. This book is also a framework for moving toward a sustainable program to deploy an integrated system capable of transporting, storing, and disposing of used nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste from civilian nuclear power generation, defence, national security and other activities.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book is in response to the growing demand from academics and the general public for state-of-the-art research in permafrost science and, in particular, information about its impacts on infrastructure and ecosystems. It brings together research from diverse but highly complementary scientific disciplines to illuminate the main physical, chemical and biological processes occurring in permafrost systems and identifies the possible mechanisms controlling fluxes of energy and matter at various scales. Taken together, the 8 chapters of this book provide a comprehensive, up-to-date description and analysis of the basic geomorphological, physical, hydrological, chemical and biological aspects of permafrost-affected ecosystems, their interaction with other components of the landscape and their impact on human life and infrastructure.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe environment is considered the surroundings in which an organism operates, including air, water, land, natural resources, flora, fauna, humans and their interrelation. It is this environment that is both so valuable on the one hand, and so endangered on the other. And it is people that are by and large ruining the environment, both for themselves and for all other organisms. This book presents some of the latest research in the field.

Read more less

Book SynopsisNumerous federal, state, and local agencies share responsibilities for regulating the safety of the U.S. food supply. Federal responsibility for food safety rests primarily with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The combined efforts of the food industry and government regulatory agencies are often credited with making the U.S. food supply among the safest in the world. This book provides an overview of recent cost-of-food-borne illness estimates; how safe our food is; more disclosure and data needed to clarify impact of changes to poultry and hog inspections; the "pink slime" controversy; and the unapproved genetically modified wheat discovered in Oregon.

Read more less

Book SynopsisSoil nutrients are among the most important factors affecting plant growth and yield production as well as the environment. They are subjected to variations by different parameters such as climate, soil and plant. This book presents the effects of different parameters on soil nutrients by researchers and scientists from across the globe. The materials are suitable for students, researchers and scientists. A broad range of topics related to soil nutrients is covered in this book.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA sustainable feedstock supply is one of the primordial issues for the transition towards the bio-based economy. Therefore, the resource base needs to be identified from the perspective of supply and demand. The exploitable biomass is of a highly heterogeneous origin, either derived from specially grown crops or from crop residues of food and feed production, forestry residues and marine flora. Municipal waste, manure and animal products and industrial wastes also need to be considered as potential resources for bio-based products and services. In this regard, enzymes are known to play a pivotal role not only at the stage of production of these value-added products, but also as an important component of value-added products from different alternative biomasses. Therefore, enzymes become an important factor as value-added products and for value-added products. The use of enzymes holds great potential value for industries in many sectors, including energy, organic chemicals, polymers, fabrics and healthcare products. In general, an enzyme based bio-economy offers many benefits and opportunities. For completed book description, please visit our link below.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book compiles research summaries from a number of different focuses in the important field of environment and agriculture.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book compiles research summaries from a number of different focuses in the important field of environment and agriculture.

Read more less

Book SynopsisUrbanisation is caused by migration. However, an essential difference exists between migration in the past and that in the present. This book focuses on several topics that include a comparison between an informational city and a smart city; urbanisation and human impact on biodiversity in Water''s Edge Public Spaces (WEPS); a mathematical-modelling approach to urbanisation caused by migration; sustaining urbanisation in a developing economy; and urbanisation and cardiomyopathy vulnerability in an African male cohort.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book compiles research summaries from a number of different focuses in the important field of environment and agriculture.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAccurate information about air pollutants in the troposphere, such as ozone, particulates, and their respective precursors, is essential to decision-making in domains as diverse as human health, environmental protection, climate change, and agriculture, as well as for assessments of air quality management strategies and policies. Atmospheric observations have only grown in importance as the risks posed by global climate change have come more clearly into focus, and observations will be critical in the years ahead both for tracking the impacts of mitigation strategies and predicting national needs in the realm of adaptation and preparedness. In this book the authors discuss air quality observation systems in the United States; ozone air quality standards; and the EPA''s 2013 changes to the particulate matter standard.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe National Strategy for the Arctic Region sets forth the United States Government''s strategic priorities for the Arctic region. This strategy is intended to position the United States to respond effectively to challenges and emerging opportunities arising from significant increases in Arctic activity due to the diminishment of sea ice and the emergence of a new Arctic environment. It defines U.S. national security interests in the Arctic region and identifies prioritised lines of effort, building upon existing initiatives by Federal, state, local, and tribal authorities, the private sector, and international partners, and aims to focus efforts where opportunities exist and action is needed. This book discusses the National Strategy for the Arctic Region in further detail; the Department of Defense Arctic strategy; and provides background and issues in the changes in the Arctic.

Read more less

Book SynopsisHabitat loss and degradation are perceived to be one of the main factors threatening biodiversity through detrimental effects on species and populations. These processes reduce habitat availability, increase isolation and generate patchy environments, which reduces species richness, population genetic diversity, and modifies community structure. The loss of biodiversity associated with habitat alteration is particularly problematic in forest habitats, because forests are one of the most species-rich habitat types. The conservation implications have become greater with evidence that climate change may exacerbate and speed up ongoing processes. This book focuses on topics that include niche restriction and conservatism in a neotropical psittacine; consequences for distribution patterns of specialist fauna; and paths to habitat loss in European Atlantic heathlands.

Read more less

Book SynopsisCoastal zones have always been chosen by humans as a good place to live. Over the last forty years, human pressure has caused a strong variation of land use and wild areas have been consumed by agriculture, roads and settlements. The main causes of ecosystem loss are the coastal erosion, and the sprawl of infrastructures and economic sites. This book discusses several topics, some of which include the coral reef environment; the land cover change as a tool to support the preservation of naturalness at the Sele coastal plain in Italy; principles of dredging eco-monitoring in the Eastern Gulf of Finland; and others.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe general aim of this book is to explain the development of several types of models using an extremely small number of parameters in an attempt to find consistent properties of integral living matter within aquatic ecosystems. Starting from a minimal model of the whole study [ie: the ideal minimal ecosystem (IMES)], the authors developed a series of statistical models (size spectra, rank distribution, and regression models, including allometries). They then proceeded from ataxonomic to taxonomic size spectra to demonstrate and explain the high consistency of natural communities. Several types of species size-frequency distributions or "taxonomic size spectra" were applied, diminishing the importance of rare species and the assemblage time-space heterogeneity. A series of original studies written during the last thirty years to develop condensed, formalised models and empirical comparisons has demonstrated general patterns and the model''s drawbacks; hence, several cycles of modernisation were fulfilled, revealing both the stability of natural aquatic communities and small-scale variability of the general pattern. Comparisons of several taxonomic hierarchy levels speak in favor of the whole-assemblage origin of the statistical mechanisms, supporting the long-term consistency of phytoplankton taxonomic size structure. Specific changes in the taxonomic size spectrum fine structure were evident and may be helpful for diagnostics, while the spectrum general pattern consistency can be helpful for monitoring and modeling the aim of this study. The consistency difference between several levels of the phytoplankton taxonomic hierarchy was demonstrated as a new phenomenon important for modeling, monitoring, and ecological forecast. Though stochastic dynamics of abundances and biomasses often emerge from experiments and mathematical models, some predictable patterns and indices emerged from large-scale studies of natural aquatic assemblages. Mathematical models demonstrated the formation of long-tail distributions produced by metabolic webs. Such consistency phenomena lead to explanatory ecological models based on concepts of the living whirl (G. Cuvier), living matter (V. Vernadsky), dissipative structures, and biogeochemical cycles. Aquatic (marine and freshwater) ecosystem management could be sufficiently strengthened, applying reliable patterns and descriptors suitable for forecasting and diagnostic purposes.

Read more less

Book SynopsisInvasive species are one of the greatest threats to forest, range, aquatic, and urban forest ecosystem health. They contribute to the endangerment of native species and may lead to other severe ecological and financial consequences in our Nation''s wild lands and urban forests. To ensure the continued production of needed goods, services, and values from our Nation''s terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, the Forest Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), must implement a strategic systems approach for managing invasive species. This book prioritises and guides the prevention, detection, and control of invasive insects, pathogens, plants, wildlife, and fish that threaten our Nation''s terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book compiles research summaries from a number of different focuses in the important field of environment and agriculture.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book compiles research summaries from a number of different focuses in the important field of environment and agriculture.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book describes a wide range of soils, from the humid subtropical coast of the Black Sea to the frozen peaks of the High Caucasus with more than 5.000 meters above sea level and from extremely humid areas in the West to dry, semi-desert regions in the East, with an enormous variety of rock parent materials, a very accentuated hydrology and a topography, ranging from large plains, hilly regions to steep and strongly dissected slopes and gorges in the High and Lower Caucasus. There is no other country in the world the size of Georgia with such a variety of soil forming conditions and soils. Therefore, V V Dokuchaev, one of the founders of the genetic soil classification, called Georgia an "Open-Air Museum of Soils". The book is subdivided into 6 chapters. In Chapter 1, the physiography of Georgia and the factors of soil formation such as topography, geology, climate and vegetation are described, followed by Chapter 2, with the detailed description of 21 soil groups, their morphological, physical and chemical characteristics, their many different subtypes and variations, and their ecology, based on 72 tables, 25 figures and 20 photos. Moreover, the location of each soil and its surface in % of the total surface of Georgia are explained, including the history of their discovery and investigation together with the relevant literature. In Chapter 3, the overall ecological conditions, especially problems of soil erosion by water and wind and the soil contamination by heavy metals and radionuclides are described, followed by Chapter 4 with an explanation of the soil use, based on physical and chemical soil characteristics. Two further chapters with references and soil photos conclude the book, which is written by Professor Tengiz F Urushadze from the Agricultural University of Georgia in Tbilisi and Professor Winfried E H Blum from the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU) in Vienna, Austria.

Read more less

Book SynopsisEntering the 21st century, the Nation''s transportation system has matured; it only expands its infrastructure by a fraction of a percentage each year. However, congestion continues to grow at an alarming rate, adversely impacting our quality of life and increasing the potential for accidents and long delays. These are expected to escalate, calling for transportation professionals to increase the productivity of existing transportation systems through the use of operational improvements. In order to assess the potential effectiveness of a particular strategy, it must be analyzed using traffic analysis tools or methodologies. The objective of this book is to assist traffic engineers, planners, and traffic operations professionals in the selection of the correct type of traffic analysis tool for operational improvements.

Read more less

Book SynopsisNanostructured materials and coatings have gained great importance due to their microstructural properties. Their applications have increased in different technological areas such as, in environmental pollution control, photo catalysis, optics, solid oxide fuel cells, electronic and optoelectronic devices, mechanical protection, catalysis, and in biomedical. Furthermore, advances in aerosol processing in recent years have increased the variety of produced nanostructured materials, including metals, oxides, ceramics, and composites, in different appearances such as nanoparticles, rods, belts, fibres, tubes, needles, and films. This book discusses the synthesis, properties and implications that aerosols have on the environment.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAn earthquake is a natural disaster that causes damage world-wide. Not only earthquakes of high magnitude, but also those of small magnitude that strike unprepared regions can cause economic and social consequences, and many casualties. Unlike other natural disasters, the exact time of an earthquake cannot be estimated; scientists can only predict the timeline and magnitude based on the history of earthquakes in a region. Even though current technology cannot predict the precise time, location or magnitude, public awareness about the estimations allows both individuals and government to be ready for their devastating effects. This book begins by discussing how public awareness about the effects of earthquakes and how to prepare for a possible earthquake which can potentially save lives. The book then continues with topics that include seismic PRA; seismic safety assessments of existing buildings; psychiatric reactions of individuals to earthquakes; possible relation between an intense earthquake and the voltage signal generated by atmospheric ionic currents and/or sudden change of the electric field in the air; and others.

Read more less

Book SynopsisMany of the vast number of mushroom species are available world-wide. They are valued in gourmet traditions around the world for their unique taste, aroma, nutritional value, and medicinal potentials. Many mushroom species are also used in traditional medicines in many countries around the world, including China, Japan, Nigeria, Tibet, etc. Additionally, mushrooms are highly appreciated by many in most communities. Because they are considered as valuable health foods, have acceptable texture and flavour, have low energy content, high proportion of indigestible fibre, and antioxidant constituents. They have good medicinal values, and they contain significant amounts of vitamins, and minerals. This book discusses the cultivation of mushrooms along with the antioxidant properties mushrooms have. The book also provides information on the health benefits edible mushrooms may have on the human body.

Read more less

Book SynopsisWater is an essential natural resource for life. Nowadays, water contamination is a common issue due to a variety of sources but mainly of anthropogenic origin, such as urban and industrial wastes. Methods for evaluating water availability and reliability in supplying needs for agricultural, municipal, and industrial water use, environmental flows, electric energy generation, and reservoir storage are described in this book. This book also discusses chemical threats in drinking water; removal of radioactivity from drinking water; and irrigation agriculture.

Read more less