Ecological science, the Biosphere Books

Book SynopsisThis is the second edition of Freshwater Algae; the popular guide to temperate freshwater algae. This book uniquely combines practical information on sampling and experimental techniques with an explanation of basic algal taxonomy plus a key to identify the more frequently-occurring organisms. Fully revised, it describes major bioindicator species in relation to key environmental parameters and their implications for aquatic management. This second edition includes: the same clear writing style as the first edition to provide an easily accessible source of information on algae within standing and flowing waters, and the problems they may cause the identification of 250 algae using a key based on readily observable morphological features that can be readily observed under a conventional light microscope up-to-date information on the molecular determination of taxonomic status, analytical microtechniques and the potential roleTable of ContentsPreface to the First Edition ix Preface to the Second Edition xi Acknowledgements xiii 1 Introduction to Freshwater Algae 1 1.1 General introduction 1 1.1.1 Algae – an overview 1 1.1.2 Algae as primary producers 2 1.1.3 Freshwater environments 2 1.1.4 Planktonic and benthic algae 2 1.1.5 Size and shape 4 1.2 Taxonomic variation – the major groups of algae 5 1.2.1 Microscopical appearance 8 1.2.2 Biochemistry and cell structure 8 1.2.3 Molecular characterisation and identification 10 1.3 Blue-green algae 13 1.3.1 Cytology 13 1.3.2 Morphological and taxonomic diversity 14 1.3.3 Ecology 15 1.3.4 Blue-green algae as bioindicators 16 1.4 Green algae 17 1.4.1 Cytology 18 1.4.2 Morphological diversity 18 1.4.3 Ecology 19 1.4.4 Green algae as bioindicators 22 1.5 Euglenoids 22 1.5.1 Cytology 23 1.5.2 Morphological diversity 23 1.5.3 Ecology 24 1.5.4 Euglenoids as bioindicators 24 1.6 Yellow-green algae 24 1.6.1 Cytology 24 1.6.2 Morphological diversity 25 1.6.3 Ecology 25 1.6.4 Yellow-green algae as bioindicators 26 1.7 Dinoflagellates 26 1.7.1 Cytology 26 1.7.2 Morphological diversity 28 1.7.3 Ecology 28 1.8 Cryptomonads 29 1.8.1 Cytology 29 1.8.2 Comparison with euglenoid algae 30 1.8.3 Biodiversity 31 1.8.4 Ecology 31 1.8.5 Cryptomonads as bioindicators 32 1.9 Chrysophytes 32 1.9.1 Cytology 32 1.9.2 Morphological diversity 32 1.9.3 Ecology 32 1.9.4 Chrysophytes as bioindicators 33 1.10 Diatoms 34 1.10.1 Cytology 35 1.10.2 Morphological diversity 38 1.10.3 Ecology 40 1.10.4 Diatoms as bioindicators 41 1.11 Red algae 41 1.12 Brown algae 42 2 Sampling, Biomass Estimation and Counts of Freshwater Algae 43 A. PLANKTONIC ALGAE 43 2.1 Protocol for collection 43 2.1.1 Standing water phytoplankton 44 2.1.2 River phytoplankton 47 2.2 Mode of collection 48 2.2.1 Phytoplankton trawl net 48 2.2.2 Volume samplers 50 2.2.3 Integrated sampling 51 2.2.4 Sediment traps 52 2.3 Phytoplankton biomass 53 2.3.1 Turbidity 53 2.3.2 Dry weight and ash-free dry weight 54 2.3.3 Pigment concentrations 55 2.4 Flow cytometry: automated analysis of phytoplankton populations 60 2.5 Biodiversity of mixed-species populations: microscope counts and biovolumes 63 2.5.1 Sample preservation and processing 63 2.5.2 Chemical cleaning of diatoms 64 2.5.3 Species counts 65 2.5.4 Conversion of species counts to biovolumes 72 2.5.5 Indices of biodiversity 77 2.6 Biodiversity within single-species populations 78 2.6.1 Molecular analysis 78 2.6.2 Analytical microscopical techniques 79 B. NON-PLANKTONIC ALGAE 83 2.7 Deep-water benthic algae 84 2.7.1 Benthic-pelagic coupling 84 2.7.2 Benthic algae and sediment stability 85 2.7.3 Invertebrate grazing of benthic algae 86 2.8 Shallow-water communities 86 2.8.1 Substrate 86 2.8.2 Algal communities 89 2.9 Algal biofilms 90 2.9.1 Mucilaginous biofilms 91 2.9.2 Biomass 91 2.9.3 Taxonomic composition 92 2.9.4 Matrix structure 94 2.10 Periphyton – algal mats 95 2.10.1 Inorganic substratum 95 2.10.2 Plant surfaces 95 3 Algae as Bioindicators 101 3.1 Bioindicators and water quality 101 3.1.1 Biomarkers and bioindicators 101 3.1.2 Characteristics of bioindicators 102 3.1.3 Biological monitoring versus chemical measurements 103 3.1.4 Monitoring water quality: objectives 104 3.2 Lakes 107 3.2.1 Contemporary planktonic and attached algae as bioindicators 107 3.2.2 Fossil algae as bioindicators: lake sediment analysis 108 3.2.3 Water quality parameters: inorganic and organic nutrients, acidity and heavy metals 111 3.3 Wetlands 121 3.3.1 Marshes 121 3.3.2 Peatlands 123 3.4 Rivers 123 3.4.1 The periphyton community 123 3.4.2 River diatoms 123 3.4.3 Evaluation of the diatom community 124 3.4.4 Human impacts and diatom indices 126 3.4.5 Calculation of diatom indices 128 3.4.6 Practical applications of diatom indices 130 3.4.7 Nitrogen-fixing blue-green algae 135 3.5 Estuaries 135 3.5.1 Ecosystem complexity 136 3.5.2 Algae as estuarine bioindicators 137 4 A Key to the More Frequently Occurring Freshwater Algae 141 4.1 Introduction to the key 141 4.1.1 Using the key 141 4.1.2 Morphological groupings 142 4.2 Key to the main genera and species 142 4.3 List of algae included and their occurrence in the key 249 4.4 Algal identification: bibliography 251 Glossary 253 References 259 Index 269

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Book SynopsisIntroduction to Population Ecology,2nd Editionis a comprehensive textbook covering all aspects of population ecology. It uses a wide variety of field and laboratory examples, botanical to zoological, from the tropics to the tundra, to illustrate the fundamental laws of population ecology. Controversies in population ecology are brought fully up to date in this edition, with many brand new and revised examples and data. Each chapter provides an overview of how population theory has developed, followed by descriptions of laboratory and field studies that have been inspired by the theory.Topics explored include single-species population growth and self-limitation, life histories, metapopulations and a wide range of interspecific interactions including competition, mutualism, parasite-host, predator-prey and plant-herbivore. An additional final chapter, new for the second edition, considers multi-trophic and other complex interactions among species. ThroTable of ContentsPreface ix Acknowledgments xi About the companion website xiii Part 1 Single species populations 1 1 Density independent growth 5 1.1 Introduction 5 1.2 Fundamentals of population growth 8 1.3 Types of models 10 1.4 Density independent versus density dependent growth 12 1.5 Discrete or "geometric" growth in populations with non-overlapping generations 12 1.6 Exponential growth in populations with overlapping generations 16 1.7 Examples of exponential growth 18 1.8 Applications to human populations 19 1.9 The finite rate of increase (λ) and the intrinsic rate of increase (τ) 23 1.10 Stochastic models of population growth and population viability analysis 25 1.11 Conclusions 30 References 30 2 Density dependent growth and intraspecific competition 33 2.1 Introduction 33 2.2 Density dependence in populations with discrete generations 37 2.3 Density dependence in populations with overlapping generations 42 2.4 Nonlinear density dependence of birth and death rates and the Allee effect 46 2.5 Time lags and limit cycles 51 2.6 Chaos and behavior of the discrete logistic model 53 2.7 Adding stochasticity to density dependent models 54 2.8 Laboratory and field data 55 2.9 Behavioral aspects of intraspecific competition 60 2.10 Summary 64 References 64 3 Population regulation 69 3.1 Introduction 69 3.2 What is population regulation? 70 3.3 Combining density-dependent and density-independent factors 71 3.4 Tests of density dependence 73 3.5 Summary 77 References 78 4 Populations with age structures 81 4.1 Introduction 81 4.2 Survivorship 83 4.3 Fertility 90 4.4 Mortality curves 94 4.5 Expectation of life 96 4.6 Net reproductive rate, generation time, and the intrinsic rate of increase 97 4.7 Age structure and the stable age distribution 99 4.8 Projecting population growth in age-structured populations 99 4.9 The Leslie or population projection matrix 102 4.10 A second version of the Leslie matrix 103 4.11 The Lefkovitch modification of the Leslie matrix 104 4.12 Dominant latent roots and the characteristic equation 105 4.13 Reproductive value 107 4.14 Conclusions: sensitivity analysis 109 References 112 5 Metapopulation ecology 115 5.1 Introduction 115 5.2 Metapopulations and spatial ecology 116 5.3 MacArthur and Wilson and the equilibrium theory 120 5.4 The Levins or classical metapopulation 124 5.5 Lande's extension of the Levins model 125 5.6 Extinction in metapopulations 127 5.7 Metapopulation dynamics of two local populations 127 5.8 Source-sink metapopulations and the rescue effect 129 5.9 Nonequilibrium and patchy metapopulations 130 5.10 Spatially realistic models 130 5.11 Assumptions and evidence for the existence of metapopulations in nature 135 5.12 Summary 138 References 139 6 Life history strategies 145 6.1 Introduction 145 6.2 Power laws 149 6.3 The metabolic theory of ecology 152 6.4 Cole and Lewontin 154 6.5 The theory of τ- and κ-selection versus fast and slow life histories 159 6.6 Cost of reproduction and allocation of energy 162 6.7 Clutch size 163 6.8 Latitudinal gradients in clutch size 164 6.9 The effects of predation and disease on life history characteristics 165 6.10 Bet-hedging 166 6.11 The Grime general model for three evolutionary strategies in plants 166 6.12 Summary 168 References 168 Part 2 Interspecific interactions among populations 173 7 Interspecific competition 177 7.1 Introduction 177 7.2 Interspecific competition: early experiments and the competitive exclusion principle 178 7.3 The Lotka–Volterra competition equations 180 7.4 Laboratory experiments and competition 186 7.5 Resource-based competition theory 187 7.6 Spatial competition and the competition-colonization trade-off 194 7.7 Evidence for competition from nature 196 7.8 Indirect evidence for competition and "natural experiments" 198 7.9 Summary 205 References 205 8 Mutualism 209 8.1 Introduction 209 8.2 Ant–plant mutualisms 210 8.3 Modeling mutualism 215 8.4 Summary: the costs of mutualism 217 References 217 9 Host–parasite interactions 221 9.1 Introduction 221 9.2 Factors affecting microparasite population biology 223 9.3 Modeling host–microparasite interactions 224 9.4 Dynamics of the disease 226 9.5 Immunization 229 9.6 Endangered metapopulations and disease 230 9.7 Social parasites 232 9.8 Summary 235 References 235 10 Predator/prey interactions 239 10.1 Introduction 239 10.2 The Lotka-Volterra equations 248 10.3 Early tests of the Lotka–Volterra models 250 10.4 Functional responses 252 10.5 Adding prey density dependence and the type II and III functional responses to the Lotka-Volterra equations 256 10.6 The graphical analyses of Rosenzweig and MacArthur 258 10.7 Use of a half saturation constant in predator/prey interactions 262 10.8 Parasitoid/host interactions and the Nicholson–Bailey models 264 10.9 Section summary 267 10.10 Field studies 268 10.11 The dangers of a predatory lifestyle 277 10.12 Escape from predation 277 10.13 Summary 281 References 282 11 Plant–herbivore interactions 287 11.1 Introduction 287 11.2 Classes of chemical defenses 289 11.3 Constitutive versus Induced Defense 294 11.4 Plant communication 296 11.5 Novel defenses/herbivore responses 296 11.6 Detoxification of plant compounds by herbivores 297 11.7 Plant apparency and chemical defense 298 11.8 Soil fertility and chemical defense 299 11.9 Modeling plant–herbivore population dynamics 299 11.10 Summary: the complexities of herbivore–plant interactions 303 References 306 12 Multi-trophic interactions 311Jonathan Witt 12.1 Introduction 311 12.2 Trophic cascades 312 12.3 Trophic cascades and antropogenic change 317 12.4 Intraguild predation 319 12.5 Intraguild predation and prey suppression 321 12.6 Intraguild predation and mesopredator release 322 12.7 Cannibalism 323 References 326 Appendix 1: Problem sets 333 Appendix 2: Matrix algebra: the basics 337 Appendix 3: List of mathematical symbols used in this book 343 Index 351

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Book SynopsisThe new edition of this established textbook, now with full colour illustration, has been extensively revised and continues to provide a comprehensive, stimulating, readable and authoritative coverage of freshwater habitats, their communities and their functioning, the world over. The work will be of great value to undergraduate and graduate students, fellow researchers and water managers, and the plain language and lack of jargon should make it accessible to anyone interested in the functioning and current state of lakes and rivers. Having taught and researched over fifty years and six continents, Professor Brian Moss makes here extensive use of his personal experience as well as the huge literature now available on freshwaters. This is the fifth edition of his textbook, which, since the first edition in 1980, has steadily evolved to reflect a rapidly changing science and environment. It places increasing emphasis on the role of people in damaging and managing freshwatTable of ContentsPreface: why? xiii 1 The world as it was and the world as it is 1 1.1 Early ecological history 1 1.2 The more recent past 5 1.3 Characteristics of freshwater organisms 7 1.4 Freshwater biodiversity 8 1.5 A spanner in the works? 11 1.6 Politics and pollution 14 1.7 On the nature of textbooks 15 1.8 Further reading 17 2 Early evolution and diversity of freshwater organisms 18 2.1 Introduction 18 2.2 The freshwater biota 19 2.3 Bacteria 20 2.4 The variety of bacteria 22 2.5 Viruses 24 2.6 Two sorts of cells 25 2.7 The diversity of microbial eukaryotes 27 2.8 Algae 28 2.9 Kingdoms of eukaryotes 30 2.10 Further reading 37 3 Diversity continued: multicellular organisms in freshwaters 38 3.1 Introduction 38 3.2 Osmoregulation 38 3.3 Reproduction, resting stages and aestivation 39 3.4 Getting enough oxygen 41 3.5 Insects 41 3.6 Big animals, air‐breathers and swamps 42 3.7 Dispersal among freshwaters 44 3.8 Patterns in freshwater diversity 46 3.9 Fish faunas 49 3.10 The fish of Lake Victoria 51 3.11 Overall diversity in freshwaters 53 3.12 Environmental DNA 56 3.13 Further reading 57 4 Water: a remarkable unremarkable substance 58 4.1 Introduction 58 4.2 The molecular properties of water and their physical consequences 59 4.3 Melting and evaporation 60 4.4 How much water is there and where is it? 61 4.5 Patterns in hydrology 62 4.6 Bodies of water and their temperatures 66 4.7 An overview of mixing patterns 70 4.8 Viscosity of water and fluid dynamics 71 4.9 Diffusion 73 4.10 Further reading 73 5 Water as a habitat: some background water chemistry 74 5.1 Introduction 74 5.2 Polar and covalent compounds 74 5.3 The atmosphere 75 5.4 Carbon dioxide 76 5.5 Major ions 77 5.6 The big picture 81 5.7 Further reading 83 6 Key nutrients, trace elements and organic matter 84 6.1 Introduction 84 6.2 Concepts of limiting substances 85 6.3 Experiments on nutrient limitation 86 6.4 Nutrient supply and need 91 6.5 Phosphorus 91 6.6 Nitrogen 92 6.7 Pristine concentrations 93 6.8 Trace elements and silicon 96 6.9 Organic substances 98 6.10 Substance budgets and movements 101 6.11 Sediment-water relationships 104 6.12 Further reading 106 7 Light thrown upon the waters 108 7.1 Light 108 7.2 Effects of the atmosphere 109 7.3 From above to under the water 110 7.4 Remote sensing 114 7.5 Further reading 116 8 Headwater streams and rivers 118 8.1 Introduction 118 8.2 General models of stream ecosystems 118 8.3 The basics of stream flow 121 8.4 Flow and discharge 122 8.5 Laminar and turbulent flow 122 8.6 Particles carried 124 8.7 The response of stream organisms to shear stress 125 8.8 Community composition in streams 126 8.9 Algal and plant communities 127 8.10 Macroinvertebrates 128 8.11 Streams in different climates: the polar and alpine zones 132 8.12 Invertebrates of kryal streams 134 8.13 Food webs in cold streams 135 8.14 Stream systems in the cold‐temperate zone 137 8.15 Allochthonous sources of energy 139 8.16 Stream orders 140 8.17 The river continuum concept 141 8.18 Indirectly, wolves are stream animals too 142 8.19 Scarcity of nutrients 143 8.20 Warm‐temperate streams 144 8.21 Desert streams 147 8.22 Tropical streams 148 8.23 Further reading 152 9 Uses, misuses and restoration of headwater streams and rivers 154 9.1 Traditional use of headwater river systems 154 9.2 Deforestation 156 9.3 Acidification 157 9.4 Eutrophication 162 9.5 Commercial afforestation 163 9.6 Settlement 164 9.7 Engineering impacts 166 9.8 Alterations of the fish community and introduced species 168 9.9 Sewage and toxic pollution and their treatment 170 9.10 Diffuse pollution 174 9.11 River monitoring 176 9.12 The Water Framework Directive 177 9.13 Implementation of the Directive 178 9.14 Restoration and rehabilitation ecology 180 9.15 Further reading 183 10 Rich systems: floodplain rivers 185 10.1 Introduction 185 10.2 From an erosive river to a depositional one 187 10.3 Submerged plants 188 10.4 Growth of submerged plants 190 10.5 Methods of measuring the primary productivity of submerged plants 193 10.6 Enclosure methods 194 10.7 Other methods 195 10.8 Submerged plants and the river ecosystem 196 10.9 Farther downstream: swamps and floodplains 196 10.10 Productivity of swamps and floodplain marshes 198 10.11 Swamp soils and the fate of the high primary production 199 10.12 Oxygen supply and soil chemistry in swamps 200 10.13 Emergent plants and flooded soils 202 10.14 Swamp and marsh animals 204 10.15 Whitefish and blackfish 205 10.16 Latitudinal differences in floodplains 206 10.17 Polar floodplains 207 10.18 Cold‐temperate floodplains 208 10.19 Warm‐temperate floodplains 209 10.20 Tropical floodplains 211 10.21 The Sudd 212 10.22 Further reading 215 11 Floodplains and human affairs 216 11.1 Introduction 216 11.2 Floodplain services 218 11.3 Floodplain fisheries 220 11.4 Floodplain swamps and human diseases 222 11.5 Case studies: the Pongola River 226 11.6 River and floodplain management and rehabilitation 231 11.7 Mitigation: plant bed management in rivers 231 11.8 Enhancement 234 11.9 Rehabilitation 236 11.10 Inter‐basin transfers and water needs 238 11.11 Further reading 240 12 Lakes and other standing waters 242 12.1 Introduction 242 12.2 The origins of lake basins 244 12.3 Lake structure 248 12.4 The importance of the catchment area 254 12.5 Lakes as autotrophic or heterotrophic systems 255 12.6 The continuum of lakes 258 12.7 Lake history 263 12.8 Organic remains 267 12.9 General problems of interpretation of evidence from sediment cores 269 12.10 Two ancient lakes 270 12.11 Younger lakes 271 12.12 Filling in 276 12.13 Summing‐up 278 12.14 Further reading 278 13 The communities of shallow standing waters: mires,shallow lakes and the littoral zone 280 13.1 Introduction 280 13.2 What determines the nature of mires and littoral zones? 280 13.3 Temperature 281 13.4 Nutrients 282 13.5 Littoral communities in lakes 286 13.6 The structure of littoral communities 288 13.7 Periphyton 291 13.8 Heterotrophs among the plants 292 13.9 Neuston 295 13.10 Linkages, risks and insurances among the littoral communities 296 13.11 Latitude and littorals 297 13.12 The role of the nekton 299 13.13 Further reading 301 14 Plankton communities of the pelagic zone 304 14.1 Kitchens and toilets 304 14.2 Phytoplankton and sinking 306 14.3 Photosynthesis and growth of phytoplankton 309 14.4 Net production and growth 310 14.5 Nutrient uptake and growth rates of phytoplankton 311 14.6 Distribution of freshwater phytoplankton 312 14.7 Washout 314 14.8 Cyanobacterial blooms 314 14.9 Heterotrophs in the plankton: viruses and bacteria 319 14.10 The microbial pathway 320 14.11 Zooplankton 321 14.12 Grazing 324 14.13 Feeding and grazing rates of zooplankton 328 14.14 Competition and predation among grazers 328 14.15 Predation on zooplankters by invertebrates 330 14.16 Fishes in the open‐water community 333 14.17 Predation on the zooplankton and fish production 335 14.18 Avoidance of vertebrate predation by the zooplankton 338 14.19 Piscivores and piscivory 340 14.20 Functioning of the open‐water community 340 14.21 Polar lakes 342 14.22 Cold‐temperate lakes 343 14.23 Warm‐temperate lakes 346 14.24 Very warm lakes in the tropics 347 14.25 Further reading 349 15 The profundal zone and carbon storage 352 15.1 The end of the line 352 15.2 The importance of oxygen 353 15.3 Profundal communities 356 15.4 Biology of selected benthic invertebrates 357 15.5 What the sediment‐living detritivores really eat 359 15.6 Influence of the open‐water community on the profundal benthos 361 15.7 Sediment storage and the global carbon cycle 365 15.8 Further reading 370 16 Fisheries in standing waters 371 16.1 Some general principles 371 16.2 Some basic fish biology 372 16.3 Eggs 372 16.4 Feeding 374 16.5 Breeding 375 16.6 Choice of fish for a fishery 379 16.7 Measurement of fish production 379 16.8 Growth measurement 381 16.9 Fish production and commercial fisheries in lakes 383 16.10 Changes in fisheries: a case study 387 16.11 The East African Great Lakes 390 16.12 Fish culture 395 16.13 Stillwater angling 400 16.14 Amenity culture and the aquarium trade 403 16.15 Further reading 405 17 The uses, abuses and restoration of standing waters 406 17.1 Introduction 406 17.2 Services provided by standing waters 408 17.3 Domestic water supply, eutrophication and reservoirs 409 17.4 Eutrophication – nutrient pollution 410 17.5 Dams and reservoirs 415 17.6 Fisheries in new lakes 418 17.7 Effects downstream of the new lake 419 17.8 New tropical lakes and human populations 419 17.9 Man‐made tropical lakes, the balance of pros and cons 419 17.10 Amenity and conservation 421 17.11 The alternative states model 424 17.12 Ponds 426 17.13 Restoration approaches for standing waters: symptom treatment 426 17.14 Treatment of proximate causes: nutrient control 428 17.15 Present supplies of phosphorus, their relative contributions and how they are related to the algal crop 430 17.16 Methods available for reducing total phosphorus loads 430 17.17 In‐lake methods 434 17.18 Complications for phosphorus control – sediment sources 434 17.19 Nitrogen reduction 435 17.20 Habitat creation 436 17.21 Further reading 438 18 Climate change and the future of freshwaters 440 18.1 Introduction 440 18.2 Climate change 442 18.3 Existing effects of freshwaters 444 18.4 Future effects 449 18.5 Future effects on freshwaters 453 18.6 Switches and feedbacks 457 18.7 Wicked problems 464 18.8 Mitigation of global warming 468 18.9 The remedy of ultimate causes 468 18.10 Rewilding the world 474 18.11 Reforming governments 477 18.12 Further reading 479 References 483 Index 515

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewOur relationship with nature goes far beyond resources, amenity, or the scientific idea of an archive we learn to read. There are, as The Environment shows, ethical complexities in how we use and abuse the planet—and in how we frame its improbable riches.—NatureDespite the importance in recent decades of environmentalism, environmental protection, environmental science, and so on, there has been strikingly little discussion of what exactly the environment is. Paul Warde, Libby Robin, and Sverker Sörlin examine the history of the concept as it has developed since the end of the Second World War, when they argue it took on its modern significance. The book is strongest in tracing the ways that changes in scientific institutions helped develop the modern idea of environment, as well as in its discussion of the ways that idea entered the popular imagination through works by Rachel Carson and others.—Environmental HistoryThis engaging and accessible book should be required reading for anyone concerned with the development of 'the environment' as a conceptual lodestone of both science and politics in the mid- to late-twentieth century. Moreover, it will be richly rewarding for anyone wishing to teach, research, or simply better understand the path dependencies and political dynamics of environmental issues today.—Local EnvironmentDemonstrates the power of history to speak into the present. A wonderfully succinct, compelling, and revealing piece of writing.—Australian Book ReviewThis is a highly recommended book that agricultural and rural historians will appreciate the significance of in tracing the history of the environment. It will be of interest to a wide academic readership, including historians of the environment, ideas, politics, science and technology. More importantly, this book deserves to be read by the wider public as it explains how perceptions of the environment have evolved relative to the history of the twentieth century. Understanding this history can inform contemporary responses to present and future environmental issues.—Agricultural History ReviewTable of ContentsAcknowledgmentsPrologueChapter 1. Road to SurvivalChapter 2. Expertise for the FutureChapter 3. Resources for FreedomChapter 4. Ecology on the MarchChapter 5. Climate Enters the EnvironmentChapter 6. "The Earth Is One but the World Is NotChapter 7. Seeking a Safe FutureNotesBibliographic EssayIndex

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Book SynopsisThis new edition of Invasion Ecology provides a comprehensive and updated introduction to all aspects of biological invasion by non-native species. Highlighting important research findings associated with each stage of invasion, the book provides an overview of the invasion process from transportation patterns and causes of establishment success to ecological impacts, invader management, and post-invasion evolution. The authors have produced new chapters on predicting and preventing invasion, managing and eradicating invasive species, and invasion dynamics in a changing climate. Modern global trade and travel have led to unprecedented movement of non-native species by humans with unforeseen, interesting, and occasionally devastating consequences. Increasing recognition of the problems associated with invasion has led to a rapid growth in research into the dynamics of non-native species and their adverse effects on native biota and human economies. This book provides a synthesTrade Review“Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through graduate students, researchers/faculty, land managers, policy makers, and interested general readers.” (Choice, 1 February 2014) “Young scientists starting out in this field who read this book will not only gain an appreciation of our current state of knowledge, but, perhaps more importantly, will also learn where our knowledge is limited and what research questions are prime for tackling.” (Biological Conservation, 1 January 2014) “This is certainly by far still the best introduction to this important topic around, and those that bought the first edition should snap this one up also for the increased topicality. The work is also available in various electronic formats, which should further encourage its take-up by the current student generation.” (Biodivers Conserv, 1 September 2013) “Overall, I can fully recommend this book. As the 1st edition, this 2nd edition will be valuable for students, researchers, managers, and anybody else interested in bio- logical invasions. It reads very well and is technically well done; I spotted only few typos. The companion website (www.wiley.com/go/invasionecology) with down- loadable versions of the book’s figures and tables is also very useful.” (Basic and Applied Ecology, 1 October 2013)Table of ContentsPreface ix 1 An Introduction to Invasion Ecology 1 What are invaders and why do we care about them? 2 A brief history of invasion ecology 5 The wicked terminological web we weave 7 The invasion process 13 Summary 18 2 Transport Vectors and Pathways 24 What’s the difference between a vector and a pathway? 25 Does human-mediated dispersal differ from natural dispersal? 26 Transport vectors 29 Which species are transported via what vector group? 41 Dynamics of transport pathways 44 Summary 48 3 Trends in Numbers of Invaders 50 Invasion rates through time 51 Geographic patterns in numbers of invaders 63 Summary 72 4 Propagules 74 What are propagules? 75 Donor region and propagule pressure 75 Biological mechanisms 79 Empirical evidence 85 The hidden influence of propagule pressure 92 Summary 97 5 Disturbance 99 History and definition of disturbance 100 Disturbance facilitates invasion? 104 Restoration and disturbance 112 Agriculture and urbanization as disturbance 115 Biotic disturbance 118 Summary 127 6 Establishment Success: The Influence of Biotic Interactions 129 Conceptual issues 130 Resistance to invasion 131 Facilitation of establishment 146 Summary 155 7 Modeling the Geographical Spread of Invasive Species 157 What exactly is geographical spread? 158 Why do we want to model geographical spread? 162 The reaction–diffusion model 163 Long-distance dispersal 170 Directional dispersal 173 Stratified dispersal 176 Other forms of heterogeneity 182 Summary 187 8 Ecological Processes and the Spread of Non-native Species 189 Population growth 190 Dispersal 194 Biotic interactions 202 The role of heterogeneity 207 Lag times 210 Boom and bust 215 Summary 216 9 Ecological Impacts of Invasive Species 218 Genetic impacts 219 Individual impacts 222 Population impacts 228 Community impacts 233 Ecosystem impacts 240 Landscape, regional, and global impacts 242 Summary 244 10 Impact Synthesis 246 Perception and recognition of impact 247 Integrating perception with ecological determinants of impact 255 A theory of impact? 258 Finding common currencies 263 A cross-stage impact formula 273 Summary 275 11 Evolution of Invaders 277 Founding process 279 Losses and gains in genetic variability via transport mechanisms 279 Genetics and post-release success 288 Local adaptation and life-history evolution 291 Evolution of native species in response to non-natives 296 Summary 298 12 Predicting and Preventing Invasion 299 Explanation versus risk assessment 301 Inherent limitations to prediction 301 Risk analysis 303 Screening risky species 304 Screening risky transportation vectors 317 Summary 333 13 Eradication and Control of Invaders 335 Cause for optimism? 336 Rapid response 337 Lazarus effect 343 Long-term control 346 Sisyphus effect 350 Summary 354 14 Global Climate Change and Invasive Species 356 Global climate change 101 357 Non-native species and global climate change 364 Transport 365 Establishment 368 Spread 373 Impact 379 Human responses 387 Summary 391 References 393 Index 428 A colour plate section falls between pages 372 and 373

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Book SynopsisHow the path from climate change to a habitable future winds through the world’s forests  In recent years, planting a tree has become a catchall to represent “doing something good for the planet.” Many companies commit to planting a tree with every purchase. But who plants those trees and where? Will they flourish and offer the benefits that people expect? Can all the individual efforts around the world help remedy the ever-looming climate crisis?    In Treekeepers, Lauren E. Oakes takes us on a poetic and practical journey from the Scottish Highlands to the Panamanian jungle to meet the scientists, innovators, and local citizens who each offer part of the answer. Their work isn’t just about planting lots of trees, but also about understanding what it takes to grow or regrow a forest and to protect what remains. Throughout, Oakes shows the complex roles of forests in the fight against climate change, and of th

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Book SynopsisBringing Back the Beaver is farmer-turned-ecologist Derek Gow's inspirational and often riotously funny firsthand account of how the movement to rewild the British landscape with beavers has become the single most dramatic and subversive nature conservation act of the modern era.

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Book SynopsisThe bestselling textbook for undergraduate ecology courses, Ecology is an easy-to-read and well-organized text for instructors and students to explore the basics of the field. Bowman and Hacker motivate students with an engaging case study-driven, conceptual approach that highlights relevant applications and data-driven examples.Trade ReviewEcology is a well-structured and sufficiently detailed introductory exposure to the field of ecology, with excellent supporting materials to enable a quantitative understanding of the fundamentals of ecology. * Brian Benscoter, Florida Atlantic University *A great ecology text with all the major concepts introduced and clear examples needed to give undergraduates a solid background in ecology. * Stephen Conrad, Indiana Wesleyan University *Ecology is an easy-to-ready text that is engaging for students and has broad coverage of the topics that are central to ecology. * Blaine Griffen, Brigham Young University *Ecology presents material in a very effective way, while also bringing in lots of real world literature and captivating examples. * Patrick Cain, George Gwinnett College *Table of Contents1. The Web of Life Unit 1: Organisms and Their Environment 2. The Physical Environment 3. The Biosphere 4. Coping with Environmental Variation: Temperature and Water 5. Coping with Environmental Variation: Energy Unit 2: Evolutionary Ecology 6. Evolution and Ecology 7. Life History 8. Behavioral Ecology Unit 3: Populations 9. Population Distribution and Abundance 10. Population Dynamics 11. Population Growth and Regulation Unit 4: Species Interactions 12. Predation 13. Parasitism 14. Competition 15. Mutualism and Commensalism Unit 5: Communities 16. The Nature of Communities 17. Change in Communities 18. Biogeography 19. Species Diversity in Communities Unit 6: Ecosystems 20. Production 21. Energy Flow and Food Webs 22. Nutrient Supply and Cycling Unit 7: Applied and Large-Scale Ecology 23. Conservation Biology 24. Landscape Ecology and Ecosystem Management 25. Global Ecology Appendix: Some Metric Measurements Used in Ecology

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Book SynopsisThe Eurasian beaver was near extinction at the start of the twentieth century, hunted across Europe for its fur, meat and castoreum. But now the beaver is on the brink of a comeback, with wild beaver populations, licensed and unlicensed, emerging all over Britain. As a keystone species, the beaver plays a vital role in the creation of sustainable wetland habitats through its damming activities, providing living opportunities for a broad spectrum of wildlife. Yet as proposals for reintroducing beavers are underway, re-establishing the beaver in Britain is still a controversial issue. This book presents a case for our future coexistence with beavers by providing factual information on this species that has now passed from national memory, covering the biology, behaviour and ecology of the Eurasian beaver in a British context, from their early history in archaeology and folklore to their contemporary field signs in the wild. This book familiarises readers once again, after almost 400 years of its absence, with the Eurasian beaver, providing essential information on its requirements in our human dominated landscape. This book is for those with a specific interest in beavers and their reintroduction, and for anyone with a general curiosity in natural history, ecology or animal behaviour. It can be used as a field guide to identify beaver field signs and observe beavers in the wild by wildlife surveyors or general land users, or as an introductory guide for anyone with an interest in beavers and how to recognise them. The authors have been actively involved in the study of beaver ecology, behaviour and reintroduction for many years. They have a first-hand knowledge of beavers in captivity and in the wild in both Britain and a range of other European countries.Trade ReviewThe authors provide an update on their experiences direct from the field, the quarantine area and the veterinary table. This fascinating book promotes a future co-existence with beavers in Britain by providing factual information on their biology, behaviour and the habitats they help to generate. This remarkable, unassuming animal has the capacity to help renaturalise our rivers, re-create areas of wetland, increase biodiversity, provide natural flood defence, protect soils and filter and purify our water. -- Nick Mott Staffordshire Wildlife This admirable little book tells you all you are ever likely to want to know about the beaver. It is illustrated with many photos of the animal and its habitat, with maps showing its distribution and tables of the plants it eats and the signs it leaves. Despite the text being only 44 pages long, the authors cover everything you might want to know about these fascinating rodents. Beavers are being re-introduced to Scotland and Devon but it is very unlikely that they will find their way to Derbyshire. So you will have to travel if you want to see them for yourself. My only encounter with beavers was on holiday in Estonia. Kath and I stopped in Soomaa National Park and wandered about in the forests finding both felled trees and huge beaver lodges. One evening while walking by a stream, we were startled by the amazingly loud 'slap' of a beaver's tail close to us. This loud noise warns the animal's family of danger. It's a remarkable and unmistakeable sound which certainly scared the life out of us! A ripple running down the stream was the closest we came to seeing one. One thing I had never realised was that Beverley in Yorkshire gets its name from the beaver. And another; that beavers don't eat coniferous trees though they sometimes fell them to use as lodge-building material. -- Derbyshire Wildlife Trust Derbyshire Wildlife TrustTable of ContentsChapters include: Introduction: folklore and history. Beaver Biology and Behaviours: taxonomy; identification; adaptations for a semi-aquatic lifestyle; adaptations for a life on land; breeding; social behaviour; defensive behaviours; chemical communication and scent marking behaviours; food processing and foraging behaviour. Habitat and Population Biology: life history; movements, activity and territoriality. Beaver Field Signs: teeth marks; felled and gnawed trees; grazing lawns/vascular plants; feeding stations; foraging trails; lodges and burrows; dams; canals; scent mounds; faeces; tracks/prints. Observing Beavers: remote camera trapping. Beavers in Modern Landscapes: beavers and the law; beavers as ecosystem engineers; the return of the beaver.

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Book SynopsisHigh above the mountaintops on the Isle of Mull, a huge bird is soaring. Its all-encompassing gaze records people in its Hebridean territory far below, but they are of no interest. The eagle is about its business: concentrating on the deer and fidgety hares out grazing in the morning sun, the urgent push of thermals beneath its wings, a threatening weather front way out at sea, and the restless chick back in its eyrie. This is Mull in its glory. This is what the excited, watching people have travelled so far to witness. They train their binoculars and admire, perhaps envy, the eagle with its vast freedom, knowing that such a self-willed being is part of another world – almost. This book guides the reader through that world. With superb illustrations and illuminating text, we are led to the wild side of Mull. Every facet of the island’s natural history is considered, its diverse species and many stories – past, present and future. Along the way we are reminded that wildness is not somehow separate from the human world but influenced, and shared, by nature and people together. Here is the tale of a precious and unique place, a seaborne landscape that displays an uncommon biodiversity and rare wildlife experiences, although today it also faces its greatest challenges. Most of all, this book is testimony to the power of wild places and the duty we have to learn from and protect them.Trade ReviewThis is a very attractive book which deals with a very attractive place which is rich in wildlife. If you are a naturalist visiting Mull then you should read this book, luxuriate in the images, imagine you’ll see all the wildlife and plan your trip ahead of setting off, and take the book with you for your visit. For this is a very good guide to Mull, for those naturally inclined. -- Mark Avery * author and environmental campaigner *The authors' love of Mull and empathy with Scottish culture comes across strongly...It’s the kind of book that deserves a prominent place on the bookshelves of anyone with any kind of interest in Mull and its surrounding islands, and would be invaluable in the rucksack when you are out and about on our beautiful island of Mull. -- Anne Cleave * Mull Historical & Archaeological Society *Every element is given the same attention and balanced approach that clearly stems from a deep love of Mull and its surrounding environment. The images from the island are something special...You get a sense of the joy the authors had in capturing the life and detail in the landscape. -- Kirsteen Bell * The Oban Times *Weaves together the animals, landscapes and people of this incredible island...Poetic in its descriptions of the resident creatures it also effectively gives them a voice and a place in the history and the future of this Hebridean gem. -- Kenny Smith * Scottish Field *A beautiful book and with sumptuous photos of all the species throughout…Wild Mull has been written by two exceptional field naturalists which adds to the enjoyment of the reading experience. Naturalists will love this book. -- Steven Rutherford * Honorary Chairman British Naturalists’ Association *Stephen has delved deep into the history, which makes the book a great reference work. Mull deserves this coverage, and the beautiful pictures taken by Martin Jones greatly enhance the book. -- John Miles * Scottish Birds *Wild Mull is a wonderful guide to the island, its wildlife, people and history. Profusely illustrated, I would certainly want to read this before visiting, and probably take it with me. -- Gordon Hamlett, Birdwatchers, Best Bird Books of the YearWild Mull has all the ingredients of a truly enjoyable read. It is a beautiful depiction of a place and a reference guide that does justice to a unique island that fully deserves such masterful coverage. -- Laura C. Thubron, Glasgow Natural History MuseumThis book is a good meld of natural and human history, anecdotes and facts and a useful reference for those visiting or with an interest in Mull. -- Dan Brown, British BirdsInformative, inspiring and a great guide should you ever visit… and you will want to when you’ve read this book! -- Bo Beolens (Fatbirder)Very enjoyable... This is a great book to dip into and interesting facts can be found on just about every page. -- Sandy McNeil * De Tha Dol *Table of ContentsForeword by Mark Cocker Introduction 1 The Fairest of the Isles 2 The Land that Holds the Life 3 People and the Shaping of Mull 4 Invasions, Extinctions and Mull’s Own ‘Gene Genie’ 5 Fangs, Fins and Fur 6 Raptors of Eagle Island 7 In Their Element – the Seabirds 8 Extraordinary Landbirds 9 The Kingdom of the Celtic Rainforest 10 Plants of Place and Purpose 11 Life Beyond the Strandline 12 Beautiful Beasties Postscript: The Forever Future Acknowledgements and Photographers’ Credits Bibliography Useful Contacts for Further Information Watching and Photographing Wildlife on Mull List of Species Referred to in the Text Index

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Book SynopsisTells the story, in diary form, of one season in a Little Tern breeding colony on the Yorkshire coast. It shows how practical effort to monitor and protect one of our most threatened seabirds relates to wider questions about humans' relationship with the natural world.

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Book SynopsisThe UK has declared a 'climate emergency' and pledged to become carbon neutral by 2050. So how do we get there? Drawing on actions, policies and technologies already emerging around the world, Chris Goodall sets out the ways to achieve this. His proposals include: -Building a huge over-capacity of wind and solar energy, storing the excess as hydrogen. -Using hydrogen to fuel our trains, shipping, boilers and heavy industry, while electrifying buses, trucks and cars. -Farming - and eating - differently, encouraging plant-based alternatives to meat -paying farmers to plant and maintain woodlands. -Making fashion sustainable and aviation pay its way, funding synthetic fuels and genuine offsets. -Using technical solutions to capture CO2 from the air, and biochar to lock carbon in the soil. What We Need To Do Now is an urgent, practical and inspiring book that signals a green new deal for Britain.Trade ReviewThis is exactly the kind of mapping out that we need to make the zero carbon world happen. Chris Goodall's plan is well argued and delightfully readable.Chris Goodall is the kind of person we need to lead us to safety faced with climate change. I learned so much reading this book. It's crisp, superbly researched - and remarkably calm. We can do this.Praise for Ten Technologies: 'Brilliantly concise and clear-eyed.' * New Scientist *Praise for How to Live a Low-Carbon Life: 'Valuable ammunition for those who want to do something about global warming ... Goodall is a pioneer.' * Guardian *The Switch 'A highly readable book ... for anyone interested in the future of energy.' * Financial Times *

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Book SynopsisSloths are perhaps the most recognized and loved Central and South American animals, but despite their renown and popularity as cartoon characters, toys and memes, they are not well understood. This book offers a colourful, richly illustrated and wide-ranging account of the biological and cultural history of these fascinating mammals. Alan Rauch explores sloths' gigantic prehistoric ancestors and their evolution into the lethargic, green-hued creatures that live and survive in forest canopies today. From the tale of how sloths were named after a deadly sin to their current status as unflappable icons of a stress-free lifestyle, Sloth shows how fascinating, engaging and inspiring these animals are.Table of ContentsPreface 1 The Modern Sloth 2 Anatomy and Physiology 3 Sloth Species and Evolution 4 The Sin of Sloth and the Sloths of Sin 5 Sloths in Culture 6 Sloths, Conservation and Eco-Awareness Timeline References Select Bibliography Acknowledgements Photo Acknowledgements Index

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Book SynopsisDragonflies are among the most familiar and popular of all insects, deeply embedded in human cultural history. They are iconic and tell us much about the environments in which we and they live. Their conservation is an important part of biodiversity conservation.One modern dragonfly species is listed as extinct, with many others currently threatened. It is now essential to increase conservation efforts towards saving these threatened species, with strategies now available for doing this. Recovery of dragonfly populations goes hand in hand with improvements to both freshwater conditions and bank vegetation quality. In contrast, some other dragonfly species have benefitted greatly from human transformation of the landscape, with artificial ponds in particular, increasing the population levels of many species. In turn, climate change is seeing many geographical range shifts.Dragonflies are variously sensitive to the health of freshwater systems, and the quality of vegetation along rivers and around ponds. Dragonflies are excellent indicators in these times of great concern over the quality of our freshwater supplies. Their wide range of sensitivities enables us to measure the extent to which freshwater ecosystems are either deteriorating or are improving when we undertake restoration. They enable us to gauge how well we are conserving freshwaters, whether ponds and lakes, streams or rivers. They are also good umbrellas for many other freshwater inhabitants, which altogether reflect the health of a freshwater system.Conservation of Dragonflies: Sentinels for Freshwater Conservation is for naturalists, citizen scientists, entomologists and conservation scientists, as well as practitioners and policy makers around the world.

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Book SynopsisEcostacking is a new concept and approach which aims to maximize the benefits of ecosystem service providers in cropping systems to help achieve the goal of long-term sustainable agriculture and food production. The term "ecostacking" means combining synergistically the beneficial services of functional biodiversity from all levels and types. It is a comprehensive approach, where the various ecosystem service providers are fully integrated with the rest of the cropping system including agronomic practices. It is an approach which goes beyond conventional Integrated Pest Management practises, and attempts to take advantage of all the functional biodiversity of a system.The main focus of ecostacking is on maximizing ecosystem services for biological control and pollination from beneficial arthropods, but the approach also utilizes other invertebrates (e.g., earthworms) as well as beneficial vertebrates such as bats, birds and small mammals. Microbes also provide invaluable ec

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Book SynopsisThe Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus, is the most destructive and invasive termite species globally. It is also the only termite species listed in the world's 100 worst invasive alien species of the Global Invasive Species Database. Annually, its infestation costs more than $4 billion in control and damage repairs in the USA alone. This book is the first comprehensive resource drawing on all the literature on C. formosanus since Tokuichi Shiraki first described the species in 1909. The book covers the worldwide distribution of this species, its biogeography, and how it has dispersed from its native range in southern China and Taiwan to different parts of the world. It describes its present taxonomic status and discusses the species' biology, ecology, foraging behavior, physiology, chemical ecology and its association with symbionts. From a practical standpoint, the authors address all of the various management options for this species, such as baits, soil termiticides, wood preservatives, inspection and detection technologies, and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approaches. Lastly, there are chapters dedicated to another important destructive species, Coptotermes gestroi (the Asian subterranean termite), and the recently discovered C. formosanus/C. gestroi hybrids. This important book is an essential and valuable reference for researchers, graduate students, pest management professionals, chemical manufacturer personnel, building and property managers, and others. It provides readers with a comprehensive understanding of the biology and management of the Formosan subterranean termite and the Asian subterranean termite.Table of ContentsChapter 1: Introduction. By Nan-Yao Su and Chow-Yang Lee. Chapter 2: Biogeography of Coptotermes formosanus. By Rudolf H. Scheffrahn. Chapter 3: Taxonomic status of Coptotermes formosanus and related species. By Hou-Feng Li and Chia-Chien Wu. Chapter 4: A primer to termite biology: Coptotermes colony life cycle, development, and demographics. By Thomas Chouvenc. Chapter 5: Ecology and foraging behavior. By Nan-Yao Su. Chapter 6: Physiology of the Formosan subterranean termite, with special reference to wood degradation and metabolism. By Gaku Tokuda, Shuji Itakura, Nathan Lo. Chapter 7: Chemical Ecology. By Qian Sun. Chapter 8: Symbiosis and microbiome: a unique quadripartite system. By Claudia Husseneder. Chapter 9: Dispersal and genetic structure of colonies and populations. By Edward L. Vargo. Chapter 10: Inspection and monitoring. By Faith M. Oi. Chapter 11: Management using baits. By Nan-Yao Su. Chapter 12: Management of subterranean termites with liquid insecticides. By Chow-Yang Lee and Kok-Boon Neoh. Chapter 13: Prevention of damage to building materials using wood preservatives. By Wakako Ohmura and Koichi Yamamoto. Chapter 14: Alternative and experimental management methods. By J. Kenneth Grace. Chapter 15: IPM and area-wide population management. By Nan-Yao Su. Chapter 16: Asian Subterranean Termite, Coptermes gestroi. By Kok-Boon Neoh and Chow-Yang Lee. Chapter 17: Hybridization between Coptotermes formosanus and Coptotermes gestroi. By Thomas Chouvenc and Hou-Feng Li. Chapter. 18: Using Coptotermes for laboratory experiments: field collection, laboratory rearing and bioassay visualization. By Thomas Chouvenc. Chapter 19: More questions to answer

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Book SynopsisA bender is the British travellers' abode of choice. Built from little more than a tarpaulin and some thin hazel poles, people live in these snug, warm eco-homes the length and breadth of Britain. Like many sensible things, bender-life remains broadly illegal. In this Wooden Book, designed to last you until the oil runs out, a long-time bender-dweller finally reveals the fine art of the perfect British bender. WOODEN BOOKS are small but packed with information. "Fascinating" FINANCIAL TIMES. "Beautiful" LONDON REVIEW OF BOOKS. "Rich and Artful" THE LANCET. "Genuinely mind-expanding" FORTEAN TIMES. "Excellent" NEW SCIENTIST. "Stunning" NEW YORK TIMES. Small books, big ideas.

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Book SynopsisAn indispensable guide to identification, ecology and study of bumblebees. This new edition embraces the wealth of information published on bumblebee life history, ecology, foraging, parasites and conservation in recent years. It includes a new chapter on the very real threats to bumblebees; their crucial role as pollinators of our native flora and crops; ways to promote their survival; advantages and problems posed by their commercial use; as well as updated colour plates, keys and distribution maps of all British species (including Bombus hypnorum). The book introduces techniques and approaches to original work so that anyone with an interest can usefully contribute to furthering our understanding and appreciation of these wonderful and important insects.Trade ReviewOne of the strengths of this guide is that it encouraqes the field study of bumblebees and suqgests ways of going about it. It is good to see it back again, for a new generation and with a new publisher. -- Peter Marren * British Wildlife *Table of ContentsIntroduction; Distribution and recognition; The natural history of true bumblebees (Bombus); Nests and their establishment in captivity; Cuckoo bumblebees Bombus (Psithyrus), parasites and nest associates; Foraging behaviour; Threats, conservation and commercial use; Identification; Approaches to original work: techniques and web resources; Further reading and references; Synonymy; Index; Distribution maps

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Book Synopsis'Smit's vision of Eden is the eighth wonder of the world' Independent'Inspiring... An invaluable guide to how a large project can exceed against all odds' The Sunday Times-An updated edition of the bestselling story of the Eden Project featuring stunning new photography.At the beginning of the twenty-first century, the impossible was delivered. From the sterile depths of a disused china clay pit in Cornwall rose one of the most remarkable and ambitious ventures in recent memory. The Eden Project's Biomes, the world's largest conservatories, are the symbol of a living theatre of plants and people and their interdependence, of regeneration and of a pioneering forum for the exploration of possible futures.This is the extraordinary story of the Eden Project, of its conception, design and construction, of the larger-than-life personalities who made it happen and of all that has happened since its doors were first opened to the public in 2001. It is now undisputedly one of the world's great gardens with more than 17 million visitors flocking there and projects and partnerships all over the world.Trade Review'Smit's vision of Eden is the eighth wonder of the world' * Independent *'Inspiring...An invaluable guide to how a large project can succeed against all odds' * The Sunday Times *'Smit is a truly driven individual who does not give up until he has accomplished his visionary goals' * The Times *

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Book SynopsisWhatever our age, dinosaurs stir in us a sense of wonder as huge as the prehistoric beasts themselves. They live in our imaginations and in our encyclopedias, through species that are instantly recognizable yet known only through their bones. Dinosaurus takes a fresh, new approach to our dinosaur obsession, by cataloguing an A to Z of 60 of the most famous and fascinating dinosaurs, alongside a lexicon of prehistoric beasts, a chronology of geological time, a tour of prehistoric geography and a directory of scientific terms. Beautifully illustrated with dinosaur anatomies, prehistoric beasts and ancient artefects, it includes pronunciation guides to help the reader sound like a paleontological professional. An etymological time capsule transporting us over 230 million years into the past, Dinosaurus is the perfect gift for every dinophile.

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Book SynopsisTake a world tour between the covers of a book! Environments of Our Earth guides children through six types of regions that are shaped by rainfall—or the lack thereof. Readers take a journey that starts with dense tropical rainforests and woodlands, travels through grassy savannahs and prairies, and ends at dry steppes and deserts. Throughout the book, attentive readers can compare how and why each region is alike and different. They will also discover fun facts about the wettest and driest places on Earth and the amazing effect rainfall has on plants, animals, and people. Environments of Our Earth is part of the I Wonder Why book series, written to ignite the curiosity of children in grades K–6 while encouraging them to become avid readers. These books explore the marvels of geology, land forms, weather, environments, and other phenomena related to science and nature. Included in each volume is a Parent/Teacher Handbook with coordinating activities. The I Wonder Why series is written by an award-winning science educator and published by NSTA Kids, a division of NSTA Press.

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Book SynopsisPlankton in a Changing World: The Impact of Global Change on Marine Ecosystems invites readers to explore the microscopic hidden world beneath the waves.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisChapter 1. Introduction.- Chapter 2. Early Influences.- Chapter 3. All In.- Chapter 4. Research by Exploration. - Chapter 5. Interlude I.- Chapter 6. From Fire Events to Fire Regimes.- Chapter 7. Fire as an Agent of Disturbance.- Chapter 8. A Golden Opportunity.- Chapter 9. Interlude II.- Chapter 10. Reconstructing an Ecologically Relevant Past.- Chapter 11. Adaptations Can Indicate Fire Regimes.- Chapter 12. Why the Big Secret?.- Chapter 13. The Hidden Fire Story Conceals Management Threats.- Chapter 14. Interlude III.

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Book SynopsisInterdisciplinary studies that combine the current of materialist thinking with discussions of ecologies and environmentalization. Placed at the intersection of art, media, and cultural studies as well as economic theory, Liquidity, Flows, Circulation investigates the cultural logic of environmentalization. As flows, circulations, and liquidity resurface in all aspects of recent culture and contemporary art, this volume investigates the hypothesis of a genuine cultural logic of environmentalization through these three concepts. It thus brings together two areas of research that have been largely separate. On the one hand, this volume takes up discussions about ecologies with and without nature and environmentalization as a contemporary form of power and capital. On the other hand, it takes its cue from Fredric Jameson’s notion that each stage of capitalism is accompanied by a genuine cultural logic. The volume introduces this current of materialist thinking into the ongoing discussions of ecologies and environmentalization. By analyzing contemporary art, architecture, theater, films, and literature, the fifteen contributions by scholars and artists explore different fields where liquid forms, semantics flow, or processes of circulation emerge as a contemporary cultural logic.

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Book SynopsisHarmful algal blooms (HABs) - blooms that cause fish kills, contaminate seafood with toxins, or cause human or ecological health impacts and harm to local economies - are occurring more often, in more places and lasting longer than in past decades. This expansion is primarily the result of human activities, through increased nutrient inputs and various aspects of climate change.The Global Ecology and Oceanography of Harmful Algal Blooms (GEOHAB) programme promoted international collaboration to understand HAB population dynamics in various oceanographic regimes and to improve the prediction of HABs.This volume introduces readers to the overarching framework of the GEOHAB programme, factors contributing to the global expansion of harmful algal blooms, the complexities of HABs in different habitats, and the forward-looking issues to be tackled by the next generation of GEOHAB, GlobalHAB. The programme brought together an international team of contributing scientists and ecosystem managers, and its outcomes will greatly benefit the international research community.Table of Contents

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewOrganized as a 'walk through time' and featuring species from 15 important fossil sites, this book is the most extensive and richly illustrated volume devoted exclusively to the Cenozoic mammals of South America. * BirdBooker Report *Horned Armadillos and Rafting Monkeys is a magnificent book, with splendid and exacting illustrations, a necessary update between two covers for specialists as well as for palaeontologists unfamiliar with South America. It is also an accessible book for the educated public. Darin Croft's writing project is unquestionably useful. Velizar Simeonovski has proposed a daunting challenge to the next generation of illustrators. -- Ephraim Nissan * Priscum, The Newsletter of the Palentological Society *This handsome book, written by a leading expert in South American paleontology, is profusely illustrated with maps, time charts, color photographs of fossils, and exquisite life reconstructions. The book is accessible to the general reader, and it will appeal to any individual, young and old alike, interested in the fossil record, as well as to students and scholars of paleontology who work in other parts of the globe. * Choice *An expert in fossil mammals from South America, this is Croft's magnum opus on his life's passion. * Twilight Beasts *"Given the wealth of unfamiliar animals the volume presents, even readers well versed in vertebrate biodiversity willnd it rewarding." * The Quarterly Review of Biology *"It is by far the best and most satisfying book-sized work that looks at South America's extinct fauna so far, and it is unique in its depth of coverage and quality of content. I encourage you to get hold of a copy yourself." * Scientific American Blog Network *"All these considerations make this book a great source of information for the non-specialist, and a nice summary for those researchers looking for a synthesis of Cenozoic South American fossil sites." * J Mammal Evol *Horned Armadillos and Rafting Monkeys is an excellent work that will be of interest to anyone that appreciates the extraordinary world of extinct and living mammals, extinction processes, and the loss of biodiversity, and the unique natural history of South America. The combination of scientific information and vivid paleoart reconstructions makes this book a valuable source for an appreciation of these ancient beasts and the ecosystems in which they lived. * Oxford University Press Journals *Table of ContentsPrefaceAcknowledgments1. Time and Geography2. Introduction to MammalsPart I. Early South American Phase and the Trans-Atlantic Dispersal Interval (TADI)3. Tiupampa, Bolivia 3.1 Pucadelphys andinus 3.2 Mayulestes ferox 3.3 Molinodus suarezi 3.4 Alcidedorbignya inopinata4. Itaboraí, Brazil 4.1 Epidolops ameghinoi 4.2 Colbertia magellanica 4.3 Protolipterna ellipsodontoides 4.4 Carodnia vieirai5. Gran Barranca, Argentina 5.1 Sebecus icaeorhinus 5.2 Niolamia argentina and Caroloameghinia mater 5.3 Utaetus buccatus 5.4 Thomashuxleya rostrata 5.5 Notopithecus adapinus6. La Gran Hondonada, Argentina 6.1 Otronia muhlbergi 6.2 Pseudhyrax eutrachytheroides 6.3 Puelia plicata 6.4 Trigonostylops wortmaniPart II. Late South American Phase7. Tinguiririca, Chile 7.1 Klohnia charrieri 7.2 Pseudoglyptodon chilensis 7.3 Andemys termasi 7.4 Santiagorothia chiliensis8. Salla, Bolivia 8.1 Paraborhyaena boliviana 8.2 Branisella boliviana 8.3 Anayatherium fortis 8.4 Trachytherus alloxus 8.5 Pyrotherium romeroi9. Chucal, Chile 9.1 Parapropalaehoplophorus septentrionalis 9.2 Peltephilus ferox 9.3 Theosodon lallemanti 9.4 Nesodon imbricatus 9.5 Altitypotherium chucalensis10. Santa Cruz, Argentina 10.1 Necrolestes patagonensis 10.2 Borhyaena tuberata 10.3 Hapalops indifferens 10.4 Steiromys duplicatus 10.5 Thoatherium minusculum 10.6 Interatherium robustum11. La Venta, Colombia 11.1 Neotamandua borealis 11.2 Cebupithecia sarmientoi 11.3 Megadolodus molariformis and Purussaurus neivensis 11.4 Miocochilius anamopodus 11.5 Granastrapotherium snorki12. Quebrada Honda, Bolivia 12.1 Acyon myctoderos 12.2 Hondalagus altiplanensis 12.3 Guiomys unica 12.4 Hemihegetotherium trilobus13. Arroyo Chasicó, Argentina 13.1 Protomegalonyx chasicoensis 13.2 Prolagostomus and Lycopsis viverensis 13.3 Neobrachytherium ullumense 13.4 Chasicotherium rothi 13.5 Typotheriopsis chasicoensisPart III. The Great American Biotic Interchange (GABI) and the Interamerican Phase14. Acre, Brazil 14.1 Neoglyptatelus originalis 14.2 Thalassocnus natans 14.3 Phoberomys burmeisteri 14.4 Trigodon15. Catamarca, Argentina 15.1 Andalgalornis steulleti 15.2 Thylacosmilus atrox 15.3 Vassallia maxima and Argentavis magnificens 15.4 Pronothrotherium typicum 15.5 Cyonasua brevirostris16. Chapadmalal, Argentina 16.1 Sparassocynus derivatus 16.2 Macroeuphractus outesi 16.3 Scelidotherium parodii 16.4 Platygonus marplatensis 16.5 Paedotherium typicum17. Tarija, Bolivia 17.1 Cuvieronius hyodon 17.2 Glyptodon reticulatus 17.3 Doedicurus clavicaudatus 17.4 Megatherium americanum 17.5 Protocyon tarijensis and Glossotherium tarijense 17.6 Smilodon populator 17.7 Onohippidium devillei 17.8 Macrauchenia patachonica 17.9 Toxodon platensisFurther ReadingAppendix 1. Alphabetical List of SpeciesAppendix 2. List of Families and Higher Taxonomic GroupsAppendix 3. Mammals of Tiupampa, Bolivia Appendix 4. Mammals of Itaboraí, BrazilAppendix 5. Middle Eocene ("Barrancan") Mammals of Gran Barranca, Argentina Appendix 6. Mammals of La Gran Hondonada, ArgentinaAppendix 7. Mammals of Tinguiririca, ChileAppendix 8. Mammals of Salla, BoliviaAppendix 9. Mammals of Chucal, ChileAppendix 10. Mammals of Costal Santa Cruz, Argentina Appendix 11. Mammals of La Venta, ColombiaAppendix 12. Mammals of Quebrada Honda, BoliviaAppendix 13. Mammals of Arroyo Chasicó, ArgentinaAppendix 14. Mammals of Acre (Brazil and Peru)Appendix 15. Mammals of Catamarca, ArgentinaAppendix 16. Mammals of Chapadmalal, ArgentinaAppendix 17. Mammals of Tarija, BoliviaGlossaryIndex

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Book Synopsis* In a concise, engaging style, this text outlines the essential principles of ecology from the theoretical fundamentals to their practical applications. * Full color artwork, simple pedagogical features, and a wide range of carefully-chosen examples make this book an ideal introduction to ecology for students at all levels.Table of ContentsPart I Introduction 1 Ecology and how to do it 2 Ecology’s evolutionary backdrop Part II Conditions and Resources 3 Physical conditions and the availability of resources 4 Climate and the world’s biomes Part III Individuals and Populations, Communities and Ecosystems 5 Birth, death and movement 6 Interspecific competition 7 Predation, grazing and disease 8 Molecular and evolutionary ecology Part IV Communities and Ecosystems 9 From populations to communities 10 Patterns in species richness 11 The flux of energy and matter through ecosystems Part V Applied Issues in Ecology 12 Global biogeochemical cycles and their alteration by humans 13 Conservation ecology 14 The ecology of human population growth, disease, and food supply

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Book SynopsisThe unique relationship between dogs and humans has had huge evolutionary consequences, changing the physical, behavioral, genetic, and emotional characteristics of both species. Pat Shipman looks to fossil records and new evidence to trace how the process of domestication worked and discovers how much of ourselves we owe to our canine companions.Trade ReviewThis book is a great read for anyone interested in dogs but is overall of a high enough quality for scholars to enjoy. Shipman explores the genetic, behavioral, and archaeological studies revealing the development of the companion relationship between people and dogs, and brings the human and canid settlement of the Australian region into a global context. -- Susan O’Connor, author of Transcending the Culture–Nature Divide in Cultural HeritageWhen, where, and how did the partnership between dogs and humans begin? Was it an accident? Was it inevitable? Where would we human beings be without our canine colleagues? Pat Shipman’s Our Oldest Companions is a must-read, a tour de force drawing together under one proverbial roof what science can tell us to date. A follow-up to her provocative and intriguing The Invaders, Dr. Shipman examines the anthropology and archeology of the dog’s transition from wolf to house pet all over the world, from the Australian Outback to north of the Arctic Circle. You’ll want to read this book three, four, even five times in order to absorb the abundance of research and ideas presented here. -- Wendy Williams, author of The Horse: The Epic History of Our Noble CompanionThe latest in a string of authoritative and readable books by Pat Shipman benefits from her well-known scientific knowledge and her great storytelling ability. One of the first times anyone has told how the evidence from archaeology and DNA of Sahul, with its late-appearing dingoes and singing dogs, adds to the human story rather than seeming anomalous. It is the perfect complement to other accounts written with a bias towards Africa, Asia, or Europe. This book, like the dogs that are at its center, covers all the continents where modern people have lived with them. Read it. You will enjoy it. -- Iain Davidson, author of Making Scenes: Global Perspectives on Scenes in Rock Art[A] lively tale of dog domestication and migration. -- Josie Glausiusz * Nature *The erudite Our Oldest Companions makes a remarkable story out of the long partnership between humans and dogs. * Foreword Reviews *A fascinating and often surprising exploration of human and canine evolution…[Shipman’s] captivating prose will enchant all readers seeking to learn more about humans, dogs, and our long history together. -- Adrienne Krone * Journal for the Study of Religion, Nature, and Culture *

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Book SynopsisProvides a history of modern ornithology, tracing how the study of birds has been shaped by a succession of visionary and often-controversial personalities, and by the unique social and scientific contexts in which these individuals worked.Trade ReviewWinner of the 2015 PROSE Award in History of Science, Medicine & Technology, Association of American Publishers One of Choice's Outstanding Academic Titles for 2014 "A definitive, accessible and sumptuously illustrated primer of biological theory past and present... An inspiring and formidable resource for the historian as well as the fledgling scientist."--Helen Macdonald, Times Literary Supplement "Compulsively readable."--Ben Sheldon, Nature "Attention bird lovers: you will certainly want to add this attractive volume to your reference shelf... What makes this book so desirable ... is its authoritative review of the most pivotal discoveries in avifauna of the last 150 years, especially as they fit into broader general themes of science."--Laurence Marschall, Natural History Magazine "An excellent history of the study of birds in modern times."--Matt Merritt, Bird Watching "'Hugely impressive' it truly is and it deserves the widest audience."--Bo Beolens, Fatbirder "A riveting, entertaining, enlightening and frequently inspirational read... I imagine that Ten Thousand Birds: Ornithology since Darwin is a book which will be bought by every professional or amateur ornithologist the world over. Almost certainly it will be on a wish list of many, many amateur and professional naturalists, whether their specialty is birds, bees, butterflies or other more esoteric disciplines."--Phil Slade, Another Bird Blog "Lovingly well-researched and beautifully written... Definitive, absorbing and highly recommended."--Adrian Barnett, New Scientist "The authors have walked that fine line between superb research and scientific context, and making their work palpable for mere humans. This a book for the ornithologists obviously, but also for all scientists, for teachers, and even the adventurous. It's for biographers, editors, and writers. Serious readers will also probably enjoy this too."--Alan Speakman, eBirdseed.com "It's inspiring to see that research is able to shake up our understanding of things we 'know' to things that 'are.' If you are someone who appreciates the science behind birds, you will love this book. Even if you're a scientific history buff with a casual fancy for birds, you'll enjoy this book. With a beautiful cover, crisp illustrated timelines, and gorgeous chapter paintings, this book will hold a solid spot on any bookshelf."--Steve Brenner, Nemesis Bird "This is a masterly overview of a broad and complex subject, comprehensive and well written... It should be required reading for ornithology students, providing an essential context for their studies, but it will also appeal to the general reader and birdwatcher too, providing ample confirmation of the contribution which ornithological science has made to our understanding of birds and the wider natural world."--Andy Stoddart, Rare Bird Alert "An account that will delight anyone who has studied birds or has an interest in their myriad forms."--Mike Toms, BBC Wildlife Magazine "It should be required reading for ornithology students, providing an essential context for their studies, but it will also appeal to the general reader and birdwatcher too, providing ample confirmation of the contribution which ornithological science has made to our understanding of birds and the wider natural world."--North Norfolk Birds "The book is as fascinating about the messy business of doing science as it is about the progression of ideas... The book's vast scope inevitably leaves the reader wanting more, which is of course the best way to be beguiled."--Claire Spottiswoode, Times Higher Education "All those interested in birds will enjoy reading it."--Gerry Rising, Buffalo News "I absolutely love this book as I'm fascinated about the advancement we have made and are making in avian biology and behavior. I have always watched and read almost anything I can find on birds over the years and I simply couldn't put this book down as its such an original idea for a book."--Gadget Girls "The book is also full of useful information. It's chock-full of interesting facts about birds and about how their study has evolved, making it essential reading for the ornithologically minded."--Bob Grant, Scientist "[The] three authors present an enormous amount of information both easily readable and thoroughly engaging, and illustrate the importance of the contributions of individuals throughout history as well as the story of ornithology itself. This is a landmark achievement for the study of ornithology and even those with just a casual interest in birds will lose themselves in these pages."--Birding Business "The amount of scholarship and research done by these authors is astounding and the book is an amazingly enlightening, readable and enjoyable tome of over 500 pages... This is not a book for bird listers. It is a book for anyone fascinated about birds as organisms in dynamic ecosystems. And it is especially for those interested in how science progresses historically. I highly recommend Ten Thousand Birds for all students and practitioners of biological or ecological sciences and research, for conservationists and naturalists, and for anyone interested in the who, why, how, and when of ornithological research. I was captivated."--Dan Kunkle, Wildlife Activist "This is the best history of ornithology ever... [The authors] explain the often complex, theoretical, or detailed schools of thought and research about birds in entertaining and authoritative ways. Their four-and-a-half-pound monograph is richly illustrated and thoroughly referenced... What might have been a clunky, laborious catalog of often arcane academic endeavors is instead very readable and comprehensible, as well as comprehensive... Most highly recommended for academic and larger public libraries and for all interested in nature and science."--Henry T. Armistead, Library Journal "This is an excellent primer on the movers and shakers of modern avian research but remains readable throughout... There are useful timelines in each chapter showing the development of each strand of ornithology during recent history and plenty of interesting digressions which do not distract from the main thrust of the book. For an understanding of how we got to where we are in today's ornithological world, there are few better guides."--David Callahan, Birdwatch Magazine "A detailed review of the history of ornithology and chronicles the major breakthroughs in the past 150 years and the people who accomplished them. Why undertake such a lengthy and comprehensive review? First, these innovative studies on birds had a broader impact on our understanding of nature and science during the 20th century. Second, much of this history has been buried under an explosion of scientific publications in the past few decades, making it difficult for even the most conscientious researcher to appreciate the deep history of their own field. Birkhead, Wimpenny and Montgomerie go beyond the usual cast of characters and find clever studies published by little-known scientists who were often overlooked or ignored by the big players even in their time. This book was written primarily for a scientific audience, but there is also much of interest to an attentive and patient non-specialist... Delving into the details of the evolution, ecology, physiology and behaviour of birds can be rewarding because it empowers you to enjoy nature even more."--Bridget J.M. Stutchbury, Literary Review of Canada "[A] handsome history of modern ornithology... Birkhead, Wimpenny, and Montgomerie fill 11 readable chapters ... addressing ecology, behavior, conservation, and other major areas of ornithological science. Their chief achievement, though, is bringing to life the visionary, sometimes controversial, and typically brilliant researchers who have enriched our bird knowledge since the middle of the 19th century--Erwin Stresemann, Ernst Mayr, Julian Huxley, David Lack, Niko Tinbergen, Robert MacArthur, Charles Sibley, Alexander Skutch, Gustav Kramer, Steve Emlen, and many more. An editorial tenet of this magazine has long held that how we learn can be just as interesting as what we learn. This fine book proves the point."--BirdWatching Magazine "There are now many books describing different aspects and interpretations of the history of ornithology. Ten Thousand Birds is an outstanding contribution to the genre, skilfully doubling as a text covering many of the most exciting developments on the subject. Readers of British Birds will find much to enjoy and learn within its weighty pages, at a price that is extraordinarily good value. Highly recommended."--Alan Knox, British Birds "Ten thousand birds directs ... affection towards the ornithologists themselves. It provides an astute evaluation of the ornithological developments of the past 150 years, that will be of interest to both professional ornithologists and historians of science."--Natalie Lawrence, Studies in History and Philosophy of Biological and Biomedical Sciences "It must be the most complete history of ornithology ever written. It is detailed, dauntingly comprehensive, and opinionated. It not only attempts to summarize modern ornithology--which is to say virtually all ornithology (a graph on the second page shows the number of ornithological papers rising from about 10 in 1865 to nearly 20,000 by the year 2000)--it tells the story of the ornithologists themselves, and interviews important living examples, who present their arguments or stories in their own words."--Stephen J. Bodio, Living Bird "Excellent... Generously illustrated... Above all this book provides an account of how science is done in the real world by real people with all of the strengths, flaws and vanities of real people. It shows how good science is done and that even scientific dead-ends and near misses are valuable in contributing to good and lasting agreement in science."--Walter G. Ellison, Maryland Yellowthroat "This fascinating, wide-ranging synthesis of ornithological history since Darwin brings a mix of science, discovery, innovation, eccentricity, and personality to ornithology... It will be of interest to professional ornithologists, and people interested in animal behavior, physiology, evolution, science history, as well as birders, naturalists, and conservationists. Philosophers of science will find it a fascinating history of the development of ornithological thought since Darwin. I highly recommend the book--I found it fascinating."--Joanna Burger, Journal of Field Ornithology "The charming and witty work fills the needs of academic scientists and researchers as well as serious birders... Anyone interested in natural science, birds, and history will enjoy this book immensely."--Choice "Ten Thousand Birds provides a thoroughly engaging and authoritative history of modern ornithology."--Mike Thornton, Scottish Birds "[A] scholarly and thought-provoking book. The authors should be congratulated and the work itself should be on the shelves of anybody remotely interested in the history of natural history and particularly the history of ornithology."--William Noblett, Archives of Natural History "The volume strikes a fine balance between photos and text without being overly photocentric... Ten Thousand Birds is a solid read for students of nature, avian enthusiasts, and scientists."--Howard O. Clark, Jr., Western North American Naturalist "Appealing to both birders and scientists, Ten Thousand Birds: Ornithology since Darwin engages the reader on a journey through the history of modern ornithology from ornithology as a young science to ornithology as it is today... Certainly an appealing read for those interested in ornithology as a science."--Tyler M. Harms, Iowa Bird Life "The primary intent of the authors is to present the history of modern ornithology in a readable fashion, and in this book they definitely achieve that goal... A marvelous history of modern ornithology."--Gene Wilhelm, Pennsylvania BirdsTable of ContentsPreface vii Chapter 1 Yesterday's Birds 1 Chapter 2 The Origin and Diversification of Species 43 Chapter 3 Birds on the Tree of Life 75 Chapter 4 Ebb and Flow 117 Chapter 5 Ecological Adaptations for Breeding 161 Chapter 6 Form and Function 201 Chapter 7 The Study of Instinct 245 Chapter 8 Behavior as Adaptation 287 Chapter 9 Selection in Relation to Sex 323 Chapter 10 Population Studies of Birds 355 Chapter 11 Tomorrow's Birds 389 Afterword 425 Appendix 1: Some Histories of Ornithology 431 Appendix 2: Five Hundred Ornithologists 434 Notes 443 References 467 Index 497 Image Credits 519

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Brown University ecologist Porder debuts with a probing exploration of how carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, and phosphorous have shaped life on Earth. . . . It’s an illuminating account of how these elements and the organisms that rely on them have influenced the course of life." * Publishers Weekly *"[Porder] takes the time to explain considerable data to skeptics. . . . And this scientific information is made even more accessible because of Porder’s engaging storytelling and views of different milieus like farms to illustrate what more sustainable alternatives could look like."---Joseph S. Pete, Foreword Reviews"Porder writes with precision, style, clarity and logic. . . . [He] offers a way forward, filled with optimism and driven by consumers of energy, by regular folks, by you and me."---David Gascoigne, Travels with Birds"An original take on geology and evolution focusing on the role of five of life’s essential elements." * Paradigm Explorer *"The biogeochemistryof the C, N, H, O, and P combines into the various compounds that make up life-forms. [This book] shows the need to more completely understand the roles these elements play in everyday life and be better stewards."---J.L. Hatfield, Choice

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Book SynopsisThis timely and comprehensive volume guides institutional leaders past the myths and misconceptions to the sustainable university.Trade ReviewProvides a fascinating insight into the current status of action on sustainability in the higher education sector in the USA. -- Victoria Jenkins Journal of Environmental Law In a series of case studies and examples, the authors conclude there is, ultimately, no common path to sustainability success. However, administrators and community partners can work together to find the solutions that work best for them. University BusinessTable of ContentsForewordPrefacePart I: Updating the National Conversation on Sustainability: Key Trends and ChallengesChapter 1. The Sustainable University: A Need to Move ForwardChapter 2. Promises Made and Promises Lost: A Candid Assessment of Higher Education Leadership and the Sustainability AgendaChapter 3. Trends, Skills, and Strategies to Catalyze Sustainability Across InstitutionsChapter 4. Measuring Campus Sustainability Performance: Implementing The First Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System (STARS)Chapter 5. Institutionalizing Sustainability: Achieving Transformations From the InsideChapter 6. Sustainability: Shifting Definitions and Evolving MeaningsChapter 7. Sustainable Citizenship: The Challenge for Students and Their InstitutionsPart II: Sustainability and the Leadership Team: New Assignments Chapter 8. Sustainability and the Presidency: Five Starting PointsChapter 9. Not So Fast: A Dose of Reality about SustainabilityChapter 10. The Importance of Sustainability in the Community College SettingChapter 11. Sustainability, Leadership, and the Role of the Chief Academic OfficerPart III: Fresh Agendas for Campus Operations Chapter 12. Greening the EndowmentChapter 13. Sustainability and Higher Education Architecture: Best Practices for Institutional LeadersChapter 14. Sustainable Campus Housing: Building a Better PChapter 15. Food for Thought: Building Sustainable Food Systems and Healthy CommunitiesChapter 16. University Athletics and Sustainability: Start on the FieldPart IV: Beyond the Green Gates: Sustainability and the Institution's External PartnersChapter 17. The Impact of Sustainability on Institutional Quality Assurance and AccreditationChapter 18. Green Legal: Creating a Culture of Vigilance, Compliance, and Sustainability ThinkingPart V: The Complex Path AheadChapter 19. Conclusion: New Goals and New Challenges for Institutional LeadersNotesSelected Bibliography List of ContributorsIndex

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewOur relationship with nature goes far beyond resources, amenity, or the scientific idea of an archive we learn to read. There are, as The Environment shows, ethical complexities in how we use and abuse the planet—and in how we frame its improbable riches.—NatureDespite the importance in recent decades of environmentalism, environmental protection, environmental science, and so on, there has been strikingly little discussion of what exactly the environment is. Paul Warde, Libby Robin, and Sverker Sörlin examine the history of the concept as it has developed since the end of the Second World War, when they argue it took on its modern significance. The book is strongest in tracing the ways that changes in scientific institutions helped develop the modern idea of environment, as well as in its discussion of the ways that idea entered the popular imagination through works by Rachel Carson and others.—Environmental HistoryThis engaging and accessible book should be required reading for anyone concerned with the development of 'the environment' as a conceptual lodestone of both science and politics in the mid- to late-twentieth century. Moreover, it will be richly rewarding for anyone wishing to teach, research, or simply better understand the path dependencies and political dynamics of environmental issues today.—Local EnvironmentDemonstrates the power of history to speak into the present. A wonderfully succinct, compelling, and revealing piece of writing.—Australian Book ReviewThis is a highly recommended book that agricultural and rural historians will appreciate the significance of in tracing the history of the environment. It will be of interest to a wide academic readership, including historians of the environment, ideas, politics, science and technology. More importantly, this book deserves to be read by the wider public as it explains how perceptions of the environment have evolved relative to the history of the twentieth century. Understanding this history can inform contemporary responses to present and future environmental issues.—Agricultural History ReviewTable of ContentsAcknowledgmentsPrologueChapter 1. Road to SurvivalChapter 2. Expertise for the FutureChapter 3. Resources for FreedomChapter 4. Ecology on the MarchChapter 5. Climate Enters the EnvironmentChapter 6. "The Earth Is One but the World Is NotChapter 7. Seeking a Safe FutureNotesBibliographic EssayIndex

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewTrouet writes that the purpose of this book is to excite people about science, and she succeeds by creating an engaging, credible work sprinkled with anecdotes . . . With this brief, accessible look at the wisdom of tree rings, Trouet draws readers into a narrative that clearly displays her joy for her work and offers some fun with word play.—Library JournalAn accomplished and globally recognized dendroclimatologist, Trouet is knowledgeable across diverse fields of science and is a talented writer and engaging storyteller. Drawing from a diversity of tree-ring research and interdisciplinary collaborations, Trouet chronicles fascinating examples of how dendrochronology helps to answer questions about past environments and human history.—ScienceIf you enjoy great science reads, add this one to your list. Now.—Nature's Cool Green ScienceTree Story is a sublime example of what booksellers have lately started calling smart non-fiction: sophisticated academic books for a broad audience (often published by American university presses) that are just a few notches above the yuck- or wow-factor of more generic popular science. The excellent clarity and pacing that Trouet brings to this fascinating topic meant I that tore through Tree Story in a day. If I added ratings to my reviews, this book would be a ten out of ten. Already, this is a very strong contender for my book of the year—Inquisitive BiologistA persuasive, entertaining explanation of how the codes contained in tree rings reveal the wide-ranging effects of climate change.—Shelf AwarenessTree Story gives readers a lively, sometimes visceral feel for Trouet's work.—Science NewsTree Story is everything I had hoped it would be: intelligent, accessible, witty, and captivating—a global adventure spanning millennia and embracing a bevy of unexpected topics, all resulting from the study of tree rings.—Washington Independent Review of BooksIn her delightful Tree Story, dendrochronologist Valerie Trouet obliterates the layman's notion that tree rings provide little more information than a tree's age. What trees can teach seems limited only by science's ability to extract the information.—Foreword ReviewsPart memoir, part field diary, part lucid and engaging science communication, Tree Story moves from the finest micron-level of individual tree rings to the deep geological time of the planet and the world-wrapping forces of its climate. Trouet's account of her career, far from what we might imagine to be the dull work of counting tree rings, reads like an exciting adventure story, complete with far-flung locales, the ridiculous macho pretensions of male coworkers, and the ever present thrum of the ancient magic that seems to emanate from the trees themselves.—Lady ScienceThe chapters spill over with information and would be overwhelming were it not for the book's organization, the images and digital illustrations, and the author's ability to share her scholarly adventures with such evident enjoyment.—Seattle Book ReviewEnjoyable and accessible. Drawing on a rich array of examples from around the world, the lively book is full of thought-provoking discussion of our relationships with trees and the climate.—Current World ArchaeologyTree Story is a work of science, of graphs and statistics. But Trouet recounts too the personal thrill of discovery, the camaraderie and competitiveness of academic science, and the arduous nature of her research.—The SpectatorTree Story offers a passionate yet clear-eyed introduction into the field of dendrochronology.—Cincinnati Public Radio NewsTree Story is well-written, often with great phrasing and much humour, and gives a welcome insight into the people and personalities behind the science . . . [It's] another example of great science communication, often dealing with quite technical matters, but in an accessible way for both the non-specialist scientist and the intelligent lay person. But it's not just about great story-telling, Tree Story has much of pedagogic value as well, and would make a great text for a plants-and-people course.—Botany OneHere, we are taken on a fascinating journey through history, as remembered by the trees of the world. Trouet weaves together stories from the field and the lab to demonstrate that there is far more to studying tree rings than counting them.—BBC Wildlife MagazineIt's all in the tree rings—and trees don't lie.—The Daily ExpressThe book has already been reviewed and recommended in many places, and highlighted as an excellent work of popular science. Here I would like to recommend the book to be used as a textbook for students being exposed to scientific ideas and methods, to arouse their curiosity and show them how diverse fields like natural science and human history interact.—Tree-Ring ResearchValerie Trouet's book is an excellent starting point to explore the relationships between trees and people and to look at the expectations and disappointments on the way to developing a way to communicate not only about but also with trees.—Edge EffectsIf tree rings are the scribes of history, Valerie Trouet is their chief scrivener. Highly recommended.—Plant Science Bulletin[Tree Story's] geeky enthusiasm . . . makes the entire book such a pleasure to read.—Rain Taxi Review of BooksTree Story should be well-received by a variety of readers, professional and non-professional alike . . . The book is well-written and designed, with good pacing that intermixes entertaining and informative narrative in focused chapters that are not overlong.—Maritime Archaeological and Historical SocietyIn this primer, a dendrochronologist explains how tree rings reveal the past via a science that exists 'at the nexus of ecology, climatology and human history.'—New York Times (New & Noteworthy)Table of Contents1. Prologue2. Trees in the desert3. I count the rings down in Africa4. Adonis, Methuselah, and Prometheus5. And the tree was happy6. The Messiah, The Plague, and Shipwrecks Under the City7. The Hockey Stick Posterchild8. Wind of Change9. Winter is coming10. Three tree-ring scientists walk into a bar11. Ghosts, Orphans, and Extra terrestrials12. Disintegration or The Fall of Rome13. It's the end of the world as we know it14. Once upon a time in the West15. Will the wind ever remember?16. After the Gold Rush17. The Forest for the TreesPlaylistList of Tree SpeciesRecommended ReadingsGlossaryBibliography

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Book SynopsisThis fascinating approach to bees shows readers an entirely new perspectiveseeing the world through a bee's eyes.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“An excellent addition to anyone’s bee library.”—Adrian Waring, Bee Craft “Anyone deeply interested in natural history will ignore this mad little volume at their peril.”—Simon Ings, New Scientist“Highly engaging.”—Gard W. Otis, American Entomologist“A must have book for all beekeepers and bee lovers.”—Scott Shalaway, Youngstown Vindicator“Delightful.”—Harvard Magazine“Following the Wild Bees just might give readers an intellectually (and physically) stimulating new outdoor activity.”—The Scientist“Seeley’s passion for the social insects blazes as he quotes historical accounts by Henry David Thoreau and describes the intricacies of the chase.”—Barbara Kiser, Nature

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"An engaging book."---Tom Tierney, New Scientist"A fascinating, important, and timely book about a major icon of extinction."---Mark V. Barrow Jr., Science"[A] moving and well thought out tale. . . . This book is an important part of an innocent species' life."---Deb Hirt, Muskogee Phoenix"Much has been written about the demise of the Great Auk . . . and this work by Gísli Pálsson is an important addition to the body of work on this iconic and enigmatic species. It is scholarly and well-presented."---David Gascoigne, Travels with Birds

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"With a focus on the 66 million years since the end-Cretaceous extinction stripped away all dinosaurs but birds, Mr. Prothero's book ably demonstrates that mammalian evolution has been just as circuitous and strange as that of the terrible lizards... [This book shows] the unexpected variety that life is capable of and raise[s] the question of what the next 235 million years will bring."--Brian Switek, Wall Street Journal "In The Princeton Field Guide to Prehistoric Mammals, author Donald Prothero ... introduces readers to an array of real-life, but seemingly fantastic beasts--extinct mammals."--Mindy Weisberger, LiveScience "Written by American paleontologist Donald Prothero and beautifully illustrated by renowned scientific illustrator Mary Persis Williams, this publication is a 'must have' for academics and fans of fossils as well as anyone with an interest in general science... Highly recommended."--Everything Dinosaur blog "One of the most important things about this book is that it is fully up to date, and thus, the only current mammalian evolutionary overview that is available, to my knowledge. In some areas of fossil mammal research there has been a lot of work over recent years, so this is important. I highly recommend this excellent book."--Greg Laden's BlogTable of ContentsPreface 6 1 The Age of Mammals 7 Dating Rocks 8 Clocks in Rocks 10 What's in a Name? 11 How Do We Classify Animals? 12 Bones vs Molecules 15 Bones and Teeth 15 2 The Origin and Early Evolution of Mammals 20 Synapsids (Protomammals or Stem Mammals) 20 Mammals in the Age of Dinosaurs 23 Morganucodonts 23 Docodonts 25 Monotremes (Platypus and Echidna) and Their Relatives 27 Multituberculates 30 Triconodonts 31 Theria 34 3 Marsupials: Pouched Mammals 37 Marsupial vs Placental 37 Marsupial Evolution 38 Ameridelphia 39 Australiadelphia 41 4 Placental Mammals (Eutheria) 47 The Interrelationships of Placentals 50 5 Xenarthra: Sloths, Anteaters, and Armadillos 51 Edentate vs Xenarthran 51 Order Cingulata (Armadillos) 53 Order Pilosa (Anteaters and Sloths) 55 6 Afrotheria: Elephants, Hyraxes, Sea Cows, Aardvarks, and Their Relatives 58 Tethytheres and Afrotheres 58 Order Proboscidea (Elephants, Mammoths, Mastodonts, and Their Relatives) 60 Order Sirenia (Manatees and Dugongs, or Sea Cows) 67 Order Embrithopoda (Arsinoitheres) 72 Order Desmostylia (Desmostylians) 73 Order Hyracoidea (Hyraxes) 75 Order Tubulidentata (Aardvarks) 77 Order Macroscelidia (Elephant Shrews) 78 Order Afrosoricida 79 7 Euarchontoglires: Euarchonta Primates, Tree Shrews, and Colugos 80 Archontans 80 Order Scandentia (Tree Shrews) 82 Order Dermoptera (Colugos, or Flying Lemurs) 82 Order Plesiadapiformes (Plesiadapids) 84 Order Primates (Euprimates) 86 8 Euarchontoglires: Glires Rodents and Lagomorphs 94 Chisel Teeth 94 Order Rodentia (Rodents) 95 Order Lagomorpha (Rabbits, Hares, and Pikas) 101 9 Laurasiatheria: Insectivores Order Eulipotyphla and Other Insectivorous Mammals 103 Order Eulipotyphla 103 Extinct Insectivorous Groups 107 10 Laurasiatheria: Chiroptera Bats 112 Bat Origins 114 11 Laurasiatheria: Pholidota Pangolins, or Scaly Anteaters 117 Order Pholidota (Pangolins) 118 Palaeanodonts 120 12 Laurasiatheria: Carnivora and Creodonta Predatory Mammals 122 Carnivores, Carnivorans, and Creodonts 122 Order Creodonta 124 Order Carnivora 127 13 Laurasiatheria: Ungulata Hoofed Mammals and Their Relatives 146 Condylarths 147 14 Laurasiatheria: Artiodactyla Even-Toed Hoofed Mammals: Pigs, Hippos, Whales, Camels, Ruminants, and Their Extinct Relatives 151 Artiodactyl Origins 153 Suoid Artiodactyls 154 Whippomorpha 160 Tylopods 169 Ruminantia 175 15 Laurasiatheria: Perissodactyla Odd-Toed Hoofed Mammals: Horses, Rhinos, Tapirs, and Their Extinct Relatives 186 Equoids 187 Tapiroids 191 Rhinocerotoids 196 Brontotheres, or Titanotheres 199 16 Laurasiatheria: Meridiungulata South American Hoofed Mammals 203 Order Notoungulata (Southern Ungulates) 205 Order Pyrotheria (Fire Beasts) 206 Order Astrapotheria (Lightning Beasts) 207 Order Litopterna (Litopterns, or Smooth Heels) 207 17 Uintatheres, Pantodonts, Taeniodonts, and Tillodonts 209 Order Dinocerata (Uintatheres) 209 Order Pantodonta (Pantodonts) 212 Order Taeniodonta (Taeniodonts) 214 Order Tillodontia (Tillodonts) 216 18 Mammalian Evolution and Extinction 218 Why Were Prehistoric Mammals So Big? 218 Where Have All the Megamammals Gone? 219 How Did Mammals Diversify after the Dinosaurs Vanished? 222 What about Mass Extinctions? 228 The Future of Mammals 229 Illustration Credits 231 Further Reading 232 Index (with Pronunciation Guide for Taxonomic Names) 234

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Book SynopsisOffers an introduction to critical transitions in complex systems - the radical changes that happen at tipping points when thresholds are passed. This title describes the dynamical systems theory behind critical transitions, covering catastrophe theory, bifurcations and chaos.Trade ReviewOne of Choice's Outstanding Academic Titles for 2009 "This excellent, well-crafted volume outlines theoretical/applied evidence describing regime shifts that occur in natural and societal systems, and suggests how to address deleterious change to further human welfare. Scheffer expertly argues that system shifts are critical transitions arising when normal cyclical processes are stressed, thereby generating 'tipping points'... A highly important book of intellectual and applied significance."--M. Evans, Choice "Scheffer's book is a good read. It is fluently written and breathes authority, while still being highly consistent in its terminology."--Carsten F. Dormann, Basic and Applied Ecology "We recommend this book as the best integration of the multiple rubrics (resilience, regime change, panarchy, complexity, dynamical systems theory) found on the subject of critical transitions or abrupt change, and as an enjoyable as well as enlightening synthesis of a timely and important topic bearing on many of the crucial dilemmas of our time."--William A. Reiners, Ecology "The marvelous Scheffer's book is strongly recommended for all geoscientists because of three main reasons. First, it explains the outstanding importance of critical transitions in the abiotic, biotic, and social evolution and establishes a helpful framework for their further studies. Second, this book gives an exceptional opportunity to realize how broad, even philosophical treatment of very particular ideas can facilitate development of the tatters. Third, the author was very successful in demonstration of how do general laws work in the both nature and society. This unconventional book is very informative, well-written, and stimulating, and, consequently, nobody will lose her/his time reading it."--Dmitry A. Ruban, Zentralblatt fur Geologie und PalaontologieTable of ContentsAcknowledgments xiii CHAPTER 1. Introduction 1 1.1 Coral Reef Collapse 2 1.2 The Birth of the Sahara Desert 3 1.3 Shifts in Societies 5 1.4 Content of this Book 6 Part I: THEORY OF CRITICAL TRANSITIONS CHAPTER 2. Alternative Stable States 11 2.1 The Basics 13 2.2 Some Mechanisms 25 2.3 Synthesis 36 CHAPTER 3. Cycles and Chaos 37 3.1 The Limit Cycle 37 3.2 Complex Dynamics 42 3.3 Basin Boundary Collision 50 3.4 Synthesis 54 CHAPTER 4. Emergent Patterns in Complex Systems 55 4.1 Spatial Patterns 56 4.2 Stability of Complex Interacting Networks 65 4.3 The Adaptive Cycle Theory 75 4.4 Synthesis 79 CHAPTER 5. Implications of Fluctuations, Heterogeneity, and Diversity 81 5.1 Permanent Change 82 5.2 Spatial Heterogeneity and Modularity 85 5.3 Diversity of Players 90 5.4 Synthesis 95 CHAPTER 6. Conclusion: From Theoretical Concepts to Reality 96 6.1 Alternative Stable States 96 6.2 Basins of Attraction 98 6.3 Resilience 101 6.4 Adaptive Capacity 103 6.5 Critical Transitions 104 6.5 Synthesis 104 PART II: CASE STUDIES CHAPTER 7. Lakes 109 7.1 Transparency of Shallow Lakes 110 7.2 Dynamics 125 7.3 Other Alternative Stable States 131 7.4 Synthesis 138 CHAPTER 8. Climate 139 8.1 Deep Time Climate Shifts 141 8.2 Glaciation Cycles 149 8.3 Abrupt Climate Change on Shorter Timescales 157 8.4 Synthesis 164 CHAPTER 9. Evolution 166 9.1 Introduction 166 9.2 Early Animal Evolution and the Cambrian Explosion 168 9.3 The End-Permian Extinction 172 9.4 The Angiosperm Radiation 174 9.5 From Dinosaurs to Mammals 176 9.6 Global Warming and the Birth of Primates, Deer, and Horses 177 9.7 In Search of the Big Picture 178 9.8 Synthesis 184 CHAPTER 10. Oceans 186 10.1 Open Ocean Regime Shifts 187 10.2 Coastal Ecosystems 201 10.3 Synthesis 213 CHAPTER 11. Terrestrial Ecosystems 216 11.1 Vegetation-Climate Shifts in Dry Regions 216 11.2 Small-Scale Transitions in Semiarid Vegetation 221 11.3 Boreal Forests and Tundra 226 11.4 The Rise and Fall of Raised Bogs 230 11.5 Species Extinction in Fragmented Landscapes 234 11.6 Epidemics as Critical Transitions 237 11.7 Synthesis 239 CHAPTER 12. Humans 240 12.1 Shifting Cells 242 12.2 Shifting Minds 243 12.3 Behavioral Lock-In 244 12.4 Inertia and Shifts in Group Attitudes 246 12.5 Societies in Crisis 250 12.6 Synthesis 257 CHAPTER 13. Conclusion: Critical Transitions in a Complex World 259 PART III: DEALING WITH CRITICAL TRANSITIONS CHAPTER 14. How to Know if Alternative Basins of Attraction Exist 265 14.1 Hints from Field Data 265 14.2 Experimental Evidence 270 14.3 Mechanistic Insight 273 14.4 Synthesis 280 CHAPTER 15. How to Know if a Threshold Is Near 282 15.1 The Theory: Signs of Upcoming Transitions 283 15.2 Precursors of Transitions in Real Systems 290 15.3 Reliablility of the Signals 293 15.4 Synthesis 294 CHAPTER 16. The Winding Road from Science to Policy 296 16.1 Exploiting Nature in the Smartest Way 297 16.2 Barriers to Good Solutions 303 16.3 Synthesis 309 CHAPTER 17. New Approaches to Managing Change 311 17.1 Promoting Good Transitions 312 17.2 Preventing Bad Transitions 320 17.3 Synthesis 324 CHAPTER 18. Prospects 326 18.1 The Delicate Issue of the Burden of Proof 326 18.2 Toward a Practical Science of Critical Transitions 327 Appendix 329 A.1 Logistic Growth 329 A.2 Allee Effect 332 A.3 Overexploitation 332 A.4 Competition between Two Species 334 A.5 Multispecies Competition 338 A.6 Predator-Prey Cycles 339 A.7 The Hopf Bifurcation 341 A.8 Stabilization by Spatial Heterogeneity 341 A.9 Basin Boundary Collision 344 A.10 Periodic Forcing 344 A.11 Self-Organized Patterns 345 A.12 Alternative Stable States in Shallow Lakes 347 A.13 Floating Plants 348 A.14 Contingency in Behavior 350 Glossary 353 Notes 359 Index 379

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Book SynopsisFloods, fires, famines, epidemics and disasters of all kinds are on the increase, and as their frequency rises so does the call for greater resilience. But what does that mean? The word is used differently in psychology, ecology, economics and engineering and runs the risk of becoming meaningless jargon. This would be most unfortunate because, if we are to successfully navigate very real and dangerous global trends, it is resilience that needs to be understood and fostered. Finding Resilience is international in scope and unravels how ecosystems, societies and people cope with disturbance and adversity. Written for a general readership and based on the experiences of researchers, the fascinating stories from around the world reveal what resilience is, how it works in different kinds of systems, how it is expressed, and how it can be gained and lost.Table of Contents1: WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT? 1: Connections in a changing world 2: Another pathway 2: ENCOUNTERING RESILIENCE IN NATURE 3: Living together in ecosystems 4: Ecological choreography 5: Disturbance, change and diversity 3: THE NATURE OF RESILIENCE IN SOCIETY 6: Coping with life 7: Living together in society 8: Weathering crises 4: NATURE, SOCIETY AND RESILIENCE 9: Unintended outcomes 10: Growing pains 5: A WAY FORWARD 11: Changing cultures 12: A resilience pathway

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Book SynopsisA completely revised and updated edition of the leading mammalogy textbook, featuring color photographs throughout and a new streamlined structure for enhanced use in courses. There are more than 6,400 species in the class Mammalia, including the blue whalethe largest animal that has ever livedand the pygmy shrew, which weighs little more than a dime. Such diversity among mammals has allowed them to play critical roles in every ecosystem, whether marine, freshwater, alpine, tundra, forest, or desert. Reflecting the expertise and perspective of five leading mammalogists, the fifth edition of Mammalogy: Adaptation, Diversity, Ecology significantly updates taxonomy, adds a new introductory chapter on the science of mammalogy, and highlights several recently described species. To enhance its appeal to students, textual material has been reduced, consolidated, and streamlined without sacrificing breadth or depth of coverage. The fifth edition includes for the first time, stunning color phTable of ContentsPrefacePART 1. IntroductionChapter 1 The Science of MammalogyChapter 2 Methods for Studying MammalsChapter 3 Phylogeny and Diversification of MammalsChapter 4 Evolution and Dental CharacteristicsChapter 5 BiogeographyPART 2. Structure and FunctionChapter 6 Integument, Support, and MovementChapter 7 Modes of FeedingChapter 8 Environmental AdaptationsChapter 9 ReproductionPART 3. Adaptive Radiation and DiversityChapter 10 Orders: Monotremata and MarsupialsChapter 11 Orders: Macroscelidea, Afrosoricida, Tubulidentata Chapter 12 Orders: Proboscidea, Hyracoidea, SireniaChapter 13 Orders: Pilosa and CingulataChapter 14 Orders: Scandentia and DermopteraChapter 15 Order: PrimatesChapter 16 Orders: Rodentia and LagomorphaChapter 17 Order: EulipotyphlaChapter 18 Orders: Carnivora and PholidotaChapter 19 Orders: Perissodactyla and CetartiodactylaChapter 20 Infraorder: CetaceaChapter 21 Order: ChiropteraPART 4. Behavior and EcologyChapter 22 Sexual Selection, Parental Care, and Mating SystemsChapter 23 Social Behavior and CommunicationChapter 24 Movement Patterns and Spatial RelationshipsChapter 25 Populations and Life HistoryChapter 26 Community EcologyPART 5. Special TopicsChapter 27 Parasites and Zoonotic DiseasesChapter 28 ConservationGlossaryReferencesCreditsIndex

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Book SynopsisProviding students with a solid understanding of core ecological concepts while explaining how ecologists raise and answer real-world questions, this second edition weaves together classic and cutting-edge case studies to bring the subject to life. It is fully updated throughout, including two chapters devoted to climate change ecology, along with extensive coverage of disease ecology, and has been designed specifically to equip students with the tools to analyze and interpret real data. Each chapter emphasizes the linkage between observations, ideas, questions, hypotheses, predictions, results, and conclusions. Additional summary sections describe the development and evolution of research programs in each of ecology''s core areas, providing students with essential context. Integrated discussion questions, along with end-of-chapter questions, encourage active learning. These are supported by online resources including tutorials that teach students to use the R programming language for statistical analyses of data presented in the text.

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