Ecological science, the Biosphere Books
Springer Landscapes, Genomics and Transgenic Conifers
Book SynopsisThe book is written for policy experts, life scientists, government and business leaders, biotechnology writers and social activists. Few decision-makers realize the unprecedented degree to which transgenic technology is now possible for forests on a commercial scale. Only a handful of the 550 living conifer species is used for commodity value and even fewer species are being developed for transgenic plantations. Transgenic field trials started within the last decade but no transgenic pine plantations exist in 2005. But emergence of transgenic forest trees is still so recent that dialogue about the pros and cons is confined to the scientific community. And dialogue must move out into the public domain. The goal of this volume is to provide content for public deliberations about the genetic composition of future forests. Its Section I is composed of provocative and opposing views on the question of transgenic conifer plantations. Sections II and III follow with research advances on relevant conifer genomics and ecology research, respectively. Section IV forecasts rates of technology adoption for different case studies. Finally, Section V compares the status of regulatory oversight of transgenic forest trees between Canada and the United States. Table of ContentsIntroduction; C.G. Williams. Section I: Pros and Cons for Transgenic Conifer Plantations. 1. Foresters and DNA; J. Ausubel et al. 2. Questioning Commercial Use of Transgenic Conifers; C.G. Williams. 3. It’s Just A Crop: Public Perception and Transgenic Trees; S. Anderson. Section II: Genomics Methods, Resources and Alternative Applications. 4. Genomics Resources for Conifers; J. Dean. 5. A New Direction for Conifer Genomics; K. Ritland et al. 6. Using Genomics to Study Evolutionary Origins of Seeds; E. Brenner, D. Stevenson. 7. Metabolic Profiling for Transgenic Forest Trees; H. Häggmann, R. Julkunen-Tiitto. Section III: Viewing Transgenic Conifer Plantations on A Landscape Scale. 8. Dispersal of Transgenic Conifer Pollen; G. Katul et al. 9. Gene Flow in Conifers; J. Mitton, C.G. Williams. 10. Pines as Invasive Aliens: Outlook for Transgenic Conifers in the Southern Hemisphere; D. Richardson, R. Petit. Section IV: Economics of Transgenic Technology Adoption. 11. Economic Prospects and Policy Framework for Forest Biotechnology for the Southern United States and South America; F. Cubbage et al. 12. Transgenic Forest Trees and Private Forests; M. Megalos. Section V: Government Regulations and Biosafety. 13. Canada’s Regulatory Approach; A.-C. Bonfils. 14. Biosafety of Transgenic Forests in the United States; R. Irwin, P. Jones.
£142.49
Springer Biology and Ecology of Norway Spruce
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£161.99
Springer Ecology of Tidal Freshwater Forested Wetlands of the Southeastern United States
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£248.47
Springer Forest Policies and Social Change in England
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£207.92
Alpha Edition Wild Life In A Southern County
Book Synopsis
£12.42
Springer Anoxia: Evidence for Eukaryote Survival and Paleontological Strategies
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£170.99
Springer Forests, Trees and Human Health
Book SynopsisThe link between modern lifestyles and increasing levels of chronic heart disease, obesity, stress and poor mental health is a concern across the world. The cost of dealing with these conditions places a large burden on national public health budgets so that policymakers are increasingly looking at prevention as a cost-effective alternative to medical treatment. Attention is turning towards interactions between the environment and lifestyles. Exploring the relationships between health, natural environments in general, and forests in particular, this groundbreaking book is the outcome of the European Union’s COST Action E39 ‘Forests, Trees and Human Health and Wellbeing’, and draws together work carried out over four years by scientists from 25 countries working in the fields of forestry, health, environment and social sciences. While the focus is primarily on health priorities defined within Europe, this volume explicitly draws also on research from North America.Trade ReviewFrom the reviews:“This book—the product of a four-year European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) project—is a timely addition to the literature … . the book seems ideal for the practitioner or service-manager looking for a comprehensive overview of the key considerations for using forests and other ‘green spaces’ more systematically to enhance the health and quality of the life of individuals and communities.” (Mike Morgan, International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation, Vol. 18 (10), October, 2011)Table of ContentsPreface 1 Forests, Trees and Human Health and Well-being: Introduction Kjell Nilsson, Marcus Sangster, Cecil C. Konijnendijk Part I, Forest Products and Environmental Services 2 Urban forests and their ecosystem services in relation to human health Giovanni Sanesi, Christos Gallis and Hans Dieter Kasperidus 3 Forest Products with Health-Promoting and Medicinal Properties Christos Gallis, Mariella Di Stefano, Paraskevi Moutsatsou, Tytti Sarjala, Vesa Virtanen, Bjarne Holmbom, Joseph A. Buhagiar, and Alexandros Katalanos 4 Negative aspects and hazardous effects of forest environment on human health Marek Tomalak, Elio Rossi, Francesco Ferrini, and Paola A. Moro Part II, Physical and Mental Health and the Experience of Nature 5 Health benefits of nature experience: Psychological, social and cultural processes Terry Hartig, Agnes van den Berg, Caroline Hägerhäll, Marek Tomalak, Nicole Bauer, Ralf Hansmann, Ann Ojala, Efi Syngollitou, Giuseppe Carrus, Ann van Herzele, Simon Bell, Marie Therese Camilleri Podesta, Grete Waaseth 6 Health benefits of nature experience: The challenge of linking practice and research Ann Van Herzele, Simon Bell, Terry Hartig, Marie Therese Camilleri Podesta and Ronald van Zon 7 Health benefits of nature experience: Implications of practice for research Simon Bell, Ronald van Zon, Ann Van Herzele and Terry Hartig Part III, Promoting Physical Activity 8 Contributions of Natural Environments to Physical Activity Sjerp de Vries, Thomas Claßen, Stella-Maria Eigenheer-Hug, Kalevi Korpela, Jolanda Maas, Richard Mitchell and Peter Schantz 9 Natural elements and physical activity in urban green space planning and design Paolo Semenzato, Tuija Sievanen, Eva Silveirinha de Oliveira, Ana Luisa Soares and Renate Spaeth 10 Motivating people to be physically active in green spaces Amalia Drakou, Rik De Vreese, Tove Lofthus and Jo Muscat Part IV, Therapeutical and Educational Aspects 11 Nature-based therapeutic interventions Ulrika K. Stigsdotter, Anna Maria Palsdottir, Ambra Burls, Alessandra Chermaz, Francesco Ferrini and Patrik Grahn 12 Outdoor education, life long learning and skills development in woodlands and green spaces: the potential links to health and well-being Liz O’Brien, Ambra Burls, Peter Bentsen, Inger Hilmo, Kari Holter, Dorothee Haberling, Janez Pirnat, Mikk Sarv, Kristel Vilbaste, John McLoughlin Part V, Forest and Health Policies and Economics 13 Measuring health benefits of green space in economic terms Ken Willis and Bob Crabtree Postscript: Landscapes and health as representations of cultural diversity Klaus Seeland
£161.99
Springer Insect Conservation: Past, Present and Prospects
Book SynopsisThe history of interest and practice in insect conservation is summarised and traced through contributions from many of the leaders in the discipline, to provide the first broad global account of how insects have become incorporated into considerations of conservation. The essays collectively cover the genesis and development of insect conservation, emphasising its strong foundation within the northern temperate regions and the contrasts with much of the rest of the world. Major present-day scenarios are discussed, together with possible developments and priorities in insect conservation for the future.Trade Review“New's Insect Conservation: Past, Present and Prospects, gives the reader … a sweeping vision of the history, present-day research, and future directions of insect conservation. … the authors explore the pitfalls and challenges of insect conservation and present new directions for the discipline to take. … It succeeds wonderfully in providing an in-depth coverage of the field of insect conservation, and it is certain to be the leading text for college students and conservation researchers for years to come.” (Scott R. Shaw, Conservation Biology, Vol. 29 (5), 2015)Table of ContentsPreface.- List of contributors.- 1. Tim New. Introduction to insect conservation, an emerging discipline.- Section 1. Organisations in the United Kingdom.- 2. Michael G. Morris and Oliver D. Cheesman. Insect conservation in the United Kingdom – the role of the Joint Committee for the Conservation of British insects and Invertebrate Link (JCCBI).- 3. Ian F.G. McLean and Roger S. Key. A history of invertebrate conservation in the British Statutory Conservation Agencies.- 4. Alan Stubbs and Matt Shardlow. The development of Buglife - The Invertebrate Conservation Trust.- 5. David Lonsdale. Insect conservation in the United Kingdom – the Amateur Entomologists’ Society.- 6. Martin Warren. Butterfly Conservation: the development of a pioneering charity.- Section 2. North American developments.- 7. Robert Michael Pyle. The origins of insect conservation in the United States.- 8. Scott Hoffman Black. Insect conservation and the Endangered Species Act: a history.- Section 3. The temperate southern regions.- 9. Tim New and Alan Yen. Insect conservation in Australia.- 10. Corinne Watts, Ian Stringer and George Gibbs. Insect conservation in New Zealand: an historical perspective.- 11. Michael Samways, Michelle Hamer and Ruan Veldtman. Development and future of insect conservation in South Africa.- 12. Jonathan Ball. Lepidopterology in southern Africa: past, present and future.- Section 4. Regional themes and developments.- 13. Karel Spitzer. Insect conservation developments in central Europe.- 14. John R. Haslett. Development and future of conservation policy initiatives for insects and other invertebrates in Europe. - 15. Minoru Ishii and Yasuhiro Nakamura. Development and future of insect conservation in Japan.- 16. Francis G. Howarth and Betsy H. Gagné. Development of insect conservation in Hawai’i.- 17. David L. Pearson and Fabio Cassola. Insect conservation biology: What can we learn from ornithology and birding?- Section 5. Looking forward.- 18. Alan Stewart. Where to next? The future of insect conservation.- 19. Tim New. Developing insect conservation: concluding thoughts.- Index.
£170.99
Springer Microevolution Rate, Pattern, Process
Book SynopsisFrom guppies to Galapagos finches and from adaptive landscapes to haldanes, this compilation of contributed works provides reviews, perspectives, theoretical models, statistical developments, and empirical demonstrations exploring the tempo and mode of microevolution on contemporary to geological time scales. New developments, and reviews, of classic and novel empirical systems demonstrate the strength and diversity of evolutionary processes producing biodiversity within species. Perspectives and theoretical insights expand these empirical observations to explore patterns and mechanisms of microevolution, methods for its quantification, and implications for the evolution of biodiversity on other scales. This diverse assemblage of manuscripts is aimed at professionals, graduate students, and advanced undergraduates who desire a timely synthesis of current knowledge, an illustration of exciting new directions, and a springboard for future investigations in the study of microevolution in the wild.Table of ContentsAn introduction to microevolution: rate, pattern, process; A.P. Hendry, M.T. Kinnison. The adaptive landscape as a conceptual bridge between micro- and macroevolution; S.J. Arnold, et al. Possible consequences of genes of major effect: transient changes in the G-matrix; A.F. Agrawal, et al. Toward a new synthesis: population genetics and evolutionary developmental biology; N.A. Johnson, A.H. Porter. Epistasis, complex traits, and mapping genes; M.J. Wade. Population structure inhibits evolutionary diversification under competition for resources; T. Day. Variation, selection and evolution of function-valued traits; J.G. Kingsolver, et al. Why the null matters: statistical tests, random walks and evolution; H.D. Sheets, C.E. Mitchell. Rates of evolution on the time scale of the evolutionary process; P.D. Gingerich. The pace of modern life II: from rates of contemporary microevolution to pattern and process; M.T. Kinnison, A.P. Hendry. Trends and rates of microevolution in plants; E. Bone, A. Farres. The population ecology of contemporary adaptations: what empirical studies reveal about the conditions that promote adaptive evolution; D.N. Reznick, C.K. Ghalambor. Explaining stasis: microevolutionary studies in natural populations; J. Merilä, et al. Ring species as bridges between microevolution and speciation; D.E. Irwin, et al. Microevolution in island rodents; O.R.W. Pergams, M.V. Ashley. Genetic architecture of adaptive differentiation in evolving host races of the soapberry bug, Jadera haematoloma; S.P. Carroll, et al. Rapid evolution of wing size clines in Drosophila subobscura; G.W. Gilchrist, et al. Insecticide resistance in the mosquito Culex pipiens: what have we learnedabout adaptation? M. Raymond, et al. High gene flow levels lead to gamete wastage in a desert spider system; S.E. Riechert, et al. Integrating genetic and environmental forces that shape the evolution of geographic variation in a marine snail; G.C. Trussell, R.J. Etter. On morphological clocks and paleophylogeography: towards a timescale for Sorex hybrid zones; P.D. Polly. A population founded by a single pair of individuals: establishment, expansion, and evolution; P.R. Grant, et al. Refugial isolation versus ecological gradients; T.B. Smith, et al. Experimental studies of adaptive differentiation in Bahamian Anolis lizards; J.B. Losos, et al. Runaway social games, genetic cycles driven by alternative male and female strategies, and the origin of morphs; B. Sinervo. Mechanisms of rapid sympatric speciation by sex reversal and sexual selection in cichlid fish; R. Lande, et al. Lateral plate evolution in the threespine stickelback: getting nowhere fast; M.A. Bell. Sexual conflict and evolution in Trinidadian guppies; A.E. Magurran. A century of life-history evolution in grayling; T.O. Haugen, L.A. Vøllestad. Evolution of chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) populations in New Zealand: pattern, rate, and process; T.P. Quinn, et al. Adaptive divergence and the evolution of reproductive isolation in the wild: an empirical demonstration using introduced sockeye salmon; A.P. Hendry. Authors index.
£170.99
Springer Exploitation of Microorganisms
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£170.99
Springer Conservation of Faunal Diversity in Forested Landscapes
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£170.99
Springer Energy Metabolism in Farm Animals: Effects of housing, stress and disease
Book SynopsisAnimal production systems have changed dramatically over the last two decades. Knowledge of energy metabolism and environmental physio logy has increased as appears from many textbooks on these disciplines. The contents of the symposia on energy metabolism of farm animals show this and they have initially focussed on feed evaluation and later on com parative aspects of energy metabolism. They show part of the progress being made. Application of knowledge of energy metabolism for animals has a long history since Lavoisier. In addition to this, studies about the environ mental requirements of animals have shown that we are still far from ac curate assessment of these requirements in terms of nutrients and ener gy. I n model studies on energy metabolism researchers have recognized the interaction between the environment and the energy requirements of animals. Estimation of energy requirements has been done in physiolo gical, physical and behavioural studies. The impact of conditions as en countered by animals in various production systems has been approached from different viewpoints related to these different disciplines. In addi tion, various kinds of infections (bacterial, parasitic: subclinical, clini cal) have been evaluated only recently with regard to their effect on pro tein and/or energy metabolism and thus on production. People working in the field of feed evaluation have defined how che mical and physical properties of nutrition infiuence energy to be derived for maintenance and production.Table of ContentsI. Introduction.- Energy metabolism of farm animals.- The Wageningen respiration unit for animal production research: a description of the equipment and its possibilities.- II. Housing-Systems and Energy Metabolism.- Adaptation to, and energy costs of, tethering in pregnant sows.- Metabolic rate of piglets between sucklings.- Influence of some environmental, animal and feeding factors on energy metabolism in growing pigs.- The effects of housing conditions on energy utilization of poultry.- III. Climatic Conditions and Energy Metabolism.- Surface temperatures as parameters.- The influence of climatic environment on sows.- Thermal requirements of growing pigs from birth to slaughter.- A formula to describe the relation between heat production at thermoneutral as well as below thermoneutral temperatures simultaneously.- Effect of environmental temperature and air velocity two days preslaughtering on heat production, weight loss and meat quality in non-fedpigs.- Effects of climatic conditions on energy metabolism and performance of calves.- Climatic conditions and energy metabolism of laying hens.- Climatic environment and energy metabolism in broilers.- Heat tolerance of one-day old chickens with special reference to conditions during airtransport.- IV. Health and Aspects of Energy Metabolism.- Energy metabolism and immune function.- Parasite worry and restlessness caused by sarcoptic mange in swine.- Respiratory diseases in pigs: incidence, economic losses and prevention in the Netherlands.- Mastitis in dairy cows with special reference to direct and indirect effects of climatological factors.- The effect of gastrointestinal nematodes on metabolism in calves.- Energy and nitrogen metabolism of growing calves continuously infected with Dictyocaulus viviparus.- Respiratory diseases in calves.- The effect of a subclinical Haemonchus infection on the metabolism of sheep (a pilot study).- Coccidiosis: a problem in broilers.- V. Variation in Energy Metabolism Characteristics Due to Feeding Level and Differences Between Breeds/Strains.- Effect of feeding level on maintenance requirements of growing pigs.- Genetic variation of energy metabolism in poultry.- Genetic variation of energy metabolism in mice.- Effects of body weight, feeding level and temperature on energy metabolism and growth in fish.
£40.49
Springer Particle-Laden Flow: From Geophysical to Kolmogorov Scales
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£116.99
Springer Verlag, Singapore Plant Growth Promoting Actinobacteria: A New Avenue for Enhancing the Productivity and Soil Fertility of Grain Legumes
Book SynopsisGlobal yields of legumes have been relatively stagnant for the last five decades, despite the adoption of conventional and molecular breeding approaches. The use of plant growth-promoting (PGP) bacteria for improving agricultural production, soil and plant health has become one of the most attractive strategies for developing sustainable agriculture. Actinomycetes are bacteria that play an important role in PGP and plant protection, produce secondary metabolites of commercial interest, and their use is well documented in wheat, rice, beans, chickpeas and peas. In order to promote legumes, the general assembly of the UN recently declared 2016 the “International Year of Pulses.” In view of this development, this book illustrates how PGP actinomycetes can improve grain yield and soil fertility, improve control of insect pests and phytopathogens, and enhance host-plant resistance. It also addresses special topics of current interest, e.g. the role of PGP actinomycetes in the biofortification of legume seeds and bioremediation of heavy metals. Trade Review“The present book documents recent research, at ICRISAT and worldwide, on this fascinating subject of study. … Clearly the plant growth promoting, root-associated Actinobacteria constitute a most promising group for further study in the quest to improve the performance and yield of grain legumes, one of the world’s most important crop groups, with great potential for success in helping to strengthen international food security.” (David S. Ingram, Food Security, Vol. 9, 2017)“This work focuses on actinobacteria in soil microbiota and their role in crop production, generally pulse crops such as peas and beans. … Chapters show a consistency of style and format, all with meaningfully titled short subsections, frequent inclusion of tables, extensive cited reference … . This work is strongly recommended for institutions with programs in agriculture, especially those with research soil science or legume cultivation. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through researchers and faculty; professionals.” (J. Cummings, Choice, Vol. 54 (4), December, 2016)Table of Contents1. Direct Plant Growth-Promoting Ability of Actinobacteria in Grain Legumes.- 2. Indirect Plant Growth-Promotion in Grain Legumes: Role of Actinobacteria.- 3. Enhancing Soil Health and Plant Growth: Promotion by Actinomycetes.- 4. Recent Advancement in the Development of Bio-Pesticides by Actinomycetes for the Control of Insect Pests.- 5. Actinomycetes Bio-Inoculants: A Modern Prospectus for Plant Disease Management.- 6. Managing Pests and Diseases of Grain Legumes with Secondary Metabolites from Actinomycetes.- 7. Role of Secondary Metabolites of Actinomycetes in Crop Protection.- 8. Endophytic Actinobacteria: Nitrogen Fixation, Phytohormone Production and Antibiosis.- 9. Role of Endophytic Actinomycetes in Crop Protection: Plant Growth-Promotion and Biological Control.- 10. Synergy of Actinomycetes Co-inoculation.- 11. Role of ACC Deaminase in Stress Control of Leguminous Plants.- 12. Induction of Systemic Resistance in Crop Plants against Plant Pathogens by Plant Growth-Promoting Actinomycetes.- 13. Actinomycetes as Mitigators of Climate Change and Abiotic Stress.- 14. Perspectives of Plant Growth-Promoting Actinomycetes in Heavy Metal Phytoremediation.- 15. Role of Actinomycetes Mediated Nano-System in Agriculture.- 16. Use of Genomic Approaches in Understanding the Role of Actinomycetes as PGP in Grain Legumes.- 17. Exploration of Plant Growth-Promoting Actinomycetes for Biofortification of Mineral Nutrients.- 18. Evaluation of Plant Growth-Promoting Actinomycetes on Vigna.- 19. Plant Growth-Promoting Actinomycetes: Mass Production, Delivery Systems and Commercialization.
£116.99
Springer Verlag, Singapore Spatial Dynamics and Ecology of Large Ungulate Populations in Tropical Forests of India
Book SynopsisLarge ungulates in tropical forests are among the most threatened taxa of mammals. Excessive hunting, degradation of and encroachments on their natural habitats by humans have contributed to drastic reductions in wild ungulate populations in recent decades. As such, reliable assessments of ungulate-habitat relationships and the spatial dynamics of their populations are urgently needed to provide a scientific basis for conservation efforts. However, such rigorous assessments are methodologically complex and logistically difficult, and consequently many commonly used ungulate population survey methods do not address key problems. As a result of such deficiencies, key parameters related to population distribution, abundance, habitat ecology and management of tropical forest ungulates remain poorly understood. This book addresses this critical knowledge gap by examining how population abundance patterns in five threatened species of large ungulates vary across space in the tropical forests of the Nagarahole-Bandipur reserves in southwestern India. It also explains the development and application of an innovative methodology – spatially explicit line transect sampling – based on an advanced hierarchical modelling under the Bayesian inferential framework, which overcomes common methodological deficiencies in current ungulate surveys. The methods and results presented provide valuable reference material for researchers and professionals involved in studying and managing wild ungulate populations around the globe. Table of ContentsChapter 1. The conservation issue.- Chapter 2. Development of hierarchical spatial models for assessing ungulate abundance and habitat relationships.- Chapter 3. Model-based assessment of ungulate-habitat relationships.- Chapter 4. Assessing threats to ungulates and management responses.- Chapter 5. Conservation of tropical forest ungulates: the way forward.
£999.99
Springer Verlag, Singapore Tropical Cloud Forest Ecology in Hainan Island
Book SynopsisThis book introduces ecology of tropical cloud forests in China, a high-altitudinal tropical forest. The findings are novel in revealing environmental characteristics, community features, diversity patterns, plant strategies, community assembly mechanisms, and diversity-ecosystem functions of tropical cloud forests in China. The knowledge of this book will bridge the gaps of our understanding on the tropical forest in China and the world-wide, and will enrich the theory of tropical forest community ecology.Written by experts in the field, this book will serve as an invaluable reference for tropical forest ecology researchers.Table of Contents
£999.99
University of California Press River and Stream Ecosystems of the World
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£56.80
University of California Press Sustainability through Soccer An Unexpected Approach to Saving Our World
Book SynopsisIn the quest for sustainability, we strive to meet our present needs without sacrificing the same opportunity for future generations. Our success or failure depends on our ability to think in "systems," integrating environmental, social, and economic considerations. But how do we learn systems-thinking? This book deals with sustainability science.Table of ContentsAcknowledgments 1. BACKGROUND 2. PARTS 3. BOUNDARIES 4. BEHAVIORS 5. EVALUATING 6. CREATING 7. THE ENDLESS QUEST Review Glossary Recommended Reading Index
£63.90
Harvard University Press Wild by Design
Book SynopsisLaura J. Martin examines ecological restoration's long history. Since the early 1900s, restorationists have confronted vexing philosophical questions: Which states of nature should be restored? Who should choose? Is human-designed wilderness really wild? Restoration work leads us to reimagine nature and the nature of environmental justice.Trade ReviewAn outstandingly well-researched and deeply thoughtful account of the way that the United States has attempted to negotiate its relationship to wild plants and animals…an essential read for anyone who wants to understand the implications of our interventions. -- John Dupré * Los Angeles Review of Books *Can we repair the ecological damage that we’ve done? As Laura Martin observes, no question today could be more pressing, or more uncertain. Wild by Design is a fascinating book—far-reaching, deeply researched, and probing. -- Elizabeth Kolbert, author of Under a White Sky: The Nature of the FutureReaching back over a century in this intricate, revelatory book, Martin shows that just as we have to reckon with the physical legacy of past ecological degradation, we must also face the social, cultural, and political legacy of past ecological restoration…Wild by Design will be a foundational work for scholars of restoration history or politics. Like ecological restoration as a field, this book is valuable both to its disciplines and to the public—it is timely, engaging, and entertaining. -- Peter Kimball Brewitt * Ecological Restoration *Examines how the practice and philosophy of restoration has evolved since the early twentieth century…[Martin] makes a strong case for restoration’s enduring value. -- Michelle Nijhuis * New York Review of Books *A comprehensive history of the practice of ‘ecological restoration,’ or human assistance in recovering a damaged world. Martin both eschews blanket optimism and refuses to fall victim to doomsday cynicism around climate change. By examining the precedents for restorative ecology, she illuminates how the development of the field influences contemporary practices, and how ghosts from the historical record haunt our ecological future…Its historical contributions alone…mark Wild by Design as a major achievement. -- Celeste Pepitone-Nahas * Ancillary Review of Books *With astute and thought-provoking insights and graceful prose, this book arrives at a timely moment, as the twentieth century’s two dominant modes of environmental management, conservation and preservation, are being supplemented by techniques of ecological restoration…The book stands out as a portrayal of ecological restoration as an active scientific and social pursuit that offers a meaningful and needed sense of hope. -- Jeffrey K. Stine * H-Net Reviews *Wild by Design deserves a wide readership. It not only complements the foundational analyses of influential historians of extinction and ecology, it also contributes in vital ways to the ongoing work that all ecologists and environmentalists need to do—confronting the problematic social assumptions that still pervade many aspects of ecological science and environmental management. -- Christine Keiner * Journal of the History of Biology *Wild by Design’s biggest gift is to ‘denaturalize’ restoration as it is done today, showing that concepts that can seem essential to the practice, such as eradicating invasive species or returning landscapes to some pre-disturbance state, have been insignificant for much of the movement’s history. -- Matthew Ponsford * MIT Technology Review *Explores fundamental questions at the intersection of the sciences and humanities…A century of well-intended environmental management has been sullied by pseudoscience, racism, greed, and shocking blunders. Martin’s erudite perspective on these complexities shines throughout her incisive first book…Aldo Leopold, a pioneering restoration ecologist, wrote in 1938 that ‘the oldest task in human history [is] to live on a piece of land without spoiling it.’ As Laura Martin’s astute book illuminates, that task has never been more urgent. -- Julie Dunlap * Washington Independent Review of Books *This is a superb book. Laura Martin’s research takes us where no restoration literature has gone before, asking, ‘Who gets to decide where and how wildlife management occurs?’ Martin tackles this question with unmatched clarity and insight, illuminating the crucial discussions we must have to secure a future with thriving natural species and spaces. -- Peter Kareiva, President and CEO, Aquarium of the PacificA brilliant intervention in the history of conservation that charts changes in ecological understanding of how landscapes rebound from disaster. In following the roots of restoration ecology, Martin explores how naturalness can be cultivated rather than found, providing us with seeds of hope in an age of climate despair. -- Erika Lorraine Milam, author of Creatures of Cain: The Hunt for Human Nature in Cold War AmericaWhat does it mean to care for a wild species? In this provocative and fascinating book, Laura Martin grapples with this question by examining the boundaries of human intervention and wildness. As we face a rapidly changing planet, Martin’s clear-sighted, intelligent analysis offers hope that by recognizing the complex history of restoration, we can make way for its promising future. -- Nancy Langston, author of Climate Ghosts
£31.46
Princeton University Press The Evolution of Power
Book SynopsisTrade Review"[A] thought-provoking study. . . . [Vermeij's] framework offers intriguing new insights, as when he contends that ecosystems operate like self-regulating economies in their exchanges of power and energy as part of a competition for resources. This provides plenty to ponder." * Publishers Weekly *"Vermeij has provided a literate, straightforward account of a challenging, thought-provoking topic, that is accessible to everyone, yet replete with logic, conviction and unassailable science. It may be a tad hyperbolic to describe a work such as this as 'entertaining,' but, in fact, I found it so. Brilliant and entertaining at the same time - and very readable."---David Gascoigne, Travels with Birds"Absorbing."---Kenneth Silber, Splice Today
£22.50
Johns Hopkins University Press Population Genetics
Book SynopsisThis book is indispensable for students working in a laboratory setting or studying free-ranging populations.Trade Review"John Gillespie has done the near-impossible, condensing the essence of population genetics into a very short book. The result is a little gem. The derivations are simple and clear, and often strikingly original. The minor gaps in the first edition are filled by this equally concise second edition. Population genetics is a complicated subject; only a person of Gillespie's depth of knowledge and insight could simplify without distorting." - James F. Crow, author of Genetics Notes "The book is coherently and logically structured and covers all the most important and incontrovertible aspects of population genetics... I recommend this as a good introductory book that can be used in both undergraduate and graduate courses." - Heredity "A well-developed, thoughtful, and classic book that has been tested and improved through many years in the classroom... A 'must' for anyone interested in plant or animal genetics." - Choice"Table of ContentsList of FiguresPrefaceChapter 1. Genetic VariationChapter 2. Genetic DriftChapter 3. Natural SelectionChapter 4. Two-Locus DynamicsChapter 5. Nonrandom MatingChapter 6. Quantitative GeneticsChapter 7. The Evolutionary Advantage of SexAppendix A. Mathematical NecessitiesAppendix B. ProbabilityBibliography Index
£29.70
Johns Hopkins University Press Forest Ecosystems 2e
Book SynopsisA textbook in the field of forest ecology. It provides a survey of boreal, temperate, and tropical forests with an emphasis on ecological concepts across scales that range from global to landscape to microscopic. It is intended for advanced students of forest science, ecology, environmental studies, forest ecologists, foresters, and land managers.Trade ReviewIn this revised edition, Perry has added leading scientists Oren and Hart to the authorship of this large volume, the most comprehensive book on forest ecosystem ecology so far... The work is easily readable and very exciting... This well-written volume is a must read for graduate students, ecologists, and managers in forestry, ecosystem ecology, and forest management. Choice 2009Table of ContentsPreface1. Introduction1.1. Why Study Ecosystems?1.2. State of the World's Forests1.3. The Study of Nature: Balance and Flux1.4. A Brief Overview of the Book1.5. Summary2. Basic Terminology and Concepts2.1. Some Basic Concepts2.2. The Subdisciplines of Ecology2.3. The Nature of Systems2.4. Summary3. Forests as Part of the Global Ecosystem3.1. A Brief Look at the Global Ecosystem3.2. Ecosystem Services Provided by Forests3.3. Forests and Human Health3.4. Summary4. Major Forest Types and Their Climatic Controls4.1. The Influence of Climate on Forest Type4.2. Latitudinal Gradients in Forest Characteristics4.3. How Will Global Climate Change Affect the Distribution of Forests?4.4. Summary5. Local Variation in Community Type: The Landscape Mosaic5.1. A Case History5.2. Topoedaphic Influences on Vegetation Patterns5.3. The Emergent Landscape: Integration of Topography, Soils, and Disturbance5.4. Vegetation Classification5.5. Summary6. Change in Time: An Overview6.1. Earth Music6.2. Summary7. Disturbance in Forest Ecosystems7.1. The Complex Nature of Disturbance7.2. Fire7.3. Wind7.4. Tectonic Activity7.5. Flooding7.6. Invasive Species7.7. Summary8. Patterns and Mechanisms of Succession8.1. Historical Notes8.2. Compositional and Structural Change during Succession8.3. Mechanisms of Succession8.4. Ecosystem Changes during Succession8.5. The Emergent Landscape Revisited8.6. Summary9. The Structure of Local Ecosystems9.1. Forest Structure9.2. Habitat and Niche9.3. Food Webs: Pathways of Energy Flow within Ecosystems9.4. Niche Overlap and Diversification9.5. The Tradeoff between Dominance and Diversity9.6. Scales of Diversity9.7. Summary10. How Biodiversity Is Created and Maintained10.1. Forces That Generate and Maintain Diversity within Communities10.2. The Variation of Species Richness amongEnvironments10.3. Relationships between Forest Structure and the Diversity of Animals and Microbes10.4. Forces Producing Diversity in Trees and Other Forest Plants10.5. Summary11. The Biological Web: Interactions among Species11.1. The Structure of Relationships within Communities11.2. Interactions between Two Species: Basic Concepts11.3. Mutualisms11.4. Competition11.5. Higher-Order Interactions11.6. Summary12. Size-Density Relationships in Forests over Time and across Space12.1. Self-Thinning: An Orderly Process12.2. Size-Density Relationships in Forests: The Spatial Dimension12.3. Summary13. Genetic and Evolutionary Aspects of Species Interactions13.1. The Role of Biotic Interactions in Evolution13.2. Community and Ecosystem Genetics13.3. The Selection of Cooperation within Groups13.4. Summary14. Soil: The Fundamental Resource14.1. What Is Soil?14.2. The Soil Profile14.3. Physical Properties of Soils14.4. Chemical Properties of Soils14.5. Biological Properties of Soils14.6. Soil Development14.7. Soil Classification14.8. Summary15. Primary Productivity15.1. Light Capture and Gas Exchange in Canopies15.2. Respiration by Trees and Ecosystems15.3. Net Primary Productivity15.4. Carbon Allocation in Different Environments15.5. The Limiting Factors of the Environment15.6. Trees Are Not Prisoners of the Environment15.7. Productivity in the Twenty-first Century15.8. Summary16. Forest Nutrition16.1. The Essential Nutrients and Their Physiological Roles16.2. Nutrient Requirements and Limitations16.3. Diagnosing Nutrient Deficiencies16.4. The Concept of Relative Addition Rate16.5. Summary17. Biogeochemical Cycling: Nutrient Inputs to and Losses from Local Ecosystems17.1. An Overview of Nutrient Inputs to Local Ecosystems17.2. Atmospheric Inputs17.3. Inputs from Weathering of Primary Minerals17.4. Biological Nitrogen Fixation17.5. Nutrient Losses from Undisturbed Forests17.6. Nutrient Losses from Disturbed Forests17.7. Summary18. Biogeochemical Cycling: The Intrasystem Cycle18.1. Overview of the Intrasystem Nutrient Cycle18.2. The Contribution of Nutrient Cycling to Primary Productivity18.3. Detritus18.4. The Intratree Nutrient Cycle18.5. Throughfall and Stem Flow18.6. Decomposition and Nutrient Cycling: Some Basic Concepts18.7. Broad Patterns of Decomposition: The k Value18.8. Factors Controlling the Rate of Decomposition18.9. Effects of Food-Chain Interactions on Decomposition, Immobilization, and Mineralization18.10. Biodiversity Affects Decomposition18.11. A Closer Look at Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Sulfur Cycles18.12. Plant Uptake18.13. Nutrient Cycling through Succession18.14. Global Change and Nutrient Cycling18.15. Summary19. Herbivores in Forest Ecosystems19.1. Effects of Herbivory on Primary Productivity19.2. Factors Controlling Herbivores19.3. Coevolutionary Balance in Forests19.4. Summary20. Ecosystem Stability I: Introduction and Case Studies20.1. Stability of What?20.2. Resistance, Resilience, Robustness20.3. Pollution20.4. Degrading Forests through Mismanagement20.5. Loss of Bioregulation: Breaking the Links between Plants and Soils20.6. Loss of Bioregulation: Breaking the Top-Down Links20.7. Balls, Dancers, and Dances20.8. Summary21. Ecosystem Stability II: The Role of Biodiversity21.1. May's Paradox21.2. Intensive Forest Management Simplifies Natural Ecosystems21.3. Does Biodiversity Stabilize Ecosystems? Yes, But . . .21.4. Understanding Stabilization Requires Understanding Structure-Function Interactions21.5. Summary22. Ecosystem Stability III: Conserving Species22.1. Conserving Species Means Protecting Habitat22.2. What Kind of Habitat? A Matter of Balance22.3. Fine Filters, Coarse Filters, and Pluralism22.4. Viable Populations22.5. Landscape Patterns: Fragmentation, Variegation, and Permeation22.6. Summary23. The Future23.1. The Implications of Global Warming23.2. Maintaining Biological Diversity in Managed Forests23.3. Coda: The New and the Renewed23.4. SummaryBibliographyIndex
£70.55
Johns Hopkins University Press Starfish
Book SynopsisWasson, Stephen A. WattsTrade ReviewColor photographs and detailed black-and-white illustrations will aid the layperson looking for basic information, but the extensive references speak to this volume's research value. Library Journal If you want to get serious about starfish, this book is a must for you. -- David Burton International Zoo News Offers a comprehensive review of their biology and ecology. It perfectly integrates the research conducted during the past decades, updating the still-quoted synthesis of Hyman (1955), and complimenting the serial 'Echinoderm Studies' that was last published in 2001... It will be interesting to the widest audience, and is definitively an invitation to a compelling reading. -- Loic Villier Marine Biology Review This scholarly volume will be most useful to researchers on echinoderm biology and teachers of marine invertebrate biology... Recommended. Choice A valuable source of information on sea stars... Useful for all who deal with studies of sea stars. -- A.V. Kalachev & V.I. Kalinin Russian Journal of Marine Biology This book provides both very useful general knowledge on the class of Asteroidea and a very comprehensive understanding of the biology and the ecology of starfish through detailed properties of structure and function... [It] will be particularly useful for students and teachers, and is really welcome in our overspecialized world. -- Dominique Davoult Cahiers de Biologie MarineTable of ContentsContributorsPrefacePart I: Comparative Biology and EcologyChapter 1. Phylogeny of the AsteroideaChapter 2. The Asteroid ArmChapter 3. Functional Biology of Asteroid Tube FeetChapter 4. Reproduction in AsteroideaChapter 5. Asteroid Evolutionary Developmental Biology and EcologyChapter 6. Larval Ecology, Settlement, and Recruitment of AsteroidsChapter 7. Ecological Role of Sea Stars from Populations to Meta-ecosystemsChapter 8. Chemistry and Ecological Role of Starfish Secondary MetabolitesChapter 9. Steroids in AsteroideaPart II: Integrative BiologyChapter 10. AstropectenChapter 11. LuidiaChapter 12. Odontaster validusChapter 13. Acanthaster planciChapter 14. Oreaster reticulatusChapter 15. Heliaster helianthusChapter 16. Pisaster ochraceusChapter 17. Asterias amurensisChapter 18. Leptasterias polarisChapter 19. CoscinasteriasChapter 20. EchinasterReferencesIndex
£82.18
Johns Hopkins University Press Mammalian Paleoecology
Book SynopsisTrade ReviewThis book is a neatly crafted package that gives the reader all the required background knowledge, while its case studies make for fascinating reading.—Inquisitive BiologistThis book is highly recommended to people who are interested in paleontology of mammals and how this science can help us to understand us how organisms respond and adapt to environmental changes.—Suiform SoundingsTable of ContentsAcknowledgements1. IntroductionPart I: General Principles of Paleoecology2. Old Bones, footprints and trace evidence of life 3. Taphonomy -putting the dead to work4. Determining age and context Part II: Characterizing the ecology of fossil organisms5. On being the right size6. Show me your teeth and I will tell you what you are7. Stable isotopes and the reconstruction of mammalian movement, diet and trophic relationships8. Non-traditional 'fossils'9. Reconstructing past climate Part III: Using paleoecology to understand the present10. The past as prologue: the importance of a deeper temporal perspective in climate change research11. Biodiversity on EarthIndex
£68.00
Johns Hopkins University Press Bird Migration
Book SynopsisTrade ReviewOne of the most charismatic phenomena of birds is long-distance migration, and John Rappole's latest book on this topic is one of its kind. With his insightful book Rappole, an emeritus researcher at the Smithsonian Institute, turns the centuries-year-long paradigms of bird migration theory upside down, twists them and builds a compelling case to convince the reader that his dispersal theory bears the truth about the origin of bird migration.—Community EcologyTable of ContentsPrefaceAcknowledgmentsChapter 1. The Bird Migration ParadigmChapter 2. The Migrant Annual Cycle According to the Dispersal TheoryChapter 3. Fall MigrationChapter 4. Wintering PeriodChapter 5. Spring MigrationChapter 6. Breeding PeriodChapter 7. Postbreeding Period Chapter 8. Population BiologyChapter 9. Origin and EvolutionChapter 10. BiogeographyChapter 11. ConservationCodaAppendix 1. Common and Scientific Names of Bird Species Mentioned in the TextAppendix 2. A Critical Examination of the Assumptions in "Temperate Origins of Long-Distance Seasonal Migration in New World Songbirds" by Benjamin M. Winger, F. Keith Barker, and Richard H. ReeAppendix 3. Notation Corrections for Alan Pine's Multiple Carrying Capacity Equations from "Age-Structured Periodic Breeders" by Alan S. Pine in The Avian Migrant: The Biology of Bird Migration by John H. Rappole (New York: Columbia University Press, 2013)Annotated BibliographyIndex
£26.10
University of Minnesota Press The Probiotic Planet: Using Life to Manage Life
Book SynopsisAssesses a promising new approach to restoring the health of our bodies and our planet Most of us are familiar with probiotics added to milk or yogurt to improve gastrointestinal health. In fact, the term refers to any intervention in which life is used to manage life—from the microscopic, like consuming fermented food to improve gut health, to macro approaches such as biological pest control and natural flood management. In this ambitious and original work, Jamie Lorimer offers a sweeping overview of diverse probiotic approaches and an insightful critique of their promise and limitations. During our current epoch—the Anthropocene—human activity has been the dominant influence on climate and the environment, leading to the loss of ecological abundance, diversity, and functionality. Lorimer describes cases in which scientists and managers are working with biological processes to improve human, environmental, and even planetary health, pursuing strategies that stand in contrast to the “antibiotic approach”: Big Pharma, extreme hygiene, and industrial agriculture. The Probiotic Planet focuses on two forms of “rewilding” occurring on vastly different scales. The first is the use of keystone species like wolves and beavers as part of landscape restoration. The second is the introduction of hookworms into human hosts to treat autoimmune disorders. In both cases, the goal is to improve environmental health, whether the environment being managed is planetary or human. Lorimer argues that, all too often, such interventions are viewed in isolation, and he calls for a rethinking of artificial barriers between science and policy. He also describes the stark and unequal geographies of the use of probiotic approaches and examines why these patterns exist. The author’s preface provides a thoughtful discussion of the COVID-19 pandemic as it relates to the probiotic approach. Informed by deep engagement with microbiology, immunology, ecology, and conservation biology as well as food, agriculture, and waste management, The Probiotic Planet offers nothing less than a new paradigm for collaboration between the policy realm and the natural sciences. Trade Review"This brilliant book delivers an incisive reading of probiotic cultural practices today—taking in everything from home fermentation to permaculture to rewilding. Jamie Lorimer expertly shows us that social and scientific projects that aim at re-calibrating microbial, bodily, and ecological worlds are experiments in the politics of symbiosis. In our days of viral peril, The Probiotic Planet is a vital reminder of the multiple futures biology may yet prepare."—Stefan Helmreich, author of Sounding the Limits of Life: Essays in the Anthropology of Biology and Beyond"Moving between human intestines and forests patches, The Probiotic Planet maps a diverse and emerging terrain of ecological experimentation, both formal and vernacular. A transdisciplinary analysis that brings detailed attention to scientific practices into dialogue with critical social theory, this book is also a bold and important experiment in its own right."—Heather Anne Swanson, director, Aarhus University Centre for Environmental Humanities "Lorimer unravels the multiplicities of present-day scientific designs for the future."—Los Angeles Review of Books "This book bridges the gap between two widely separated topics: healing the planet by rewilding, and internal sanitation of the body by natural allies."—Anthropos "The book is well referenced... and the text is supported by appropriate and readable tables and charts."—CHOICE Table of ContentsContentsIntroduction: Life in the Anthropocene1. The Probiotic Turn: Rewilding and Biome Restoration2. Thinking like Gaia: The Science of the Probiotic Turn3. Symbiopolitics: Governing through Keystone Species4. Wild Experiments: The Controlled Decontrolling of Ecological Controls5. Geographies of Dysbiosis: The Patchiness of the Probiotic Turn6. Future-Pasts: The Temporalities of the Probiotic Turn7. Probiotic Value: Putting Keystone Species to WorkConclusions: A Spectrum of ProbioticsAcknowledgmentsGlossary NotesBibliographyIndex
£21.59
HarperCollins The Light Eaters
Book SynopsisNEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER The New Yorker?s Best Books of 2024 ?TIME?s 10 Best Nonfiction Books of 2024 ?New York Magazine?s 10 Best Books of the Year ? Washington Post?s 50 Notable Works of Nonfiction of 2024 ?Smithsonian?s 10 Best Science Books of the Year?A Best Book of the Year: Boston Globe, Scientific American, New York Public Library, Christian Science Monitor, Library Journal, and Publishers Weekly?An Amazon Best Nonfiction Book of the Year?A masterpiece of science writing.? ?Robin Wall Kimmerer, author of Braiding Sweetgrass?Mesmerizing, world-expanding, and achingly beautiful.? ?Ed Yong, author of An Immense World?Rich, vital, and full of surprises. Read it!??Elizabeth Kolbert, author of Under a White Sky and The Sixth Extinction?A brilliant must-read. This book shook and changed me.? ?David George Haskell, author of Sounds Wild and Broken, The Songs of Trees, and The Forest UnseenAward-winning Atlantic staff writer Zoë Schlanger delivers a groundbreaking work of popular science that probes the hidden world of the plant kingdom, ?destabilizing not just how we see the green things of the world but also our place in the hierarchy of beings, and maybe the notion of that hierarchy itself.? (The New Yorker)It takes tremendous biological creativity to be a plant. To survive and thrive while rooted in a single spot, plants have adapted ingenious methods of survival. In recent years, scientists have learned about their ability to communicate, recognize their kin and behave socially, hear sounds, morph their bodies to blend into their surroundings, store useful memories that inform their life cycle, and trick animals into behaving to their benefit, to name just a few remarkable talents.The Light Eaters is a deep immersion into the drama of green life and the complexity of this wild and awe-inspiring world that challenges our very understanding of agency, consciousness, and intelligence. In looking closely, we see that plants, rather than imitate human intelligence, have perhaps formed a parallel system. What is intelligent life if not a vine that grows leaves to blend into the shrub on which it climbs, a flower that shapes its bloom to fit exactly the beak of its pollinator, a pea seedling that can hear water flowing and make its way toward it? Zoë Schlanger takes us across the globe, digging into her own memories and into the soil with the scientists who have spent their waking days studying these amazing entities up close.What can we learn about life on Earth from the living things that thrive, adapt, consume, and accommodate simultaneously? More important, what do we owe these life forms once we come to understand their rich and varied abilities? Examining the latest epiphanies in botanical research, Schlanger spotlights the intellectual struggles among the researchers conceiving a wholly new view of their subject, offering a glimpse of a field in turmoil as plant scientists debate the tenets of ongoing discoveries and how they influence our understanding of what a plant is.We need plants to survive. But what do they need us for?if at all? An eye-opening and informative look at the ecosystem we live in, this book challenges us to rethink the role of plants?and our own place?in the natural world.
£22.49
Penguin Books Ltd The Mosquito: A Human History of Our Deadliest
Book Synopsis**The instant New York Times bestseller***An international bestseller*“Hugely impressive, a major work.”—NPRA pioneering and groundbreaking work of narrative nonfiction that offers a dramatic new perspective on the history of humankind, showing how through millennia, the mosquito has been the single most powerful force in determining humanity’s fate. Why was gin and tonic the cocktail of choice for British colonists in India and Africa? What does Starbucks have to thank for its global domination? What has protected the lives of popes for millennia? Why did Scotland surrender its sovereignty to England? What was George Washington''s secret weapon during the American Revolution? The answer to all these questions, and many more, is the mosquito. Across our planet since the dawn of humankind, this nefarious pest, roughly the size and weight of a grape seed, has been at the frontlines of history as the grim reaper, the harvester of human populations, and the ultimate agent of historical change. As the mosquito transformed the landscapes of civilization, humans were unwittingly required to respond to its piercing impact and universal projection of power. The mosquito has determined the fates of empires and nations, razed and crippled economies, and decided the outcome of pivotal wars, killing nearly half of humanity along the way. She (only females bite) has dispatched an estimated 52 billion people from a total of 108 billion throughout our relatively brief existence. As the greatest purveyor of extermination we have ever known, she has played a greater role in shaping our human story than any other living thing with which we share our global village. Imagine for a moment a world without deadly mosquitoes, or any mosquitoes, for that matter? Our history and the world we know, or think we know, would be completely unrecognizable. Driven by surprising insights and fast-paced storytelling, The Mosquito is the extraordinary untold story of the mosquito’s reign through human history and her indelible impact on our modern world order.
£16.00
Northern Bee Books Natural Beekeeping with the Warre Hive
Book Synopsis
£13.25
Cambridge University Press Understanding the Earth System Global Change Science for Application
Book SynopsisThis multidisciplinary book provides a cutting-edge overview of climate science and its applications in developing analysis tools and contemporary policy issues. A concise reference for academic researchers or students in climatology, Earth system science and ecology, and a vital resource for professionals and policymakers working in any field of global change.Trade Review'This beautifully organized and written book connects the fundamental natural sciences - meteorology, oceanography, ecology and many others - to provide the most complete understanding yet of how our planet works. But it doesn't stop there. It lays out a seamless storyline from the deep past through the present and into the future that contextualises the current phenomenon of global change. Critically, the book brings humanity fully into the picture, from the impacts of environmental change to potential stewardship of the planet, while always maintaining the rigour that good Earth system research demands.' Will Steffen, Executive Director, ANU Climate Change Institute, Australian National University'With a scope extending across paleoclimate, current climate, feedbacks, human dimensions impacts, adaptation, and mitigation, this ambitious book succeeds in providing a deep yet comprehensive view of the Earth system in all its facets. Particularly impressive and novel is its rich set of clear and original figures to illustrate each issue in vibrant ways that will be especially useful for educators and students.' Susan Solomon, Ellen Swallow Richards Professor of Atmospheric Chemistry and Climate Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology'Offering clear, colorful figures and a minimum of mathematical detail, this book would be useful for a general audience … Recommended.' T. N. Chase, ChoiceTable of ContentsList of editors, scientific editorial team and contributing authors; Foreword Sir John Lawton; Preface; Acknowledgements; List of notation; 1. Earth system science and society: a focus on the Anthroposphere Sarah E. Cornell, Catherine J. Downy, Evan Fraser and Emily Boyd; 2. Fundamentals of climate change science I. Colin Prentice, Peter G. Baines, Marko Scholze and Martin J. Wooster; 3. How has climate responded to natural perturbations? Eric W. Wolff, Sandy P. Harrison, Reto Knutti, Maria Fernanda Sanchez-Goñi, Oliver Wild, Anne-Laure Daniau, Valérie Masson-Delmotte, I. Colin Prentice and Renato Spahni; 4. The Earth system feedbacks that matter for contemporary climate Pierre Friedlingstein, Angela V. Gallego-Sala, Eleanor M. Blyth, Fiona E. Hewer, Sonia Seneviratne, Allan Spessa, Parvadha Suntharalingam and Marko Scholze; 5. Earth system models: a tool to understand changes in the Earth system Marko Scholze, Icarus Allen, Bill Collins, Sarah E. Cornell, Chris Huntingford, Manoj Joshi, Jason Lowe, Robin Smith and Oliver Wild; 6. Climate change impacts and adaptation: an Earth system view Richard A. Betts, Nigel W. Arnell, Penelope Boorman, Sarah E. Cornell, Joanna I. House, Neil Kaye, Doug McNeall, Michael Sanderson and Andrew Wiltshire; 7. Mitigating climate risks by managing the biosphere Joanna I. House, Jessica Bellarby, Hannes Böttcher, Matthew Brander, Nicole Kalas, Peter Smith, Richard Tipper and Jeremy Woods; 8. How our Earth system science understanding shapes society's options - key findings, implications and a forward look Sarah E. Cornell and I. Colin Prentice; List of acronyms; Glossary; Index.
£55.09
Princeton University Press The Theory of Ecological Communities
Book SynopsisA plethora of different theories, models, and concepts make up the field of community ecology. Amid this vast body of work, is it possible to build one general theory of ecological communities? What other scientific areas might serve as a guiding framework? As it turns out, the core focus of community ecologyunderstanding patterns of diversity and composition of biological variants across space and timeis shared by evolutionary biology and its very coherent conceptual framework, population genetics theory. The Theory of Ecological Communities takes this as a starting point to pull together community ecology''s various perspectives into a more unified whole.Mark Vellend builds a theory of ecological communities based on four overarching processes: selection among species, drift, dispersal, and speciation. These are analogues of the four central processes in population genetics theoryselection within species, drift, gene flow, and mutationand together they subsume almosTrade Review"In 1986, Thomas W. Schoener wrote a thought-provoking book chapter describing ecological communities along five organismal and five environmental axes. It was thought-provoking in the sense that Schoener attempted to unify community ecology using a minimal set of variables at a time when ecologists were doubtful of any unifying principle in community ecology. After three decades of Schoener's chapter, community ecologists are still divided about whether there could be a general theory of community. . . . Mark Vellend elegantly attempts to bridge this divide by introducing the theory of high-level processes in ecological communities in his Princeton Population Monograph entitled The Theory of Ecological Communities."---Madhav P. Thakur, Trends in Ecology and Evolution"Vellend (biology, Univ. de Sherbrooke, Canada) provides a useful historical account of the wide variety of methods used in the field to lay the foundation for his proposed resolution of the resulting ‘mess.' The book is well written, profusely referenced, and a worthy addition to the distinguished ‘Monographs in Population Biology’ series from Princeton University Press." * Choice *"Vellend does a tremendous job, and accomplishes for the field of community ecology what few have attempted, and even fewer, if any, have achieved. . . . With its overall plain language and clear prose, his book is excellent material for pre- and postgraduate students."---Lars Götzenberger and Jan Lepš, Conservation Biology"[Vellend] brings together diverse empirical and theoretical traditions in an unprecedented, engaging, and productive manner."---Max W. Dresow and Jake J. Grossman, Metascience"This is a very useful book for students and researchers."---Kevin S. McCann, Quarterly Review of Biology
£31.50
Pelagic Publishing Writing Effective Ecological Reports: A Guide to
Book SynopsisAn in-depth guide to writing high-quality and effective professional ecological reports. Mike Dean distils the knowledge and experience gained over a period of more than 20 years working as an ecological consultant, during which time he has written and reviewed many such reports. There are existing good practice guidelines on ecological report writing, published by CIEEM and co-authored by the author of this book. Writing Effective Ecological Reports goes beyond those guidelines. It provides practical advice on the structure, content and style of ecological reports, using numerous case study examples to help the reader’s understanding. It also tackles topics not covered by the guidelines, such as how to write an effective summary, how to create and use a report template, how to proofread reports, and what those tasked with reviewing reports should be looking for. This book will be invaluable for any professional ecologist, or anyone hoping to become a professional ecologist. It is particularly aimed at those who write ecological reports, such as ecological consultants. However, it also provides practical advice for those tasked with reading and reviewing reports written by others, including those working for local planning authorities or nature conservation consultees. The book has been written to be useful to those with limited experience, such as recent graduates, as well as those with many years of experience as a professional ecologist, and everyone in the middle.Trade ReviewThis is a useful guide particularly for those with limited experience, such as recent graduates, but also for those who write or review ecological reports in their profession, including ecological consultants and individuals working for local planning authorities. * Conservation Land Management *Anyone producing or reviewing reports within the ecology sector, at whatever level, would benefit from reading this book. In short – not ‘preferential’, but ‘essential’ for anyone involved with reports within our sector. -- Neil Middleton, author of The Effective EcologistThe author, undoubtedly a skilled writer with a lucid mind, describes how one can produce quality ecological reports with proper style, structure, and contents…It should be on the bookshelf of every ecologist or anyone who wishes to write effective ecological reports. -- Som B. Ale * The Quarterly Review of Biology *Table of ContentsIntroduction Competence, qualifications and experience Getting the basics right Fact versus opinion Report structure Making a start First impressions and opening lines Getting your facts right So what does all this mean? Keeping it in proportion Tables, figures, photos and appendices Creating and using a template Writing an effective Summary PEA or EcIA – what’s the difference? Writing Environmental Statement chapters Proofreading, technical review and quality assurance Tips for those reviewing reports Dealing with references How long is a report valid for? Useful sources of information
£33.25
The Experiment LLC The Shortest History of Our Universe
Book Synopsis
£11.00
Macmillan Learning Conservation Science Balancing the Needs of
Book Synopsis
£69.34
KIT Publishers Natural History and Ecology of Suriname
Book Synopsis
£59.94
Smithsonian Books Werner's Nomenclature of Colours: Adapted to
Book SynopsisA taxonomic guide to the colors of the natural world, with 13 palettes and 110 color swatches, cherished by artists and scientists for more than 2 centuries”Before Pantone, there was Werner’s Nomenclature of Colours”—Architectural DigestThis beautiful pocket-size facsimile is a charming artifact from the golden age of natural history and global exploration. In the pre-photographic age, almost all visual details had to be captured via the written word, and scientific observers could not afford ambiguity in their descriptions.In the late 18th century, mineralogist Abraham Gottlob Werner devised a standardized color scheme that allowed him to describe even the subtlest of chromatic differences with consistent terminology. His scheme was then adapted by an Edinburgh flower painter, Patrick Syme, who used the actual minerals described by Werner to create the color charts in the book, enhancing them with examples from flora and fauna.Werner's handbook became an invaluable resource for naturalists and anthropologists, including Charles Darwin, who used it to identify colors in nature during his seminal voyage on the HMS Beagle. Werner's terminology lent both precision and lyricism to Darwin's pioneering writings, enabling his readers to envision a world they would never see.This new facsimile edition complete with ribbon marker brings the classic work back to life.
£13.46
Island Press The Light Between Apple Trees
Book Synopsis
£23.40
Cambridge University Press Too Smart for our Own Good
a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.
£46.54
University of California Press The Biology and Ecology of Giant Kelp Forests
Book SynopsisGrowing from the seafloor and extending along the ocean surface in lush canopies, giant kelp provides an extensive vertical habitat in a largely two-dimensional seascape. This book provides a discussion of kelp species and forest ecology worldwide, with considerations of human uses and abuses, management and conservation, and more.Trade Review"A detailed, multifaceted synthesis of knowledge... Recommended." -- R. Schmid CHOICE connect "Remarkable... as comprehensive as could conceivably be attempted... A pleasure to read." -- John J. Bolton PhycologiaTable of ContentsPreface Acknowledgments Introduction PART I. THE BIOLOGY OF GIANT KELP 1. Introduction to Giant Kelp Forests Worldwide 2. The Structure, Function, and Abiotic Requirements of 3. The Abiotic Environment 4. Demography, Dispersal, and Connectivity of Populations PART II. THE GIANT KELP ECOSYSTEM 5. Giant Kelp Communities 6. Detached Giant Kelp Communities, Production, and Food / Control Webs 7. Facilitative and Competitive Interactions in Giant Kelp Forests 8. Grazing in Kelp Communities 9. Predation and Trophic Cascades in Kelp Communities PART III. HUMAN USAGE, MANAGEMENT, AND CONSERVATION 10. Anthropogenic Effects on Kelp Forests 11. Human Usage of Giant Kelp and Kelp Forest Organisms 12. Marine Protected Areas and Fisheries Effects PART IV. GLOBAL CHANGE AND THE FUTURE 13. Global Change 14. Giant Kelp Forests: Conclusions and Final Thought Afterword References Index
£50.40
Cambridge University Press Elephants
Book SynopsisThis volume compiles more than twenty years of behavioral research on the three living species of elephants in Africa and Asia (African Savannah, African Forest, and Asian elephant), together with their implications for conserving and managing wild elephant populations. The theoretical background, key terminology and findings are explained and presented in engaging language accessible to a wide range of non-specialists, from students to seasoned professionals. By viewing data from numerous studies through a comparative evolutionary perspective, the similarities and distinctions among species and populations come into clear relief, providing insight into the complexities of protecting these charismatic yet highly threatened mega-herbivores. Rather than mere exposition of what is known, readers are invited to reflect on the additional questions and puzzles that are still in need of answers, in the hope of inspiring a new generation of researchers and conservationists.
£56.99
Princeton University Press The Worst of Times
Book SynopsisTwo hundred sixty million years ago, life on Earth suffered wave after wave of cataclysmic extinctions, with the worst wiping out nearly every species on the planet. The Worst of Times delves into the mystery behind these extinctions and sheds light on the fateful role the primeval supercontinent, known as Pangea, might have played in causing theseTrade ReviewOne of Choice's Outstanding Academic Titles for 2016 "[Wignall] presents a sound examination of an 80-million-year span, which began nearly 260 million years ago, that is considered by scientists to have been the most extreme extinction event in Earth's history... [A] great example of scientific sleuthing."--Publishers Weekly "[An] excellent introduction to the latest thinking about this key period in Earth's history... Wignall's book is enthralling."--Matthew Cobb, New Scientist "In this scholarly but accessible analysis, geologist Wignall explores the perfect storm of cataclysms, plate tectonics and other forces that led to 'The Great Dying'--and the rebound of life in its aftermath."--Gemma Tarlach, Discover magazine "Well written and persuasive."--Choice "Over the 170-odd pages [Wignall] discusses in great yet concise detail the point and counterpoint of large igneous provinces, massiv accumulations of millions of cubic kilometers of igneous rock, and mass extinctions that occurred repetitively and in synchrony from the middle of the Permian to the middle of the Jurassic... A well-researched, thorough, and stimulating volume for anyone looking for a scientific account of this time period and the notable geological and biological events that took place over its course."--William Gearty, Quarterly Review of BiologyTable of ContentsILLUSTRATIONS ix ACKNOWLEDGMENTS xi PROLOGUE xv CHAPTER 1 A TIME OF DYING 1 CHAPTER 2 EXTINCTION IN THE SHADOWS 12 CHAPTER 3 THE KILLING SEAS 39 CHAPTER 4 TROUBLED TIMES IN THE TRIASSIC 89 CHAPTER 5 TRIASSIC DOWNFALL 117 CHAPTER 6 PANGEA'S FINAL BLOW 137 CHAPTER 7 PANGEA'S DEATH AND THE RISE OF RESILIENCE 154 NOTES 177 REFERENCES 179 INDEX 191
£23.75
The University of Chicago Press Hierarchy
Book SynopsisAlthough complexity surrounds us, its inherent uncertainty, ambiguity, and contradiction can at first make complex systems appear inscrutable. Ecosystems, for instance, are nonlinear, self-organizing, seemingly chaotic structures in which individuals interact both with each other and with the myriad biotic and abiotic components of their surroundings across geographies as well as spatial and temporal scales. In the face of such complexity, ecologists have long sought tools to streamline and aggregate information. Among them, in the 1980s, T. F. H. Allen and Thomas B. Starr implemented a burgeoning concept from business administration: hierarchy theory. Cutting-edge when Hierarchy was first published, their approach to unraveling complexity is now integrated into mainstream ecological thought. This thoroughly revised and expanded second edition of Hierarchy reflects the assimilation of hierarchy theory into ecological research, its successful application to the understanding of complex systems, and the many developments in thought since. Because hierarchies and levels are habitual parts of human thinking, hierarchy theory has proven to be the most intuitive and tractable vehicle for addressing complexity. By allowing researchers to look explicitly at only the entities and interconnections that are relevant to a specific research question, hierarchically informed data analysis has enabled a revolution in ecological understanding. With this new edition of Hierarchy, that revolution continues.
£38.95
Princeton University Press The Extreme Life of the Sea
Book SynopsisThe ocean teems with life that thrives under difficult situations in unusual environments. This book takes readers to the absolute limits of the aquatic world - the fastest and deepest, the hottest and oldest creatures of the oceans.Trade ReviewOne of American Association for the Advancement of Science's Books for General Audiences and Young Adults 2014 "This gem of a book by marine biologist Stephen Palumbi and his son, science writer Anthony Palumbi, finds enough weirdness in the ocean to feed creativity for generations to come... The Palumbis' writing is a wonderful mix of meticulous science and creative panache... A joy whether read at one sitting, or dipped in and out of to prolong the pleasure."--Callum Roberts, Nature "Marine biologist Stephen R. Palumbi and writer Anthony R. Palumbi survey an impressive catch of extreme oceanic species, from the oldest to the deepest-dwelling... A brilliant use of the rich store of research into Earth's largest habitat."--Nature "From 'immortal' jellyfish that age in reverse, to zombie bone worms that eat the skeletons of dead whales, the ocean is full of bizarre characters. Biologist Stephen Palumbi and his science writer son, Anthony, profile the most unusual specimens. Chapters cover the smallest, the oldest, the hottest and the coldest species, among others, and the landscape of strange creatures is brought to life by charming writing."--Clara Moskowitz, Scientific American "The Palumbis probe life in the depths of the oceans and in tide waters in successive chapters spotlighting the long-lived Bowhead whale; sea species that adapt to extremely high temperatures and others to cold; clownfish, which change gender, becoming male or female as circumstances dictate; and much more. The authors end with a warning that the oceans contain a complex ecology in which each species 'thrives in its easily disrupted specialized niche.'... A sparkling appreciation of the wonderful variety of marine life that also communicates an important message."--Kirkus Reviews "The book reads like an action-adventure novel... This approach is a pleasant departure from dull textbook prose. It will delight readers who lack scientific credentials but yearn to understand the diversity of life in the oceans. The text demystifies, mystifies, and amazes."--Geraldine Richards, ForeWord Reviews "Highlighting the strangest cases in animate sea life, marine ecologist S.R. Palumbi exudes a palpable and contagious sense of delight as he enlists his writer son's help to fill the 'gap in character development' in the story of the ocean's robust yet fragile ecosystems... By showing how each creature is so tightly tied to its environment, the authors are able to effectively demonstrate how small human-driven changes to the oceans disrupt a complex system developed over millions of years. The Palumbis encourage a childlike curiosity by showing us the amazing diversity of life down below, and perhaps our inner children will pester our grownup selves into doing what needs to be done to keep these habitats intact."--Publishers Weekly "A giddy scientific tour of weird underwater life."--Richard Conniff, TakePart "The Palumbis give us the sense that although some parts of nature are more romantically wondrous than others--those sponges, giant squids doing epic battle with sperm whales--it is the variety that is wonderful."--Owen Richardson, Sydney Morning Herald "The whole safari is conducted with a verve and joy that only comes from a deep love of the subject, a life-long dedication to its exploration and a true communicator's sense of the mot juste. This experience and range means the Palumbis can write comfortably about research and researchers, and about the physical and mental exploration of the ocean's ecology... [A] splendid book ... a dynamic text."--Adrian Barnett, New Scientist "Stephen and Anthony Palumbi--father and son; biologist and science writer--are brilliant guides to this realm about which we as a species have been remarkably incurious... The Palumbis pere et fils give us the new stories in succinct prose beautifully freighted with apt similes and metaphors."--Peter Forbes, Independent "The Extreme Life of the Sea is less narrative and more an enthusiastic sharing of cool things in the sea, which are loosely tied together in thematic sections. It is not, however, just a collection of 'gee whiz' facts. The compelling vignettes help to convey broader concepts of science and nature with excitement and enthusiasm... It reminds us that science and the natural world are really cool."--Josh Witten, Finch and the Pea "Highlighting the strangest cases of marine life, the authors give us a hint of the ocean's robust yet fragile ecosystems... In their delightful, vivid description about the struggle for existence in the sea, the Palumbis do manage to communicate a vital message: even the extreme conditions in the deep sea are not immune from disruptive and destructive human greed."--Wan Lixin, Shanghai Daily "Who doesn't like reading about the fantastical creatures that stalk the inky depths of the world's oceans? In The Extreme Life of the Sea, it's the marine environment's superlatives that are on display."--Scientist Magazine "The uniqueness of this book is due to the combination of a novel's flair utilizing figurative language and analogies with scientific concepts... The authors seek to help us understand the value, complexity, and vastness of the ocean and the importance of consequences of their actions. I think that this would be an excellent book in a seminar for high school students and biology majors in college."--Jean Worsley, NSTA Recommends "[The Palumbis] have written about some of the most alien creatures you will ever encounter, and for many of them it is far more pleasant to encounter them on these pages than in real life. Yet as strange as they are, many of them are vital to keeping the oceans in balance, or as indicators of oceans out of balance, and so we ought to know them better. Brightly written, with footnotes but without ponderousness, the Palumbis' book succeeds in inspiring what they say they in their preface that they set out to produce: 'a sense of guiltless wonder about how wonderful the ocean's life actually is.'"--Rob Hardy, Columbus Dispatch "[A] stimulating and enjoyable read."--Diver Magazine "Steve Palumbi has got a gift for summarizing complicated issues related to his field, making them both relatable and entertaining... The Extreme Life of the Sea plunges readers into the world of 'the fastest and deepest, the hottest and oldest creatures of the oceans.'... At the heart of the book, though, the Palumbis stress how marine creatures have managed to adapt and thrive in some of the most punishing environments imaginable. Obviously, there's plenty we can learn from them."--Crystal Chow, San Jose Mercury News "Extremophiles are fun! Basically, they're the biggest, smallest, hardiest and definitely the oddest bunch of beasties to be found anywhere on this planet. The Palumbi father and son team--one scientist and one writer--bring us this fun little book on the extremophiles of the sea... The best part of the book is that the authors do more than just recite oddball trivia, they really tell the stories of the animals in the book... This is a solid book, very informative and very entertaining but with a strong message."--John Dupuis, Confessions of a Science Librarian "This engaging book eloquently captures the long history and immense variety of life in the world's oceans, and provides a glimpse into what makes the seas so special... Better than science fiction, this book is filled with amazing stories about amazing creatures... Sweetly enthusiastic, enlightening and witty and, at times, inspired... Regardless of your level of knowledge, this quietly joyful and informative book has something of value for everyone."--GrrlScientist "Drawing on decades of scientific research as well as a knack for storytelling, the authors convey what happens at the ocean depths without sugarcoating it... It doesn't just shed light on some of the most mysterious workings of the sea; it does so with vivid prose while managing to convey scientists' current understanding of how and why these phenomena operate. If that doesn't make people more invested in preserving the ocean, it's hard to know what will."--Juliet Eilperin, Washington Post "A rare hybrid: a funny and easy-to-read book full of accurate science."--Susan Scott, Honolulu Star-Advertiser "Marine biologists as well as lay readers with more than a casual interest in marine science will find this an engrossing discussion of what lies beneath the waters, how it's adapted, and threats to this adaptation process."--James A. Cox, California Bookwatch "Extensive notes and an index round out this fascinating account, enthusiastically recommended for public and college library collections alike."--James A. Cox, Midwest Book Review "Simply a tour de force, a splendid must read for any natural history enthusiast."--Gabriel Thoumi, Mongabay.com "This book about sea creatures is perfect for the curious person with limited time for reading... [T]he authors investigate all sorts of oddities, including whale falls, the bizarre sex life of angler fish, and the amazing aerodynamic design of humpback whale fins. They have conducted research in all sorts of odd corners of marine science and are wonderfully up-to-date, and end their text the necessary final chapter on how humans might be affecting all this diversity."--Choice "While packed with scientific information, this book is an easy read. The average chapter is just over ten pages long, and each is divided into clearly labeled subsections. It is fairly generously illustrated and written in a light, conversational style--as seen by the references to Volkswagen Beetles and the population of India. These characteristics make this an easy book to dip into, but once you get started, you'll probably want to immerse yourself."--Tom Baker, Japan News "The chapters are informative and interesting and altogether well written."--Tom Fenchel, Marine Biology Research "Every page of this wonderful book is filled with nuggets of information. It becomes quite clear that we all must strive to protect this vast pool of life that enables our own lives to continue."--Explorers Journal "One of the most informative books I've ever read."--Al Ristori, Newark Star-Ledger "Only the strong survive, it is said, but The Extreme Life of the Sea makes a good case for the strange, the efficient, and the ugly... [A]n engaging blend. Stanford professor Stephen serves up the heavier science of DNA and physiology, seasoned with a sprightly narrative, some scene-setting and humor from novelist Anthony. Extreme Life uses Guinness Record-like chapters to discuss the smallest, the deepest, the shallowest and the coldest marine life-forms."--Melissa Davis, Seattle Times "[B]eautifully descriptive and refreshingly free of technical terms. Here is a book that will be enjoyed by anyone with an interest in the biology of the seas, whatever their level of scientific education."--Anthony O'Toole, Sherkin Comment "This is a scientifically rich book that is also a good read and would be appropriate for a wide range of audiences."--AAAS "[W]ell worth purchasing... [The Extreme Life of the Sea] is a fascinating read for anyone interested in the seas and their creatures from the earliest ages to the present."--Al Ristori, Newark Star-LedgerTable of ContentsPreface and Acknowledgments: Guiltless Wonder vii Prologue The Epic Ocean 1 1 The Earliest 5 2 The Most Archaic 19 3 The Smallest 36 4 The Deepest 46 5 The Shallowest 65 6 The Oldest 81 7 The Fastest Sprints and Longest Journeys 94 8 The Hottest 112 9 The Coldest 125 10 The Strangest Family Lives 141 11 Future Extremes 158 Epilogue: A Grand Bargain 175 Notes 179 Index 209 Color figures follow page 84.
£19.80
John Wiley and Sons Ltd Ecological Applications
Book SynopsisEcological Applications presents a broad range of methods and techniques for managing environmental sustainability. This book examines ecological theory at the individual, populations, and community levels, and is an excellent resource for anyone looking to improve the health of their local ecosystems. Presents a broad range of methods and techniques for managing environmental sustainability Focuses on ecological applications for sustainability including restoration, conservation, biosecurity, pest control, harvest management, and the design of reserves Examines ecological theory at the individual, population and community levels Considers economic and socio-political aspects Trade Review“I think this text will be extremely useful and popular with the students …The overall tone of the book is lively, warmly humorous, engaging, and clear.” Dr Anita Diaz, Bournemouth University“ This new text … provides information on the very topical subject of sustainability and further shows how ecological theories and techniques can be applied to conservation and management decisions … I have been reorganizing my course to more closely follow the structure laid out in this book because I think it is a logical way to teach ecology.” Dr Bethan Wood, University of Glasgow “I like the organization of the book … I also like how Townsend has emphasized the applied aspects and placed the ecological basics in “boxes.” Realistically, as Townsend states, if a student only takes one ecology course, it should be one that emphasizes applied ecology. What a great and long-overdue approach.” Dr James Houpis, California State University, Chico “This is the first textbook that I have read with an organization that emphasizes the contemporary application of major conceptual paradigms in ecology … This textbook provides all that is needed in teaching undergraduate students the essential relationship linking ecological theory with natural resource management.” Dr Eric Dibble, Mississippi State UniversityTable of ContentsList of plates xii List of boxes xiii Preface xiv Acknowledgments xvi 1 Introduction – humans, nature and human nature 1 1.1 Homo not-so-sapiens? 2 1.1.1 Homo sapiens – just another species? 3 1.1.2 Human population density and technology underlie environmental impact 3 1.2 A biodiversity crisis 4 1.2.1 The scale of the biodiversity problem 6 1.2.2 Biodiversity, ecosystem function and ecosystem services 7 1.2.3 Drivers of biodiversity loss – the extinction vortex 11 1.2.4 Habitat loss – driven from house and home 12 1.2.5 Invaders – unwanted biodiversity 13 1.2.6 Overexploitation – too much of a good thing 14 1.2.7 Habitat degradation – laying waste 17 1.2.8 Global climate change – life in the greenhouse 18 1.3 Toward a sustainable future? 20 1.3.1 Ecological applications – to conserve, restore and sustain biodiversity 22 1.3.2 From an economic perspective – putting a value on nature 28 1.3.3 The sociopolitical dimension 29 Part 1: Ecological applications at the level of individual organisms 2 Ecological applications of niche theory 36 2.1 Introduction 37 2.2 Unwanted aliens – lessons from niche theory 41 2.2.1 Ecological niche modeling – predicting where invaders will succeed 42 2.2.2 Are we modeling fundamental or realized niches? 44 2.2.3 When humans disrupt ecosystems and make it easy for invaders 44 2.3 Conservation of endangered species – each to its own niche 46 2.3.1 Monarch’s winter palace under siege 46 2.3.2 A species off the rails – translocation of the takahe 48 2.4 Restoration of habitats impacted by human activities 49 2.4.1 Land reclamation – prospecting for species to restore mined sites 49 2.4.2 Agricultural intensification – risks to biodiversity 51 2.4.3 How much does it cost to restore a species? 52 2.4.4 River restoration – going with the flow 53 3 Life-history theory and management 59 3.1 Introduction – using life-history traits to make management decisions 60 3.2 Species traits as predictors for effective restoration 61 3.2.1 Restoring grassland plants – a pastoral duty 62 3.2.2 Restoring tropical forest – abandoned farmland reclaimed for nature 62 3.3 Species traits as predictors of invasion success 65 3.3.1 Species traits predict invasive conifers 66 3.3.2 Invasion success – the importance of flexibility 66 3.3.3 Separating invasions into sequential stages – different traits for each? 68 3.3.4 What we know and don’t know about invader traits 71 3.4 Species traits as predictors of extinction risk 71 3.4.1 Niche breadth and flexibility – freshwater and forest at risk 72 3.4.2 When big isn’t best – r/K theory, harvesting, grazing and pollution 73 3.4.3 When competitiveness matters – CSR theory, grazing and habitat fragmentation 77 4 Dispersal, migration and management 81 4.1 Introduction – why species mobility matters 82 4.2 Migration and dispersal – lessons for conservation 84 4.2.1 For whom the bell tolls – the surprising story of a South American bird 84 4.2.2 The ups and downs of panda conservation 85 4.2.3 Dispersal of a vulnerable aquatic insect – a damsel in distress 86 4.2.4 Designing marine reserves 88 4.3 Restoration and species mobility 89 4.3.1 Behavior management 89 4.3.2 Bog restoration – is assisted migration needed for peat’s sake? 89 4.3.3 Wetland forest restoration 91 4.4 Predicting the arrival and spread of invaders 92 4.4.1 The Great Lakes – a great place for invaders 92 4.4.2 Lakes as infectious agents 94 4.4.3 Invasion hubs or diffusive spread? 95 4.4.4 How to manage invasions under globalization 96 4.5 Species mobility and management of production landscapes 97 4.5.1 Squirrels – axeman spare that tree 97 4.5.2 Bats – axeman cut that track 97 4.5.3 Farming the wind – the spatial risk of pulverizing birds 100 4.5.4 Bee business – pollination services of native bees depend on dispersal distance 103 Part 2: Applications at the level of populations 5 Conservation of endangered species 108 5.1 Dealing with endangered species – a crisis discipline 109 5.2 Assessing extinction risk from correlational data 113 5.3 Simple algebraic models of population viability analysis 117 5.3.1 The case of Fender’s blue butterfly 117 5.3.2 A primate in Kenya – how good are the data? 118 5.4 Simulation modeling for population viability analysis 119 5.4.1 An Australian icon at risk 120 5.4.2 The royal catchfly – a burning issue 122 5.4.3 Ethiopian wolves – dogged by disease 123 5.4.4 How good is your population viability analysis? 126 5.5 Conservation genetics 127 5.5.1 Genetic rescue of the Florida panther 128 5.5.2 The pink pigeon – providing a solid foundation 128 5.5.3 Reintroduction of a ‘red list’ plant – the value of crossing 129 5.5.4 Outfoxing the foxes of the Californian Channel Islands 130 5.6 A broader perspective of conservation – ecology, economics and sociopolitics all matter 130 5.6.1 Genetically modified crops – larking about with farmland biodiversity 131 5.6.2 Diclofenac – good for sick cattle, bad for vultures 133 6 Pest management 139 6.1 Introduction 140 6.1.1 One person’s pest, another person’s pet 140 6.1.2 Eradication or control? 141 6.2 Chemical pesticides 146 6.2.1 Natural arms factories 146 6.2.2 Take no prisoners 147 6.2.3 From blunderbuss to surgical strike 147 6.2.4 Cut off the enemy’s reinforcements 150 6.2.5 Changing pest behavior – a propaganda war 150 6.2.6 When pesticides go wrong – target pest resurgence and secondary pests 151 6.2.7 Widespread effects of pesticides on nontarget organisms, including people 153 6.3 Biological control 154 6.3.1 Importation biological control – a question of scale 155 6.3.2 Conservation biological control – get natural enemies to do the work 156 6.3.3 Inoculation biological control – effective in glasshouses but rarely in field crops 158 6.3.4 Inundation biological control – using fungi, viruses, bacteria and nematodes 159 6.3.5 When biological control goes wrong 160 6.4 Evolution of resistance and its management 162 6.5 Integrated pest management (IPM) 164 6.5.1 IPM against potato tuber moths in New Zealand 165 6.5.2 IPM against an invasive weed in Australia 166 7 Harvest management 172 7.1 Introduction 173 7.1.1 Avoiding the tragedy of the commons 173 7.1.2 Killing just enough – not too few, not too many 174 7.2 Harvest management in practice – maximum sustainable yield (MSY) approaches 178 7.2.1 Management by fixed quota – of fish and moose 178 7.2.2 Management by fixed effort – of fish and antelopes 181 7.2.3 Management by constant escapement – in time 182 7.2.4 Management by constant escapement – in space 183 7.2.5 Evaluation of the MSY approach – the role of climate 184 7.2.6 Species that are especially vulnerable when rare 185 7.2.7 Ecologist’s role in the assessment of MSY 186 7.3 Harvest models that recognize population structure 186 7.3.1 ‘Dynamic pool models’ in fisheries management – looking after the big mothers 187 7.3.2 Forestry – axeman, spare which tree? 190 7.3.3 A forest bird of cultural importance 191 7.4 Evolution of harvested populations – of fish and bighorn rams 191 7.5 A broader view of harvest management – adding economics to ecology 193 7.6 Adding a sociopolitical dimension to ecology and economics 195 7.6.1 Factoring in human behavior 195 7.6.2 Confronting political realities 197 Part 3: Applications at the level of communities and ecosystems 8 Succession and management 202 8.1 Introduction 203 8.2 Managing succession for restoration 206 8.2.1 Restoration timetables for plants 206 8.2.2 Restoration timetable for animals 208 8.2.3 Invoking the theory of competition–colonization trade-offs 209 8.2.4 Invoking successional-niche theory 209 8.2.5 Invoking facilitation theory 210 8.2.6 Invoking enemy-interaction theory 215 8.3 Managing succession for harvesting 216 8.3.1 Benzoin ‘gardening’ in Sumatra 216 8.3.2 Aboriginal burning enhances harvests 217 8.4 Using succession to control invasions 219 8.4.1 Grassland 219 8.4.2 Forest 220 8.5 Managing succession for species conservation 221 8.5.1 When early succession matters most – a hare-restoring formula for lynx 221 8.5.2 Enforcing a successional mosaic – first aid for butterflies 222 8.5.3 When late succession matters most – range finding for tropical birds 223 8.5.4 Controlling succession in an invader-dominated community 223 8.5.5 Nursing a valued plant back to cultural health 224 9 Applications from food web and ecosystem theory 229 9.1 Introduction 230 9.2 Food web theory and human disease risk 234 9.3 Food webs and harvest management 236 9.3.1 Who gets top spot in the abalone food web – otters or humans? 236 9.3.2 Food web consequences of harvesting fish – from tuna to tiddlers 238 9.4 Food webs and conservation management 239 9.5 Ecosystem consequences of invasions 240 9.5.1 Ecosystem consequences of freshwater invaders 240 9.5.2 Ecosystem effects of invasive plants – fixing the problem 241 9.6 Ecosystem approaches to restoration – first aid by parasites and sawdust 242 9.7 Sustainable agroecosystems 245 9.7.1 Stopping caterpillars eating the broccoli – so that people can 245 9.7.2 Managing agriculture to minimize fertilizer input and nutrient loss 245 9.7.3 Constructing wetlands to manage water quality 247 9.7.4 Managing lake eutrophication 248 9.8 Ecosystem services and ecosystem health 249 9.8.1 The value of ecosystem services 249 9.8.2 Ecosystem health of forests – with all their mites 252 9.8.3 Ecosystem health in an agricultural landscape – bats have a ball 253 9.8.4 Ecosystem health of rivers – it’s what we make it 254 9.8.5 Ecosystem health of a marine environment 255 Part 4: Applications at the regional and global scales 10 Landscape management 261 10.1 Introduction 262 10.2 Conservation of metapopulations 267 10.2.1 The emu-wren – making the most of the conservation dollar 267 10.2.2 The wood thrush – going down the sink 268 10.2.3 The problem with large carnivores – connecting with grizzly bears 269 10.3 Landscape harvest management 270 10.3.1 Marine protected areas 270 10.3.2 A Peruvian forest successional mosaic – patching a living together 271 10.4 A landscape perspective on pest control 272 10.4.1 Plantation forestry in the landscape 272 10.4.2 Horticulture in the landscape 273 10.4.3 Arable farming in the landscape 274 10.5 Restoration landscapes 274 10.5.1 Reintroduction of vultures – what a carrion 275 10.5.2 Restoring farmed habitat – styled for hares 276 10.5.3 Old is good – willingness to pay for forest improvement 276 10.5.4 Cityscape ecology – biodiversity in Berlin 277 10.6 Designing reserve networks for biodiversity conservation 277 10.6.1 Complementarity – selecting reserves for fish biodiversity 279 10.6.2 Irreplaceability – selecting reserves in the Cape Floristic Region 279 10.7 Multipurpose reserve design 280 10.7.1 Marine zoning – an Italian job 280 10.7.2 A marine zoning plan for New Zealand – gifts, gains and china shops 283 10.7.3 Managing an agricultural landscape – a multidisciplinary endeavor 283 11 Dealing with global climate change 290 11.1 Introduction 291 11.2 Climate change predictions based on the ecology of individual organisms 297 11.2.1 Niche theory and conservation – what a shame mountains are conical 297 11.2.2 Niche theory and invasion risk – nuisance on the move 298 11.2.3 Life-history traits and the fate of species – for better or for worse 300 11.3 Climate change predictions based on the theory of population dynamics 303 11.3.1 Species conservation – the bear essentials 303 11.3.2 Pest control – more or less of a problem? 303 11.3.3 Harvesting fish in future – cod willing 304 11.3.4 Forestry – a boost for developing countries? 305 11.4 Climate change predictions based on community and ecosystem interactions 306 11.4.1 Succession – new trajectories and end points 306 11.4.2 Food-web interactions – Dengue downunder 307 11.4.3 Ecosystem services – you win some, you lose some 307 11.5 A landscape perspective – nature reserves under climate change 308 11.5.1 Mexican cacti – reserves in the wrong place 309 11.5.2 Fairy shrimps – a temporary setback 310 Index 315
£39.85
Rutgers University Press Trees Truffles and Beasts How Forests Function
Book SynopsisPresents an opinion that we must understand the complexity and interdependency of species and habitats from the microscopic level to the gigantic. This book shows how easily observable species are part of a complicated infrastructure. It also shows that forests are far more complicated, which means simplistic policies will not save them.Trade ReviewAccurate and authentic, Trees, Truffles, and Beasts makes a major contribution to the field of natural resource management. This is a clear and compelling argument that there's much more to forests than meets the eye. -- Jim Furnish * Deputy Chief (ret.), USDA Forest Service *This book is an excellent introduction to the world of mycorrhizal fungi in forests and their importance in food webs as highlighted by truffles. This book should encourage readers to investigate further the intricate and essential interactions occurring in forests, which make them work. -- John Dighton * professor and director of Rutgers University Pinelands Field Station *"The book provides excellent coverage of the symbiosis between trees, fungi, and animals, an orverarching theme. . . . Few works take these personal views into account to give such a holistic view of the forested landscape. Highly recommended." * Choice *The authors. all keenly qualified to write on the topic, begin by discussing the importance of sustainable ecosystem policies and preserving our environment, and then point out that to be able to do that, one must understand those environmental systems. What follows is an entire college course on just how forests work. * Funghi *These authors weave together a broad array of personal observations and pertinent scientific research into a sweeping account of forest ecology and conservation. This book is an interesting and well-priced addition to the mycologist's bookshelf. * Inoculum *Trees, Truffles, and Beasts reveals a belowground world that we cannot see, and for that reason, often overlook when thinking about forests. The authors deftly link this belowground world of fungi and soil microorganisms to the aboveground world that we know. The story-telling style of writing makes the book engaging and easy to read, and at the same time, the book is packed with interesting facts. * Northwest Science *"Lucidly written and accessible to professionals and the general public alike, the authors adeptly tease out the intimate details and fascinating ecological interactions of a world hidden within the soil. I highly recommend this book for a fascinating glimpse into the wondrous web life and complex ecological relationships that sustain our natural forests." -- Alan Watson Featherstone * Trees for Life, Scotland *Table of ContentsIntroduction 1 The Forest We See 2 The Unseen Forest 3 Trees, Truffles, and Beasts: Coevolution in Action 4 Of Animals and Fungi 5 The Importance of Mycophagy 6 Landscape Patterns and Fire 7 Forest Succession and Habitat Dynamics 8 Of Lifestyles and Shared Habitats 9 Lessons from the Trees, the Truffles, and the Beasts
£31.50
John Wiley and Sons Ltd An Introduction to Zoo Biology and Management
Book SynopsisThis book is intended as an introductory text for students studying a wide range of courses concerned with animal management, zoo biology and wildlife conservation, and should also be useful to zookeepers and other zoo professionals. It is divided into three parts.Trade Review“Overall, this is an exemplary introductory text, with masses of invaluable supporting information in appendices and a companion website: www.wiley.com/go/rees/zoo. Giant pandas, by the way, get almost fifty mentions in an excellent index.” (British Ecological Society Bulletin, 1 August 2012) Table of ContentsPreface. PART 1 – HISTORY, ORGANISATION AND REGULATION. 1 The Purpose and Popularity of Zoos. 2 Conservation. 3 A Short History of Zoos. 4 Zoo Organisation and Management. 5 Zoo Legislation. 6 Ethics and Zoos. PART 2 – ENCLOSURES, HUSBANDRY AND BEHAVIOUR. 7 Zoo and Exhibit Design. 8 Nutrition and Feeding. 9 Reproductive Biology. 10 Zoo Animal Behaviour, Enrichment and Training.> 11 Animal Welfare and Veterinary Care. PART 3 - CONSERVATION. 12 Collection Planning and Captive Breeding. 13 Record Keeping. 14 Education, Research and Zoo Visitor Behaviour. 15 In-situ Conservation and Reintroductions. Appendix I. Appendix II. Index.
£49.35
John Wiley and Sons Ltd Fire on Earth
Book SynopsisEarth is the only planet known to have fire. The reason is both simple and profound: fire exists because Earth is the only planet to possess life as we know it. Fire is an expression of life on Earth and an index of life s history. Few processes are as integral, unique, or ancient.Trade ReviewThe well-organized and illustrated work can be used as a textbook or a reference source for practitioners. Each chapter has a list of further readings, and each part has its own extensive bibliography. This phenomenal contribution will become a classic reference for five mangers, students of fire ecology and climate, and researchers for years to come. Summing Up: Essential. All levels/libraries." (Choice, 1 October 2014) "Overall, the book provides an excellent, multidisciplinary introduction to fire, authored by leading experts in their fields, written in a very accessible style and supported by superb illustrations and extensive references. Hence, I highly recommend it to potential readers, who may be upper level undergraduate students, graduate students, teaching staff and everyone working, or simply interested, in the area of environmental science." (International Journal of Wildland Fire, 1 August 2014) "Fire and earth scientists, anthropologists, ecologists, resource managers, and especially advanced students in natural sciences will find the text, along with its online resources, a requisite addition to their libraries. Not only is it a pleasure to read, simply put, it sparks the imagination." (Fire Ecology, 1 June 2014) "With wildfire recognised in key government contingency documents, not least for climate change, foresters looking for greater understanding of this future challenge over the coming decades, should look no further." (Chartered Forester, 1 May 2014) "This book is a good example of a multidisciplinary investigation. The writers express the wish that it may stimulate further research into fire processes, both 'natural' and induced by humanity. A book worth reading!." (Geological Journal, 29 April 2014) "Each part has an extensive reference list reflecting the worldwide significance of wildfire and varied scientific approaches: tables, diagrams and colour photographs are abundant, and there is a welcome companion website with a host of useful teaching/demonstration material." (The Biologist 2016) "Fire on Earth would serve as an outstanding basis for a graduate course in fire science and management. It is also a valuable reference that has a place on the bookshelf of any instructor, scientist, or land manager whose work involves the role of fire in terrestrial ecosystems and human civilization." (The Quarterly Review of Biology 2016)Table of ContentsPreface xiii Acknowledgements xv About the Authors xvii About the Companion Website xix PART ONE FIRE IN THE EARTH SYSTEM 1 Preface to part one 2 Chapter 1 What is fire? 3 1.1 How fire starts and initially spreads 3 1.2 Lightning and other ignition sources 4 1.3 The charring process 6 1.4 Pyrolysis products 7 1.5 Fire types 10 1.6 Peat fires 14 1.7 Fire effects on soils 15 1.8 Post-fire erosion-deposition 18 1.9 Fire and vegetation 22 1.10 Fire and climate 26 1.11 Fire triangles 30 1.12 Fire return intervals 30 1.13 How we study fire: satellites 31 1.14 Modelling fire occurrence 38 1.15 Climate forcing 42 1.16 Scales of fire occurrence 44 Further reading 45 Chapter 2 Fire in the fossil record: recognition 47 2.1 Fire proxies: fire scars and charcoal 47 2.2 The problem of nomenclature: black carbon, char, charcoal, soot and elemental carbon 49 2.3 How we study charcoal: microscopical and chemical techniques 51 2.4 Charcoal as an information-rich source 56 2.5 Charcoal reflectance and temperature 56 2.6 Uses of charcoal 58 2.7 Fire intensity/severity 59 2.8 Deep time studies 60 2.9 Pre-requisite for fire: fuel – the evolution of plants 61 2.10 Charcoal in sedimentary systems 62 Further reading 63 Chapter 3 Fire in the fossil record: earth system processes 65 3.1 Fire and oxygen 65 3.2 Fire feedbacks 67 3.3 Systems diagrams 67 3.4 Charcoal as proxy for atmospheric oxygen 69 3.5 Burning experiments – fire spread 69 3.6 Fire and the terrestrial system 70 Further reading 72 Chapter 4 The geological history of fire in deep time: 420 million years to 2 million years ago 73 4.1 Periods of high and low fire, and implications 73 4.2 The first fires 73 4.3 The rise of fire 75 4.4 Fire in the high-oxygen Paleozoic world 77 4.5 Collapse of fire systems 80 4.6 Fire at the Triassic-Jurassic boundary 82 4.7 Jurassic variation 82 4.8 Cretaceous fires 84 4.9 Fire at the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-P or K-T) boundary 87 4.10 Paleocene fires 88 4.11 Fires across the Paleocene-Eocene thermal maximum (PETM) 88 4.12 Dampening of fire systems 89 4.13 Rise of the grass-fire cycle 89 Further reading 89 Chapter 5 The geological history of fire – the last two million years 91 5.1 Problems of Quaternary fire history 91 5.2 The Paleofire working group: techniques and analysis 93 5.3 Fire and climate cycles 97 5.4 Fire and humans: the fossil evidence 98 5.5 Fire and the industrial society 101 Further reading 101 References for part one 103 PART TWO BIOLOGY OF FIRE 111 Preface to part two 112 Chapter 6 Pyrogeography – temporal and spatial patterns of fire 113 6.1 Fire and life 113 6.2 Global climate, vegetation patterns and fire 113 6.3 Pyrogeography 116 6.4 Fire and the control of biome boundaries 121 6.5 The fire regime concept 125 6.6 Fire ecology 128 6.7 Conclusion 129 Further reading 129 Chapter 7 Plants and fire 131 7.1 Introduction 131 7.2 Fire and plant traits 131 7.3 Fire regimes and the characteristic suite of fire plant traits 137 7.4 Evolution of fire traits 140 7.5 Summary and implications 145 Further reading 145 General reading 146 Chapter 8 Fire and fauna 147 8.1 Direct effects of fire on fauna 147 8.2 The effect of fire regimes on fauna 148 8.3 The landscape mosaic and pyrodiversity 150 8.4 The effect of fauna on fire regimes 152 8.5 Fire and the evolution of fauna 154 8.6 Summary 155 Further reading 155 Chapter 9 Fire as an ecosystem process 157 9.1 Introduction 157 9.2 Fire and erosion 157 9.3 Fire and nutrient cycling 160 9.4 Fire and pedogenesis 163 9.5 Fire and atmospheric chemistry 164 9.6 Fire and climate 165 9.7 Summary 168 Further reading 169 Chapter 10 Fire and anthropogenic environmental change 171 10.1 Introduction 171 10.2 Prehistoric impacts 171 10.3 Prehistoric fire management 174 10.4 Contemporary fire management 176 10.5 Climate change 177 10.6 Fire and carbon management 180 10.7 Fire regime switches: a major challenge for fire ecology 180 10.8 Invasive plants and altered fire regimes 184 10.9 Conclusion 187 Further reading 187 References for part two 189 PART THREE ANTHROPOGENIC FIRE 193 Preface to part three 194 Chapter 11 Fire creature 195 11.1 Early hominins: spark of creation 195 11.2 Aboriginal fire: control over ignition 198 11.3 Cultivated fire: control over combustibles 206 11.4 Ideas and institutions: lore and ritual 220 11.5 Narrative arcs (and equants) 221 Further reading 229 Chapter 12 A new epoch of fire: the anthropocene 231 12.1 The Great Disruption 231 12.2 The pyric transition 232 12.3 Enlightenment and empire 236 12.4 Scaling the transition 238 12.5 After the revolution 245 Further reading 257 Chapter 13 Fire management 259 13.1 Introducing integrated fire management 259 13.2 Two realms: managing the pyric transition 260 13.3 Strategies 261 13.4 Institutions: ordering fire 272 13.5 Ideas: conceptions of fire 277 13.6 Fire management: selected examples 279 Further reading 289 References and further reading for part three 291 PART FOUR THE SCIENCE AND ART OF WILDLAND FIRE BEHAVIOUR PREDICTION 295 Preface to part four 296 Chapter 14 Fundamentals of wildland fire as a physical process 297 14.1 Introduction 297 14.2 The basics of combustion and heat transfer 298 14.3 The wildland fire environment concept 303 14.4 Characterization of wildland fire behaviour 315 14.5 Extreme wildland fire behaviour phenomena 329 14.6 Field methods of measuring and quantifying wildland fire behaviour 336 14.7 Towards increasing our understanding of wildland fire behaviour 337 Further reading 339 Chapter 15 Estimating free-burning wildland fire behaviour 341 15.1 Introduction 341 15.2 A historical sketch of wildland fire behaviour research 342 15.3 Models, systems and guides for predicting wildland fire behaviour 350 15.4 Limitations on the accuracy of model predictions of wildland fire behaviour 359 15.5 The wildland fire behaviour prediction process 363 15.6 Specialized support in assessing wildland fire behaviour 370 15.7 Looking ahead 371 Further reading 372 Chapter 16 Fire management applications of wildland fire behaviour knowledge 373 16.1 Introduction 373 16.2 Wildfire suppression 376 16.3 Wildland firefighter safety 378 16.4 Community wildland fire protection 382 16.5 Fuels management 383 16.6 Prediction of fire effects 388 16.7 Getting on the road towards self-improvement 389 Further reading 390 References for part four 393 Index 405
£44.60
John Wiley and Sons Ltd Wildlife Ecology Conservation and Management
Book SynopsisWith emphasis on practical application and quantitative skill development, this book weaves together these disparate elements in a single coherent textbook for senior undergraduate and graduate students. It reviews analytical techniques, explaining the mathematical and statistical principles behind them.Trade Review�I recommend the book unreservedly to wildlife managers, park rangers, biological resource managers, and those working in ecotourism.� (Tahrcountry, 10 August 2014) "This book offers an integrated vision on [rapidly evolving wildlife management] in a comprehensive, experience driven, coherent overview. It is structured in two parts, of which the first one provides an overview of the key ecological concepts on which this field of applied ecology is based...The second section deals with wildlife conservation and management... Books that target their subject [this] specifically and in-depth are rare. All over the publication general subjects in ecology are most convincingly tailored to wildlife management. It provides applicable information on new (sometimes developing) methods. It illustrates the theory with a wealth of graphs, figures, and examples from the literature. This third edition entails new chapters on climate changes, wildlife response to rapidly changing conditions, habitat selection, and corridors in increasingly fragmented landscapes... A glossary and an impressive 36-page reference list enhance the documentary and didactical value of this book, which is excellent for senior undergraduates and graduate students in ecology, biology, and environment sciences. However, it is equally valuable for professional wildlife managers, park rangers, and those working in ecotourism. The book has a most useful accompanying website where additional resources, power points and PDFs of all tables can be found. The whole atmosphere of the book combines academic diligence with wildlife management practice... A great book of applied ecology in a most useful sector of increasing specialisation and professionalism." (International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2016, http://www.inderscience.com/editorials/f164312115298710.pdf)Table of ContentsPreface xi 1 Introduction: goals and decisions 1 1.1 How to use this book 1 1.2 What is wildlife conservation and management? 2 1.3 Goals of management 3 1.4 Hierarchies of decision 6 1.5 Policy goals 7 1.6 Feasible options 7 1.7 Summary 8 Part 1 Wildlife ecology 9 2 Food and nutrition 11 2.1 Introduction 11 2.2 Constituents of food 11 2.3 Variation in food supply 14 2.4 Measurement of food supply 17 2.5 Basal metabolic rate and food requirement 20 2.6 Morphology of herbivore digestion 23 2.7 Food passage rate and food requirement 26 2.8 Body size and diet selection 27 2.9 Indices of body condition 28 2.10 Summary 33 3 Home range and habitat use 35 3.1 Introduction 35 3.2 Estimating home range size and utilization frequency 36 3.3 Estimating habitat availability and use 38 3.4 Selective habitat use 40 3.5 Using resource selection functions to predict population response 42 3.6 Sources of variation in habitat use 42 3.7 Movement within the home range 45 3.8 Movement among home ranges 48 3.9 Summary 51 4 Dispersal, dispersion, and distribution 53 4.1 Introduction 53 4.2 Dispersal 53 4.3 Dispersion 55 4.4 Distribution 56 4.5 Distribution, abundance, and range collapse 61 4.6 Species reintroductions or invasions 62 4.7 Summary 67 5 Population growth and regulation 69 5.1 Introduction 69 5.2 Rate of increase 69 5.3 Geometric or exponential population growth 73 5.4 Stability of populations 73 5.5 The theory of population limitation and regulation 76 5.6 Evidence for regulation 81 5.7 Applications of regulation 85 5.8 Logistic model of population regulation 86 5.9 Stability, cycles, and chaos 88 5.10 Intraspecific competition 90 5.11 Interactions of food, predators, and disease 93 5.12 Summary 93 6 Competition and facilitation between species 95 6.1 Introduction 95 6.2 Theoretical aspects of interspecific competition 96 6.3 Experimental demonstrations of competition 98 6.4 The concept of the niche 103 6.5 The competitive exclusion principle 106 6.6 Resource partitioning and habitat selection 106 6.7 Competition in variable environments 113 6.8 Apparent competition 113 6.9 Facilitation 114 6.10 Applied aspects of competition 119 6.11 Summary 122 7 Predation 123 7.1 Introduction 123 7.2 Predation and management 123 7.3 Definitions 123 7.4 The effect of predators on prey density 124 7.5 The behavior of predators 125 7.6 Numerical response of predators to prey density 129 7.7 The total response 130 7.8 Behavior of the prey 136 7.9 Summary 138 8 Parasites and pathogens 139 8.1 Introduction and definitions 139 8.2 Effects of parasites 139 8.3 The basic parameters of epidemiology 140 8.4 Determinants of spread 143 8.5 Endemic pathogens 144 8.6 Endemic pathogens: synergistic interactions with food and predators 144 8.7 Epizootic diseases 146 8.8 Emerging infectious diseases of wildlife 147 8.9 Parasites and the regulation of host populations 150 8.10 Parasites and host communities 151 8.11 Parasites and conservation 152 8.12 Parasites and control of pests 155 8.13 Summary 156 9 Consumer–resource dynamics 157 9.1 Introduction 157 9.2 Quality and quantity of a resource 157 9.3 Kinds of resource 157 9.4 Consumer–resource dynamics: general theory 158 9.5 Kangaroos and their food plants in semi-arid Australian savannas 161 9.6 Wolf–moose–woody plant dynamics in the boreal forest 167 9.7 Other population cycles 172 9.8 Summary 175 10 The ecology of behavior 177 10.1 Introduction 17710.2 Diet selection 177 10.3 Optimal patch or habitat use 183 10.4 Risk-sensitive habitat use 186 10.5 Social behavior and foraging 187 10.6 Summary 190 11 Climate change and wildlife 191 11.1 Introduction 191 11.2 Evidence for climate change 191 11.3 Wildlife responses to climate change 192 11.4 Mechanisms of response to climate change 196 11.5 Complex ecosystem responses to climate change 199 11.6 Summary 201 Part 2 Wildlife conservation and management 203 12 Counting animals 205 12.1 Introduction 205 12.2 Total counts 205 12.3 Sampled counts: the logic 207 12.4 Sampled counts: methods and arithmetic 212 12.5 Indirect estimates of population size 220 12.6 Indices 227 12.7 Harvest-based population estimates 228 12.8 Summary 231 13 Age and stage structure 233 13.1 Introduction 233 13.2 Demographic rates 233 13.3 Direct estimation of life table parameters 235 13.4 Indirect estimation of life table parameters 236 13.5 Relationships among parameters 238 13.6 Age-specific population models 239 13.7 Elasticity of matrix models 242 13.8 Stage-specific models 243 13.9 Elasticity of the loggerhead turtle model 245 13.10 Short-term changes in structured populations 246 13.11 Environmental stochasticity and age-structured populations 246 13.12 Summary 249 14 Experimental management 251 14.1 Introduction 251 14.2 Differentiating success from failure 251 14.3 Technical judgments can be tested 252 14.4 The nature of the evidence 255 14.5 Experimental and survey design 257 14.6 Some standard analyses 262 14.7 Summary 271 15 Model evaluation and adaptive management 273 15.1 Introduction 273 15.2 Fitting models to data and estimation of parameters 274 15.3 Measuring the likelihood of the observed data 276 15.4 Evaluating the likelihood of alternate models using AIC 278 15.5 Adaptive management 281 15.6 Summary 284 16 Population viability analysis 285 16.1 Introduction 285 16.2 Environmental stochasticity 285 16.3 PVA based on the exponential growth model 286 16.4 PVA based on the diffusion model 287 16.5 PVA based on logistic growth 290 16.6 Demographic stochasticity 291 16.7 Estimating both environmental and demographic stochasticity 294 16.8 PVA based on demographic and environmental stochasticity 296 16.9 Strengths and weaknesses of PVA 296 16.10 Extinction caused by environmental change 298 16.11 Extinction threat due to introduction of exotic predators or competitors 298 16.12 Extinction threat due to unsustainable harvesting 300 16.13 Extinction threat due to habitat loss 302 16.14 Summary 302 17 Conservation in practice 305 17.1 Introduction 305 17.2 How populations go extinct 305 17.3 How to prevent extinction 315 17.4 Rescue and recovery of near-extinctions 316 17.5 Conservation in National Parks and reserves 317 17.6 Community conservation outside National Parks and reserves 322 17.7 International conservation 323 17.8 Summary 324 18 Wildlife harvesting 325 18.1 Introduction 325 18.2 Fixed-quota harvesting strategy 325 18.3 Fixed-proportion harvesting strategy 329 18.4 Harvesting in practice: dynamic variation in quotas or effort 332 18.5 No-harvest reserves 334 18.6 Age- or sex-biased harvesting 335 18.7 Commercial harvesting 340 18.8 Bioeconomics 340 18.9 Game cropping and the discount rate 344 18.10 Summary 346 19 Wildlife control 347 19.1 Introduction 347 19.2 Definitions 347 19.3 Effects of control 348 19.4 Objectives of control 348 19.5 Determining whether control is appropriate 349 19.6 Methods of control 350 19.7 Summary 356 20 Evolution and conservation genetics 357 20.1 Introduction 357 20.2 Maintenance of genetic variation 358 20.3 Natural selection 359 20.4 Natural selection and life history tradeoffs 361 20.5 Natural selection due to hunting 363 20.6 Natural selection due to fishing 365 20.7 Selection due to environmental change 367 20.8 Ecological dynamics due to evolutionary changes 372 20.9 Heterozygosity 374 20.10 Genetic drift and mutation 375 20.11 Inbreeding depression 376 20.12 How much genetic variation is needed? 377 20.13 Effective population size 378 20.14 Effect of sex ratio 379 20.15 How small is too small? 380 20.16 Summary 380 21 Habitat loss and metapopulation dynamics 381 21.1 Introduction 381 21.2 Habitat loss and fragmentation 381 21.3 Ecological effects of habitat loss 384 21.4 Metapopulation dynamics 386 21.5 Territorial metapopulations 389 21.6 Mainland–island metapopulations 390 21.7 Source–sink metapopulations 391 21.8 Metacommunity dynamics of competitors 392 21.9 Metacommunity dynamics of predators and prey 393 21.10 Corridors 394 21.11 Summary 398 22 Ecosystem management and conservation 399 22.1 Introduction 399 22.2 Definitions 400 22.3 Gradients of communities 400 22.4 Niches 400 22.5 Food webs and intertrophic interactions 400 22.6 Community features and management consequences 402 22.7 Multiple states 404 22.8 Regulation of top-down and bottom-up processes 405 22.9 Ecosystem consequences of bottom-up processes 407 22.10 Ecosystem disturbance and heterogeneity 408 22.11 Ecosystem management at multiple scales 410 22.12 Biodiversity 411 22.13 Island biogeography and dynamic processes of diversity 413 22.14 Ecosystem function 415 22.15 Summary 417 Appendices 419 Glossary 423 References 435 Index 489
£111.10
