The environment Books

Book SynopsisPlants have a very specific and efficient mechanism to obtain, translocate and store nutrients from the surrounding environment. The precise mechanism that helps a plant in nutrient translocation from root to shoot also, in the same way, transfers and stores toxic metals within their structure. Metal toxicity generally causes multiple direct or indirect effects on plants, affecting nearly all of their physiological functions. Plant tolerance to heavy metals depends largely on plant efficiency in uptake, translocation and sequestration of heavy metals in specific cell organelles or specialized tissues. The main purpose of this book is to present a holistic view of the recent advancement in the field of accumulation and remediation using plants, the green solar powered alternative to ameliorate heavy metal from the polluted environment. The key features of the book are related to metal transporters and metal accumulation mechanisms under heavy metal stress in plants, plant transcriptional regulation and responses under metal contamination, multiple toxic metal contaminations and its phytoremediation approaches etc. Based on the advancement of research in recent years, the information compiled in this book will bring an in-depth knowledge on the bioaccumulation of metals, their transportation in natural conditions or genetically modified plants and their strategy to cope with the toxicity to survive in the hostile environment.

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Book SynopsisThis series covers leading-edge research focusing on the environment, including current research data on renewable energy technologies, sustainable development and the environment; bioenergy for energy or materials; use of coal to manufacture carbon integral honeycomb monoliths with environmental applications; synthesis, characterisation and applications of nanocomposite materials in diverse fields; effect of marine environmental factors on the formation kinetics and phase equilibrium of CO2 hydrate; biodegradation of crude oil by rhizosphere micro-organisms; and environmental impacts and prospects of petroleum production.

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Book SynopsisKey issues related to freshwater availability and use, such as concerns about population growth straining water supplies, lack of information on water availability and use, and trends in types of water use, remain largely unchanged since 2003, according to state water managers, experts, and literature. The nation''s water bodies have long supplied Americans with abundant freshwater, but recent events, such as the ongoing California drought, have focused attention on competing demands for this limited resource. In the United States, the states are primarily responsible for managing freshwater resources, and many federal agencies influence states'' management decisions. This book examines issues related to freshwater availability and use; expectations for water availability and use over the next 10 years and how these expectations may affect water planning; steps, if any, states have taken to manage freshwater resources; and actions, if any, federal agencies have taken to support management of freshwater availability and use and perspectives from state water managers, experts, and literature on what the federal government can do to enhance its support.

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Book SynopsisThis book compiles the works of many authors from some of the best academic institutions in the world, all related to Mexico''s contemporary general conditions. The main objective of this compilation is to examine Mexico as a whole, giving the reader an insight in its social, economic, political and environmental problems. For this purpose, the texts have been chosen in a way that after analysing a few of them, one will find them all correlated. The problems analysed in this book range from very recent (some of them occurring this past year) to others that go back decades or even centuries. In this sense, this contribution gives readers a historical perception of the problems captured. Some chapters develop scientific conclusions based on strict scientific research; however, the reader will find that the language is not overwhelming and the chapters can be thoroughly and easily read. Overall, it is a wonderful compilation made possible by all contributing authors and their interest to publish their most recent research on it. We hope that readers enjoy going through the pages of these chapters as they venture through contemporary Mexico, analysing topics from the environmental difficulties of Coahuila''s sand dunes to social changes in the Meseta Purépecha, passing through other topics, such as, the conditions of human rights protection in Mexico or the return of the PRI regime, among other great discussions. The authors'' interests are as different as their disciplines, but, in this case, diversity is important for maintaining multidisciplinary interpretations on the current needs of the Mexican society.

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Book SynopsisThis series covers leading-edge research focusing on the environment, including current research data on water and nutrient use efficiency and root distribution of selected horticultural crops; development of green energy-saving mechanisms; sustainable research and technological development on bio-energy; lentic habitats as study models for assessing aquatic contamination; significant change-points of subperiod levels in tree-ring chronologies as indications of climate change; differences in bryophyte diversity between subalpine abies forests and larix plantations; and mosses as biomonitors of atmospheric pollution.

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Book SynopsisOne of the most exciting new trends in water quality management today is the movement by many cities, counties, states, and private-sector developers toward the increased use of Low Impact Development (LID) to help protect and restore water quality. LID comprises a set of approaches and practices that are designed to reduce runoff of water and pollutants from the site at which they are generated. By means of infiltration, evapotranspiration, and reuse of rainwater, LID techniques manage water and water pollutants at the source and thereby prevent or reduce the impact of development on rivers, streams, lakes, coastal waters, and ground water. This book summarizes 17 case studies of developments that include Low Impact Development (LID) practices and concludes that applying LID techniques can reduce project costs and improve environmental performance. This book also compares green energy programs and policies in China and the United States.

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Book SynopsisCooking and cooking burners emit pollutants that can adversely affect indoor air quality in residences and significantly impact occupant health. Effective kitchen exhaust ventilation can reduce exposure to cooking-related air pollutants as an enabling step to healthier, low-energy homes. This book identifies barriers to the widespread adoption of kitchen exhaust ventilation technologies and practice and proposes a suite of strategies to overcome these barriers.

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Book SynopsisNatural resource policy and management in the United States often are characterized by limited budgets and multiple, and sometimes competing, societal objectives. The use and management of forest lands in the U.S. involve tradeoffs between the current and potential benefits public and private lands provide to society and the effects the policy and management actions have on the resiliency of natural systems. However, translating society''s multiple forestry objectives into policies and management actions has become more difficult as society''s objectives have become more complex. This book characterizes the concept of ecosystem services as it could apply to national forests; describes the value of an ecosystem service approach and provides examples of how management actions support the provision of these services; compares the Deschutes National Forest''s current accomplishment reporting system to ecosystem service outcomes that potentially result from management activities; identifies partners with potential to collaboratively plan, fund, or implement projects to enhance or conserve ecosystem services; describes current research efforts to support management application of the ecosystem service concept; and identifies research needs.

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Book SynopsisThe Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), the nation''s largest public power provider, is a self-financing, federal electric utility with annual revenues of about $11 billion. In its budget proposal for FY2014, the Obama Administration proposed a "strategic review" of the Tennessee Valley Authority. The preamble to the TVA Act lists flood control, reforestation, and agricultural and industrial development as primary considerations in the original establishment of the TVA. TVA is now required by the TVA Act to be self-supported using funds from the sale of electric power. This book will discuss the history and role of TVA mostly from an energy standpoint, considering current and future obligations, and other issues related to TVA''s provision of electrical energy. This book will also examine how TVA plans to meet future demand for electricity and how TVA''s resource planning and forecasts compare to those from other sources; TVA''s efforts to use energy efficiency to meet demand for electricity; and TVA''s financial condition and how it affects TVA''s ability to meet its operational and financial goals.

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Book SynopsisAlthough over two thirds of the Earth''s surface is covered by water, more than 97% is ocean water which is too salty for human use or even for irrigation. Consequently, the freshwater is only 3% and almost 1% of the available freshwater is liquid surface water that can be used directly by humans. The rest is groundwater and iced water. Yet still, freshwater is considered to be one of the most abundant resources on earth. In the agriculture sector only, over two-thirds of the available freshwater is used for irrigation. This book focuses on the technology, management and efficiency of drip irrigation.

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Book SynopsisLandfills have been targeted by geophysical methods in order to investigate their environmental impacts. In fact, landfills have been the classic way to deposit domestic and industrial waste and have generated a large range of negative environmental impacts in groundwater and soils. These problems often persist even after the effective use of the landfills and subsequent recovery processes. Owing to their characteristics, landfills are difficult to access and because of the general lack of accurate information regarding the shape, nature of the refuse, history and development of the landfill, non-invasive, non-destructive methods and sometimes autonomous data acquisition devices must be used to monitor impacts and to investigate and prevent groundwater and soil contamination. This book discusses processing systems, environmental impacts and adverse health effects of landfills and other recycling centers.

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Book SynopsisNatural gas is regularly lost as it is burned (flared) and released into the atmosphere (vented) during the production of oil and gas. While the exact amount of gas lost in this way is uncertain, given the vast extent of oil and gas production throughout the world, it could be significant. In addition to resulting in the loss of a potentially valuable resource, the burning and release of natural gas into the atmosphere contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, which are generally considered to be warming the earth''s atmosphere. This book describes flaring and venting data and what the federal government could do to improve them; reports on the basis of available information, on the extent of flaring and venting and their contributions to greenhouse gases; and identifies opportunities for the federal government to reduce flaring and venting.

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Book SynopsisCleaner Production is an emerging field of research that comprises concepts and methodologies from different disciplines in a problem-oriented manner. Research efforts are often concentrated in a variety of sectoral domains; and, for understanding the global change which embraces a variety of processes on several scales, a variety of environmental and sustainability aspects can be addressed. This book brings contributions from researchers that participated in editions of the International Workshop Advances in Cleaner Production (www.advancesincleanerproduction.net) held in São Paulo, Brazil. The book includes contributions from researchers from various countries for the development of Cleaner Production. Divided into three sections, the book addresses national experiences for the implementation of CP programs, research related to the metrics used to assess the effects of CP initiatives in the production sector and discussions that emerge before and after the implementation of these programs. Methodological approaches presented can be useful in the design and management of production systems, for policy development, environmental risk reduction, and prevention/mitigation strategies.

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Book SynopsisAlien -- also called non-indigenous or non-native -- species are defined as those species that colonise an area beyond their natural range, where they reproduce and establish a population. It is known that plants, animals and micro-organisms have been intentionally transferred with human discovery voyages for centuries and, possibly, since the shift from foraging to agricultural and pastoralist societies. As a result, many ''exotic'' species are now among our preferred foods, dearest pets, good-looking houseplants and decorative aquarium weeds, but most of them cannot be considered alien species, as they grow well only in artificially-controlled conditions or in protected environments. Conversely, alien species are capable of ready acclimation to novel habitats, where they may find themselves unconstrained by the limiting factors -- both abiotic and biotic -- typical of their original habitat. In these ''favorable'' conditions, they might outgrow, and ultimately overthrow, resident organisms with which they happen to compete: in this case, alien species are often dubbed ''invasive''. This book discusses patterns, management and economic impact of these biological invasions.

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Book SynopsisThis series covers leading-edge research focusing on the environment, including current research data on the hidden risks and unfulfilled expectations of biochar; clean and green energy development and sustainable development; catchment properties as useful proxies for freshwater biodiversity; resource conservation and environment management; an overview on the development of integrated bioenergy devices for improvement of quality of life of poor people; climatic factors before and after cotton anthesis and its statistical relations nature with cotton production; application, toxicology and environmental effects of nitrobenzene; prediction of California bearing ratio (CBR) for pavement subgrade soils in saturated and unsaturated conditions; and innovative approach of the regional food retail trade.

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Book SynopsisOffshore wind has been envisaged as making a critical contribution in Europe in satisfying the electricity demand in a low-carbon generation scenario. In fact, offshore environment provides a windier and steadier source compared to onshore wind energy. Offshore wind turbine rotors and generators create value by "farming" the wind, converting its energy into electricity. Costly infrastructure -- the very high towers, deep seabed foundations, buried high voltage insulated cables, on-platform transformers and complete subsea transmission grid -- and expensive at-sea maintenance are required because this electricity is not where it is needed. This book discusses offshore wind technologies and examines the ecological risks and prospects of offshore wind.

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Book SynopsisThis series covers leading-edge research focusing on the environment, including current research data on UHI''s impacts on aquatic environments; the use of the lichen genus rhizocarpon in lichenometric dating with special reference to holocene glacial events; environmental problems, place elites and counter elites in depopulated rural areas; fumonisin in Zambia and neighbouring countries in a changing climate; major features on brazil''s legislative policy in uranium production and related environmental aspects; dissolved 222rn and 226ra in groundwaters of guarani aquifer system and serra geral aquifer at Ribeiro Preto City, São Paulo state, Brazil; ambient air conditions and emergency department visits in Vancouver; evaluation of urban heat island effect using modis remote sensing data of Guangzhou, China; changes in 2-de protein profile of white and red clover leaves in response to waterlogging stress and recovery; and spatial decision support systems integrating ecohydrology in limited water resources regions.

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Book SynopsisIn recent decades, it has been recognized that environmental pollution causes serious local and global harmful effects, both to human health and ecosystems, and therefore the protection and restoration of the environment is a matter of great importance. Through the joint efforts of mathematicians, geophysicists and environmentalists, diverse methods for solving varied problems of environmental pollution have been developed. In this text, mathematical methods for analyzing the problems of transport and dispersion of relatively passive pollutants, control of air emissions and remediation of polluted aquatic systems are presented in such form that they are easily understood by undergraduate and graduate students. The application of the adjoint method is emphasized as a way to get dual estimates of average concentrations of different substances. This methodology helps to establish simple variational and linear programming formulations in order to calculate optimal solutions of these problems in the sense that they meet the standards of air quality and cause the minimal variations in the industrial processes or in the environment. This text is primarily intended for scientists, engineers and other professionals working in the field of environmental modeling (transport of air and water pollutants, assessment of pollution levels, optimal control of emission rates from point, line and area sources, the optimal location of a new industrial plant, bioremediation of oil-contaminated aquatic zones, etc.). We hope that this book will be useful for undergraduate and graduate students of engineering sciences and earth sciences as well.

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Book SynopsisWritten by seventeen experts in the field of rangeland management, this compilation of essays brings to light the latent issues concerning this subject to readers all over the globe. Though technical approaches can address some issues, social processes ultimately prevent the balancing of these matters. Socio-economic and political institutions are often a stumbling block for improving rangeland management. Human intervention (such as burning and grazing) have been used as rehabilitation efforts to address reverse land degradation problems. It is also hoped that these methods will bring about ecological restoration for more than 30 percent of the world''s land mass and provide living conditions for 1 billion people across every inhabited continent. Multiple-use has become an important factor in the last few decades, especially when discussing global climate change. The extensive bibliography we provide will give researchers, members of academia and policy makers'' contemplative subject matter; they may access multi-lingual literature that give insight into the issues concerning rangeland situations.

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Book SynopsisWetlands, with a variety of physical characteristics, are found throughout the country. They are known in different regions as swamps, marshes, fens, potholes, playa lakes, or bogs. Although these places can differ greatly, they all have distinctive plant and animal assemblages because of the wetness of the soil. Some wetland areas may be continuously inundated by water, while other areas may not be flooded at all. In coastal areas, flooding may occur daily as tides rise and fall. Recent Congresses have considered numerous policy topics that involve wetlands. Many reflect issues of long-standing interest, such as applying federal regulations on private lands, wetland loss rates, and restoration and creation accomplishments. This book provides an overview of issues with the wetlands; and provides some economic insights on targeting investments to cost effectively restore and protect wetland ecosystems.

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Book SynopsisThis series covers leading-edge research focusing on the environment, including current research data on the impact of forest canopy structure on simulations of atmosphere-biosphere NOX exchange; numerical simulation of CO2 sequestration in saline aquifer influenced by heterogeneous capillary pressure and wettability; the estimation of riverine nutrient fluxes from an urban watershed in New Jersey; a field survey on the Iberian Peninsula; pollution characteristics and potential ecological risk assessment of heavy metals in river sediments based on calculation of pollution indices; rainfall patterns and the relation to atmospheric circulation in Northern Patagonia; a case study of a dry deciduous forest in Kratie, Cambodia; a case study on wastewater management in Nepal; methane interactions with an atmospheric moisture; anthanides and actinides in soils of Khibiny-Lovozero Province; safer irrigation technology adoption under uncertainty perception in Ghana; and nano biomaterial for decontamination of carcinogenic metal from waste water.

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Book SynopsisThis series covers leading-edge research focusing on the environment, including current research data on coastal wetlands and their role in human health; electro-kinetic enhanced phytoremediation for the restoration of multi-metal(loid) contaminated soils; French neotropical solanum genus; advances in production of value-added products from sugarcane straw ash; influence of organic load, fill time and cycle length on biohydrogen production in an AnSBBR treating glucose-based wastewater; AnSBBR operated in batch and fed-batch modes applied to biohydrogen production treating lactose-based wastewater; and impact assessment of mining and metallurgical activities on the distribution of trace elements in the Stavnja Valley, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

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Book SynopsisThe authors of this book examine the latest developments in environmental research. Chapters include community and societal perspectives and strategies on learning to co-exist with environmental hazards; an overview of the current knowledge of biomonitoring of environmental heavy metals pollution; important insights on climate variables in water demand modelling which can be useful in conducting a more rigorous climate change impact analysis on urban water demand in other cities and regions; the applications of renewable energy in buildings and other various environments; an evaluation of SRCs as a potential carbon neutral source of biomass for energy and chemicals; a discussion on the distribution of certain chemical elements which in higher contents represent hazards to the environment and cause certain unwanted consequences on human health; and an analysis of dynamic linear modeling of homogenized monthly temperatures which demonstrated a rise in monthly temperature records with a seasonal pattern.

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Book SynopsisThe authors of this book examine the latest developments in environmental research. Chapters include numerical simulation of chemical spills and assessment of environmental impacts; some ontological reflections on current environmental justice Research; nudges as an alternative to economic market-based instruments in environmental regulation policies; potentialities of biochars from different biomasses for climate change abatement by carbon capture and soil amelioration; electrospun nanofibers affinity membranes for water hazards remediation; hydrogeochemical and stable isotope monitoring and numerical modelling of groundwater resource in Eastern Georgia to secure stability and quality of water supply; risks and hazards of gully erosion in a cold environment; and wheat rusts in Azerbaijan.

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Book SynopsisThe authors of this book examine the latest developments in environmental research. Chapters include nanostructured porous semiconductors as emerging materials in environmental technology; contrasting fish assemblages in free-flowing and impounded tributaries to the upper Delaware River; effects of the absence of adequate regulatory structure on the conservation of peyote; iridium as the new polluting metal linked to vehicular traffic; application of biogas for sustainable energy development from agricultural residues; combustion of oil layer on the surface of water; weathering effects on the structure and thermal behavior of bituminous coal; the use of lignite for the thermal treatment of waste-tyre on a commercial scale; cadmium uptake and distribution in tissues of sea bream with different cadmium exposure histories; mine closure aspects of balanda opencast mine of jagannath area, Mahanadi coal field; and Bogotá''s urban wetlands.

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Book SynopsisThis book includes research from selected international authors and institutions that consider land use management to be an important aspect in the context of climate change and development. Our team of editors and authors hope to add a valuable contribution to the literature to address global climate change in relation to agricultural-forestry ecosystems and development in vulnerable locations. Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry book chapters include a wide variety of topics on changes in land use practices, carbon sequestration, forest degradation, as well as polices that affect land use and development. It also includes a description of the current state of land use, land-use change and forestry in South Asian countries (Chapter 1); an evaluation of biodiversity and peoples'' willingness to pay (Chapter 2); modelling of carbon sequestration in forests (Chapter 3); trade-off analysis in economic and environmental objectives (Chapter 4); use of radar imagery in detecting forest degradation (Chapter 5); assessment of carbon sequestration in woodlots (Chapter 6); solutions for improved survival of ruminants in arid and semi-arid environments and associated carbon sequestration (Chapter 7); policy interventions for land use changes (Chapter 8); accomplishing land use change from subsistence to commercial farming in Mozambique (Chapter 9); and an international and multi-sectoral approach for partnering to achieve positive agricultural developmental land use change (Chapter 10). Our team of editors, reviewers, and authors are honored to be part of this project; truly an example of international cooperation and articulation within the climate change community. The chapters and authors of Land Use, Land-Use and Forestry were carefully selected through a rigorous peer review process considering publication records, relevant and high quality contributions to this topic, and priming international cooperation. For this book and its contents, the intended audience includes the international climate change community including: contributors to the UNFCCC-IPCC process, policymakers, consultants, project developers, researchers and their institutions. Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry aims to be a valuable addition to multidisciplinary and international cooperation efforts (policies, cultural practices, new technologies, and adaptation measures), to development of land use policies, governmental and nongovernmental agencies worldwide and the general public. The editors of Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry believe the book is an effective tool to help the international community progress in understanding and management of land use changes in addressing climate change through international collaboration and cooperation.

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Book SynopsisThis book provides readers with the latest developments in environmental research. Topics covered include an overview of present and future use of biomass as an industrial feedstock for production of fuels, chemicals and other materials; energy sources for the future; sustainable development and management for water resource systems; fuzzy mathematical programming and its potential applications in agricultural planning; a review of eco-friendly products produced from the biodegradation of fishery waste and an identification of the challenges to enhance the reutilization value of fishery wastes; an update on environmental stressors and their effects on oxidative parameters in limpets; the role rhizophere microbes play in maintaining the pathogen population and a comparative study on gamma attentuation coefficients of soil samples by MCNP simulation and XCOM.

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Book SynopsisThe Arid Mangrove Forest from Baja California Peninsula is a series of books that aim to understand the biodiversity, fisheries and economic value of this critical habitat. The book''s contents are devoted to making the reader aware of the great value of the mangrove trees in relation to their conservation and management. Mangrove forests along the Baja California Peninsula represent the northernmost population along Pacific Coast, and thus they are likely to be sourced populations for colonisation at higher latitudes as the climate becomes more favorable. Today, these populations are relatively small and fragmented, and prior research has indicated that they are poor in genetic diversity; however, in the actual global warming scenario, it is very likely that forest cover and genetic diversity will increase. Another relevant component of the book will be the biodiversity inventory, which is still in progress for many biological groups and will be taken into account in the present volume. The present volume will review and analyse some physical, biological and ecological factors that determine the success of these communities and their use in conservation or fishery management. Marine Protected Areas include several of the mangrove forests studied here, and the presented information is critical for appropriate management. The book is organised in ten chapters to evaluate based on study cases, the value of the forest in arid zones of the Baja California Peninsula and the surrounding areas worldwide. This book will be essential to understand the mangroves along Northwestern Mexico and will be a critical consulting book for the next generation of managers and nature lovers who want to understand our environment better.

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Book SynopsisWindstorms such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and severe and fast-moving thunderstorm complexes are among the most destructive and economically damaging hazards that affect the United States on an annual basis. Each year, windstorms claim lives, cause injuries, and result in billions of dollars in property damage. In recent decades, rapid development and population growth in areas at high risk of windstorm hazards have increased the Nation''s vulnerability. In 2004, as part of a Government-wide effort to counteract that trend, Congress called for the establishment a National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program (NWIRP), a coordinated approach to achieve major reductions in windstorm-related losses of life and property. In 2006, the SDR Windstorm Working Group delivered to Congress an initial Windstorm Impact Reduction Implementation Plan, which identified research activities needed to improve windstorm hazard mitigation and served as a guide for Federal agencies to coordinate new and existing research to fill knowledge gaps in understanding and forecasting windstorms. This book includes a new report for 2013-2014, which continues to fulfill the NSTC''s congressionally mandated responsibility to provide biennial reports on the NWIRP. Overall, it finds that the Program has successfully facilitated improvements in windstorm forecast models, warning systems, evacuation planning, structural-design technology, and community preparedness. This book discusses the Windstorm Impact Reduction Implementation Plan.

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Book SynopsisItaly''s peculiar cultural variability is the result of population movements and invasions from the Mediterranean Sea, which took place in both historical and prehistoric times. Due to many interesting places such as the city of Rome, Central Italy was endured by migrants, who have contributed to Italy''s culture, linguistics and also genetics. Chapter One reconstructs human demic movements in central Italy using both archeology and genetics. Chapter Two addresses issues in the conceptual context of land take, which is a change in agriculture, forestry, and other lands due to urbanisation and artificial land development, in Sardinian urban areas of Italy. Moreover, global warming has had a negative impact on water balance, natural systems, and agriculture activities. Chapter Three provides a seasonal analysis of crop evapotranspiration based on the Penman-Monteith equation in the Po River Delta in Italy.

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Book SynopsisThis book consists of fourteen chapters covering important aspects in regards to various terrestrial ecosystems, wetlands, river systems, mine site rehabilitation, marsh ecology and heavy metals pollution. The authors were carefully selected from multiple countries, and this edited book aims to fill some of the information gaps in ecological restoration, particularly in under-researched ecosystems around the world. Our intended readership includes: planners of projects to restore and manage degraded ecosystems; practitioners who implement those plans; resource managers who oversee the sites; land management consultants; environmental authorities; and conservationists and students of natural resource management. We also hope that researchers and the public can find valued information for their future use and efforts. We hope that our work can bring scientists and policy-makers together to envision a sustainable future for ecosystem health and productivity management.

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Book SynopsisRiparian ecosystems occur in semi-terrestrial areas adjacent to water bodies and are influenced by freshwater. Riparian wetlands are defined as land areas adjacent to perennial, intermittent, and ephemeral streams, lakes or rivers. As a result, these areas have high water tables and periodic flooding. They support a wide range of wetland vegetation including emergent macrophytes, grasses and trees. Riparian zones and wetlands are among the most vulnerable natural ecosystems to both climate change and human impact, and they are likely to represent important hot spots for climate change adaptation. The riparian ecosystems, located at the interface between water and land, are extremely dynamic environments in terms of structure, function, diversity and strength of abiotic-biotic feedbacks. Nowadays, the riparian wetlands are strongly affected by both global climate change and human activity. For these reasons, there is a steady and even abrupt increase of scientific publications linked to riparian problems. A web search of "riparian" as a topic yielded more than 16,000 papers published between 1950 and 2015, with 7,000 of them have been published over the past five years and 10,500 produced over the preceding sixty years. This rise of scientific interest is, however, strongly biased geographically. A search of "riparian" in the titles of 4,773 scientific publications (1950-2015) yields high geographical bias with papers studying all aspects of riparian zones in the United States, Brazil, China, Canada, Africa and Europe, respectively, and only one in Russia. This book is intended to partially fill this gap by presenting nine chapters describing the studies of riparian and flood plain zones of Russia. The fourteen chapters of the book, written by the experts in the field of landscape geography, biogeochemistry, GIS techniques and biology cover two of the most important riparian zones of the world: the Amazon varzea and the Ob/Irtysh floodplains. A multidisciplinary approach across wide geographical scales and various techniques presented in this book will be interesting for a large community of scholars, students, and researchers from academic and private organisations.

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Book SynopsisThe seagrass meadows of the Northeast Coast of Brazil have the greatest area, biomass, biometrics and diversity of the Brazilian Coast. In this region, the seagrass diversity and plasticity may vary due to differences in environmental factors. Some natural aspects of the coastal environment or that which affect the coastal zone, mainly climatic (seasons of rains and winds) and geomorphological (bathymetry and substrate type), cause variations in seasonality and plasticity of the species, respectively. Chapter One in this book on aquatic ecosystems summarises the available information concerning how seagrass vary along the Northeast Coast of Brazil, as well as other ecological information. Chapter Two presents a brief historical overview of biological indicators, considering the assessment of water quality through microalgae from an environmental perspective and their role as natural bioindicators of the effects of eutrophication. Chapter Three provides a mixing zone analysis of surface brine discharges in coastal waters. Chapter Four studies the effect of low salinity on intertidal blue mussels from the White Sea.

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Book SynopsisThis book provides readers with the latest developments in environmental research. Topics covered include the results of various approaches that have been applied to assess the susceptibility of the Greek coasts to long term sea-level rise; water quality vulnerability in Yucatán, Mexico at the end of the International Decade for Action "Water for Life"; toxic and potentially toxic diatom blooms in Tunisian waters; acidic waste rock and tailing remediation in Australia; polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons associated with the massive mortalities of pearl oysters at the Al-Khiran coast in Kuwait; the employment of the microalgae Chlorella vulgaris as a biosorbent for the extraction of chromium and mercury species from aqueous solutions; the utility of chloroplast petB&D and trnK intron in DNA barcoding of plant species; the future of Zimbabwes small farm peasant sector in relation to changing climatic conditions and recurrent harvest deficits, and the lack of development in small water bodies (SWBs) and irrigation systems to assist farmers to cope with changing precipitation patterns and droughts; and migration caused by climate change in the Shyamnagar region of Bangladesh.

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Book SynopsisThis book provides readers with the latest developments in environmental research. Topics covered include methods for the production of resins using biological materials such as food crops, agri-food wastes, and non-edible materials, along with the versatility of its applications; the extinction reasons of the Atlantic salmon in the Elbe River; the possible use of spider webs as environmental pollution indicators; the production of synthetic wastewater; the growth and development of switchgrass managed for biofuel production; the variations in social discount rate policies of various countries around the world; the Mole National Park experience in Ghana; and the physical planning implication of informal sector activities on built environments in Nigeria.

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Book SynopsisAn invasive species (alternatively known as an alien, exotic, injurious, introduced or naturalised, non-native, nonindigenous, nuisance, or noxious species) refers to an animal or plant that is introduced into an environment where it is not native. The introduction of invasive species to the United States -- whether deliberate or unintentional -- rom around the globe can pose a significant threat to native animal and plant communities, and may result in extinctions of native animals and plants, species disruptions as native and non-native species compete for limited resources, reduced biodiversity, and altered terrestrial or aquatic habitats. This can result in a range of economic, ecologic, and cultural losses, including reduced agricultural output from U.S. farms and ranches; degradation of U.S. waterways, coastal areas, national parks, and forests; and altered urban, suburban, and rural landscapes. Very broadly, the unanswered question regarding invasive species concerns whose responsibility it is to ensure economic integrity and ecological stability in response to the actual or potential impacts of invasive species, and at what cost. As this book shows, the current answer is not simple. It may depend on answers to many other questions: Is the introduction deliberate or accidental? Does it affect agriculture? By what pathway does the new species arrive? Is the potential harm from the species already known? Is the species already established in one area of the country? Finally, if the answers to any of these questions are unsatisfactory, what changes should be made? This book outlines the nature of the invasive species threat, the ability to predict invasions, methods of pest prevention or control, gaps in regulation, and options for congressional action.

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Book SynopsisThis book compiles the works of many authors from some of the best academic institutions in the world, all related to Mexico''s contemporary general conditions. The main objective of this compilation is to examine Mexico as a whole, giving the reader an insight in its social, economic, political and environmental problems. For this purpose, the texts have been chosen in a way that after analysing a few of them, one will find them all correlated. The problems analysed in this book range from very recent (some of them occurring this past year) to others that go back decades or even centuries. In this sense, this contribution gives readers a historical perception of the problems captured. Some chapters develop scientific conclusions based on strict scientific research; however, the reader will find that the language is not overwhelming and the chapters can be thoroughly and easily read. Overall, it is a wonderful compilation made possible by all contributing authors and their interest to publish their most recent research on it. We hope that readers enjoy going through the pages of these chapters as they venture through contemporary Mexico, analysing topics from the environmental difficulties of Coahuila''s sand dunes to social changes in the Meseta Purépecha, passing through other topics, such as, the conditions of human rights protection in Mexico or the return of the PRI regime, among other great discussions. The authors'' interests are as different as their disciplines, but, in this case, diversity is important for maintaining multidisciplinary interpretations on the current needs of the Mexican society.

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Book SynopsisWith an increasing role of tropical forests supporting a range of ecosystem services, biodiversity conservation, water regulation, soil conservation, timber, non-timber forest products, carbon sequestration, and climate change mitigation, the importance of forest resources management has become very crucial. The tropical forests of Indochina countries are rich in biodiversity and carbon density, and thus are significant from social, ecological, political and economic aspects. These forests provide essential livelihoods to the local and indigenous people. Rapid economic growth, agriculture expansion, illegal logging, population growth, and urbanisation have been reported as major contributors to almost all cases of deforestation. Due to rapid development, forest resources are at a great risk. The FRA 2010 report shows that deforestation caused a loss of about 13 million hectares of tropical forests per year from the year 2000 to 2010. Therefore, there is an urgent need for better management of these resources. This book partially contributes towards climate change mitigation by implementing the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+) mechanism. To mitigate climate change, most present studies are now concentrated on afforestation, reforestation and reducing deforestation and degradation. This book is focused on the application of multi-sensor remote sensing techniques to manage Cambodian forests for the effective implementation of the REDD+ mechanism. In this context, it is important to obtain reliable and consistent information of (a) forest cover, (b) deforestation, and (c) forest biomass to estimate CO2 emissions for the improvement of national carbon accounting. Additionally, this information will also be used for the development of the measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) system and for the management of forest resources to support sustainable forest management. Current knowledge is very limited with regard to the MRV system for REDD+ mechanism implementation. This book demonstrates the use of multi-sensor remote sensing techniques to manage the forest resources more sustainably. Further, it includes a concept on how precisely we can measure various forest parameters to minimise the uncertainty and to validate the results based on field data. The study is very much interdisciplinary in nature. It integrates core remote sensing techniques with the socio-economic angle of the REDD+ mechanism. It emphasises on remote sensing as a technique for ensuring the MRV of REDD+ initiatives, taking into consideration its cost effectiveness in implementation.

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Book SynopsisThis book provides readers with the latest developments in environmental research. Chapter One is an exertion providing up-to date information on mass concentration levels, sources, different types of particles associated with particulate matter (PM) and their effects on human health, climate and natural environment along with controlling methods. Chapter Two evaluates the impact of the foliar applications of seaweed extract (SWE) obtained from Ulva rigida species on salt stress tolerance in wheat plants (Triticum durum L.). Chapter Three addresses polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) origins, uptake dinamics, biotransformation, bioaccumulation and documented impacts over these marine animals, approaching a ''state of knowledge and setting an integrated basis for future tiered studies to estimate the actual human exposure risk through seafood consumption and giving support for future conservational measures. Chapter Four uses the Delphi method, analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and fuzzy logic theory to establish a system of multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) to illustrate the influence of community resident participation on the effectiveness of sustainable green community development. Chapter Five reviews an empirical analysis on the factors influencing energy efficient residential renovations in Taiwan by using the Delphi method, analytical hierarchy process, and utility theory. Chapter Six focuses on dental caries, enamel hypoplasia and dental wear, which were observed in the populations of the Syrian lower Euphrates valley representing six cultures dated from the Early Bronze Age to the modern Islamic period. Chapter Seven discusses perfluoroalkylation of organic compounds by photoredox catalysis with organic dyes.

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Book SynopsisThis book provides readers with the latest developments in environmental research. Chapter One presents the strongest wind erosions of the Sinjsko polje, a karst field situated in the Dalmatia, Croatian south region. Chapter Two provides an analysis for sediment formation by model experiments in karstic depressions. Chapter Three presents the effects of different water pollutants on different assays, biomonitors and biomarkers to evaluate the aquatic environment, as well as justify the importance of inclusion of mutagenicity and genotoxicity tests in water monitoring programs. Chapter Four focuses upon the role of spatial analysis in informing water management into the future and reviews the spatial analysis literature in water resources management/economics from a global and local scale. Chapter Five discusses the impact of climatic variation on reference crop evapotranspiration in the North-East hydrological region of Bangladesh. Chapter Six reviews the causes and impacts of land degradation in Pakistan and devises some improvement measures. Chapter Seven evaluates the impact of partially harvesting the lavender biomass. Chapter Eight introduces benefits and cost of green roof installation, and also gives a new insight into the cost-related issues of green roof installation from owners developers and governments perspectives. Chapter Nine examines the potential environmental risk of food waste management. Chapter Ten discusses the ecophysiology of entomopathogenic fungi used against insect pests of storage maize.

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Book SynopsisAuthentic and inspiring, Everything that Rises personalizes the realities of climate change by paralleling the relationship we have with our planet to the way we interact within our own homes. Many Millennials begin their professional lives in the background, working for causes unchosen by them, for wages barely enough to scrape by. Brianna Craft’s first internship, however, was assisting the Least Developed Countries Group during the United Nations’ climate change negotiations. ​Conditions were similar. The cause was not. Brianna is thrown directly into the middle of the talks. While working for those most ignored and affected by the climate crisis, she must find her own voice in rooms filled with the world’s most powerful people. A dynamic that painfully reminds her of what it felt like growing up in a house where the loudest voice always won. Four years later, she witnesses the adoption of the first universal climate change treaty, The Paris Climate Agreement. But despite the signing of the 2015 treaty, the crisis rages on. Brianna confronts her own history to further the cause and navigate the future.It will take all of us to save our home.Table of Contents1 A Conference of Parties 2 Climate Change and Me 3 Breathless 4 False Start 5 Compromised 6 Monster 7 The Traveling Show 8 Hope Springs 9 Stalemate 10 From Gambia with Love 11 The Triumph of Paris 12 Rebellion

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Book SynopsisThis volume includes five chapters that detail recent advances in environmental research. Chapter One explores the potential of agroforestry to provide an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional agriculture, which produces climatologically negative effects. Chapter Two provides a general overview of optical biosensors and their applications in clinical diagnosis, food safety and security, and environmental biomonitoring. Chapter Three offers an overview of air quality monitoring. Chapter Four proposes pertinent information related to the prevailing state of the art on the importance of soybean lignocellulosic residues as raw materials of high potential for biorefineries and biofuels production. Lastly, Chapter Five presents case studies from France and Brazil concerning agroforestry in connection with international environmental law goals and sustainable development goals.Table of ContentsPreface; The Future of Agroforestry in the Face of Climate Change, with Special Reference to Venezuela; Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR): Applications in Clinical Diagnosis, Food Safety and Security, and Environmental Biomonitoring; State of the Art on Air Quality Monitoring; Soybean Lignocellulosic Biomass: A Sustainable Approach for Biofuels Production; The International Recognition of the Socio-Environmental Benefits of AS: How International Law Influences National Legislations?; Index.

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Book SynopsisPhthalates are esters of phthalic acid that are groups of chemicals used mainly in the production of plastics. Phthalates are also called plasticizers and they make solid plastics flexible and soft. Besides plastics, phthalates are also used as raw materials and/or auxiliary chemicals in many industrial activities. Because of their widespread use, phthalates are very common in nature and are classified as non-persistent pollutants. Their harmful effects have started to be shown by studies conducted in the last 20-30 years which revealed that phthalates have endocrine disrupting effects, among other health consequences. This book deals with the various health and environmental effects of phthalates.

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