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Books in Agricultural and biological sciences

The Agricultural and Biological Sciences collection advances science-based knowledge for the improvement of animal and plant life and for secure food systems that produce nutritious, novel, sustainable foods with minimal environmental impact. Food Science titles include not only those products from agriculture but all other aspects from food production to nutrition, health and safety, chemistry to security, policy, law and regulation. Biological Sciences address animal behaviour and biodiversity, organismal and evolutionary biology, entomology, marine biology and aquaculture, plant science and forestry.

  • The Honey Bee and Climate Change

    • 1st Edition
    • September 1, 2026
    • Gloria DeGrandi-Hoffman
    • English
    A honey bee colony is a community of interacting organisms continually adjusting their behaviors, both individually and collectively, in response to even the subtlest changes in the environment. It’s only logical then, that the more significant changes and stressors due to climate change will push the colony to its limits, disrupting the delicate balance of the hive and threatening the survival of the colony. Honey Bees and Climate Change is the first and only book to examine the responses of honey bees to climate change and the threat it poses to their ability to thrive and survive. Drawing on systems science and the central theme that all outcomes are products of an interconnected system, the book will address how climate change is affecting honey bee nutrition, growth, and overwinter survival, which in turn threaten commercial beekeeping and crop production. Impacts on other pollinators will be touched on as well. Finally, potential mitigating strategies, key areas of action, and the future outlook will be covered.Written by a leading scientist with over 40 years of experience studying honey bee physiology, nutrition, colony survival, and the impact of climate change on the colony, Honey Bees and Climate Change is crucial reading for students and researchers studying honey bees, especially those with an interest in the impacts of climate change on pollinators. The inclusion of key terms and definitions as well as case studies make this work an excellent supplementary text for courses on honey bee biology, apiculture, pollinator conservation, or climate change ecology.
  • Marination

    A Novel Technology to Improve the Quality and Safety of Foods
    • 1st Edition
    • September 1, 2026
    • Ioannis Savvaidis + 1 more
    • English
    Marination: A Novel Technology to Improve the Quality and Safety of Foods presents the latest developments in marination as a method of intervention in providing an improvement in food quality and assuring the safety of perishable foods. Composed of 12 chapters, the title covers marination types and their applicability in various food types (fish/seafood, meats, plant-based fresh produce, dairy-based products). Besides presenting existing technologies to improve the quality of foods and extend shelf-life, the book also discusses marination as both a preservation technique and a technology to produce novel foods to consumers.Edited by a team of experts in the field, this book is a unique resource for researchers, scientists and industry personnel interested in natural techniques for preserving food and preventing the growth of food pathogens.
  • Alternatives to Antibiotics for Sustainable Aquaculture

    • 1st Edition
    • September 1, 2026
    • Baskaralingam Vaseeharan + 2 more
    • English
    Alternatives to Antibiotics in Sustainable Aquaculture explores issues associated with antimicrobial use and available alternatives to support aquatic animal health. The book unveils the issues related to antimicrobial use and offers alternative approaches to foster a more sustainable global aquaculture industry. These approaches encompass natural-based antibiotic substitutes, antimicrobial peptides, probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics, as well as immunostimulants and feed additives. Additionally, chemical alternatives, vaccines, bacteriophages, quorum quenching, and antibiofilm approaches are explored. The future of aquatic animal health is covered through the lens of novel technologies, including genomic and metabolomic approaches, nanotechnology, and nanobubble methods.This book provides insightful knowledge for individuals from both academic and private sectors, as well as policymakers and regulators. The knowledge gathered in this book is intended to positively guide aquaculture supply chains toward a sustainable transformation of the industry.
  • Optimizing the Plant Endosphere for Stress Management

    Enhancing Sustainable Agriculture
    • 1st Edition
    • September 1, 2026
    • Sankalp Misra + 2 more
    • English
    Optimizing the Plant Endosphere for Stress Management: Enhancing Sustainable Agriculture presents the latest insights on how plants manage various abiotic and biotic stresses by the interaction between plants and endophytes. The book explores the molecular and physiological mechanisms underlying plant-endophyte interactions, the contribution to stress mitigation, the identification of key traits that improve plant resilience, and the potential for using these beneficial endophytes to reduce the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides. By deepening our understanding of these relationships, this book can help bring about innovative strategies that contribute to sustainable agriculture and food security while also confronting environmental challenges.These complex and multifaceted interactions influence plant health, growth, and resilience. Endophytes, primarily bacteria and fungi, inhabit the internal tissues of plants without causing harm. They play vital roles in enhancing plant growth and stress tolerance through various mechanisms including nutrient acquisition, pathogen resistance, and the production of bioactive compounds. As environmental stresses such as drought, salinity, and disease become increasingly prevalent due to climate change and agricultural intensification, understanding these interactions is crucial for developing effective stress management strategies.
  • The Triumph of Biology's Model Organisms

    How Flies, Mice, and Slime Molds Became Teachers of Biology
    • 1st Edition
    • September 1, 2026
    • Josph Travis
    • English
    The Triumph of Biology's Model Organisms: How Flies, Mice, and Slime Molds Became Teachers of Biology provides a dynamic exploration of how seemingly ordinary organisms—flies, mice, slime molds, and more—have become central to scientific discovery. As the foundation of biological research, model organisms offer unique insights into the shared evolutionary history that unites all life. This volume addresses a longstanding need to connect the stories of these organisms to the broad advances in fundamental and biomedical science, providing readers with an appreciation for how curiosity-driven research translates into practical outcomes in the life sciences. Spanning a diverse array of species, the book’s chapters examine what makes an organism a model, the evolutionary principles underlying their utility, and the blend of wisdom and luck that led to their selection. Through compelling case studies and featured scientist reflections, chapters invite readers to critically examine how model organisms are chosen and why they matter. Readers will discover the pivotal roles of classic models like Drosophila and Neurospora, the transformation of pests into research heroes, and how extreme biological features have been harnessed to solve enduring questions. The Triumph of Biology's Model Organisms: How Flies, Mice, and Slime Molds Became Teachers of Biology equips advanced undergraduates, graduate students, and researchers with a comprehensive understanding of the scientific and historical significance of model organisms. By weaving together fundamental concepts, real-world examples, and the human stories behind discovery, this reference inspires a deeper appreciation for biodiversity, the unpredictable pathways of research, and the enduring impact of basic science on society.
  • Marine Mercury Bioaccumulation

    • 1st Edition
    • September 1, 2026
    • Luiz Drude de Lacerda
    • English
    Marine Mercury Bioaccumulation presents state-of-the-art research on mercury bioaccumulation in marine life. Written by leading experts in marine toxicology, this book delivers the latest information on monitoring and modeling mercury biomagnification in key marine taxa. Early chapters introduce the basic biology and ecology of how mercury travels through marine organisms and accumulates within marine food webs. Central chapters discuss the current status and exposure risks of key taxa, including marine vegetation, invertebrates, fishes, mammals, and birds. The book concludes with an assessment of human exposure to mercury through seafood products and novel modeling tools to assess environmental exposure risks and bioaccumulation.User... will find this to be a great resource for a global assessment of mercury contamination in the ocean, including biological resources, monitoring and modeling, current tools, existing research gaps, and suggestions on how to improve our monitoring and policy tools for improved safety of marine life and human consumption. This is an indispensable tool for researchers, resource managers, fisheries stakeholders, and students alike.
  • Plant-Induced Systemic Resistance

    Mechanisms and Applications Against Biotic and Abiotic Stressors
    • 1st Edition
    • September 1, 2026
    • Sengottayan Senthil-Nathan + 2 more
    • English
    Plant-Induced Systemic Resistance examines how intrinsic defense signaling and state-of-the-art biotechnologies can fortify crops while reducing reliance on chemical inputs. This rigorous treatment unpacks the biochemical circuitry of induced immunity, the networks coordinating defense, and the innovative molecular biology tools that empower durable protection under a variety of stress triggers. Against the backdrop of rising pest pressures, evolving resistance patterns, and environmental concerns, it presents a forward-looking framework for integrating host defenses within comprehensive crop protection initiatives.This volume traces a clear trajectory from foundational concepts to precision management solutions, delivering data-driven methodologies, decision support tools, and scalable practices for sustainable agriculture, enriched by real-world case studies that illustrate adoption across research, extension, and industry contexts. Governance, regulatory considerations, and societal implications are woven throughout to ensure responsible innovation.Bridging lab-derived knowledge with field-ready interventions, this essential resource opens avenues for interdisciplinary collaboration to bolster plant resilience against various biotic and abiotic stressors, expanding the toolkit for integrated crop protection.
  • Medicinal Plant Biotechnology for Ameliorated Secondary Metabolite Production

    • 1st Edition
    • September 1, 2026
    • Saikat Gantait + 3 more
    • English
    Medicinal Plant Biotechnology for Ameliorated Secondary Metabolite Production delivers a cutting-edge perspective on how biotechnology is reshaping the way medicinal plants are studied and utilized. By integrating advanced molecular techniques, precision genetic tools, bioprocessing strategies, and analytical platforms, this volume addresses the critical challenge of enhancing the biosynthesis and optimization of high-value bioactive compounds.The book moves beyond technical innovation to emphasize its role in meeting global demand for plant-derived therapeutics while ensuring ecological balance. It highlights how advancements can drive sustainability, reduce reliance on synthetic alternatives, and open new pathways to ensure long-term viability of plant genetic material and biodiversity preservation. This future-oriented approach makes the volume not just a specialized reference, but a strategic guide for shaping the next generation of plant-based functional solutions.Part of the Medicinal and Industrial Plants and Products series, this state-of-the-art resource boasts a holistic approach with relevance across stakeholders in academic and industrial contexts seeking practical insights that can be adapted to diverse plant species and scaled for real-world industrial and commercial uses.
  • Cadmium Contamination in Soils and Plants

    Mechanisms and Mitigation
    • 1st Edition
    • September 1, 2026
    • Fang-Jie Zhao + 2 more
    • English
    Cadmium Contamination in Soils and Plants presents a rigorous, up-to-date account of how this toxic metal enters agricultural landscapes, persists in soils, interacts with living systems, and ultimately affects food safety and human health. The volume synthesizes cutting-edge findings on the processes that drive Cd movement from soil to crops and clarifies the biological pathways by which plants and microorganisms respond. It translates scientific insight into practical solutions for safer agricultural production systems, drawing on recent advances in measurement, modeling, and remediation.This book is intended for researchers, graduate students, and professionals across environmental science, agronomy, and public health who need an authoritative, research-grounded reference to inform decisions in cultivation-related settings.
  • Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals of Fungal Origin

    Current Developments and Concepts
    • 1st Edition
    • August 31, 2026
    • Pragya Tiwari + 1 more
    • English
    Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals of Fungal Origin: Current Developments and Concepts discusses recent topics and relevant developments in the production of functional foods and nutraceuticals of fungal origin, along with their production technologies, nutritional components, health benefits, socioeconomic relevance, and potential for translational commercialization. The book's chapters include novel products, processes, and techniques such as microbial enzyme technologies, the use of native microbes, and renewable source of substrates and microbial engineering in the development of nutraceuticals. Omics technologies and their applications in edible fungi research and artificial intelligence-based prediction of bioactive compounds are also discussed. The book provides strategies and tools for the identification and analysis of fungi-based products while also exploring fungal pigments and colorants as food ingredients. Safety and regulatory aspects of fungal-derived food products and research innovation across the globe are also thoroughly explored. This book serves as a reference for food microbiologists, food scientists, and pharmaceutical professionals on the development of new functional foods and nutraceuticals.