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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.

  • Agriculture and the Environment

    Papers presented at the International Conference, 10-13 November 1991
    • 1st Edition
    • C.A. Edwards + 3 more
    • English
    Until the 1980s, global increases in food production exceeded the concomitant growth of human populations. However, progressively agriculture is becoming unable to meet the world-wide per capita needs for food. Unless there is major international cooperation in addressing the problems associated with population control, it is predicted that the global human population will reach more than 14 billion by the year 2050, with provision of adequate food, fuel and space for such an increased population unachievable.These problems are accentuated by factors such as world-wide reductions in soil fertility, the accelerating degradation of land that is suitable for food production through soil erosion, the world-wide trend for migration of human populations from rural habitats to cities and extremely rapid rates of global deforestation.Possib... solutions to global sustainability in agriculture and natural resources must involve an integration of ecological, sociological, cultural, and economic considerations, as well as mandated international and national policies. This publication outlines these problems and attempts to seek solutions.

  • Biotic Diversity in Agroecosystems

    • 1st Edition
    • D. Pimentel + 1 more
    • English
    The preservation of biodiversity is a high priority among biologists, ecologists and environmentalists. The impact that human activities have on biodiversity is clear; however, few studies have focused on the importance of biodiversity to natural and agricultural ecosystems. In fact, many natural species are essential to sustainable agricultural programs. A new school of thought is appreciating the ecological principles and benefits that diversity of natural biota have for humans and the environment. Landscape ecology and agroecology can play a major role in protecting the environment and conserving biological diversity. The practical opportunities for improving the sustainability of agriculture and making it more environmentally sound were discussed at the Symposium on Agroecology and Conservation Issues, from which 22 papers were collected for this volume. Strategies for increasing biodiversity in agricultural landscapes are provided alongside discussion that agriculture will continue to spread into forests, to meet the growing need for food. Although humans recognize the value of crop and livestock species, few really appreciate the fact that agriculture and forestry cannot function in a productive sustainable way when significant numbers of species in natural biota are lost.

  • Humus, its Structure and Role in Agriculture and Environment

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 25
    • J. Kubát
    • English
    This volume presents the proceedings of the 10th internationalsymposi... Humus et Planta held in Prague in August 19-23,1991. The main topics of this book are devoted to the recentadvances in fundamental, as well as applied research of humicsubstances, the most abundant of the naturally occuringmacromolecul... of nature, the understanding of their natureand how they react and interact in their natural environments.Texts are included on the structure, physical and chemicalproperties of humic substances; the relationships among humus,soil properties and fertility; the biotransformations oforganic substances in the soil; the relationships betweenhumic substances and plants and the interactions of humus andxenobiotic substances. This book presents recent knowledge ofthe complicated and challenging humic substances. It will beof interest not only to scientist, but also to Universityteachers and students of agricultural and environmentalscience...

  • Practical Tissue Culture Applications

    • 1st Edition
    • Karl Maramorosch
    • English
    Practical Tissue Culture Applications contains the proceedings of a conference held at the International Laboratory for Research on Animal Diseases in Nairobi, Kenya, August 24-29, 1978. This book aims to describe some of the more important practical applications of in vitro techniques in a simple, easily understandable manner. Organized into three sections, with a total of 27 chapters, this book provides critical reviews, describes various techniques, and presents complete step-by-step methodology. It emphasizes applications pertaining to the health and economy in developing nations. In particular, this book discusses the pitfalls in preparing general purpose culture media, balanced salt solutions, and the procedures followed in the development of modern in vitro techniques. It also describes techniques for cultivation of vertebrate cells and organs; plant tissue culture and its numerous applications; and electron microscopy of cultured cell. This book explains as well virus isolation and identification in cell cultures, mass production of cells for vaccines, and use of cultured cells for drug evaluation. The applications of in vitro techniques to parasitology are explored in numerous chapters of this book. Considering the potential benefit of application of in vitro techniques, this reference material will be of interest both in developed and developing countries.

  • Intracellular Parasitic Protozoa

    • 1st Edition
    • Masamichi Aikawa
    • English
    Intracellular Parasitic Protozoa introduces the basic structure and classification of intracellular parasitic protozoa and the concept of parasitism. This book starts by discussing the concept of parasitism and the taxonomic background of various intracellular protozoan organisms. This is followed by a description of the relationships between intracellular protozoan and their host cells. Then, this book discusses the ultrastructure of cells and organisms, emphasizing cell morphology that serves as the primary basis of generalizations of the host cell-parasite relationships. It also presents the intracellular protozoa in several groups according to their probable taxonomic relationships and more obvious morphological similarities. Finally, this text describes protozoan fine structure, along with a brief discussion of their biological aspects. This book is ideal for researchers, teachers, and students who wish to gain more knowledge in parasitism caused by intracellular protozoa.

  • The Physiological Ecology of Woody Plants

    • 1st Edition
    • Theodore T. Kozlowski + 2 more
    • English
    The efficient management of trees and other woody plants can be improved given an understanding of the physiological processes that control growth, the complex environmental factors that influence those processes, and our ability to regulate and maintain environmental conditions that facilitate growth.

  • The Physiology of Insecta V6

    • 2nd Edition
    • Morris Rockstein
    • English
    The Physiology of Insecta, Second Edition, Volume VI, is part of a multivolume treatise that brings together the known facts, the controversial material, as well as the many unresolved and unsettled problems of insect physiology. It features chapters written by the outstanding workers in each of a wide range of insect function areas. It is designed to meet a manifest need, which has arisen from the phenomenal increase in research activity on insects, for an authoritative, comprehensive reference work in insect physiology. The book begins with a discussion of the physiology of insect resistance to insecticides. This is followed by separate chapters on the structure and formation of the integument in insects; the physical properties and chemical components of the insect cuticle; and permeability of the insect cuticle. Subsequent chapters cover the organization and evolution of the insect tracheal system; aquatic respiration in insects; and factors affecting insect respiratory rates.

  • Biology of Termites

    • 1st Edition
    • Kumar Krishna
    • English
    Biology of Termites, Volume I presents the anatomical, physiological, biochemical, and behavioral laboratory and field studies of termite species. Although termites have been associated mainly with damage, only less than 10% of the species have actually been recorded as pests, obscuring their important ecological role in the breakdown of vegetative matter and their variety and complexity of structure, physiology, social behavior, caste differentiation and regulation, and other aspects of their biology. After briefly describing the social organization, classification, and research history of termites, the book discusses the external morphology of these species and the similarities and differences between the various groups and the different castes. The subsequent chapters cover the internal anatomy of termites, including their digestive physiology, exocrine and endocrine glands, reproductive and nervous systems, and sense organs. Other chapters deal with the social behavior and communication in the termites and the termite colonizing flights and associated activities. The book also examines caste differentiation in the three lower termite families, namely, Hodotermitidae, Kalotermitidae, and Rhinotermitidae. This volume includes discussions on the rearing, feeding, and biochemistry of termites; the radioisotopes for feeding studies; and the moisture requirements for termite survival. The concluding chapters deal with the introduction or interception of termites by humans and their association with fungi, as well as the relationships of termite hosts with termitophiles. Termite biologists, zoologists, botanists, ecologists, behaviorists, biochemists, endocrinologists, and economic entomologists will find this volume invaluable.

  • Tropical Botanic Gardens

    Their Role in Conservation and Development
    • 1st Edition
    • V. H. Heywood + 1 more
    • English
    This book includes the proceedings of the second symposium on one important role of botanic gardens in conserving world plant resources. Sessions covered topics such as implementing the botanic gardens conservation strategy, regional networks and national programs in the tropics, and germplasm banks in botanic gardens.

  • Protein Transfer and Organelle Biogenesis

    • 1st Edition
    • Rathindra C. Das
    • English
    Protein Transfer and Organelle Biogenesis is a seven-section volume focusing on the property of proteins to carry signals for secretion, mitochondrial assembly, and lysosomal localizations. It describes how these signals function and determines other factors necessary in building and maintaining the functions of a cell. Organized into seven sections encompassing 19 chapters, the book deals with the general aspects of protein translocation, modification, and sorting. It discusses the transport into the endoplasmic reticulum, the role of carbohydrates in glycoprotein trafficking, and the mechanism of endo- and exocytosis. It further discusses the localization of proteins to the mitochondrion and nucleus and with bacterial protein transport. The final section emphasizes the contribution secretion research that the biotechnology industry has made to the production of proteins. Biologists, cell biologists, researchers, teachers, and students who are interested in the mechanism of protein transfer and organelle biogenesis will find this book invaluable.

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