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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.

    • Coral Reefs

      Their Complexity, Fragility and Future
      • 1st Edition
      • Robert Steneck
      • English
      Coral Reefs: Their Complexity, Fragility and Future offers an introduction to tropical coral reef ecosystems. It explores the combined geological, physical, chemical, and biological factors that make coral reefs among the most diverse and productive systems in the world. To unpack these complex systems, this book outlines the major players that create coral reefs, reconsiders how environmental and human forces shape reefs in the Anthropocene and identifies best practices for sustainable tourism and management of reef systems. Written by a leading expert of tropical reef systems, this book covers the biology, taxonomy, and ecological interactions of dominant reef organisms. Chapters systematically discuss the diversity of corals and the reef communities that they support, the key geological and biological factors driving their development, and critical processes of primary productivity, competition, predation, and herbivory. The book ends with a look to the future of coral reefs considering global change in the Anthropocene. Coral Reefs: Their Complexity, Fragility and Future combines fundamental concepts with novel research advances to explore the forces that shape coral reefs and predict the future of these ecosystems in the coming century. In discussing both the successes and failures of modern conservation efforts, this book offers a roadmap to guide stakeholders and industry leaders in developing policies surrounding the sustainable visitation and conservation of coral reef ecosystems. It is an indispensable resource for the next generation of marine scientists, conservationists, and policymakers concerned with the future of these critical ecosystems.
    • Aquatic Food Webs in the Anthropocene

      Impact of Stressors of Emerging Concern
      • 1st Edition
      • Mirco Bundschuh
      • English
      Aquatic Food Webs in the Anthropocene: Impact of Stressors of Emerging Concern addresses a variety of anthropogenic factors and their impacts on aquatic food webs. It provides readers with an overview of cutting-edge research on known and emerging anthropogenic drivers of trophic transfers in aquatic ecosystems, bringing diverse topics together to offer new perspectives on food web dynamics. Each chapter has been written by a leading expert on the pollutant or stressor in question, ensuring global coverage of emerging contaminants, light pollution, pesticides, wastewater, brownification, salinization, changing temperatures, invasive species, and their relative impacts to aquatic food webs. The concluding chapter discusses the applications of emerging research covered in this work, including the potential for effective resource management and restoration of food webs under stress. Aquatic Food Webs in the Anthropocene: Impact of Stressors of Emerging Concern provides a critical reflection on current knowledge of how anthropogenic drivers affect aquatic food webs. It is a unique resource for researchers, academics, and the wider set of stakeholders that deal with aquatic community ecology. This book is an indispensable “go-to” resource for those who would like to develop and refresh their knowledge on aquatic ecology and food web dynamics and drivers.
    • Algae Classification and Species

      • 1st Edition
      • Pau Loke Show + 3 more
      • English
      Algae Classification and Species delivers a detailed overview of freshwater and marine algal diversity. It provides an essential introduction to the study of phycology with broad applications in diverse biological and biotechnological fields. Written and edited by a global team of experts in the field of phycology, this book is organized according to major algal taxa, including green, red, and brown macroalgae, benthic and planktonic algae, blue-green algae, diatoms, cyanobacteria, and microalgae. Chapters are structured to provide readers with a sweeping understanding of the breadth of marine algae, including their principal characteristics, evolution, phylogeny, distribution, preservation, and more.This book is designed to provide a complete, legible review of algal diversity. It is a valuable resource for researchers, biotechnologists, and students interested in developing their understanding of basic algal biology.
    • Fermented Foods in Health and Disease Prevention

      • 2nd Edition
      • Juana Frías + 2 more
      • English
      Fermented Foods in Health and Disease Prevention, Second Edition examines the significance of fermented foods to public health. The book presents the latest scientific evidence, showing the health-promoting components produced upon fermentation from a diversity of food matrices. The content includes the definition and characterization of traditional and innovative fermented foods, their mechanisms of action, and the evidence for effects on health and disease in humans. Putative health effects associated with direct interactions between the ingested live microorganisms and the host (probiotic effect), or indirectly, through ingestion of microbial metabolites and products of fermentation (biogenic effect) are discussed.This book will provide the food industry with new insights on the development of value-added fermentation, while also presenting nutritionists and dieticians with a useful resource to help them develop strategies to assist in the prevention of disease or to slow its onset and severity.
    • Cutting-Edge Technology for Plant Metabolite Profiling in Drug Discovery and Quality Control

      • 1st Edition
      • Ramesh Kumar Ahirwar + 4 more
      • English
      Cutting-Edge Technology for Plant Metabolite Profiling in Drug Discovery and Quality Control presents an in-depth overview of innovative approaches in plant metabolomics, focusing on their practical integration into industry. The book examines advanced techniques such as metabolic engineering, metabolite imaging, NMR analysis, microfluidics, and computational bioinformatics. These methods are crucial for identifying and optimizing bioactive compounds in plants, reflecting the growing demand for natural products and plant-derived therapeutics. Through detailed case studies, readers gain insight into real-world applications and scenarios, making this resource invaluable for professionals aiming to enhance accuracy and efficiency in metabolite profiling.In addition to pharmaceutical applications, the book explores the use of plant metabolomics in crop improvement, archaeological studies, cosmetic development, and food quality assurance. It offers a multidisciplinary perspective, highlighting the significant impact of plant metabolites across sectors such as molecular and cellular biology, biotechnology, and biochemistry. Specialists in pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, and agriculture will find this comprehensive guide essential for staying abreast of the latest advances and understanding the broad implications of plant metabolite research.
    • Food Industry 5.0

      Components, Opportunities, and Challenges
      • 1st Edition
      • Abdo Hassoun
      • English
      Food Industry 5.0: Components, Opportunities, and Challenges explores the innovative technologies set to transform the future of food production and processing. The book opens by defining the principles of Food Industry 5.0, emphasizing human-centricity, resilience, and sustainability as its core foundations. Readers are introduced to a range of cutting-edge advancements—such as regenerative conversational AI, the Internet of Everything, miniaturized sensors, cobots, advanced drones, and 4D printing—that are expected to shape the landscape of tomorrow’s food industry. These technologies promise to drive efficiency, adaptability, and greater integration between humans and machines.The book is structured in three parts: the first provides an overview of Food Industry 5.0’s foundational concepts; the second examines the enabling technologies and their evolution from Food Industry 4.0; while the third addresses challenges in technology adoption and highlights future research directions. This comprehensive guide offers valuable insights for researchers, scholars, and students interested in the intersection of advanced technology and the food sector, making it a key resource for understanding the next wave of industry transformation.
    • Starch Conjugates

      Properties and Applications
      • 1st Edition
      • Aayushi Deepak Kadam + 1 more
      • English
      Starch Conjugates: Properties and Applications a volume in the Applications of Starches in Food and Packaging Series, compiles the latest research findings, methodologies, and case studies of starch conjugates synthesis techniques and applications across different industries, such as Food, Agriculture, Pharmaceutical, and Biomedical Engineering. The book brings detailed analysis and practical insights into the synthesis, characterization, and utilization of starch conjugates, ultimately fostering innovation and an eco-friendly alternative to conventional materials, driving advancements in materials science and technology. Practical case studies and real-world examples offer practical guidance to researchers and industry professionals, aiding them in developing and implementing starch conjugate-based solutions. The book also serves as a problem-solving resource for those facing challenges in utilizing starch conjugates, offering strategies, best practices, and expert advice to overcome obstacles and optimize outcomes. With contributions from experts across various disciplines, the book provides an interdisciplinary perspective, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange among researchers and professionals from different backgrounds.
    • Non-Native Species

      Understanding the Impacts on Ecosystems and Societies
      • 1st Edition
      • Andrei Alyokhin
      • English
      Presently, virtually no areas on Earth remain sheltered from the arrival and establishment of non-native plants, insects, and animals, in large part due to human activities. Failure to address this issue may have dire consequences, including disruption of vital ecological processes, loss of agricultural, forestry, and fishery resources, and even serious disease epidemics within human populations. At the same time, most non-native species are not invasive, and attempts to eradicate them may themselves result in environmental, economic, and even social damage. Non-Native Species: Understanding the Impacts on Ecosystems and Societies provides a comprehensive introduction to the issues surrounding invasion biology, which is a prominent, but sometimes controversial, area of applied biology. It will cover the mechanisms of natural and human-mediated biological invasions, their consequences from ecological, economic, political, and ethical perspectives, and discuss management options available for prevention and/or mitigation of the negative impacts of invasive species.Written by an entomologist who studies invasive insects and plants and has spent over 20 years teaching a course on biological invasions, Non-Native Species: Understanding the Impacts on Ecosystems and Societies offers anecdotes, insights, and case studies from the author’s own work and research. This book is an ideal reference for early career researchers with an interest in invasion ecology, or an ideal course companion for students at the undergraduate and graduate levels enrolled in courses on invasive species, non-native species, or biological invasions, particularly those who plan to major, minor, or concentrate in entomology.
    • Geomicrobiology of Río Tinto

      A Terrestrial Mars Analogue
      • 1st Edition
      • Ricardo Amils
      • English
      Geomicrobiology of Río Tinto: A Terrestrial Mars Analogue provides the most detailed biological and geological characterizations of one of Earth's best terrestrial Mars analogues. The acidic waters of Río Tinto and the high metal content of its sediments have given rise to a unique biodiversity. Understanding the geochemical and mineralogical conditions that have shaped the evolution of these extremophiles is essential to guiding the selection of sites for meaningful missions to Mars. Edited by a renowned astrobiologist with contributions from global experts with applied experience in Mars exploration missions, this book is systematically structured for a wide audience. Sections delve into the physical characteristics and biological diversity of Río Tinto, its suitability as a terrestrial Mars analogue, and the fundamentals and applications of geomicrobiology. Geomicrobiology of Río Tinto: A Terrestrial Mars Analogue provides its interdisciplinary audiences with the fundamentals to understand the paleontological record of the system, the diversity existing in its water column, the biological activities responsible for its extreme conditions, and their biotechnological applications and relevance to future exploration missions to the red planet. This is an essential read for astrobiologists, aquatic biologists, geomicrobiologists, paleontologists, and biotechnologists alike.
    • Multiple Abiotic Stresses in Plants

      Mechanisms and Management Strategies
      • 1st Edition
      • Koushik Chakraborty + 4 more
      • English
      Driven by the realities of global climate change, compound stress events—such as drought, salinity, extreme temperatures, and flooding—now frequently affect crops within a single season, posing significant risks to global food security and agricultural sustainability. Multiple Abiotic Stresses in Plants examines how plants coordinate distinct physiological, biochemical, and molecular pathways to adapt under complex stress conditions, contrasting these mechanisms with those triggered by individual stress factors.Chapters cover key processes including redox regulation, hormonal signaling, transcriptional control, ion transport, and metabolic adjustments. The volume also highlights advances in breeding and biotechnology—from marker-assisted selection and genome editing to nanotechnology and multi-omics approaches—alongside practical strategies for improved stress management, such as optimized nutrient use, microbial interventions, and climate-adaptive agronomy.Comprehensi... in scope and multidisciplinary in approach, this reference book serves as a valuable resource for researchers, students, plant scientists, and agricultural professionals by offering the strategic insight needed to anticipate, rather than react to, the evolving challenges of plant-environment interactions.