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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.

  • Threats to Pollinator Abundance and Diversity

    • 1st Edition
    • Scott Elias
    • English
    Threats to Pollinator Abundance and Diversity, the first release in the Pollinators in Peril series, covers the latest research on insect pollinators, the threats to their survival, declining populations, and what conservation actions should be taken. The book demonstrates that most threats to pollinators are either directly or indirectly human-caused, such as chemicals, land alteration, and habitat loss due to agricultural practices, as well as climate change and its many ripple effects. Covering everything from honeybee pathogens to butterfly range changes, this book covers concepts that are both crucial for researchers in entomology, upper-level students, governmental and non-governmental organizations, and adjacent fields.Pollinating insects are among the most crucial species groups on earth. Without them, much of the earth’s vegetation would not survive and the elaborate ecosystems they sustain would collapse. Today, pollinator declines have reached critical levels in most regions of the world.
  • Starch-Based Materials

    Principles and Applications
    • 1st Edition
    • Ming Miao + 1 more
    • English
    Starch-Based Materials: Principles and Applications explores the cutting-edge research and development of starches as biodegradable, renewable biomaterials addressing urgent environmental concerns associated with non-biodegradable polymers. This comprehensive volume delves into the structural characteristics of starches, recent advances in their physical, chemical, and enzymatic modifications, and emerging technologies that expand their use beyond traditional food applications. It highlights innovative approaches to enhance nutritional value and health benefits, including the design of gluten-free products and specialized foods, while also covering industrial uses such as hydrogels and controlled release systems. Despite extensive prior research on starch packaging and non-food uses, there is a significant gap in current literature regarding modern starch modifications and their multifunctional applications across food, pharmaceutical, medical, and biomaterial fields. This book addresses this gap by providing a timely, authoritative summary of recent scientific findings, aiming to stimulate innovation and sustainable development in starch utilization. It is an essential reference, particularly in courses related to food chemistry, food analysis, nutrition, packaging, pharmaceutical applications, and specialized medical fields such as controlled release technologies.
  • Wine in Health and Disease Prevention

    • 1st Edition
    • Victor R. Preedy
    • English
    Wine in Health and Disease Prevention addresses both the benefits and concerns associated with consumption of wine and wine components, especially related to cardiovascular, metabolic, and neurological health. As the single most comprehensive volume needed to understand the effect of wine on overall health, this is an essential reference for graduate and post-graduate students and researchers studying wine science, nutrition, alcoholic beverages, and public health. Dieticians and clinicians, as well as those working in the winemaking industry, will also benefit from this invaluable resource.This comprehensive volume offers the balanced view necessary to understand the reality of today’s findings and the potential of tomorrow's research in wine and health.
  • Beer in Health and Disease Prevention

    • 2nd Edition
    • Victor R. Preedy
    • English
    Just as wine in moderation has been proposed to promote health, research is showing that beer – and the ingredients in beer – can have similar impact on improving health, and in some instances preventing disease. Beer in Health and Disease Prevention, 2nd Edition addresses both the benefits and concerns associated with consumption of beer and beer ingredients on cancers, cardiovascular disease, antioxidant benefits, and other health related concerns. It offers a holistic view from beer brewing to the isolation of beer-related compounds.Beer in Health and Disease Prevention, 2nd Edition continues to be the single most comprehensive volume needed to understand beer and beer-related science. Presenting both the concerns and problems of beer consumption as well as the emerging evidence of benefit, this book offers a balanced view of today's findings and the potential of tomorrow's research. This is an essential reference for researchers studying alcoholic beverages, beer brewing, nutrition, and public health. Dieticians and clinicians, as well as those working in the beer brewing industry, will also benefit from this invaluable resource.
  • Next-Gen Smart Farming

    Integrating AI, IoT, Digital Twin, and Robotics for Cyber-Physical Systems
    • 1st Edition
    • Annamaria Castrignanò + 3 more
    • English
    Next-Gen Smart Farming presents a thorough, evidence-based assessment of using emerging physical and computerized systems designed to enhance agricultural efficiency. It balances demonstrated benefits with a clear articulation of potential risks.The work surveys the entire pipeline, from sensing technologies and data collection to artificial intelligence and machine learning, spatial analysis, decision modeling, and automation. It highlights how these technologies can strengthen crop monitoring, yield forecasting, and farm management, while it also examines governance, equity, and ethical considerations essential for responsible deployment. Economic, environmental, and social impacts are analyzed, providing a comprehensive framework for evaluating trade-offs and outcomes in real-world contexts.Framed as an interdisciplinary resource, the volume equips researchers, industry practitioners, extension specialists, and policymakers with practical methodologies, metrics, and narratives needed to implement scalable digital agriculture solutions that improve productivity, resilience, and sustainability across diverse real-world settings.
  • River Dolphins and Larger Toothed Whales

    Ridgway and Harrison's Handbook of Marine Mammals, Volume 3
    • 1st Edition
    • Thomas Allen Jefferson + 1 more
    • English
    Some of the world's most beautiful, intelligent, and highly adapted mammals inhabit our seas and oceans and have stirred the human imagination for many centuries. As our knowledge of marine mammals grows, the need exists for a reliable and complete reference to the ecology and biology of these fascinating creatures. To address this need, the Handbook of Marine Mammals series has been founded. Scientists, conservationists, and informed laypersons alike will be able to find definitive reviews of all the world's living whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, sea lions, sea cows, and marine otters and bears. Seven volumes cover all the living species of marine mammals.This third volume in the series, River Dolphins and Larger Toothed Whales, consists of species review chapters written by leading global experts on brackish and freshwater dolphin species, as well as larger toothed whales. Each chapter includes a description of the species, followed by sections on distribution and abundance, anatomy, physiology, behavior, ecology, reproduction, parasites and diseases, and the impacts of human activities on the species.
  • Advances in Agronomy

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 198
    • English
    Advances in Agronomy, Volume 198, the latest release in this leading reference on agronomy, contains a variety of updates and highlights new advances in the field, each written by an international board of authors.
  • Sustainable Cropping Systems Under a Changing Climate

    • 1st Edition
    • Mukhtar Ahmed
    • English
    Sustainable Cropping Systems Under a Changing Climate explores how climate change is reshaping agriculture and highlights the urgent need for resilient, adaptive, and sustainable farming practices. As extreme weather, rising temperatures, and resource pressures threaten food security, this volume offers practical pathways to transform agricultural systems.Bringing together leading research, real-world case studies, and innovative strategies, this book addresses vulnerabilities and opportunities in modern farming. It covers sustainability principles, climate-smart practices, and the roles of soil health, biodiversity, conservation agriculture, organic farming, agroforestry, regenerative approaches, and plant–microbe interactions in enhancing resilience. Special focus is given to intensive systems such as rice–wheat and rainfed agriculture, particularly in the Global South.With an interdisciplinary approach and emphasis on both scientific evidence and practical application, this volume bridges a critical gap by supporting informed decision-making at farm, institutional, and policy levels. It is a timely resource for researchers, agronomists, extension professionals, and others seeking to future-proof agriculture through nature-based and technological solutions for climate adaptation and mitigation.
  • Understanding the Functional, Flavor, and Nutritional Properties of Blue Foods

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 119
    • English
    Understanding the Functional, Flavor, and Nutritional Properties of Blue Foods, Volume 119 provides a holistic and in-depth examination of blue foods, moving beyond basic nutrition to explore their multifaceted roles. Chapters in this new release include Red seaweed Palmaria palmata: A sustainable protein source for the future, Nutritional and Functional Bioactive Compounds in Fish, Fermented fish: A Deep Dive into Tradition, Innovation, ad Health Benefits, Phlorotannins from marine algae, Shrimp: Nutrition, Preservation and Processing, Nutritional , Flavor and Functional Properties of Golden Pomfret, Fish by-products: Functional properties, health attributes, and challenges, and much more.Additional chapters cover Exploring the Flavor Profiles of Blue Foods: Mechanistic Insights, Factor Analysis, and Assessment Strategies, and Non-thermal processing of fish: Evolution of flavor, physico-chemical properties, and bioactivities. By integrating perspectives from food science, nutrition, gastronomy, and sustainability, this volume positions blue foods as essential components of future food systems, offering scientific insights for their valorization and innovative application.
  • From Conventional to Artificial Intelligence-Based Agriculture

    • 1st Edition
    • Vivek Sharma + 2 more
    • English
    From Conventional to Artificial Intelligence-Based Agriculture explores the evolving landscape of agriculture as it transitions from traditional practices to advanced, AI-driven solutions. With AI and machine learning revolutionizing industries worldwide, their impact on agriculture is becoming increasingly significant. These technologies are not only aiding in climate modeling but also opening new possibilities for precision farming, enabling more accurate crop health diagnostics, efficient resource management, and timely intervention strategies.By integrating conventional agricultural knowledge with cutting-edge AI tools, farmers and researchers can better assess soil conditions, predict optimal planting windows, monitor nutrient dynamics, and understand market trends with greater precision. This convergence of tradition and technology supports more resilient, productive, and sustainable agricultural systems, paving the way for a smarter and more food-secure future.