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Elsevier

Books in Environmental sciences

The Environmental Sciences titles present critical research and insights into the complex interactions within natural ecosystems, climate systems, and human impacts on the environment. Covering areas such as biodiversity, sustainability, climate change, and resource management, these titles support scientific discovery and practical solutions for addressing today’s most pressing environmental challenges. This collection is essential for researchers, policymakers, and students dedicated to advancing environmental understanding and stewardship

  • Urban Geography

    Social and Spatial Dynamics of the City
    • 1st Edition
    • Barney Warf
    • English
    Urban Geography: Social and Spatial Dynamics of the City is an essential introductory textbook for urban geography from an urban political economy perspective. It lays special emphasis on the dynamics of capitalist cities, exploring the complex politics of inequality in an engaging and approachable way. The book addresses a wide range of topics concerned with both production and social reproduction in the city and explores both social issues such as poverty and inequality as well as environmental issues such as climate change.The initial chapters of the book make a case for why cities are such an important locus of study for urban geography and traces the origins and historical development of cities globally. The textbook provides a detailed overview of the effects of the industrial revolution on the city and examines the historical geography of the US. From here, the subsequent chapters review the urban economy and urban hierarchies, engaging with questions of urban residential space, segregation, social ecology, and gentrification. The relationship between the state and the urban structure is investigated, as well as the issues of environmental problems, air pollution, climate change and water shortage. Finally, urbanization in the developing world is examined considering the legacies of colonialism and formal and informal urban economies.This textbook is an essential resource for upper-level undergraduate students in geography and environmental science and non-science majors engaging with urban geography within the social sciences. It is also useful for professionals in the field of urban planning, environmental science, and architecture. This textbook contains study questions as additional resources for students and instructors.

  • The Fauna of Australia’s Tropical Savanna Biome

    Biodiversity, Biogeography, and Conservation
    • 1st Edition
    • Alan Andersen + 1 more
    • English
    The Fauna of Australia's Tropical Savanna Biome: Biodiversity, Biogeography and Conservation considers the full range of vegetation types and freshwater systems that occur within the dominant savanna matrix in Australia's monsoonal tropics. Edited by renowned experts of tropical ecology, it provides descriptions of diversity, taxonomic, functional composition and endemism, and ecological and biogeographical questions of wide interest. Chapters explore how diversity and composition vary among different habitats in a savanna landscape and along the savanna rainfall gradient. The book also considers how distinctive savanna fauna is within Australia and compared with tropical savannas elsewhere in the world. The book considers the unique biogeographic and evolutionary history of this highly diverse and distinctive biome, building on a rich foundation of knowledge accrued over decades of research on many aspects of the region's biodiversity, conservation values, and challenges. This is an indispensable resource for students and researchers studying tropical biodiversity, as well as conservationists and land managers of Australia's tropical savanna biome and those found across the globe.

  • Climate-Smart Water Resource Management: A Paradigm Shift from Ancient to Modern Practices with Integrated Technologies

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 15
    • English
    A concise exploration of how climate-smart water resource management has evolved from ancient irrigation wisdom to cutting, edge modern technologies. This book traces a paradigm shift—from traditional practices that harmonized with local climates to data-driven, integrated solutions that optimize supply, demand, and resilience in the face of climate variability. It blends historical case studies with contemporary innovations such as sensors, automation, AI-driven analytics, and sustainable policy frameworks. Readers gain practical insights into designing adaptive, resilient water systems that protect ecosystems, support communities, and ensure water security for the future.

  • Hazardous, Industrial, and Biological Waste Management

    Technologies, Treatments, and Sustainable Solutions
    • 1st Edition
    • Zhao Youcai + 1 more
    • English
    Hazardous, Industrial, and Biological Waste Management: Technologies, Treatments, and Sustainable Solutions provides a comprehensive overview of the treatment and sustainable management of hazardous, industrial, electronic, and biological wastes, addressing one of the most pressing environmental and public health challenges of our time. The book explores innovative approaches such as detoxification and pretreatment methods, recycling and reuse pathways, advanced thermal processes, secure landfill strategies, and cutting-edge biological conversions. Special focus is given to emerging technologies, including thermodynamics of CO₂ bioelectroconversion and the circular economy implications of e-waste recycling.With chapters authored by leading experts, it covers the entire spectrum of waste streams- from hazardous materials and healthcare waste to e-waste and sewage sludge, offering practical and research-based insights into prevention, treatment, and resource recovery.

  • Sustainable Soil Management

    Bridging the Sustainable Development Goals
    • 1st Edition
    • Owais Bashir + 4 more
    • English
    Sustainable Soil Management: Bridging the Sustainable Development Goals addresses the issue of sustainable soil management and its connection to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It presents a range of strategies, policies, and implementation approaches for sustainable soil management, drawing on examples from around the world. In addition to sustainable soil management practices, the book also covers the dynamics of soil health, the role of soil organic matter, and the integration of agroecology and biodiversity in enhancing food security and environmental sustainability.By examining the interconnectedness of soil with key SDGs—such as zero hunger, clean water, and climate action—this book provides a roadmap for addressing global challenges.

  • Bioprospecting Native Microbiomes for Boosting Phytoremediation

    • 1st Edition
    • Vimal Chandra Pandey + 1 more
    • English
    Bioprospecting Native Microbiomes for Boosting Phytoremediation provides an inclusive overview of the use of metal-resistant native microbiomes for boosting the phytoremediation of polluted land for ecological and environmental restoration. The book offers a basic understanding of the principles and mechanisms of microbe-induced phytoremediation, microbiome resilience, adaptation to polluted lands, and metal-resistant native microbe-assisted phytotechnologies. It covers current trends, tools, and policies for the microbe-augmented remediation of an array of metals and metalloids. Other sections discuss key topics such as plant-metal-microbe interaction in polluted ecosystems, microbe-mediated phytoremediation for upgraded ecosystem services, and success stories on microbial-assisted phytoremediation.

  • 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.

  • Restoration and Sustainable Development of Mine-Affected Soils and Degraded Lands

    Advances for Natural Resources Conservation and Land Sustainability
    • 1st Edition
    • Jaume Bech + 3 more
    • English
    Restoration and Sustainable Development of Mine-Affected Soils and Degraded Lands: Advances for Natural Resources Conservation and Land Sustainability delves into the latest advancements in sustainable post-mining land development. This comprehensive volume begins by assessing environmental legacies from mining activities, considering their impacts on different environmental spheres such as the pedosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere. It explores the interconnections between these spheres and the material fluxes that result from mining interventions, offering in-depth analysis for professionals in the field. The book also discusses the prediction and analysis of environmental benefits and challenges related to mine closures and the transition to renewable energy.It includes social and economic opportunities and obstacles of mine closure and the phasing out of coal, viewed from regional, national, and global standpoints. Management approaches are examined, considering environmental, socio-economic, and political challenges, drawing insights from successful experiences and lessons learned. Finally, the connection between soil and human health in mine-affected areas is analyzed, providing a valuable resource for mining engineers, soil scientists, and environmental resource managers.

  • Sustainability and Construction

    The Global Context and the New Zealand Perspective
    • 1st Edition
    • Kamal Dhawan + 3 more
    • English
    Sustainability and Construction: The Global Context and the New Zealand Perspective explores various dimensions of sustainability in construction. It commences with a comprehensive discourse on the sustainability concept and its construction context.Next, it examines sustainability across the various phases of a typical construction project—from inception, through operationalization, to end-of-life management—on one hand, and, on the other, the sustainability of associated processes and domains such as supply chains, logistics, delivery models, and waste management. The narrative is extended through sustainability rating schemes, regenerative built environment, and the context of technology in construction. A strategic organizational viewpoint is presented through an integrated treatment of corporate sustainability, its assessment, reporting, and benchmarking, against the backdrop of the sustainability imperative. Stakeholder perspectives and the “wickedness” of sustainable construction in New Zealand conclude the work.The unique treatment of the overarching themes impacting sustainability in the global construction industry and their intersection with the New Zealand standpoint delivers a well-balanced and thoroughly researched resource. It is a value-added, highly visual text for engineers, students, researchers, policy makers, and industry stakeholders alike.

  • Advances in Waste Plastic Recycling and Upcycling

    • 1st Edition
    • Roger Ruan + 2 more
    • English
    Advances in Waste Plastic Recycling and Upcycling discusses recent developments in the mechanical and chemical recycling of waste plastics for the production of fuels, chemicals, and materials. The plastic chemistry and status of plastic recycling is introduced, and the book addresses optimization and upgrading procedures that aim to improve the quality and the environmental impact of plastic conversion as well as the techno-economic, lifecycle assessment, and social impacts of chemical recycling. In addition, the book covers how to effectively manage and recycle global waste plastics and various plastic pathways.

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