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Books in Ecology and conservation

This portfolio encompasses ecosystem dynamics, biodiversity, habitat preservation, and sustainable management practices. Supporting ecologists, conservationists, and policymakers, it features innovative research, case studies, and effective strategies to protect natural resources and promote ecological resilience. Addressing global challenges such as habitat loss and species extinction, these resources provide valuable insights for sustainable development and environmental stewardship.

  • Wood-Water Interactions

    • 1st Edition
    • Samuel L. Zelinka + 3 more
    • English
    Wood-Water Interactions examines wood-water interactions in an intuitive approach to such a highly interdisciplinary topic. While wood-moisture interactions dominate nearly every facet of wood technology and wood use, many wood scientists have only a rudimentary understanding of these interactions as previous books on this topic are opaque and esoteric. Authored by experts in the field, the chapters follow a logical structure as well as case studies and vivid illustrations; the reader is motivated to understand updated information about the interaction of moisture with wood, the effect of changes in water status on the properties of wood raw material, and changes in the mechanical properties of wood during drying and humidification.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Saving Songbirds

    Imperatives of Conservation in a Changing World
    • 1st Edition
    • Stefania Casagrande + 2 more
    • English
    Saving Songbirds: Imperatives of Conservation in a Changing World is a timely work that delves into the complexities of songbird conservation. Central chapters discuss the physiological and behavioral adaptations of songbirds to modern stressors such as climate-driven threats. The book bridges gaps in current knowledge and introduces fresh perspectives on songbird conservation and scientific research, offering actionable advice and strategies for conservationists, policymakers, and scientists and providing a unique resource for university courses, ranging from ecology to environmental policy. Its structured layout and comprehensive scope make it suitable for diverse academic levels, from undergraduate to postgraduate studies.The book concludes with a look to the future of songbird populations and the landscape of management and conservation opportunities to protect these critical species.
  • Advances in Remote Sensing for Forest Fire Management

    Technologies, Applications, Case Studies and Future Directions
    • 1st Edition
    • Carmen Quintano + 3 more
    • English
    Advances in Remote Sensing for Forest Fire Management: Technologies, Applications, Case Studies and Future Directions provides a theoretical foundation to Earth Observation methodologies, algorithms, and technologies for analyzing forest fires. From detection to damage assessment, this book offers a comprehensive understanding of forest fires, incorporating insights from remote sensing, ecology, forest management, and meteorology. Through real-world case studies and the utilization of state-of-the-art deep learning and artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms on remote sensing data, readers will gain a multidisciplinary perspective on forest fire management. This is essential for graduate students, researchers, and professionals seeking to utilize remote sensing techniques to further their research and knowledge of forest fire management through cutting-edge remote sensing technologies and interdisciplinary insights.
  • Animals and Human Society

    Impacts of Animals on People and People on Animals
    • 2nd Edition
    • Colin G. Scanes + 1 more
    • English
    Animals and Human Society: Impacts of Animals on People and People on Animals, Second editon provides a solid, scientific, research-based background to advance our understanding of how animals and humans interact and impact each other. Animals and humans have had profound effects on each other throughout human history, spanning all aspects of human society from agriculture, disease, culture, religion, companionship, entertainment, environment, and more. Developed by renowned experts Colin Scanes and Samia Toukhsati, this second edition features a new introductory chapter covering the biological concepts necessary for technical and non-technical audiences of this book. All first edition chapters have been revised to bring readers up to date on research advancements from the last decade, and novel chapters cover animal ethics, welfare, the basis of anthrozoology, zooarchaeology, and more. Guest essays further supplement updated chapter content by providing broad interdisciplinary and geographically diverse perspectives in the field. Animals and Human Society, Second Edition is an excellent resource for academics and industry professionals requiring fundamental information on the history and biology behind human-animal interactions, as well as interested laypersons looking to augment their knowledge on the many impacts of animals in human society.
  • Biotic Interactions across Gradients and Scales

    • 1st Edition
    • Wesley Dáttilo + 1 more
    • English
    Biotic Interactions across Gradients and Scales provides a valuable exploration of the intricate connections of the web of life, including foundational ecological principles to current macroecological perspectives. The book examines the various dimensions of biotic interactions across spatiotemporal gradients in terrestrial and aquatic environments. Its integrated approach is crucial to understanding the potential responses of ecological networks to unprecedented stressors, including climate change, anthropogenic impacts, and loss of connectivity and functional redundancy. Written by renowned subject matter experts from the global North and South, this book introduces the concept of biotic interactions before delving into the physical factors influencing ecological networks.Central chapters describe the tools, methods, and history of study of biotic interactions. Latter chapters explore such networks across aquatic and terrestrial domains, before concluding chapters discuss disruptive stressors and open science opportunities for future research endeavors. Case studies, boxed elements, and end chapter review questions ensure student mastery of content.
  • On Human Nature

    Biology, Psychology, Ethics, Politics, and Religion
    • 2nd Edition
    • Michel Tibayrenc
    • English
    On Human Nature: Biology, Psychology, Ethics, Politics, and Religion covers the present state of knowledge on human biological and cultural diversity and its adaptative significance through an extensive selection of representative chapters. Edited by renowned expert Michel Tibayrenc, this second edition features updates to all major sections of the first edition and brings novel chapters covering critical advancements in human biology, psychology, behavior, ethics, and culture. It is accessible not only to specialists, but also to students, professors, industry professionals, and the educated public. Glossaries of specialized terms and general public references help nonspecialists understand complex notions, with contributions avoiding technical jargon.The book brings together specialists from various fields, including geneticists, evolutionists, physicians, ethologists, psychoanalysts, anthropologists, sociologists, theologians, historians, linguists, and philosophers. A globally diverse and interdisciplinary team of experts has been carefully selected to cover the breadth of topics enclosed.
  • 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.
  • Ecology, Research, Management and Biodiversity of Wadden Sea Salt Marshes

    • 1st Edition
    • Jan Bakker + 4 more
    • English
    Ecology, Research, Management and Biodiversity of Wadden Sea Salt Marshes assesses the transition of the UNESCO Wadden Sea World Heritage Site from agricultural land to protected nature reserve from the 1970s to present day. Bordered by Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands, the Wadden Sea is home to barrier island marshes, man-made foreland salt marshes, and estuarine marshes. This book explores the important question of how to prioritize the biodiversity of man-made and natural ecosystems during such a transition and how to effectively manage it.Written by leading experts in coastal marsh ecology, this book collates half a century of research along the Wadden Sea. It is systematically organized for effective delivery of its major themes. The first section of the book discusses the crucial mechanisms of differing salt-marsh ecosystems. The second section examines how various management regimes, including livestock grazing, drainage, cutting, and restoration, affect these mechanisms. The third section concludes the book by summarizing the results of unintentional and deliberate management efforts to maintain salt marsh biodiversity.Ecology... Research, Management and Biodiversity of Wadden Sea Salt Marshes comprehensively summarizes the multi-decadal collaboration between conservation agencies and universities from the Wadden Sea's bordering countries to examine the effectiveness and utility of various marsh management regimes. This book is an indispensable resource for researchers, land managers, and policy makers tasked with maintaining natural and man-made biodiversity and effectively ushering coastal marsh communities through land use changes.