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      • Trusted Partner
        Biodiversity
        January 2004

        Biodiversity of West African Forests

        An Ecological Atlas of Woody Plant Species

        by Edited by Lourens Poorter, Frans Bongers, Francois N Kouamé, William D Hawthorne

        The rain forests of West Africa have been designated as one of the world's hotspots of biodiversity. They extend from Ghana to Senegal and are referred to as the Upper Guinean forests. Because of their isolated position, they harbour a large number of rare and endemic animal and plant species.This book focuses on the biodiversity and ecology of these forests. It analyses the factors that give rise to biodiversity and structure tropical plant communities. It also includes an atlas with ecological profiles of rare plant species and large timber species.

      • Trusted Partner
        Applied ecology
        December 2009

        Soil Ecology and Management

        by Joann K Whalen, Luis Sampedro

        Soil ecology is the study of interactions between the physio-chemical components of the soil and organisms living within the soil. Humans are highly dependent upon the soil ecosystem, which provides food, fiber, fuel and ecological services, such as the recycling of atmospheric gases. It is therefore important to understand the function and nature of the soil ecosystem in order to predict and mitigate the long term consequences of present day actions. Soil Ecology and Management describes the organisms inhabiting the soil, their functions and interactions and the dimensions of human impact on the activity of soil organisms and soil ecological function. Chapters discuss basic soil characteristics and biogeochemical cycling, key soil flora and fauna, community-level dynamics (soil food webs) and the ecological and pedological functions of soil organisms. Unlike other soil biology and ecology textbooks, the authors also convey a better understanding of how human activities impact upon soil ecology in a section on ecosystem management and its effects on soil biota and provide a unique perspective on the utility of soil organisms.

      • Trusted Partner
        Biodiversity
        April 2002

        Tropical Mycology: Volume 2, Micromycetes

        by Edited by Roy Watling, Juliet C Frankland, M Ainsworth, Susan Isaac, Clare H Robinson

        Tropical mycology is attracting increasing interest, as the key role of fungi in tropical ecosystems and as pathogens becomes appreciated. This book describes the ecology, biology, economic dimensions and systematics of tropical Micromycetes and is the second of two complementary volumes (Volume 1 covers Macromycetes) developed from papers given at the British Mycological Society’s symposium held in Liverpool in April 2000.

      • Trusted Partner
        Biodiversity
        February 2002

        Tropical Mycology: Volume 1, Macromycetes

        by Edited by Roy Watling, Juliet C Frankland, M Ainsworth, Susan Isaac, Clare H Robinson

        Tropical mycology is attracting increasing interest, as the key role of fungi in tropical ecosystems and as pathogens becomes appreciated. This book is the first of two complementary volumes (Volume 2 covers Micromycetes) produced from papers given at the British Mycological Society's symposium held in Liverpool in April 2000. It describes the ecology, biology, economic dimensions and systematics of tropical Macromycetes. Written by leading experts in their field, the papers have been thoroughly edited and revised.

      • Trusted Partner
        Applied ecology
        February 2002

        Seed Dispersal and Frugivory

        Ecology, Evolution and Conservation

        by Edited by Douglas J Levey, Wesley R Silva, Mauro Galetti

        Until recently, the production of fruits by plants, their consumption by animals (frugivory) and the relevance of these to seed dispersal have attracted less attention than topics such as pollination biology. However, since the 1970s they have started to gain more prominence and now give rise to more research funding, seminal papers and international symposiums. This book contains chapters adapted from the Third International Symposium-Workshop on Frugivores and Seed Dispersal held in August 2000 in Rio Quente, Brazil.

      • Trusted Partner
        Biodiversity
        September 2001

        Invasive Alien Species

        A Toolkit of Best Prevention and Management Practices

        by Edited by R Wittenberg, Matthew J W Cock

        Human activities have contributed to the distribution of many plant, animal and microbial species to parts of the world where they are not native. This spread of alien species can have devastating consequences on native biodiversity. Examples include alien mammals consuming native vegetation and alien insects spreading viruses, as well as plants such as water hyacinth, which has caused major problems to waterways when introduced from South America.The Global Invasive Species Programme (GISP) was established to address concerns with alien invasive species, formulated in the Convention on Biological Diversity. GISP is coordinated by:the Scientific Committee on Problems of the Environment (SCOPE)the World Conservation Union (IUCN)CAB InternationalIts goal is to improve prevention and management of biological invasions, and this book represents a key outcome. It has been assembled by a team of international experts. Features include:case studies from around the globe, with some emphasis on islandsa focus on biodiversity, but with some consideration of traditional agriculture and forestryadvice on national management plans, including risk analysis.

      • Trusted Partner
        Applied ecology
        March 2012

        Life at Extremes

        Environments, Organisms and Strategies for Survival

        by Terry Callaghan, David Barnes, Peter Convey, Mauro Guglielmin, Birgit Sattler, Alexandre Anesio, Ian Hogg, Richard Lutz, Hazel Barton, Verena Heuer, Elly Spijkerman, Terrence McGenity, Florence Pradillon, Kevin Newsham, Roland Psenner, Adrian Glover, Shimon Rachmilevitch. Edited by Elanor M Bell.

        From icy poles to arid deserts, boiling pools to the depths of the sea, this exciting new work studies the remarkable life forms that have made these inhospitable environments their home. The ecological, biological and biogeochemical challenges that higher-level plants and animals, microorganisms and viruses face are detailed, and the unifying themes found between environments discussed. A fascinating and comprehensive resource for researchers and students, this book is packed with colour figures and photos showcasing the most extreme environments and the organisms that have adapted to live in them.

      • Trusted Partner
        Applied ecology
        October 2011

        Grassland Productivity and Ecosystem Services

        by Tony Parsons, Dennis Poppi, Sophie Prache, Andrew W Illius, John McIvor, David Kemp, Sebastien Fontaine, Roland Bol, Stewart F Ledgard, Nina Buchman, Andreas Luescher, Richard McDowell, Luc Abbadie, Phil Grime, Bertrand Dumont, Eric Garnier, Mike Humphreys, Xavier Leroux, Thibaud Decaens, Jean-Louis Peyraud, Greg Lambert, Craig Morris, Herman van Keulen, Alan Franzluebers, Anibal de Moraes Robert Ferrier, Gerard Balent. Edited by Gilles Lemaire, John Hodgson, Abad Chabbi.

        Grassland ecosystems are deeply affected by human activities and need appropriate management to optimise trade-offs between ecosystem functions and services. Until now they have mainly been analysed as agro-ecosystems for animal production but this book looks beyond the role of grassland as a feeding ground, and evaluates other important processes such as carbon sequestration in soils, greenhouse gas regulation and biodiversity protection. This authoritative volume expertly highlights the need for an immediate balance between agriculture and ecological management for sustainability in the future.

      • Trusted Partner
        Biodiversity
        December 2007

        Crop Wild Relative Conservation and Use

        by Edited by Nigel Maxted, Brian V Ford-Lloyd, Shelagh P Kell, José M Iriondo, Mohammad E Dulloo, Jozef Turok

        Crop wild relatives (CWR) are species closely related to crop plants which can contribute beneficial traits, such as pest or disease resistance and yield improvement. These species are critical for improving agricultural production and increasing food security. They are also essential components of natural and semi-natural habitats as well as agricultural systems, and are therefore vital in maintaining ecosystem health. However, CWR, like any other group of wild species, are subject to an increasing range of threats: habitat loss, degradation and mismanagement, over-collection and climate change. Through an examination of the national, regional and global context of CWR, these authoritative studies present methodologies and case studies that review and provide recommendations for global conservation and use. Topics range from the establishment of conservation priorities and strategies, threat assessment and genetic erosion and pollution.

      • Trusted Partner
        Biodiversity
        November 2007

        International Research on Natural Resource Management

        Advances in Impact Assessment

        by Edited by Hermann Waibel, David Zilberman

        Over the past two decades, significant investment has been made into agriculture-related natural resource management research in developing countries. With investors beginning to request the impact of their investments in this research, a review was needed on the economic, social and environmental effects of these projects. Stemming from an effort to address these concerns, this collection of case studies establishes a methodological foundation for impact assessments of NRMR through a discussion of research conducted by the CGIAR around the world. Both micro and macro projects are examined to consider the results of these agricultural and development programs at the farm level as well as on a regional scale.

      • Trusted Partner
        Applied ecology
        April 2007

        Wildlife Damage Control

        Principles for the Management of Damage by Vertebrate Pests

        by Jim Hone

        Wildlife can cause problems worldwide - in conservation, agriculture, forestry and fisheries, as well as to human and animal health and safety in rural and urban areas. For this reason, wildlife in affected areas can be defined as pests, and forms of control sought to limit and prevent damage. In looking at solutions by identifying and using common principles in the assessment and control of pest damage this book focuses on controlling damage, rather than the animal itself. The book demonstrates ecological theories and shows how they are relevant to biodiversity conservation and other topics, and how they can be evaluated in studies of wildlife damage control.

      • Trusted Partner
        Biodiversity
        September 2014

        Global Forest Fragmentation

        by Edited by Chris J Kettle, Lian Pin Koh.

        Forest fragmentation will inevitably continue over the coming years, especially in developing economies. This book provides a cutting edge review of the multi-disciplinary sciences related to studies of global forest fragmentation. It specifically addresses cross-cutting themes from both an ecological and a social sciences perspective. The ultimate goal of Global Forest Fragmentation is to provide a detailed scientific base to support future forest landscape management and planning to meet global environmental and societal needs.

      • Trusted Partner
        Geography & the Environment
        May 2018

        Ecological Effects of Electricity Generation, Storage and Use

        by Peter Henderson

        This book reviews the past, present and future generation and use of electricity. While noting the importance of electricity to the well-being of people, it argues that all means of electricity generation have adverse ecological consequences. The ecological effects of all the main forms of electricity generation, storage and transmission are reviewed in 14 chapters. The chapters briefly cover the engineering and physics of each method of electricity generation followed by a description of the different ways in which the technology interacts with the natural world. Finally, sections consider the importance of these impacts and how they can be mitigated or avoided. A final chapter summarizes the issues and emphasizes that the only way to truly minimize the impacts of electricity generation is to reduce our consumption and transmission. Future efforts should continue to focus on increasing the efficiency of light production, refrigeration, electrical appliances and batteries.

      • Trusted Partner
        Geography & the Environment
        October 2019

        The Himalayan Soap Pod Tree (Gymnocladus assamicus)

        An Ecologically and Economically Important Tree on the Brink of Extinction

        by Baharul I Choudhury, Mohammed Latif Khan

        Extinction of species has alarmingly increased in recent decades due to anthropogenic activities, natural calamities and climate change. The life history, ecology and evolution of such species have often not been well studied. Gymnocladus assamicus is an archaic tree endemic to the Eastern Himalayan region of Northeast India. Locally known as 'Menangmanba-shi' by the Monpa tribe of Arunachal Pradesh (India), mature G. assamicus pods contain high saponin and are used traditionally for cleansing purposes and rituals. We rediscovered the species after more than 70 years from high altitude areas in the Himalayas through extensive field explorations and employing an ecological niche modeling approach. Our study revealed a very few actively reproducing mature G. assamicus trees surviving in unique microclimatic conditions. The species is classified as 'critically endangered' (IUCN red list). The book contains detailed information about G. assamicus and discusses its current distribution, population status, ethnobotanical uses and other ecological parameters. Major intrinsic and extrinsic factors that might be responsible for population decline are described. More importantly, we reported a very rare mating system known as 'androdioecy' in which male and hermaphrodite individuals co-exist in the natural population. Overall, the book highlights the story of a critically endangered tree species with a unique biological and socio-cultural importance and will serve as a case study and referencefor other similar species both locally and globally.

      • Trusted Partner
        Geography & the Environment
        June 2019

        Modelling Nature

        An introduction to mathematical modelling of natural systems

        by Michael Gillman, Edward Gillman

        This short textbook introduces students to the concept of describing natural systems using mathematical models. We highlight the variety of ways in which natural systems lend themselves to mathematical description and the importance of models in revealing fundamental processes. The process of science via the building, testing and use of models (theories) is described and forms the structure of the book. The book covers a broad range from the molecular to ecosystems and whole-Earth phenomena. Themes running through the chapters include scale (temporal and spatial), change (linear and nonlinear), emergent phenomena and uncertainty. Mathematical descriptions are kept to a minimum and we illustrate mechanisms and results in graphical form wherever possible. Essential mathematical details are described fully, with the use of boxes. The mathematics supports but does not lead the text.

      • Trusted Partner
        Geography & the Environment
        June 2019

        Modelling Nature

        An introduction to mathematical modelling of natural systems

        by Michael Gillman, Edward Gillman

        This short textbook introduces students to the concept of describing natural systems using mathematical models. We highlight the variety of ways in which natural systems lend themselves to mathematical description and the importance of models in revealing fundamental processes. The process of science via the building, testing and use of models (theories) is described and forms the structure of the book. The book covers a broad range from the molecular to ecosystems and whole-Earth phenomena. Themes running through the chapters include scale (temporal and spatial), change (linear and nonlinear), emergent phenomena and uncertainty. Mathematical descriptions are kept to a minimum and we illustrate mechanisms and results in graphical form wherever possible. Essential mathematical details are described fully, with the use of boxes. The mathematics supports but does not lead the text.

      • Trusted Partner
        Geography & the Environment
        March 2019

        Finding Resilience

        Change and Uncertainty in Nature and Society

        by Brian Walker

        Floods, fires, famines, epidemics and disasters of all kinds are on the increase, and as their frequency rises so does the call for greater resilience. But what does that mean? The word is used differently in psychology, ecology, economics and engineering and runs the risk of becoming meaningless jargon. This would be most unfortunate because, if we are to successfully navigate very real and dangerous global trends, it is resilience that needs to be understood and fostered. Finding Resilience is international in scope and unravels how ecosystems, societies and people cope with disturbance and adversity. Written for a general readership and based on the experiences of researchers, the fascinating stories from around the world reveal what resilience is, how it works in different kinds of systems, how it is expressed, and how it can be gained and lost.

      • Trusted Partner
        Geography & the Environment
        October 2020

        Plant Invasions

        The Role of Biotic Interactions

        by Anna Traveset, David M Richardson

        Despite many books on plant invasions, none has focused on the role of species interactions. This book is a comprehensive overview of how plant invasions are mediated by varied species interactions and how such invasions influence this important component of biodiversity which involves the interactions (the 'glue') among a community's species. Besides highlighting relevant findings, the book digs deeply into new methodologies to understand species interactions in plant invasions and how this can improve management of invaded communities. The book covers: - Main theories/hypotheses in plant invasion ecology that invoke species interactions - Plant invasions promoted by mutualistic interactions and release from enemies - Antagonistic interactions preventing or hindering plant invasions - Consequences of plant invasions on native species interactions and ecosystem functioning - The interaction network approach to understanding plant invasions - Importance of considering species interactions in managing plant invasions Future avenues of research are highlighted in a final chapter. Table of contents Part I: Background Chapter 1: Plant invasions: the role of biotic interactions – An overview Chapter 2: The role of biotic interactions in invasion ecology: theories and hypotheses Part II: Positive and negative interactions in the soil Chapter 3: Soil biota and non-native plant invasions Part III: Mutualistic interactions that promote plant invasions Chapter 4: Pollination interactions promoting plant invasions- Chapter 5: Seed dispersal interactions promoting plant invasions Chapter 6: Ungulates as dispersal vectors of non-native plants Chapter 7: The role of plant-plant facilitation in non-native plant invasions Chapter 8: How direct and indirect non-native interactions can promote plant invasions, lead to invasional meltdown, and inform management decisions Part IV: Antagonistic interactions that hinder plant invasions Chapter 9: Biotic resistance to plant invasions Chapter 10: EICA 2.0: A general model of enemy release and defence in plant and animal invasions Chapter 11: The role of pathogens in plant invasions Chapter 12: Direct and indirect effects of herbivores influencing plant invasions Part V: Consequences of plant invasions for biotic interactions among native species Chapter 13: Impacts of non-native plants on plant-pollinator interactions Chapter 14: The effect of non-native plant invasions on seed dispersal of native plants Chapter 15: Allelopathic disruptions of biotic interactions due to non-native plants Chapter 16: Competition between native and non-native plants Chapter 17: Indirect biotic interactions between non-native plants and native plants and animals Part VI: Novel techniques and experimental approaches in the study of plant invasions Chapter 18: How a network approach has advanced the field of plant invasion ecology Chapter 19: Molecular ecology of plant-microbial interactions during invasions: progress and challenges Part VII: Biotic interactions and the management of ecosystems invaded by non-native plants Chapter 20: How can progress in the understanding of antagonistic interactions be applied to improve biological control of plant invasions? Chapter 21: Restoration of pollination interactions in communities invaded by non-native plants Chapter 22: Restoration of seed dispersal interactions in communities invaded by non-native plants Chapter 23: Multiple feedbacks due to biotic interactions across trophic levels can lead to persistent novel conditions that hinder restoration

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