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      • Springer Nature

        For over 175 years Springer Nature has been advancing discovery by providingthe best possible service to the whole research community.We help researchers uncover new ideas, makesure all the research we publish is significant, robust and stands up to objectivescrutiny, that it reaches all relevant audiences in the best possible format, and can be discovered, accessed, used, re-used and shared.Wesupport librarians and institutions with innovations in technology and data; and providequality publishing support to societies. As a research publisher, Springer Nature is home to trusted brands including Springer, Nature Research, BMC, Palgrave Macmillan and Scientific American. https://group.springernature.com/gp/group

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      • Trusted Partner
        May 2024

        The Concept of Ecostacking

        Techniques and Applications

        by Jinjun Wang, Huai Liu, Ingeborg Menzler-Hokkanen, Hongbo Jiang, Heikki M.T. Hokkanen, Ingeborg Menzler-Hokkanen

        Ecostacking is a new concept and approach which aims to maximize the benefits of ecosystem service providers in cropping systems to help achieve the goal of long-term sustainable agriculture and food production. The term "ecostacking" means combining synergistically the beneficial services of functional biodiversity from all levels and types. It is a comprehensive approach, where the various ecosystem service providers are fully integrated with the rest of the cropping system including agronomic practices. It is an approach which goes beyond conventional Integrated Pest Management practises, and attempts to take advantage of all the functional biodiversity of a system. The main focus of ecostacking is on maximizing ecosystem services for biological control and pollination from beneficial arthropods, but the approach also utilizes other invertebrates (e.g., earthworms) as well as beneficial vertebrates such as bats, birds and small mammals. Microbes also provide invaluable ecosystem services including pest, disease, and weed control, either directly as components of "suppressive soils" or as plant colonizers (as endophytes or as epiphytic microbial flora). The ecostacking approach also aims to maximize other nature-provided services such as maintenance of soil health and nutrient cycling. The Concept of Ecostacking is the first book in a series which introduces ecostacking concepts to the reader and explores how this approach can be used in a variety of ways and in different cropping systems. The book defines this new concept and shows, using illustrative case studies from around the world, how ecostacking principles can be successfully employed in cropping systems in the open field, in greenhouses and in forestry. This book: · will serve as inspiration for developing further applications of this breakthrough technology for sustainable agricultural production. · is a must-read for everyone with an interest in developing sustainable crop protection systems and ecosystem management. · has been written and edited by the world's leading experts in this new and exciting endeavour.

      • Trusted Partner
        December 2014

        Public Enemy

        by Wang Fangchen

        The novel depicts the fate of a Chinese village and individual villagers in the great historical transformation, and creates the vivid image of a morally self-examining and self-reflective persona in the character of Farmer Han Dianyi. Using “benevolence and justice” as the effective weapon, Han Dianyi successfully establishes HanTong Group and leads a corrupt and degenerate life afterwards. The suicide of his former lover in despair awakens him and he retires to a seclusive life in a graveyard. His successor Tong Heizi continues his way of practice and Hantong Group still dominates the village. His elder brother Tong Chengzhi resigns from his official post and returns to the village. This causes great uneasiness to Tong Heizi, who sets off on the road of no-return on a snowy night. Han Dianyi, full of remorse, tells people the secret why he has painfully guarded the graveyard for more than ten years. Tong Chengzhi takes over Hantong Group while Han Dianyi holds the ashes of his former lover and enters the tomb he has dug for himself. The whole novel, set in a heavy and gloomy atmosphere, features sharp and poignant language.

      • Trusted Partner
        Science & Mathematics
        December 2016

        Natural Polymers for Drug Delivery

        by Harsha Kharkwal, Harsha Kharkwal, Anupama Dhiman, Srinivas Janaswamy, Srinivas Janaswamy, Neerupma Dhiman, Ram Prasad, Monika Joshi, Deepshikha Pande Katare, Kumud Bala, Wong Tin Wui, Anirbandeep Bose, Heather Sheardown, Ly Le, Ali Demir Sezer, Erdal Cevher, K.H. Basavaraj, Zeenat Iqbal, Krutika K Sawant, S G Gattani, Vishal V Pande

        Natural polymers have been utilized extensively in food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, textiles, oil drilling and paint industries. Their non-toxic and inexpensive attributes readily enhance their commercial acceptability and make them potent agents in lieu of synthetic polymers. This book explores the opportunistic utility of natural polymers in developing effective drug delivery systems and provides a comprehensive and up-to-date analysis of their source, chemical structure and mechanism of action. Covering novel polymers for drug delivery - in particular extracts from plants, microorganisms and proteins, as well as water soluble and water insoluble biodegradable polymers - it presents an encyclopaedic overview of natural polymers': - quintessential roles in binding drugs towards enhancing bioavailability - modification and derivatization for targeted delivery - role as active drugs Natural Polymers for Drug Delivery is an invaluable resource for researchers, students and industrial scientists in the fields of biochemistry, chemistry, pharmacology and food science. ; This book provides an overview of the source, chemical structure and action mechanism of natural polymers. Focusing on their utility in developing effective drug delivery systems, it covers polymers’ role in binding drugs towards enhancing bioavailability, modification and derivatisation for targeted delivery, and modification as active drugs. ; 1: Natural Polymers for Drug Delivery: An IntroductionSection I: Drug Delivery Based on Different Classes of Polymers2: Cellulose-based Polymeric Systems in Drug Delivery3: Hydrocolloids-based Hydrogels in Drug Delivery4: Water Soluble Biodegradable Polymers for Drug Delivery5: Polysaccharide-based Drug Carriers6: Polymer-based Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery Systems and Cancer Therapeutics7: Polymer Nanocomposite-based Biosensors for Drug Delivery ApplicationsSection II: Polymeric Interaction and Conjugates8: Polymer-Drug Conjugates: Targeted Drug Delivery9: Protein-Drug Conjugates: A New Class of Biotherapeutics10: Microencapsulation for Controlled Gastrointestinal Delivery of Probiotics and PrebioticsSection III: Disease-specific Drug Delivery Systems11: Chitosan in Drug Delivery and Targeting for Cancer Treatment12: Polymers as Biodegradable Matrices in Transdermal Drug Delivery13: Ocular Drug Delivery Systems14: Natural Polymers Targeting Habitual Disease15: Bioengineered Wound and Burn Healing Substitutes: Novel Design for Biomedical and General Applications

      • Trusted Partner
        July 2021

        Health and Natural Landscapes

        Concepts and Applications

        by Alan W Ewert, Denise Mitten, Jillisa Overholt

        Description Natural landscapes are intricately tied to human health and well-being. While contemporary lifestyles have caused people to feel disconnected from the natural environment, this relationship is now recognized as vitally important, with landscapes increasingly valued for their stress-reduction, aesthetic, and restorative benefits. Providing an overview of the history, theoretical concepts, and individual and societal implications of human connection to natural landscapes, this book considers natural landscapes' role as an antidote to our modern, predominantly urban society. It also delivers: - A robust, research-backed overview of the intersections between natural landscapes and human health; - A compendium of applications such as nature-based therapies, urban greenspaces, and adventure-based programming that promote health within specific populations of society and individuals; - Due consideration of crucial factors that can adversely affect health and landscape, such as climate change. Of critical importance as we continue to define the role that natural landscapes will play for future generations, this book should be required reading for policy makers, urban planners and industry practitioners. It provides a thorough grounding in understanding the intersections between health and natural landscapes, and will be a valuable resource for academicians and students from a broad range of disciplines including public health, leisure and tourism, environmental sciences, and geography.

      • Trusted Partner
        Biology, life sciences
        November 2015

        Sustainable Crop Disease Management using Natural Products

        by Edited by Kurucheve Vadivel, Sangeetha Ganesan, Jayaraj Jayaraman

        Alternative methods of disease control such as natural products and compounds derived from biological origins, provide an effective alternate to the use of chemical products or a means to minimize their use. It is imperative now to look for such sustainable crop disease management approaches, that include routine and alternative methods. Natural products for sustainable crop disease management is an effort in this direction, and deals with immediate concerns in the field of natural and alternative products for disease control, apart from using biocontrol organisms. This book presents up-to-date information on natural products and compounds derived from biological origins and thoroughly discusses their applicability, field use and prospects for adoption under different cropping conditions. This book also validates disease management strategies.

      • Trusted Partner
        Botany & plant sciences
        November 2010

        Natural Products in Plant Pest Management

        by Nawal Kishore Dubey, Santos Mila, Sanath Hettiarachi, R N Kharwar, Moshe Kostyukovsky, Sonia Marín, D B Olufolaji, Roman Pavela, Maria Porras, J C Pretorius, Larisa Sheherbakova, K A Raveesha, H N Verma. Edited by Nawal Kishore Dubey.

        Overzealous and indiscriminate use of many synthetic pesticides during recent decades in the control of plant pests has resulted in a number of environmental and toxicological problems. Reducing the release of synthetic chemicals into the environment requires that alternative sources of chemicals are developed that can be used safely in the management of plant pests. Botanical antimicrobials derived from plants are currently recognised as biodegradable, systemic, eco-friendly and non-toxic to mammals and are thus considered safe. Their modes of action against pests are diverse. Natural compounds are well suited to organic food production in industrialised countries and can play greater roles in the protection of food crops in developing countries Some plant based antimicrobials (e.g. neem products, pyrethoids and essential oils) are already used to manage pest populations on a large scale. Plant scientists and agriculturists now devote significant attention to discovery and further development and formulation of novel plant products with antimicrobial activity.This book is the first to bring together relevant aspects of the basic and applied sciences of natural pesticides and discussed modern trends in the use of natural products in pest management.

      • Trusted Partner
        Agriculture & related industries
        April 1996

        Dictionary of Natural Resource Management

        by Julian Dunster, Katherine Dunster

        The field of natural resource management is expanding, attracting individuals and ideas from a wide array of disciplines. For effective communication to take place, it is increasingly important for everyone involved to be familiar with the exact meanings being attached to the terms in use. The Dictionary of Natural Resource Management has been compiled to address this need and provides a single source of definitions about natural resource management terms. With more than 6,000 entries, many of them illustrated and a detailed set of appendices covering the classification of organisms, geological time scales and conversion factors, it is the most up-to-date and comprehensive reference work of its kind available. The scope of the dictionary is interdisciplinary. It encompasses terminology from the traditional fields of forestry, silviculture, pest management, mycology, botany, fish and wildlife management, forest fire control, geology, pedology, engineering and resource planning. In addition, there are many terms from the emerging disciplines of landscape ecology, conservation biology, conflict resolution and sustainable development planning. Clear definitions, along with the multiple meanings that some terms now have, are provided for each entry. These have been derived from the authors’ extensive review of contemporary literature and glossaries and from discussions with experts around the world. In order to make the dictionary accessible to a wide audience — interested lay people as well as those with a technical background — the terms and illustrations are cross-referenced so that opposite and allied terms can be easily located. By enabling readers to better understand and effectively use technical terms, The Dictionary of Natural Resource Management is an essential reference work for resource managers, planners and decision makers in government and non-government evironmental organisations. The Dictionary is also an invaluable resource for all students studying biology, environmental sciences, forestry, geography, geology and wildlife management. It is particularly appropriate for those students undetaking interdisciplinary courses or who realise the benefit of reading around their chosen area of study. The most current and comprehensive source of natural resource management terms available. A unique, authoritative work with more than 6,000 entries, thousands of cross-references and 80 illustrations. An essential reference tool for those in the many interdisciplinary fields of natural resource management. Will enable readers to better understand and more effectively use technical words. Essential reference book for all students studying biology, environmental sciences, forestry, geography, geology and wildlife management.

      • Trusted Partner
        February 2024

        Nature-based Tourism and Wellbeing

        Impacts and Future Outlook

        by Federico Niccolini, Iride Azara, Eleni Michopoulou, James Barborak, Alessio Cavicchi

        All around the world, as growing numbers of tourists and recreational visitors flock to protected and other natural areas stimulated by a renewed search for physical, mental, and even spiritual health and wellbeing, different practices and behaviours emerge. This book brings together experiences and perspectives from many countries around the world. On the demand side, the experiences are united by the desire of tourists to find a real and regenerating connection in nature. On the supply side, designing and managing tourist systems that preserve natural capital in good condition requires great professionalism to dynamically maintain a fragile and delicate balance between tourists, local communities, and nature. By understanding the attitudes and emerging norms of behaviour within the context of nature-based tourism, we can begin to sketch a roadmap to enable more holistic, enjoyable, healthy and responsible visitor experiences; facilitate ecosystem conservation; contribute to the mental and physical wellbeing of tourists and outdoor recreationists; and build sustainable economies and resilient destinations and livelihoods. This book is of great relevance for academic researchers, advanced tourism and conservation students, and practitioners working in nature-based tourism and conservation, especially those with a focus on natural destinations, as well as those interested in consumer behaviour, business and management, recreation, and sustainable tourism development.

      • Trusted Partner
        November 2020

        Major Scientific and Technological Innovations in Ancient China (First Series)

        by Institute of the History of Natural Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences

        This book provides us with historical clues and development status of China's major scientific and technological inventions, which is conducive to inspiring readers to create new inspirations, trigger new scientific thinking, and develop new technological achievements.

      • Trusted Partner
        November 2020

        Major Scientific and Technological Innovation in Ancient China: Three Agricultural Vehicles

        by Institute of the History of Natural Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences

        Explain scientific and technological inventions from historical and modern vivid cases. Show the new scientific research results and precious pictures of our country.

      • Trusted Partner
        Technology, Engineering & Agriculture
        March 2016

        Integrated Pest Management

        Principles and Practice

        by Gary P. Fitt, Dharam P Abrol, Y G Prasad, Uma Shankar, David Orr, S Mohankumar, Catherine Regnault-Roger, P. Q. Rizvi, Parwinder S Grewal, Houping Liu, Karolin E Eberle, Robert Barreto, Phyllis G Weintraub, A. K. Bhat, Ing Vaclav Stejskal, ZouRui Shen

        Providing a critical evaluation of the management strategies involved in ecologically-based pest management, this book presents a balanced overview of environmentally safe and ecologically sound approaches. Topics covered include biological control with fungi and viruses, conservation of natural predators, use of botanicals and how effective pest management can help promote food security. In the broader context of agriculture, sustainability and environmental protection, the book provides a multidisciplinary and multinational perspective on integrated pest management useful to researchers in entomology, crop protection, environmental sciences and pest management. ; Providing a critical evaluation of the management strategies involved in ecologically-based pest management, this book presents a balanced overview of environmentally safe and ecologically sound approaches and also provides a multidisciplinary and multinational perspective on integrated pest management. ; 1: History, Overview and Principles of Ecologically Based Pest Management2: Integrated Pest Management for Sustainable Agriculture3: Pest Monitoring and Forecasting4: Augmentation and Conservation of Natural Enemies5: Biotechnological and molecular approaches in management of pests and diseases of crop plants6: Botanicals in Pest Management7: Biopesticides in Ecologically Based Integrated Pest Management8: Entomopathogenic Nematodes as Tools in Integrated Pest9: Microbial Control of Crop Pests Using Entomopathogenic Fungi10: Microbial control of crop pests using insect viruses11: Biological control of weeds with plant pathogens: four decades on12: Virus and Bacteria Transmitting Arthropod Vectors and Their Management13: Effect of Pesticides on Non Target Sites with reference to Soil Ecosystem14: Integrated Pest Management in Stored Grains15: Role of Integrated Pest Management in Food and Nutritional Security16: Role of Information and Communication Technology in Integrated Pest Management17: From Integrated Pest Management to Ecosystem Management: The Case of Urban Lawn

      • 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

      • Trusted Partner
        2019

        At Night, Everyone is an Enemy

        True stories

        by Bruno Schrep

        One wrong word, one perceived insult – a small matter may begin a chain of events resulting in tragedy. This was the case with Anothai S., who died in a brawl in Hamburg in September 2014. A quote from the circumstances of this death, reconstructed by Bruno Schrep for the SPIEGEL magazine, has given this book its title. “At Night, Everyone is an Enemy” compiles true stories of people who have been torn from their normal lives and plunged into despair from one moment to the next. In one case, it is a rumour that destroys all plans – the accusation of having abused children. Likewise, the information that your father and mother, who raised you, are not your biological parents, can turn your life upside down. And many an accident destroys not only the life of the victim, but also that of the person who caused the accident. As an accurate observer, Bruno Schrep describes human tragedies with empathy, but also with a keen eye for structural problems.

      • Trusted Partner
        Environmental factors
        April 2014

        Natural Environments and Human Health

        by Alan Ewert, Alan W Ewert, Denise Mitten, Jill Overholt, Jillisa Overholt

        The role natural environments play in human health and wellbeing is attracting increasing attention. There is growing medical evidence that access to the natural environment can prevent disease, aid recovery, tackle obesity and improve mental health. This book examines the history of natural environments being used for stress-reduction, enjoyment, aesthetics and catharsis, and traces the development of the connection between humans and the environment, and how they impact our personal and collective health.

      • Trusted Partner
        Medicine
        September 2019

        Natural Environments and Human Health

        by Alan Ewert, Denise Mitten, Jill Overholt

        The role natural environments play in human health and wellbeing is attracting increasing attention. There is growing medical evidence that access to the natural environment can prevent disease, aid recovery, tackle obesity and improve mental health. This book examines the history of natural environments being used for stress-reduction, enjoyment, aesthetics and catharsis, and traces the development of the connection between humans and the environment, and how they impact our personal and collective health.

      • Trusted Partner
      • Trusted Partner
        Animal physiology
        June 1998

        Toxic Plants and Other Natural Toxicants

        by Edited by Tam Garland, Alberto C Barr

        Toxic plants and other natural toxicants have a variety of roles in the fields of human health, medical research and the production of safe food and also represent an economic problem in terms of animal health and crop production. Estimates of economic impact on livestock have ranged in the millions of dollars in countries such as Australia and the United States. This book brings together applied and fundamental research from botanists, chemists, biochemists, agricultural scientists, veterinarians and physicians and advice from regulatory bodies. It consists of more than 100 edited papers from the Fifth International Symposium on Poisonous Plants, held in Texas in May 1997. All aspects of poisonous plants, mycotoxicoses and herbal intoxications are covered. Their adverse effects are described, such as fatalities, reduced or failed reproduction, fetotoxicity, spontaneous abortions, deformities, reduced productivity and organ-specific toxicity. Methods of detection, isolation and identification of the chemical compounds responsible are included. The biochemistry of the plant-associated toxins and elucidation of their mechanism of action is investigated, including the protocols for management or eradication, immunization programs, behaviour modification, withholding periods for metabolic detoxification, regulatory advice concerning human usage of natural products and advice concerning toxin-residue in agricultural produce. The development of non-toxic strains of plants for use as fodder is also discussed. This book is essential reading for toxicologists concerned with animal and human health, food industry regulators and plant scientists.

      • Trusted Partner
        Horticulture
        March 1994

        Natural Turf for Sport and Amenity

        Science and Practice

        by William A Adams, Richard J Gibbs

        This book describes our current knowledge of soils and turfgrass science as applied to the design, production and management of natural turf. The first five chapters cover general principles while further chapters apply these to specific contexts. These include golf courses and bowling greens, soccer and rugby grounds, cricket grounds, tennis courts, and horse racing tracks. There are also chapters on amenity grass and warm season turfgrass. The book is aimed at students taking courses in turf science and sportsground management, amenity horticulture, and landscape and recreation provision and management. It will also be a standard reference work for practitioners working in sportsground management or landscape architecture.

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