Water Environment Federation
Water Environment Federation (WEF)publishes a variety of technical publications, including newsletters,manuals of practice and other books, magazines, and journals.
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February 2025The Ecology and Management of Invasive Prosopis Trees in Eastern Africa
by Urs Schaffner, Ketema Bekele, Albrecht Ehrensperger, Brian W. van Wilgen
This book synthesises information on an important environmental problem - the invasion of natural ecosystems in Africa by alien Prosopis trees, and how they should be managed. It addresses how the problem came about, what we know about how it works, and how it can potentially be managed at different scales. The book has a focus on eastern Africa but includes studies from elsewhere. Prosopis trees were originally introduced to Africa as early as 1880 (in South Africa), and later to eastern Africa in 1917 (in Sudan). They are difficult to manage due to their ecological features, such as their ability to produce copious amounts of seed, and to compete successfully with native species for resources, but also because they have both beneficial uses and negative impacts, making them conflict species, where people disagree on goals for management and how they should be achieved. In eastern Africa, Prosopis juliflora invades rangeland, cropland, settlements and riparian ecosystems, causing negative impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem services that rural communities depend on. This book considers the perceptions and conflicting interests of different stakeholder groups, and how engagement can be used to co-design management strategies and implement concrete control measures. The book is therefore not only of interest to those working with this invasive tree species, but also to persons involved in policy development and management of other invasive species, or in the wider field of sustainable environmental management.
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Animal husbandryNovember 2008Environmental Impacts of Pasture-based Farming
by Edited by Richard McDowell
Focusing on the different types of pastoral farming and their impact on the environment, Environmental Impacts of Pasture-based Farming takes a broad view of the subject, whose treatment in texts is often biased towards confined animal or grain based systems. The text is organised into two sections, the first addressing issues facing environmental quality, namely soil, water and air quality and socio-economic impacts. The second section offers commentary on how pastoral sectors influence environmental issues. With highly tuned farm productive systems comes the risk of environmental impacts, and the purpose of this text is to highlight the areas in which these risks are associated and how best to mitigate them. An approach is taken that highlights these problems, but also keeps in mind that mitigation may be too restrictive on the farming system and make farming impractical.
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Agronomy & crop productionNovember 2004Environmental Impacts of Sugar Production
by Oliver Cheesman
Pressure from conservationists and increasing regulation, means that environmental considerations are increasingly important for the sugar industry. This book examines the environmental impacts of the sugar industry in relation to the cultivation of sugar crops (cane and beet) and the processing of the raw materials that they yield. These include soil erosion, loss of natural habits leading to a reduction in biodiversity, excessive water consumption, water and air pollution, and runoff and leaching of nutrients. Whilst some of these impacts are essentially generic impacts of agriculture, others, such as those relating to irrigation, are more specific to the cultivation of sugar crops. The book also investigates the utilization of waste materials from sugar production, and explores methods of reducing the environmental impacts of sugar production and processing.
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MedicineOctober 2020
Introduction to Environmental Toxicology
by J P F D'Mello
Introduction to Environmental Toxicology is designed as a concise text, introducing students to the fundamentals of this important subject. It covers the origin, characterization and environmental distribution of the major pollutants, and provides an explanation of their implications for human morbidity via the development of cancer, cardiovascular disease, pulmonary dysfunction and neurological conditions. Considering impacts on biodiversity, such as effects from acid rain, heavy metals and selected anthropogenic compounds, this book: - Covers biogenic contaminants, gases and particulates, organic pollutants, petroleum, heavy metals, complex polymers and radiation; - Considers the impact of pollutants across human health, biodiversity, water and food safety; - Includes questions, further reading and case studies to spark discussion in tutorials. Covering all the major biological toxins and pollutants, this book forms a true introduction to the subject for undergraduates studying environmental toxicology and related subjects.
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BiotechnologyFebruary 2009Environmental Impact of Genetically Modified Crops
by Edited by Natalie Ferry, Angharad M R Gatehouse
The genetic modification of crops continues to be the subject of intense debate, and opinions are often strongly polarised. Environmental Impact of Genetically Modified Crops addresses the major concerns of scientists, policy makers, environmental lobby groups and the general public regarding this controversial issue, from an editorially neutral standpoint. While the main focus is on environmental impact, food safety issues, for both humans and animals are also considered. The book concludes with a discussion on the future of agricultural biotechnology in the context of sustainability, natural resource management and future global population and food supply.
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Geography & the EnvironmentAugust 2022Key Questions in Environmental Toxicology
A Study and Revision Guide
by J P F D'Mello
Key Questions in Environmental Toxicology is designed as a self-study tool for undergraduate students. Questions review the origin, characterization and environmental distribution of major pollutants, followed by their absorption and metabolic disposition in living organisms. They address implications for the development of cancer, cardiovascular disease, pulmonary dysfunction and neurological conditions in relation to gaseous pollutants, particulates, persistent organic compounds and radioactive emissions, then cover the impact of pollutants on biodiversity, food safety, and water contamination. This book: - Covers toxicology from human morbidity, ecological impact and biodiversity perspectives, and emphasises the impact of diverse organic pollutants in worsening these interconnected phenomena, leading to wider environmental emergencies; - Provides a selection of fill-in-the-gap, multiple choice and short answer question types for students to vary their learning and enhance motivation; - Includes full answer rationales, allowing students to gain true insight into the subject. Providing support to programmes across environmental science, ecology and human health, and covering all the major biological toxins and pollutants as well as unintended consequences of actions designed to improve outcomes, this book may be used in conjunction with the companion volume Introduction to Environmental Toxicology.
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Organic farmingMay 2006Environmental Impact of Invertebrates for Biological Control of Arthropods
Methods and Risk Assessment
by Edited by Franz Bigler, Dirk Babendreier, Ulrich Kuhlmann
This book provides an invaluable review of the current methodologies used for assessing the environmental impacts of invertebrate biological agents used to control pests in agriculture and forestry. It explores methods to evaluate post-release effects and the environmental impact of dispersal, displacement and establishment of invertebrate biological control agents. It covers methodology on screening for contaminants, the use of molecular methods for species identification and the determination of interbreeding. The book also discusses the use and application of information on zoogeographical zones, statistical methods and risk-benefit analysis. It gives practical advice on how to perform science-based risk assessments and on how to use new technology and information.
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HorticultureMarch 2016Environmental Horticulture
Science and Management of Green Landscapes
by Ross Cameron, James Hitchmough
Environmental horticulture - also referred to as landscape horticulture and amenity horticulture - is the umbrella term for the horticulture that we encounter in our daily lives. This includes parks, botanic gardens, sports facilities, landscape gardens, roundabouts, cemeteries, shopping centres - any public space which has grass, planting and trees. This book reflects contemporary thinking and is supported by scientific evidence to show the role, value and application of horticulture in the landscape. The discipline of environmental horticulture, its importance and impact on the wider environment is explored in the first part, whilst the second part covers practical horticultural management of different categories of environmental horticulture.
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Business, Economics & LawSeptember 2020Religious Tourism and the Environment
by Kiran A Shinde, Daniel H Olsen
The remarkable growth in religious tourism across the world has generated considerable interest in the impacts of this type of tourism. Focusing here on environmental issues, this book moves beyond the documentation of environmental impacts to examine in greater depth the intersections between religious tourism and the environment. Beginning with an in-depth introduction that highlights the intersections between religion, tourism, and the environment, the book then focuses on the environment as a resource or generator for religious tourism and the environment as a recipient of impacts of religious tourism. Chapters included discuss such important areas as disease, environmental responsibility and host perspectives. Covering as many cultural and environmental regions as possible, this book provides: An in-depth, yet holistic view of the relationships between religious tourism and the environment; A conceptual framework that goes beyond listing potential environment impacts; A strong focus on explaining the universality of the deeper environmental issues surrounding sacredness and sacred places. From a global writing team and featuring case studies spanning Europe and Asia, this book will be of great interest to researchers and students of tourism and religious studies, as well as those studying environmental issues.
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October 2023Wattles
Australian Acacia Species Around the World
by David M Richardson, Johannes J. Le Roux, Elizabete Marchante, Narciso Aguilera, Joaquim Alonso, Samuel C. Andrew, Irene Barnes, Ashleigh M. Basel, Rita Bastos, Pierre Binggeli, Rachel M. Binks, Christophe Botella, Giuseppe Brundu, David Bush, Margaret Byrne, João A. Cabral, Jane Carruthers, Laura Celesti-Grapow, Julian M. Chan, Roland Cochard, Conceição M. Colaço, Peter J. Cunningham, Jorge Dias, Catherine R. Dickson, Liliana N. Duarte, Allan G. Ellis, Luís Fernandes, Nuno Fernandes, Eduardo Fuentes-Lillo, Andrés Fuentes-Ramírez, Rachael V. Gallagher, Rafael García, Sjirk Geerts, Michelle R. Gibson, Margherita Gioria, Catarina Gonçalves, João Gonçalves, Vinicius Paiva Gonçalves, Pablo González-Moreno, Luís González, António Carmo Gouveia, A. Rod Griffin, André Große-Stoltenberg, Greg R. Guerin, Antoine Guisan, Stuart Hall, Jane L. Harbard, Gustavo Heringer, Richard Hill, Patricia M. Holmes, João P. Honrado, Cang Hui, Philip E. Hulme, Brett P. Hurley, Fiona Impson, Cally Jansen, Nolweth
The book provides a comprehensive overview of current knowledge about "wattles", a large clade of over 1000 species of trees and shrubs in the genus Acacia, most of which are native to Australia. It examines the biology, ecology, evolution, and biogeography of wattles in their native ranges, including the evolutionary forces that have driven past speciation and adaptation to diverse environments, the conservation status, uses and human perceptions of these species. It considers the different histories of the introductions and proliferation of wattles as alien species in different parts of the world since c. 1850 (the Anthropocene), situated within relevant political, socio-economic and scientific contexts, together with an analysis of how awareness of their impacts as invasive species has changed over time. Differences in the dynamics and trends associated with the introduction, naturalization and invasion of wattles in different parts of the world are reviewed. The book also synthesizes the global distribution of wattles using diverse data sources, alongside trends, patterns and projections of global uses of wattles. It discusses the genetics, biotic interactions, and ecological, economic and social impacts of invasive wattles. The first comprehensive global synthesis in book form of aspects of the biology, ecology, biogeography and management of one of the world's most important woody plant genera. Provides the foundation for the assessment of evidence-based information required to formulate sustainable management strategies for non-native plants that have both benefits and negative impacts. Sheds new light on many aspects of plant invasion science. This book is aimed at academics and students in the field of ecology, and at managers of natural and anthropic ecosystems, policy-makers and regulators, and the general public interested in biology and environmental science.
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Geography & the EnvironmentJanuary 2021Key Questions in Applied Ecology and Conservation
A Study and Revision Guide
by Paul Rees
An understanding of applied ecology and conservation is an important requirement of a wide range of programmes of study including applied biology, ecology, environmental science and wildlife conservation.This book is a study and revision guide for students following such programmes. It contains 600 multiple-choice questions (and answers) set at three levels - foundation, intermediate and advanced - and grouped into 10 major topic areas:History and foundations of applied ecology and conservationEnvironmental pollution and perturbationsWildlife and conservation biologyRestoration biology and habitat managementAgriculture, forestry and fisheries managementPest, weed and disease managementUrban ecology and waste managementGlobal environmental change and biodiversity lossEnvironmental and wildlife law and policyEnvironmental assessment, monitoring and modellingThe book has been produced in a convenient format so that it can be used at any time in any place. It allows the reader to learn and revise the meaning of terms used in applied ecology and conservation, study the effects of pollution on ecosystems, the management, conservation and restoration of wildlife populations and habitats, urban ecology, global environmental change, environment law and much more. The structure of the book allows the study of one topic area at a time, progressing through simple questions to those that are more demanding. Many of the questions require students to use their knowledge to interpret information provided in the form of graphs, data or photographs.
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November 2021The Metropolitan Age
The decisive force in the Anthropocene
by German Environmental Foundation (Ed.)
Three quarters of the world’s population live in cities. One in eight people lives in a metropolitan area. Megacities swallow up land, energy and resources – and at the same time are particularly hard hit by the current climate crisis that they fuel. However, in the metropolises of the overcrowded world plenty of committed people have heard the warning signals and establish networks to use the potential of cities to reorganize the participative and social-ecological activity that is urgently needed. The contributions to this Yearbook for Ecology focus on the present and future of cities from wide-ranging viewpoints and highlight perspectives for their creative transformation towards liveable sustainability.
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January 2018Environmental Engineering, Revised Edition
Designing a Sustainable Future
by Anne Maczulak, Ph.D.
Environmental engineering's future seems boundless because it is based in the myriad ways in which nature solves its own engineering challenges. People have yet to design a system that pumps water 200 feet straight up toward the sky in a system that is silent, requires no mechanical pumps, and never malfunctions, yet giant sequoia trees do this every day. Environmental engineering has a distance to go to mimic nature's activities, but fortunately, nature provides endless examples of processes like the sequoias' that maximize energy conservation. Environmental engineering represents a discipline that will be required for almost all future technologies in energy conservation. This eBook shows how some engineering projects turn out to be quite complex endeavors, while a good number draw on the simplicity of natural systems by following nature's theme of "less is more." It also discusses the ways in which environmental engineering blends the best aspects of art and design with the sciences of physics, geology, ecology, and the chemistry of matter. Chapters include: New Directions in Civil Engineering Designing Transit Systems Innovations in Personal Vehicles Sustainable Manufacturing Energy Efficient Electronics Ecological Landscape Design Sustainable Wastewater Treatment.
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Science & MathematicsNovember 2020Urban Ecology
Its Nature and Challenges
by Pedro Barbosa
This book provides a detailed examination of specific issues in urban ecology which are of great interest to professional ecologists, researchers, students and the general public. Written by a team of international experts the book presents a series of issue-based essays and assumes that urban ecology reflects the natural forces in effect in the habitats described and provides important, succinct, and informative introductions to critical topics. Examples of topics included are: Relative Success of Invasive Species in Urban vs. Non-Urban Habitats, Urban Habitats: Who Like Them More; Vertebrates or Invertebrates?, Unintended Consequences in Urban Habitats Compared to Non-Urban Habitats, Protecting Pollinators in the Urban Environment, Climate Change and Urban Environments, How Urban Conditions Influence Ecological Interactions.
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The environmentJuly 2008Environmental Risk Assessment of Genetically Modified Organisms, Vol 4
Challenges and Opportunities with Bt Cotton in Vietnam
by Edited by David A. Andow, Angelika Hilbeck, Van Tuat Nguyen.
Within Vietnam, the environmental risks of transgenic plants, managing transgenic products safely, and building modern labs to assess their safety has received increased investment and research. This book is the first scientific effort to synthesize information relevant to GM crops in Vietnam, taking Bt cotton as an example. It can be used as a technical manual to enable Vietnamese scientists to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of Bt cotton varieties prior to commercialization, and provides guidance for environmental risk assessment of any transgenic crop.
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Infectious & contagious diseasesMay 2013Biological and Environmental Control of Disease Vectors
by Sandy Cairncross, Ulrike Fillinger, S K Ghosh, Bart Knols, Steve Lindsay, Sarah Moore, Yen Nguyen, Annabel Howard, Jo Lines. Edited by Mary Cameron, Lena Lorenz.
Covering the theory and practice of non-insecticidal control of insect vectors of human disease, this book provides an overview of methods including the use of botanical biocides and insect-derived semiochemicals, with an overall focus on integrated vector management strategies. While the mainstay of malaria control programmes relies on pesticides, there is a resurgence in the research and utilisation of non-insecticidal control measures due to concerns over rapid development and spread of insecticide resistance, and long-term environmental impacts. This book provides examples of successful applications in the field and recommendations for future use.
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BiotechnologyMarch 2006Environmental Risk Assessment of Genetically Modified Organisms, Volume 2
A Case Study of Bt Cotton in Brazil
by Edited by Angelika Hilbeck, David A. Andow, Eliana M G Fontes
Many international forums have identified the need for comprehensive, scientific methods for the pre-release testing and post-release monitoring of transgenic plants to ensure their environmental safety and sustainable use. In response to this requirement, a GMO Guidelines Project was established under the aegis of the International Organization for Biological Control, to develop biosafety testing guidelines for transgenic plants. This second volume focuses on transgenic cotton in Brazil and addresses both environmental and agricultural impacts. It draws out some general risk assessment guidelines and demonstrates the need for case-by-case analysis.
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Geography & the EnvironmentApril 2020Climate Change Impacts and Sustainability
Ecosystems of Tanzania
by P.Z. Yanda, C.G. Mung'ong'o, Edmund Mabhuye
This book provides a detailed analysis of the economic and environmental impacts of climate change on the tropical ecosystems in Tanzania. Topics covered include agriculture, marine resources, wildlife, and weather forecasting. The analyses concentrate on real and potential impacts of climate change, focusing on changes in temperature and precipitation. Adaptive capacity and strategies for enhancing resilience (such as changing crop types and crop patterns in farming) are described. Particular attention is paid to climate change impacts on vulnerability and resilience in communities and ecosystems with special reference to extreme events such as droughts and flooding. The book: is the first book to analyse in detail climate change effects in Tanzania, highlighting the unique vulnerability of communities and ecosystems in East Africa from a socio-ecological point of view discusses potential future threats as well as providing solutions to current problems examines the application of local knowledge systems when formulating solutions The book is essential reading for researchers on climate change and socio-economic impacts in tropical rural economies and of broad interest to climate change scientists, tropical ecologists, conservationists and agricultural scientists.
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August 2023Nanoformulations for Sustainable Agriculture and Environmental Risk Mitigation
by Zeba Khan, Nicoleta Anca Sutan
Nanotechnology research and its application in agriculture has become a major focus in recent years. Nanoformulations offer the possibility to develop more efficient and less damaging agrochemicals in the environment. Smart delivery systems for nanosensors, molecules that can help to detect biotic or abiotic stresses before they can affect production, are being developed and applied. Nanotechnology also provides new techniques for genetic manipulation and plant breeding. The use of nanoformulations in agriculture is increasingly being used to enhance food values, reduce agricultural inputs, improve nutrient contents and create a longer shelf life for many products. Nanotechnology is also being applied to many aspects of food security, disease treatment, new tools for pathogen detection, effective delivery systems and packaging materials. It is hoped that all these applications will help meet the needs of a growing population, and help mitigate the effects of climate change and other ecological disturbances. This book highlights new applications of these nanoforms in the field of agricultural science.It is written by an international team of experts from across this broad discipline.The book is essential reading for graduate students, researchers and practitioners involved in the application of nanotechnology in agriculture. The book · examines the role of nano-formulations in crop yield improvement whilst reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides. · covers specially enabled delivery systems for the release of nanoformulations, field-sensing systems to monitor environmental stresses, and improvement of plant traits against environmental stress and diseases · is well written, unambiguous, simple, lucid, scientific and precise and chapters are supplemented with ample illustrations and case studies to clarify and summarize key points.
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BiotechnologyOctober 2004Environmental Risk Assessment of Genetically Modified Organisms, Volume 1
A Case Study of Bt Maize in Kenya
by Edited by Angelika Hilbeck, David A. Andow
International forums have identified the need for comprehensive, transparent, scientific methods, for the pre-release testing and post-release monitoring of transgenic plants to ensure environmental safety. There is also wide recognition that the regulatory and scientific capacity for conducting these types of assessments needs to be strengthened.In response to these requirements, a GMO Guidelines Project was established - under the aegis of the International Organization for Biological Control - to develop biosafety testing guidelines for transgenic plants. This book is one of the first outputs from this project. The book aims, using the case study of Bt maize, to detail generic approaches to the evaluation of environmental impact of GM technologies. This book focuses on transgenic maize in Kenya. This maize includes genetic material derived from the bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), which naturally produces proteins that are toxic to some insects. The book explores both the environmental and agricultural impacts of transgenic plants. It draws out general risk assessment guidelines, and demonstrates the need for case-by-case analysis. Although focused on Kenya and Bt Maize, the book's findings and recommendations are relevant and applicable to a multitude of nations and GM crops.
