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      • Trusted Partner
        January 2018

        Environmental 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.

      • Trusted Partner
        Geography & the Environment
        August 2022

        Key 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.

      • Trusted Partner
        February 2025

        The 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.

      • Trusted Partner
        November 2021

        The 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.

      • Trusted Partner
        Biology, life sciences
        August 2020

        Key Questions in Ecology

        A Study and Revision Guide

        by Paul A. Rees

        An understanding of ecology is an important requirement of a wide range of academic areas, including biology, zoology and environmental science. This book is a study and revision guide for students following programmes of study in which ecology is an important component. It contains 600 multiple-choice questions (and answers) set at three levels - foundation, intermediate and advanced - and grouped into 10 major topic areas: · The history and foundations of ecology · Abiotic factors and environmental monitoring · Taxonomy and biodiversity · Energy flow and production ecology · Nutrient and material cycles · Ecophysiology · Population ecology · Community ecology and species interactions · Ecological genetics and evolution · Ecological methods and statistics The 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 ecological terms, the basic processes operating in ecosystems, the dynamics of populations, ecological genetics and the process of evolution, the methods used in ecological surveys, 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, providing a useful tool for independent study.

      • Trusted Partner
        Medicine
        October 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.

      • Trusted Partner
        Humanities & Social Sciences
        November 2024

        The political ecology of colonial capitalism

        Race, nature, and accumulation

        by Bikrum Gill

        This book situates the post financial crisis phenomenon of the "global land grab" within the longue duree of the capitalist world system. It does so by advancing a theoretical and historical framework, called the political ecology of colonial capitalism, that clarifies the key role played by the co-production of race and nature in provisioning the "ecological surplus" that has historically secured the emergence and reproduction of capitalist development. The key premise of this book is that the global land grab constitutes another such attempted moment of re-securing the cheap food premise through racialized frontier appropriation. The argument advanced here is that, within the neoliberal crisis conjuncture, the hegemonic resolution of capital's escalating social-ecological contradictions necessitates, through the practice of "global primitive accumulation," the racialized construction of frontiers of unused nature in emergent zones of appropriation.

      • Trusted Partner
        Horticulture
        March 2016

        Environmental 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.

      • Trusted Partner
        October 2023

        Wattles

        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.

      • Trusted Partner
        Medicine
        August 2019

        A Handbook of Environmental Toxicology

        Human Disorders and Ecotoxicology

        by J P F D'Mello

        In Environmental Toxicology the authors focus on two key aspects: human disorders and ecotoxicology as affected by major toxins original from biology sources and pollutants and radiation generated spontaneously or as a result of anthropogenic activity. A diverse array of these potentially harmful agents regularly appear in the atmosphere, soil, water and food, compromising both human health and biodiversity in natural and managed ecosystems. This book: - provides authoritative reviews together with specialist short communications to complement the main chapters and address contemporary issues with important case studies; - explores the cutting edge of research and also indicates the likely direction of future developments; - contains extensive coverage of toxicants that are of significant current interest and will be of increasing concern for many years to come; and - encourages international cooperation in future research on pollution and other environmental agents causing harm to human health and degradation of natural habitats in the ecosystem. Written by an international team of authors from a range of educational, medical and research establishments, this book is an essential reference for advanced students and researchers in the areas of environmental sciences, ecology, agriculture, environmental health and medicine, in addition to industry and government personnel responsible for environmental regulations and directives.

      • Trusted Partner
        The environment
        September 2004

        Integrated Resource and Environmental Management

        The Human Dimension

        by Alan W Ewert, Douglas C Baker, Glyn C Bissix

        Integrated Resource and Environmental Management (IREM) can be defined as both a management process and a philosophy, that takes into account the many values associated with natural resources within a particular area.This book presents an overview and history of natural resource management, from a global perspective. It discusses the challenges facing IREM by examining issues such as conflict, property rights and the role of science in the management of natural resource. It also addresses the definition and application of IREM from several different contexts, including real-world applications, planning frameworks, and complex systems. It provides a comprehensive aid in natural resource decision-making within the context of the “real world.”

      • Trusted Partner
        Geography & the Environment

        Series of the National Zoological Museum of China for Wildlife Ecology and Conservation: Animal Diversity

        by Zhang Jinshuo, Zhang Fan

        This book addresses major themes in biological diversity, and reviews new research results in taxonomy in each phyla. Many new discoveries are the first time to spread to Chinese readers, who may know the general principles of evolution, ecology, classification, systematics, and animal body plans. Then readers delve into the taxonomy and general biology of all groups of animals. The census of each groups, not only phylum, but orders, families, and even species and subspecies are quite new to science.   内容简介 本书使用目前国际上最新的、最权威的动物分类研究成果,将所有动物界中的各大门类作了系统的归纳和厘定,其中的各类群,例如纲、目、科等级别的最新变化和成果充分地反映在本书之中,是目前为止国内对所有动物的多样性研究最新的总结。

      • Trusted Partner
        Geography & the Environment

        Series of the National Zoological Museum of China for Wildlife Ecology and Conservation: Insects

        by Liang Hongbin

        Dr. Liang Hongbin highlights the biology of insects, supplying an in-depth treatment of the classification, ecology and conservation. In recent years, Chinese insect photographers develop the field investigations by cameras, contributing to this book that we can see a lot of pictures of insects in China. 内容简介 昆虫是地球上最昌盛的动物类群,已知种类超过100万种,约占整个动物种类的四分之三。在我们周围,常见的昆虫有蝴蝶、蜻蜓、蜜蜂、苍蝇、蚊子、蝗虫、天牛等等,这些虫子千姿百态,形态各异,有些有美丽的翅膀,有些有坚硬的外壳,有些性情温顺,有些凶猛异常。那么,你究竟对昆虫有多了解呢?本书带你走进昆虫世界,领略昆虫世界的精彩。

      • Trusted Partner
        Geography & the Environment

        Series of the National Zoological Museum of China for Wildlife Ecology and Conservation: Birds

        by Jia Chenxi

        This is a comprehensive and lavishly illustrated reference to the birds. The book provides authoritative and systematic accounts of bird families, covering form and function, distribution, diet, behavior and ecology, conservation and status. A number of superb color photos reveal the enormous diversity of birds in their natural habitats. 内容简介 本书讲述鸟类的生存状态和生态研究,生存的策略、觅食的策略、繁殖的策略、筑巢的策略。保护鸟类和鸟类生存环境,和森林有关系,和生态有关系,和地球有关系,和人类的生存有关。

      • Trusted Partner
        Humanities & Social Sciences
        January 2011

        Irish Environmental Politics After the Communicative Turn

        by Patrick O'Mahony

        This book applies social and political theory to the field of environmental politics in Ireland. It offers both a substantive contribution to understanding environmental politics in this country and a test case of the application of theory within the field of environmental scholarship more generally. The essays are integrated by a concern for analysing the relationship between culture, discourse and action in this political field, hence the emphasis on the communicative turn. The book is innovative in offering a sustained application of social and political theory within environmental scholarship as well as in combining theoretical and empirical approaches to advancing environmental scholarship in a particular case. This synergy of theory and substantive analysis is a key feature of the book and offers an important contribution to the environmental literature in the social sciences. The authors apply key developments in the modern social sciences and offer compelling evidence of their value for clarifying the cultural foundations of political action and for its evaluation and critique. Academics in the social sciences and in philosophy, postgraduate and advanced undergraduate, both in Ireland and beyond, will find this book highly rewarding for its multi-faceted application of social and political theories and associated methodologies to the environmental field. ;

      • Trusted Partner
        Biotechnology
        February 2009

        Environmental 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.

      • Trusted Partner
        Humanities & Social Sciences
        April 2016

        University engagement and environmental sustainability

        by Michael Osborne, Patricia Inman, Diana Robinson

        Universities have a key role to play in contributing to environmental development and combating climate change. The chapters within this volume detail the challenges faced by higher education institutions in considering environmental sustainability, and provide both a broad view of university engagement and a detailed examination of various projects. As part of this series in association with the Place and Social Capital and Learning (PASCAL) International Observatory, the three key PASCAL themes of place management, lifelong learning and the development of social capital are considered throughout the book. While universities have historically generated knowledge outside of specific local contexts, this book argues that it is particularly important for them to engage with the local community and to consider diverse perspectives and assets when looking at issues within an ecological context. The chapters in this volume provide new perspectives and frames of reference for transforming universities by engaging in the development of resilient communities.

      • Trusted Partner
        Animal husbandry
        November 2008

        Environmental 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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