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Ecology of Angola: Terrestrial Biomes and Ecoregions
by Brian John HuntleyThis open access book richly illustrates the first, and comprehensive, account of the country’s biomes and ecoregions, the driving forces that account for their diversity and vulnerability, and the ecological principles that provide an understanding of the patterns and processes that have shaped landscapes, ecoregions, and ecosystems. Angola encompasses the greatest diversity of terrestrial biomes and is the second richest in terms of ecoregions, of any African country. Yet its biodiversity and the structure and functioning of its ecosystems are largely undocumented. The author draws on personal field observations from over 50 years of involvement in ecological and conservation studies in Angola and across Southern Africa. The vast recent literature published by researchers in neighboring, better resourced countries provides depth to the accounts of ecological principles and processes relevant to Angola and thus contributing to the understanding and sustainable management of its natural resources.
Ecology of Cities and Towns
by Mark J. Mcdonnell Amy K. Hahs Jürgen H. BreusteThe unprecedented growth of cities and towns around the world, coupled with the unknown effects of global change, has created an urgent need to increase ecological understanding of human settlements, in order to develop inhabitable, sustainable cities and towns in the future. Although there is a wealth of knowledge regarding the understanding of human organisation and behaviour, there is comparably little information available regarding the ecology of cities and towns. This book brings together leading scientists, landscape designers and planners from developed and developing countries around the world, to explore how urban ecological research has been undertaken to date, what has been learnt, where there are gaps in knowledge, and what the future challenges and opportunities are.
Ecology of Dakota Landscapes: Past, Present, and Future
by W. Carter Johnson Dennis H. KnightAn illustrated review of the Northern Great Plains that blends natural history and human history &“The most complete, in-depth look at Dakota ecosystems and their history. An absolutely fascinating read!&”—Gabe Brown, author of Dirt to Soil W. Carter Johnson and Dennis H. Knight describe the natural and human histories of the Northern Great Plains in this comprehensive and handsomely illustrated book. Covering a vast period of time, they move from geological developments millions of years ago and the effects of glaciers to historical and ecological developments in recent centuries and the effects of agriculture. The book ends with a discussion of the future of this region, mediated by climate change, with recommendations on how to balance agriculture and other pressing needs in the twenty-first century. Johnson and Knight bring decades of experience to chapters on the major ecosystems of the Dakotas. Written for readers with varying backgrounds, and with discussions of the Prairie Pothole Region, the Missouri River, grasslands, woodlands, the Black Hills, and rivers, lakes, and wetlands, the book is unique and will become a long-lasting source of information. Readers will appreciate the plentiful photographs and other color illustrations.
The Ecology of Everyday Things
by Mark EverardNature is all around us, in the beautiful but also in the unappealing and functional, and from the awe-inspiring to the mundane. It is vital that we learn to see the agency of the natural world in all things that make our lives possible, comfortable and profitable. The Ecology of Everyday Things pulls back the veil of our familiarity on a range of ‘everyday things’ that surround us, and which we perhaps take too much for granted. This key into the magic world of the everyday can enable us to take better account of our common natural inheritance. Professor James Longhurst, Assistant Vice Chancellor, University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) For many people, ecosystems may be a remote concept, yet we eat, drink, breathe and interface with them in every moment of our lives. In this engaging textbook, ecosystems scientist Dr. Mark Everard considers a diversity of ‘everyday things’, including fascinating facts about their ecological origins: from the tea we drink, to the things we wear, read and enjoy, to the ecology of communities and space flight, and the important roles played by germs and ‘unappealing creatures’ such as slugs and wasps. In today’s society, we are so umbilically connected to ecosystems that we fail to notice them, and this oversight blinds us to the unsustainability of everyday life and the industries and policy environment that supports it. The Ecology of Everyday Things takes the reader on an enlightening, fascinating voyage of discovery, all the while soundly rooted in robust science. It will stimulate awareness about how connected we all are to the natural world and its processes, and how important it is to learn to better treat our environment. Ideal for use in undergraduate- and school-level teaching, it will also interest, educate, engage and enthuse a wide range of less technical audiences.
Ecology of Faunal Communities on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands
by C. Sivaperuman K. Venkataraman C. RaghunathanThe Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India, consist of 572 islands with a land area of 8,249 km2. Their topography is hilly and undulating, with elevations up to 732 m on the Andaman and up to 568 m on the Nicobar Islands. They are known for their rich biodiversity and a very high degree of endemicity in all taxa, especially in plants, reptiles, fishes and corals. Their habitats include bays, mangroves, moist deciduous forests and evergreen forests. Comprising 20 chapters each written by an expert or professional in his/her particular field this book offers new insights into the fascinating faunal communities of these islands and provides the fundamentals for their conservation and environmental management.
The Ecology of Finnegans Wake (Florida James Joyce)
by Alison LacivitaIn this book—one of the first ecocritical explorations of Irish literature—Alison Lacivita defies the popular view of James Joyce as a thoroughly urban writer by bringing to light his consistent engagement with nature. Using genetic criticism to investigate Joyce’s source texts, notebooks, and proofs, Lacivita shows how Joyce developed ecological themes in Finnegans Wake over successive drafts.Making apparent a love of growing things and a lively connection with the natural world across his texts, Lacivita’s approach reveals Joyce’s keen attention to the Irish landscape, meteorology, urban planning, Dublin’s ecology, the exploitation of nature, and fertility and reproduction. Alison Lacivita unearths a vital quality of Joyce’s work that has largely gone undetected, decisively aligning ecocriticism with both modernism and Irish studies.
Ecology of Fire-Dependent Ecosystems: Wildland Fire Science, Policy, and Management
by Devan Allen McGranahan Carissa L. WonkkaEcology of Fire-Dependent Ecosystems is brimming with intriguing ecological stories of how life has evolved with and diversified within the varied fire regimes that are experienced on earth. Moreover, the book places itself as a communication between students, fire scientists, and fire fighters, and each of these groups will find some familiar ground, and some challenging aspects in this text: something which ultimately will help to bring us closer together and enrich our different approaches to understanding and managing our changing planet. -- Sally Archibald, Professor, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa Most textbooks are as dry as kindling and about as much fun to sink your teeth into. This is not that kind of textbook. Devan Allen McGranahan and Carissa L. Wonkka have taken a complex topic and somehow managed to synthesize it into a comprehensive, yet digestible form. This is a book you can read cover to cover – I know, I did it. As a result, I took an enlightening journey through the history and fundamentals of fire and its role in the natural and human world, ending with a thoughtful review of the evolving relationship between humans and wildland fire. -- Chris Helzer, Nebraska Director of Science, The Nature Conservancy, and author of The Prairie Ecologist blog Ecology of Fire-Dependent Ecosystems: Wildland Fire Science, Policy, and Management is intended for use in upper-level courses in fire ecology and wildland fire management and as a reference for researchers, managers, and other professionals involved with wildland fire science, practice, and policy. The book helps guide students and scientists to design and conduct robust wildland fire research projects and critically interpret and apply fire science in any management, education, or policy situation. It emphasizes variability in wildland fire as an ecological regime and provides tools for students, researchers, and managers to assess and connect fire environment and fire behaviour to fire effects. Fire has not only shaped social and ecological communities but pushed ecosystems beyond previous boundaries, yet understanding the nature and effects of fire as an ecological disturbance has been slow, hampered by the complexity of the dynamic interactions between vegetation and climate and the fear of the destruction fire can bring. This book will help those who study, manage, and use wildland fire to develop new answers and novel solutions, based on an understanding of how fire functions in natural and social environments. It reviews literature, synthesizes concepts, and identifies research gaps and policy needs. The text also explores the interaction of fire and human culture, demonstrating how fire policy can be made adaptable to cultural and socio-ecological objectives.
Ecology of Fragmented Landscapes
by Sharon K. CollingeAsk airline passengers what they see as they gaze out the window, and they will describe a fragmented landscape: a patchwork of desert, woodlands, farmlands, and developed neighborhoods. Once-contiguous forests are now subdivided; tallgrass prairies that extended for thousands of miles are now crisscrossed by highways and byways. Whether the result of naturally occurring environmental changes or the product of seemingly unchecked human development, fractured lands significantly impact the planet’s biological diversity. In Ecology of Fragmented Landscapes, Sharon K. Collinge defines fragmentation, explains its various causes, and suggests ways that we can put our lands back together.Researchers have been studying the ecological effects of dismantling nature for decades. In this book, Collinge evaluates this body of research, expertly synthesizing all that is known about the ecology of fragmented landscapes. Expanding on the traditional coverage of this topic, Collinge also discusses disease ecology, restoration, conservation, and planning.Not since Richard T. T. Forman's classic Land Mosaics has there been a more comprehensive examination of landscape fragmentation. Ecology of Fragmented Landscapes is critical reading for ecologists, conservation biologists, and students alike.
Ecology of Fresh Waters: A View for the Twenty-First Century
by Brian R. MossThis new edition of an established textbook provides a comprehensive and stimulating introduction to rivers, lakes and wetlands, and was written as the basis for a complete course on freshwater ecology. Designed for undergraduate and early postgraduate students who wish to gain an overall view of this vast subject area, this accessible guide to freshwater ecosystems and man's activities will also be invaluable to anyone interested in the integrated management of freshwaters. The author maintains the tradition of clarity and conciseness set by previous editions, and the text is extensively illustrated with photographs and diagrams. Examples are drawn from the author's experience in many parts of the world, and the author continues to stress the human influence. The scientific content of the text has been fully revised and updated, making use of the wealth of data available since publication of the last edition. Professor Brian Moss is a lecturer in Applied Ecology at the University of Liverpool, and has written three previous editions of this well-established textbook.
Ecology of Freshwater and Estuarine Wetlands
by Darold Batzer Rebecca SharitzDesigned as a textbook, this volume is an important, up-to-date, authoritative, and accessible survey in ecology of freshwater and estuarine wetlands. Prominent wetland scholars address the physical environment, geomorphology, biogeochemistry, soils, and hydrology of both freshwater and estuarine wetlands. Careful syntheses review how hydrology and chemistry constrain wetlands plants and animals. In addition, contributors document the strategies employed by plants, animals, and bacteria to cope with stress. Focusing on the ecology of key organisms, each chapter is relevant to wetland regulation and assessment, wetland restoration, how flood pulses control the ecology of most wetland complexes, and how human regulation of flood pulses threatens wetland biotic integrity. Ideal for the classroom, this book is a fundamental resource for anyone interested in the current state of our wetlands.
Ecology of Freshwater and Estuarine Wetlands
by Rebecca R. Sharitz Dr Darold P. BatzerThis second edition of this important and authoritative survey provides students and researchers with up-to-date and accessible information about the ecology of freshwater and estuarine wetlands. Prominent scholars help students understand both general concepts of different wetland types as well as complex topics related to these dynamic physical environments. Careful syntheses review wetland soils, hydrology, and geomorphology; abiotic constraints for wetland plants and animals; microbial ecology and biogeochemistry; development of wetland plant communities; wetland animal ecology; and carbon dynamics and ecosystem processes. In addition, contributors document wetland regulation, policy, and assessment in the US and provide a clear roadmap for adaptive management and restoration of wetlands. New material also includes an expanded review of the consequences for wetlands in a changing global environment. Ideally suited for wetlands ecology courses, Ecology of Freshwater and Estuarine Wetlands, Second Edition, includes updated content, enhanced images (many in color), and innovative pedagogical elements that guide students and interested readers through the current state of our wetlands.
An Ecology of Happiness
by Eric LambinWe know that our gas-guzzling cars are warming the planet, the pesticides and fertilizers from farms are turning rivers toxic, and the earth has run out of space for the mountains of unrecycled waste our daily consumption has left in its wake. We've heard copious accounts of our impact--as humans, as a society--on the natural world. But this is not a one-sided relationship. Lost in these dire and scolding accounts has been the impact on us and our well-being. You sense it while walking on a sandy beach, or in a wild, woody forest, or when you catch sight of wildlife, or even while gardening in your backyard. Could it be that the natural environment is an essential part of our happiness? Yes, says Eric Lambin emphatically in An Ecology of Happiness. Using a very different strategy in addressing environmental concerns, he asks us to consider that there may be no better reason to value and protect the health of the planet than for our own personal well-being. In this clever and wide-ranging work, Lambin draws on new scientific evidence in the fields of geography, political ecology, environmental psychology, urban studies, and disease ecology, among others, to answer such questions as: To what extent do we need nature for our well-being? How does environmental degradation affect our happiness? What can be done to protect the environment and increase our well-being at the same time? Drawing on case studies from Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America, Lambin makes a persuasive case for the strong link between healthy ecosystems and happy humans. Unique in its scope and evenhanded synthesis of research from many fields, An Ecology of Happiness offers a compelling human-centered argument that is impossible to overlook when we marvel at murmurations of starlings or seek out the most brilliant fall foliage: nature makes our steps a little lighter and our eyes a little brighter. What better reason to protect an ecosystem or save a species than for our own pleasure?
The Ecology of Hedgerows and Field Margins
by John W. DoverHedges and field margins are important wildlife habitats and deliver a range of ecosystem services, and their value is increasingly recognised by ecologists. This book reviews and assesses the current state of research on hedgerows and associated field margins. With the intensification of agriculture in the second half of the last century, field sizes were increased by amalgamation and the rooting out of hedges, synthetic pesticide and inorganic fertiliser use increased, and traditional methods of hedge management were largely abandoned. The book is split into two main sections. The first deals with definitions, current and historic management, the impact of pesticides, the decline in hedge stock and condition, and new approaches to hedge evaluation using remote sensing techniques. The second section explores the pollination and biological pest control benefits provided by hedges and field margins and examines the ecology of some of the major groups that are found in hedgerows and field margins: butterflies and moths, carabid beetles, mammals, and birds. A case study on birds and invertebrates from a research farm managed as a commercial enterprise, but which attempts to farm with wildlife in mind, brings these themes together. A final chapter introduces the neglected area of hedges in the urban environment. The book will be of great interest to advanced students, researchers and professionals in ecology, agriculture, wildlife conservation, natural history, landscape, environmental and land management.
Ecology of Indonesian Papua Part One
by Andrew J. Marshall Bruce M. BeehlerEcology of Papua Part I is a definitive guide to the ecology and natural history of Papua, the western half of the island of New Guinea. From the Ecology of Indonesia series, this title, along with Part II, contains essays by the world's leading experts on Papua's physical environment, flora, fauna, natural ecosystems, human interactions with nature and the conservation of natural resources.
Ecology of Indonesian Papua Part Two
by Bruce M. Beehler Andrew J. MarshallEcology of Papua Part II is a definitive guide to the ecology and natural history of Papua, the western half of the island of New Guinea. From the Ecology of Indonesia series, this title, along with Part I, contains essays by the world's leading experts on Papua's physical environment, flora, fauna, natural ecosystems, human interactions with nature and the conservation of natural resources.
The Ecology of Java and Bali
by Roehayat Emon Soeriaatmadja Suraya A. Afiff Tony WhittenThe Ecology of Java and Bali distills for the first time the information found in nearly 3,000 scholarly works relevant to an understanding of the full range of natural and man-made ecosystems on these islands--many of them available only in Dutch, German or Indonesian. It also contains the results of original research, interviews and personal experience. It will be useful to resource managers, ecologists and government planners, as well as to all others interested in the region.Java and Bali are the best known of all the islands in the Indonesian archipelago. Nowhere else in the country are ecological issues of such importance, and nowhere else is there a better chance of the major development problems being solved. This is because Java has the greatest concentration of development projects, the densest population, excellent human resources, and the interest of many of the most powerful decision makers. Bali, meanwhile, has the eyes of the world on it as an important tourist destination enjoyed by both domestic and foreign visitors.
The Ecology of Java and Bali
by Tony Whitten Suraya A. Afiff Roehayat Emon SoeriaatmadjaJava and Bali are biologically and culturally diverse, and to present the background relevant to their ecological management, this book is divided into five parts:* ECOLOGICAL COMPONENTS* ECOSYSTEMS* CONSERVATION* FINDING A PATH FOR THE FUTURE
The Ecology of Kalimantan
by Arthur Mangalik Hakimah Halim Gusti Hatta Kathy MackinnonThis Iong-awaited book distills for the first time the information found in many thousands of scholarly documents relevant to an understanding of the full range of natural and man-made ecosystems on the island--many of them available up to now only in Dutch, German or Indonesian. This book presents a complete summary of our current scientific knowledge about Borneo including the rainforest and riverine habitats that are endangered by logging and industrial development, along with a discussion of land use patterns and current problems.Kalimantan is the Indonesian portion of the huge island of Borneo. Kalimantan has played a key role in Indonesia's economic development and is a major earner of foreign revenue due to the island's rich natural resources: forests, oil, gas, coal, and other minerals. In this book the authors argue that Kalimantan can be developed, but within tight ecological constraints and with great care. This book remains a standard reference for scientists, anthropologists, writers, and anyone interested in the region.
The Ecology of Kalimantan
by Arthur Mangalik Kathy Mackinnon Hakimah Halim Gusti HattaThis Iong-awaited book distills for the first time the information found in many thousands of scholarly documents relevant to an understanding of the full range of natural and man-made ecosystems on the island--many of them available up to now only in Dutch, German or Indonesian. This book presents a complete summary of our current scientific knowledge about Borneo including the rainforest and riverine habitats that are endangered by logging and industrial development, along with a discussion of land use patterns and current problems.Kalimantan is the Indonesian portion of the huge island of Borneo. Kalimantan has played a key role in Indonesia's economic development and is a major earner of foreign revenue due to the island's rich natural resources: forests, oil, gas, coal, and other minerals. In this book the authors argue that Kalimantan can be developed, but within tight ecological constraints and with great care. This book remains a standard reference for scientists, anthropologists, writers, and anyone interested in the region.
An Ecology of Knowledges: Fear, Love, and Technoscience in Guatemalan Forest Conservation (Experimental Futures)
by Micha RahderGuatemala's Maya Biosphere Reserve (MBR), the largest protected area in Central America, is characterized by rampant violence, social and ethnic inequality, and rapid deforestation. Faced with these threats, local residents, conservationists, scientists, and NGOs in the region work within what Micha Rahder calls “an ecology of knowledges,” in which interventions on the MBR landscape are tied to differing and sometimes competing forms of knowing. In this book, Rahder examines how technoscience, endemic violence, and an embodied love of wild species and places shape conservation practices in Guatemala. Rahder highlights how different forms of environmental knowledge emerge from encounters and relations between humans and nonhumans, institutions and local actors, and how situated ways of knowing impact conservation practices and natural places, often in unexpected and unintended ways. In so doing, she opens up new ways of thinking about the complexities of environmental knowledge and conservation in the context of instability, inequality, and violence around the world.
Ecology of Marine Bivalves: An Ecosystem Approach, Second Edition (Crc Marine Science Ser.)
by Richard F. DameExploring the potential use of bivalves as indicators and monitors of ecosystem health, this book describes live and computer simulated experiments, mesocosm studies, and field manipulation experiments. This second edition discusses major new developments, including phase shifts in many coastal and estuarine ecosystems dominated by suspension-feeding bivalves, the invasion or introduction of alien bivalve species, the rapid growth of environmental restoration focused on bivalves, and the examination of geological history with regard to global climate change and its impact on bivalve-dominated systems.
Ecology of Nusa Tenggara and Maluka
by Kathryn A. Monk Yance De Fretes Gayatri Reksodiharjo-LilleyCHAPTER 1 explains the book's approach and the history of ecological work in the region. CHAPTER 2 reviews the physical features of Nusa Tenggara and Maluku, geological origins, the propensity to environmental hazards,hydrology, climate, and soils. CHAPTERS 3 and 4 discuss the characteristicsand distribution of marine, coastal, and terrestrial habitats, and the influence of people upon them. CHAPTER 5 inventories existing information on species diversity with reference to bio-geography and selection of biological indicatorsfor both conservation and environmental impact assessments CHAPTER 6 provides information on the people of Nusa Tenggara and Maluku and the structure of their societies. CHAPTER 7 examines the people's approach to ecological managemem through traditional and modern laws. CHAPTERS 8 TO 10 deal with the marine andland resource uses and how the islands can develop iry an ecologically sustainable way . CHAPTER 11 discusses reserve management and species protection, and offers recommendations for future action that will extend the protection of the biodiversity. CHAPTER 12 summatizes the environmental characteristics of the, region, and emphasizes the need for Indonesia's growingcommunity of environmental managers and lawyers to have the baseline ecologicaldata of this region to plan, assess, and manage its rapid development.
Ecology of Nusa Tenggara and Maluku
by Yance De Fretes Kathryn A. Monk Gayatri Reksodiharjo-LilleyThe Ecology of Nusa Tenggara and Maluku distills for the first time the information found in thousands of scholarly documents relevant to an understanding of the full range of natural and man-made ecosystems on these islands--many of them available up to now only in Dutch, German or Indonesian. It contains extensive baseline data on the region's people, ecosystems, biodiversity and land use, and discusses these in a historical as well as a developmental context. It also provides guidelines for scientific researchers on worthwhile ecological and socio-economic research projects.This region is the most diverse in Indonesia. Its myriad islands range from small atolls to active volcanic islands rising 3,500 meters above sea level. Each province has extensive coastlines--only 10 percent of the province of Maluku is land. The seas include shallow continental shelves and some of the deepest sea basins in the world. The complexity and vulnerability of these islands mean that development and environment are inextricably linked. If this is not understood and acted upon, there is no possibility for the ecologically sustainable development of Nusa Tenggara and Maluku.
The Ecology of Papua: Part One
by Bruce M. Beehler Andrew J. MarshallThe Ecology of Papua brings together 76 authors to catalog for the first time the many facets of Papua's environment. Designed for students of conservation, environmental workers, and academic researchers, it is a richly detailed text, dense with biogeographical data, historical reference, and fresh insight on this complicated and marvelous region. We hope it will serve to raise awareness of Papua on a global as well as local scale, and to catalyze effective conservation of its most precious natural assets.New Guinea is the largest and highest tropical island, and one of the last great wilderness areas remaining on Earth. Papua is noteworthy for its equatorial glaciers, its vast forested floodplains, its imposing central mountain range, its Raja Ampat Archipelago, and its several hundred traditional forest-dwelling societies. Papua remains inadequately studied and largely pristine. One of the wildest places left in the world, Papua possesses extraordinary biological and cultural diversity. Today, Papua's environment is under threat from growing outside pressures to exploit its expansive forests and to develop large plantations of oil palm and biofuels. It is important that Papua's leadership balance economic development with good resource management, to ensure the long-term well-being of its culturally diverse populace.
The Ecology of Papua: Part Two
by Bruce M. Beehler Andrew J. MarshallThe Ecology of Papua brings together 76 authors to catalog for the first time the many facets of Papua's environment. Designed for students of conservation, environmental workers, and academic researchers, it is a richly detailed text, dense with biogeographical data, historical reference, and fresh insight on this complicated and marvelous region. We hope it will serve to raise awareness of Papua on a global as well as local scale, and to catalyze effective conservation of its most precious natural assets.New Guinea is the largest and highest tropical island, and one of the last great wilderness areas remaining on Earth. Papua is noteworthy for its equatorial glaciers, its vast forested floodplains, its imposing central mountain range, its Raja Ampat Archipelago, and its several hundred traditional forest-dwelling societies. Papua remains inadequately studied and largely pristine. One of the wildest places left in the world, Papua possesses extraordinary biological and cultural diversity. Today, Papua's environment is under threat from growing outside pressures to exploit its expansive forests and to develop large plantations of oil palm and biofuels. It is important that Papua's leadership balance economic development with good resource management, to ensure the long-term well-being of its culturally diverse populace.