Download or read book Biological Assessment of Natural and Anthropogenic Ecosystems written by Eugene M. Lisitsyn and published by CRC Press. This book was released on 2021-12-23 with total page 306 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This new volume, Biological Assessment of Natural and Anthropogenic Ecosystems: Trends in Diagnosis of Environmental Stress, diverse methods and achievements in assessing the biological state of ecosystems are presented, biochemical, genetic and cytological methods are used, methodological achievements in this area are discussed in this volume. Experimental and practical aspects of the genetic diversity of cultivated plants and its application in modern business conditions are considered. The use of biological indicators for the purpose of protecting nature and practical application is presented. The authors of the book are biologists, biochemists, genetics, and ecologists from prestigious scientific institutions. This volume explores different types, different plant tissues and intracellular structures for the diagnosis and prediction of anthropogenic effects on living natural systems. Here, scientific information on the bioindication properties of living systems is presented and the theoretical foundations of its study are emphasized. This authoritative reference source will be a valuable addition for scientific researchers and students working in the field of biology, ecology, genetics, cytogenetics, agronomy and environmental assessment and its protection from anthropogenic destruction. The authors highlight the achievements, problems, and opportunities of biological methods for indicating the environment. Key features: Provides an overview of recent events and opportunities in the field of bioindication to control anthropogenic damage of living systems Considers the screening of new parameters to determine the health status of biological objects from one cell to an entire ecosystem, such as boreal peatlands Presents the results of a study of the response of plants to abiotic stressors Demonstrates the importance of role-related research of living objects as bioindicators Provides new research on various topics of plant resistance to stress Discusses design methodology, development and law of selection of indicators for specific environmental issues.
Download or read book Evaluating and Monitoring the Health of Large Scale Ecosystems written by David J. Rapport and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2013-06-29 with total page 444 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Ecosystem health offers a fresh perspective on the management of natural resources and the environment. While some of the root concepts can surely be traced back to Aldo Leopold and even earlier, it is only in the recent decade that a substantial body of work has emerged on this topic. There is no question that a novel approach which is by its nature cross disciplinary, bridging the health and biological sciences, will initially raise a number of questions particularly pertaining to the use of metaphors and the validity of the analogy. This volume however goes beyond merely the philosophical dimensions of the subject by covering a number of case studies which have given rise to the development of promising quantitative methods for diagnosis and rehabilitation of ecosystems under stress. The focus of most studies is on regional ecosystems i.e. ecosystems of large scale. As such, the methods and approaches should have wide appeal to government agencies charged with the responsibility of sustainable development of regional ecosystems and natural resources. Health is one of those difficult concepts that everyone thinks they can define, until they come to try. We all have personal knowledge about health and illness and this makes the ecosystem analogy so potentially powerful. Yet it is also clear that the uncritical application of the concept could lead to overly simplistic approaches to analysis and management of ecosystem health.
Download or read book Perspectives for Biodiversity and Ecosystems written by Carsten Hobohm and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on 2021-02-05 with total page 484 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The novelty of the book is a strong focus on perception, perspectives and prediction by scientists with profound insight into the ecology of ecosystems or into human demands and activity. The challenge is to bridge from empirical data and the knowledge of the past to the possibilities of the performance in the future. We assume that there is scope for more cooperation between the fields of ecology and practical philosophy or other social sciences in organising ecosystems and shaping the cultural future of humankind, and that such collaboration should be accorded considerably more priority. This book deals with environmental processes seen within a framework of the nature of ecosystems and human cultures. The future of the environment, the development of ecosystems and effective nature conservation management are the essentials of this book. Human nature and culture, and in particular their interactions, are interpreted as a set of rules and as given. The aim is not only to assess the significance of human influence on species composition and biodiversity but also to weigh up the subsequent potentials for action. In this book we will analyze the problems independently of one another, even if they are interconnected. This book focuses on perspectives and prognoses for the impacts of anthropogenic activity on ecosystems and thus on species conservation. Its goal is to improve assessments of the impacts of human activity on the environment. We are aware that prognoses have very often proven to be false. It is difficult to impossible to be able to predict with precision how evolution and ecosystems will change in future under anthropogenic influence. This strengthens our resolve to attempt to retain the highest possible degree of scientific integrity and professionalism and not to shy away from expressing the uncertainty of our own ideas and prognoses. We venture prognoses in this book and we will fail. However, we hope that we will be wrong on the right side.
Download or read book Handbook of Ecological Indicators for Assessment of Ecosystem Health written by Sven E. Jorgensen and published by CRC Press. This book was released on 2005-01-27 with total page 472 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The field of ecosystem health explores the interactions between natural systems, human health, and social organization. As decision makers require a sound, modular approach to environmental management and sustainable development, ecosystem health assessment indicators are increasingly used across any number of applications. The Handbook of Ecologic
Download or read book Conservation Biology written by Fred Van Dyke and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on 2020-07-07 with total page 635 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book provides a thorough, up-to-date examination of conservation biology and the many supporting disciplines that comprise conservation science. In this, the Third Edition of the highly successful Conservation Biology: Foundations, Concepts, Applications, the authors address their interdisciplinary topic as it must now be practiced and perceived in the modern world. Beginning with a concise review of the history of conservation, the authors go on to explore the interplay of conservation with genetics, demography, habitat and landscape, aquatic environments, and ecosystem management, and the relationship of all these disciplines to ethics, economics, law, and policy. An entirely new chapter, The Anthropocene: Conservation in a Human-Dominated Nature, breaks new ground in its exploration of how conservation can be practiced in anthropogenic biomes, novel ecosystems, and urban habitats. The Third Edition includes the popular Points of Engagement discussion questions used in earlier editions, and adds a new feature: Information Boxes, which briefly recap specific case histories described in the text. A concluding chapter offers insight into how to become a conservation professional, in both traditional and non-traditional roles. The authors, Fred Van Dyke and Rachel Lamb, draw on their expertise as field biologists, wildlife managers, consultants to government and industry, and scholars of environmental law, policy, and advocacy, as well as their many years of effective teaching experience. Informed by practical knowledge and acquired skills, the authors have created a work of exceptional clarity and readability which encompasses both systemic foundations as well as contemporary developments in the field. Conservation Biology: Foundations, Concepts, Applications will be of invaluable benefit to undergraduate and graduate students, as well as to working conservation scientists and managers. This is an amazing resource for students, faculty, and practitioners both new and experienced to the field. Diane Debinski, PhD Unexcelled wisdom for living at home on Wonderland Earth, the planet with promise, destined for abundant life. Holmes Rolston, PhD Van Dyke and Lamb have maintained the original text’s emphasis on connecting classical ecological and environmental work with updated modern applications and lucid examples. But more importantly, the third edition contains much new material on the human side of conservation, including expanded treatments of policy, economics, and climate change. Tim Van Deelen, PhD Fred Van Dyke and Rachel Lamb break new ground in both the breadth and depth of their review and analysis of this crucially important and rapidly changing field. Any student or other reader wishing to have a comprehensive overview and understanding of the complexities of conservation biology need look no further – this book is your starting point! Simon N. Stuart, PhD Anyone who teaches, talks or writes and works on Conservation Biology, needs this latest edition of Conservation Biology (Foundations, Concepts, Applications, 3rd edition) by Fred Van Dyke and Rachel L. Lamb. This will be useful to both beginners and experts as well. The authors included almost all important issues in relation to conservation biology. This is really an outstanding book. Bidhan Chandra Das, Professor, Ecology Branch, Department of Zoology, University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh
Download or read book Ecosystem Services written by Sander Jacobs and published by Elsevier. This book was released on 2013-10-11 with total page 455 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Ecosystem Services: Global Issues, Local Practices covers scientific input, socioeconomic considerations, and governance issues on ecosystem services. This book provides hands-on transdisciplinary reflections by administrators and sector representatives involved in the ecosystem service community. Ecosystem Services develops shared approaches and scientific methods to achieve knowledge-based sustainable planning and management of ecosystem services. Professionals engaged in ecosystem service implementation have two options: de-emphasize the ecological and socioeconomic complexity and advance in the theoretical, abstract field, or try to develop research that is policy relevant and inclusive in an uncertain environment. This book provides a wide overview of issues at stake, of interest for any professional wishing to develop a broader view on ecosystem service science and practice. - Examines a broad scope of relevant issues to create common understanding in the ecosystem services community - Includes contributions from several backgrounds, providing a broad, multidisciplinary view - Offers recommendations to develop a thorough understanding and management of ecosystem services based on tools and research in larger territories as well as on local scales
Download or read book Assessment of the ecological status of European surface waters written by Peeter Nõges and published by Springer. This book was released on 2012-05-05 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The complex impact that man has on aquatic ecosystems creates a need for assessment systems that are able to adequately appraise and integrate the effects of various pressures. Chemical analysis alone can easily overlook some factors vital for life. With the adoption of the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) in the year 2000 which defined the ecological status of surface water as ‘‘... an expression of the quality of the structure and functioning of aquatic ecosystems associated with surface waters", biological indicators were brought to the forefront for the first time and became drivers to the water management practices. Assessment of ecological status and quantification of its relationships with anthropogenic pressures critically depend on knowledge of relevant biotic and abiotic settings and processes. Needs raised by the implementation of WFD have urged scientific research in many fields in order to find more stable and robust biological metrics and to diminish the uncertainty of assessment results. The number of WFD related scientific publications has increased linearly and exceeded 1500 in the year 2008. This book comprises a small set of this large flow of publications and is mainly focused on the development of biological assessment methods and intercalibration of the assessment results.
Download or read book Ecosystems and Human Well being written by Joseph Alcamo and published by . This book was released on 2003 with total page 272 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Ecosystems and Human Well-Being is the first product of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, a four-year international work program designed to meet the needs of decisionmakers for scientific information on the links between ecosystem change and human well-being. The book offers an overview of the project, describing the conceptual framework that is being used, defining its scope, and providing a baseline of understanding that all participants need to move forward. The Millennium Assessment focuses on how humans have altered ecosystems, and how changes in ecosystem services have affected human well-being, how ecosystem changes may affect people in future decades, and what types of responses can be adopted at local, national, or global scales to improve ecosystem management and thereby contribute to human well-being and poverty alleviation. The program was launched by United National Secretary-General Kofi Annan in June 2001, and the primary assessment reports will be released by Island Press in 2005. Leading scientists from more than 100 nations are conducting the assessment, which can aid countries, regions, or companies by: providing a clear, scientific picture of the current sta
Download or read book Biodiversity Temperate Ecosystems and Global Change written by Timothy J.B. Boyle and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2013-06-29 with total page 455 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Reviewed here is the current state of knowledge concerning the relationship between global change and biodiversity of temperate ecosystems. The aim is to improve the ability to conserve biodiversity under conditions of global change. The book focuses on: - The threats posed by global change to biodiversity in temperate ecosystems; - Levels and spatial patterns of diversity in temperate ecosystems; - The impact of global change on genetic diversity; - The effects of disturbance (natural and anthropogenic) on temperate ecosystems; - Existing research priorities and programmes.
Download or read book Conserving Biodiversity in Arid Regions written by J. Lemons and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-12-06 with total page 532 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: On the eve of the World Summit for Sustainable Development (WSSD), held in autumn 2002 in Johannesburg, South Africa, United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan recommended five specific areas as focal points of discussion for the global forum: Water, energy, health, agriculture and biodiversity. In his address, "Towards a Sustainable Future," delivered just four months before the WSSD, Secretary General Annan contended that concrete progress in each of these areas, often referred to by their acronym WEHAB, would be key to improving the quality of life not only in the developing world but across the globe. For most people, I think it is fair to say that the inclusion of biodiversity in a list that focuses on basic human needs may not be self-evident. Water, energy, health and agriculture, yes. But why biodiversity? The truth is that biodiversity is just as critical to global well-being as water, energy, agriculture and health. This is because biodiversity both drives and shapes nature's intricate and dynamic structure in an enduring form and force that enables both current and future generations to enjoy its bounty.
Download or read book Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences written by Edward R Rhodes and published by BoD – Books on Demand. This book was released on 2021-02-17 with total page 388 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The natural resources of the Earth are indispensable for the survival of humans, plants, and animals and for the state of biodiversity. The way they are managed determines the extent to which they will be preserved for future generations. Climate change underscores the need for the proper use of natural resources. This book brings together reviews of literature and the results of research studies on the status and management of soil, water, plant, and wildlife resources, especially as they relate to the biological sciences, in Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, and Latin America. It covers work on classification and inventories, impacts of anthropogenic activities, and exploitation and conservation. The book will be of interest to scientists and practitioners of natural resource management worldwide.
Download or read book Biodiversity Structure and Function Volume II written by Wilhelm Barthlott and published by EOLSS Publications. This book was released on 2009-08-19 with total page 334 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Biodiversity: Structure and Function is a component of Encyclopedia of Environmental and Ecological Sciences, Engineering and Technology Resources in the global Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems (EOLSS), which is an integrated compendium of twenty one Encyclopedias. The Theme on Biodiversity: Structure and Function discusses matters of great relevance to our world such as: Characterization of Biodiversity; Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning; Spatial and Temporal Dimensions of Biodiversity Dynamics; Evolutionary and Genetic Aspects of Biodiversity; Biodiversity Monitoring, Assessment, Data Management, and Indicators; The Value of Biodiversity; Halting Biodiversity Loss: Fundamentals and Latest Trends of Conservation Science and Action; Application of Ecological Knowledge to Habitat Restoration. These two volumes are aimed at the following five major target audiences: University and College students Educators, Professional practitioners, Research personnel and Policy analysts, managers, and decision makers and NGOs.
Download or read book Anthropogenic Pollution of Aquatic Ecosystems written by Donat-P. Häder and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on 2021-09-30 with total page 426 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book provides examples of pollutants, such as accidental oil spills and non-degradable plastic debris, which affect marine organisms of all taxa. Terrestrial runoff washes large amounts of dissolved organic materials from agriculture and industry, toxic heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, and persistent organic pollutants which end up into rivers, coastal habitats, and open waters. While this book is not intended to encyclopaedically list all kinds of pollution, it rather exemplifies the problems by concentrating on a number of serious and prominent recent developments. The chapters in this book also discuss measures to decrease and remove aquatic pollution to mitigate the stress on aquatic organisms. Aquatic ecosystems provide a wide range of ecological and economical services. In addition to providing a large share of the staple diet for a fast growing human population, oceans absorb most of the anthropogenically emitted carbon dioxide and mitigate climate change. As well as rising temperatures and ocean acidification, pollution poses increasing problems for aquatic ecosystems and organisms reducing its functioning and services which are exposed to a plethora of stress factors.
Download or read book Ecology and Control of the Natural Environment written by Yu.A. Izrael and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-12-06 with total page 426 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In recent decades it has become increasingly urgent to protect human health and wellbeing from the possible negative consequences of man's economic activities, both at the actual production sites and in areas where the im pact is felt. These negative effects have gradually become more and more widespread, presenting a major hazard to the natural environment, taking on an international character, and assuming global proportions. For the countries of Europe and North America, transport of pollutants and acid rain across boundaries is a serious problem. After the Chernobyl reactor accident, regular measurements of radioactive isotopes became im perative. It is obvious that drastic measures, including steps taken on an interna tionallevel, are required to limit the negative anthropogenic impact on the environment. Under the conditions of this growing man-caused impact on nature, the existing ecological reserves of the biosphere should be husbanded especially carefully. We must determine the regimes of rational utilization of these reserves and of judicious management of the natural environment, thereby maintaining a high quality of the biosphere and preserving nature's regener ative capacity. Reliable methods should be developed to keep the environ ment from being overloaded and to safeguard the elements of the biosphere from injury. Given such a situation, it is of particular importance to have objective information about the critical factors of the human impact and the actual state of the biosphere, as well as to obtain forecasts of its future state.
Download or read book Conservation Biogeography written by Richard J. Ladle and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2011-01-11 with total page 379 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: CONSERVATION BIOGEOGRAPHY The Earth’s ecosystems are in the midst of an unprecedented period of change as a result of human action. Many habitats have been completely destroyed or divided into tiny fragments, others have been transformed through the introduction of new species, or the extinction of native plants and animals, while anthropogenic climate change now threatens to completely redraw the geographic map of life on this planet. The urgent need to understand and prescribe solutions to this complicated and interlinked set of pressing conservation issues has lead to the transformation of the venerable academic discipline of biogeography – the study of the geographic distribution of animals and plants. The newly emerged sub-discipline of conservation biogeography uses the conceptual tools and methods of biogeography to address real world conservation problems and to provide predictions about the fate of key species and ecosystems over the next century. This book provides the first comprehensive review of the field in a series of closely interlinked chapters addressing the central issues within this exciting and important subject.
Download or read book An Introduction to Disturbance Ecology written by Corrado Battisti and published by Springer. This book was released on 2016-07-19 with total page 187 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book represents an introductory review of disturbance ecology and threat analysis, providing schematic concepts and approaches useful for work on sites that are affected by the impact of human actions. It is aimed at conservation and environmental practitioners, who will find tips for choosing methods and approaches when there are conflicts between the natural components and human activity. It is also addressed to students of applied ecology, ecosystem management, land-use planning and environmental impact assessment. It discusses a number of topics covered in the programs of many university courses related to basic ecology and ecology of disturbance, the latter constituting a field of great interest because of its implications and repercussions in applied territorial science. The book is divided into two parts: the first focuses on the theoretical and disciplinary framework of the ecology of disturbance, while the second is devoted to the analysis of anthropogenic threats. This, in particular, discusses the most recent approach, which uses a conventional nomenclature to allow a coarse-grained quantification and objective assessment of threat impact on different environmental components. Such an approach facilitates the comparison of hierarchically different events and, therefore, helps define the priorities for management and conservation strategies.
Download or read book Ecological Variability written by Donald J. Baird and published by S E T A C Foundation for. This book was released on 2001-01-01 with total page 307 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Eight studies seek to bridge the chasm between ecology and toxicology, particularly considering how new techniques and approaches developed in ecological research can be applied in ecological risk assessments to help identify natural and anthropogenic stressors and their effects in complex ecosystems. They comprise the proceedings of a September 1999 workshop at Pellston, Michigan attended by environmental scientists mostly from the US and Britain, but also Canada and the Netherlands. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
