Download or read book Encyclopedia of Islands written by Rosemary Gillespie and published by Univ of California Press. This book was released on 2009-08-19 with total page 1110 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Islands have captured the imagination of scientists and the public for centuries—unique and rare environments, their isolation makes them natural laboratories for ecology and evolution. This authoritative, alphabetically arranged reference, featuring more than 200 succinct articles by leading scientists from around the world, provides broad coverage of all the island sciences. But what exactly is an island? The volume editors define it here as any discrete habitat isolated from other habitats by inhospitable surroundings. The Encyclopedia of Islands examines many such insular settings—oceanic and continental islands as well as places such as caves, mountaintops, and whale falls at the bottom of the ocean. This essential, one-stop resource, extensively illustrated with color photographs, clear maps, and graphics will introduce island science to a wide audience and spur further research on some of the planet's most fascinating habitats.

Download or read book Convergent Evolution written by George R. McGhee, Jr. and published by MIT Press. This book was released on 2011-11-04 with total page 335 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: An analysis of convergent evolution from molecules to ecosystems, demonstrating the limited number of evolutionary pathways available to life. Charles Darwin famously concluded On the Origin of Species with a vision of “endless forms most beautiful” continually evolving. More than 150 years later many evolutionary biologists see not endless forms but the same, or very similar, forms evolving repeatedly in many independent species lineages. A porpoise's fishlike fins, for example, are not inherited from fish ancestors but are independently derived convergent traits. In this book, George McGhee describes the ubiquity of the phenomenon of convergent evolution and connects it directly to the concept of evolutionary constraint—the idea that the number of evolutionary pathways available to life are not endless, but quite limited. Convergent evolution occurs on all levels, from tiny organic molecules to entire ecosystems of species. McGhee demonstrates its ubiquity in animals, both herbivore and carnivore; in plants; in ecosystems; in molecules, including DNA, proteins, and enzymes; and even in minds, describing problem-solving behavior and group behavior as the products of convergence. For each species example, he provides an abbreviated list of the major nodes in its phylogenetic classification, allowing the reader to see the evolutionary relationship of a group of species that have independently evolved a similar trait by convergent evolution. McGhee analyzes the role of functional and developmental constraints in producing convergent evolution, and considers the scientific and philosophical implications of convergent evolution for the predictability of the evolutionary process.

Download or read book Rails written by Barry Taylor and published by A&C Black. This book was released on 2010-08-30 with total page 601 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This is a guide to rails, a relatively homogeneous family of birds spread throughout the world. Barry Taylor and Ber van Perlo have described and illustrated 145 species of rails, including two that are newly described, and also ten that are recently extinct and two that are almost certainly extinct. The book, based on up-to-date references and on new observations, is the first to give comprehensive information on field identification (including voice), covering all species and races for which details are known. It is also the first to provide descriptions of the immature and juvenile plumages of many species. The authors provide a detailed summary of current knowledge of all aspects of rail biology and their often complex behaviour, social structure, and family life. They explain how such apparently poorly flying birds can undertake intercontinental migrations and are such widespread and successful colonists of remote oceanic islands. They also discuss the remarkable ease and speed with which species on such islands have evolved into flightless forms in the absence of predators, a fact that has led to the rapid extinction of numerous island taxa following the arrival of man. Rail habitats are fast disappearing, say the authors, and many rails become endangered before enough is known about them to plan effective conservation measures. The book provides information on distribution, status, habitat requirements, and current threats, and it gives conservation priorities for threatened species.

Download or read book Natural History written by DK and published by Penguin. This book was released on 2021-11-02 with total page 664 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A monumental and beautiful guide to Earth's wildlife and natural history--its rocks, minerals, animals, plants, fungi, and microorganisms--this landmark of reference publishing has been extended and updated. In the 11 years since this book was released, thousands of new species have been identified, and new revelations have redrawn the tree of life. Already featuring galleries of more than 5,000 species, The Natural History Book now includes discoveries such as the olinguito (the "kitty bear" of the Andean cloud forest) and the painted mannakin of Peru. It takes advantage of the first living observations of the giant squid and the deep-sea anglerfish. And it has reorganized the groups of living things to reflect the latest scientific understanding. All this ensures that this, the only ebook to offer a complete visual survey of all kingdoms of life, remains the benchmark of illustrated natural history references. Written by a worldwide team of natural history experts, The Natural History Book is the perfect addition to every family bookshelf, as well as an ideal gift for any nature lover. From granites to grapevines, from microbes to mammals, The Natural History Book is the ultimate celebration of the diversity of the natural world.

Download or read book The status and distribution of freshwater biodiversity in the eastern Mediterranean written by Kevin G. Smith and published by IUCN. This book was released on 2014-01-01 with total page 149 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Eastern Mediterranean region supports just over 4.4% of the global human population yet contains only 1.1% of its renewable water resources, which are under constant threat from the impacts of unsustainable water withdrawal, dam development and climate change. This IUCN report and accompanying dataset represents a major advance in the provision of information to help incorporate biodiversity needs into water development planning processes within an Integrated River Basin Management framework. This volume includes species information compiled for each river and lake sub-basin and incorporates information from the assessment conducted by IUCN's Global Species Programme, in collaboration with its partners, of the status and distribution of all described species of freshwater fishes, molluscs, odonates, and plants from across the Eastern Mediterranean with existing information for species of freshwater dependent amphibians, birds, crustaceans, and mammals. This work represents the most comprehensive assessment yet of freshwater biodiversity at the species level for this part of the world.

Download or read book The Birds of North and Middle America written by Robert Ridgway and published by . This book was released on 1941 with total page 268 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book The Woodhen written by Clifford Frith and published by CSIRO PUBLISHING. This book was released on 2013-06-12 with total page 240 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book tells the fascinating success story of saving the flightless Woodhen of Lord Howe Island. This unique large rail, an iconic and highly endangered Australian bird, was at the very brink of extinction with just 15 individuals found in 1980, when bold and risky actions were taken to save it. The book begins with the discovery and ecology of Lord Howe Island. It then details the history of the Woodhen, its place among the rails and their evolution of flightlessness, the planning, implementation and trials, tribulations and successes of the captive breeding programme and the way in which the wild population recovered. The ecology, behaviour and breeding biology of this unique flightless island rail are also discussed. The text is accompanied by numerous photographs and drawings. This is a story of survival, yet the bird remains highly endangered as it is under constant potential threat, which could tip it over the brink and to extinction. The Woodhen provides gripping insights into the potential for both losing and saving vertebrate species. Winner of a 2014 Whitley Awards Certificate of Commendation for Historical Zoology.

Download or read book Cumberland Island National Seashore written by and published by . This book was released on 2000 with total page 250 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book How Birds Work An Illustrated Guide to the Wonders of Form and Function from Bones to Beak How Nature Works written by Marianne Taylor and published by The Experiment, LLC. This book was released on 2020-04-28 with total page 347 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Engineered by evolution to thrive in the wild A tiny textbook to learn on your own How Birds Work goes beyond the typical field guide to show us not only what birds look like but why. Why do many owls have asymmetrical ear openings? (Hint: It helps them pinpoint prey; see page 40.) And why does the Grey Heron rest on one leg at a time? (Hint: Not because it’s tired; see page 66!) Birds boast a spectacular array of adaptations suited to their incredibly diverse diets and habitats. In this in-depth handbook, discover the ways they’re even more astounding than you know—inside and out. Detailed analysis and illustrations illuminate: Skeleton Muscles Circulation Digestion Respiration Reproduction Feathers Colors and Patterns And much, much more!

Download or read book Introduction to Birds of the Southern California Coast written by Joan Easton Lentz and published by Univ of California Press. This book was released on 2006 with total page 344 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This easy-to-use handbook is a must for anyone who wants to leave behind Southern California's noisy freeways and crowded beaches in search of the wild places where birds can be found. A perfect companion for excursions from San Luis Obispo County to the Mexican border, it is designed to familiarize birdwatchers, hikers, naturalists, residents, and travelers with the appearance and behavior of 120 of the most common coastal birds. 120 color plates.

Download or read book Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainability in Asia written by Münir Öztürk and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on 2021-04-24 with total page 659 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Of the world’s seven continents, Asia is the largest. Its physical landscapes, political units, and ethnic groups are both wide-ranging and many. Southwest, South and Middle Asia are highly populated regions which, as a whole, cover an extremely large area of varied geography. In total, this domain is unique in its plant diversity and large vegetation zones with different communities and biomes. It is rich in endemics, with specific and intraspecific diversity of fruit trees and medicinal plants, including a number of rare, high value, species. At the same time, much of the land in the region is too dry or too rugged, with many geographical extremes. Overgrazing, oil and mineral extraction, and poaching are the major threats in the area. This two-volume project focuses on the dynamic biodiversity of the region with in-depth analysis on phytosociology, plants, animals and agroecology. There are also chapters that explore new applications as well as approaches to overcome problems associated with climate change. Much of the research and analysis are presented here for the first time. We believe this work is a valuable resource for professionals and researchers working in the fields of plant diversity and vegetation, animal diversity and animal populations, and geo-diversity and sustainable land use, among others. The first volume guides our readers to West Asia and the Caucasus region, while volume two focuses on issues unique to South and Middle Asia.

Download or read book Bulletin written by United States National Museum and published by . This book was released on 1941 with total page 820 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Birds of Somalia written by John Ash and published by Bloomsbury Publishing. This book was released on 2020-12-24 with total page 328 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Somalia, with seven endemic species, is one of the most important bird areas in Africa; it is also one of the least well-known. Birds of Somalia provides an atlas of 654 maps showing the distribution of all the species known from the country. Each species account details the species' preferred habitat, its relative abundance, and details of migration, breeding season and clutch size. Much of the ornithological content of the book is based on personal experience. About 70% of the observations on the maps were provided by the authors and they claim to have seen all but one of the 654 birds on the Somali list. Besides adding over 50 first time records to it, they were also responsible for finding and adding to science one new species and four new subspecies of birds in Somalia. Chapters summarise the available knowledge on bird migration and breeding seasons within Somalia. The records are astonishing when it is considered that they come from such a little-known country. The results of the rather limited amount of ringing carried out in the country are also summarised, and the recoveries of ringed birds are of extreme interest. Christopher Hemming contributes what amounts to a major treatise on the soils and vegetation of Somalia, Carlo Violani and Fausto Barbagli provide a historical review of ornithology and ornithologists, Professor Celia Nyamweru describes the geology, and Peter Robertson gives an up-to-date perspective on the state of bird and habitat conservation and the issues involved. A magnificent series of coloured plates by Martin Woodcock is included which depict 25 little-known birds special to the region, including the new species and races. There is also a selection of habitat photographs and excellent maps showing the topography, geology and vegetation of the country. There are further lists detailing hybrids, doubtful records, species offshore and borderline and unacceptable records. Of much interest and value to many, including museum workers and those not directly involved in ornithology, will be the gazetteer of localities throughout Somalia. Its value is greatly enhanced by being cross referenced in Somali (with the old and new spellings), English and Italian. Lastly, a full bibliography lists more than 550 titles.

Download or read book 1000 Birds written by Sarah Hoggett and published by Chartwell Books. This book was released on 2017-09-19 with total page 291 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 1,000 Birds celebrates the bird kingdom in all its wonderful variety. Through 1,000 detailed illustrations by some of the world's leading ornithological artists, the rich and beautiful diversity of the world's bird kingdom is revealed. --Publisher

Download or read book Holocene Extinctions written by Samuel T. Turvey and published by OUP Oxford. This book was released on 2009-05-28 with total page 366 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The extent to which human activity has influenced species extinctions during the recent prehistoric past remains controversial due to other factors such as climatic fluctuations and a general lack of data. However, the Holocene (the geological interval spanning the last 11,500 years from the end of the last glaciation) has witnessed massive levels of extinctions that have continued into the modern historical era, but in a context of only relatively minor climatic fluctuations. This makes a detailed consideration of these extinctions a useful system for investigating the impacts of human activity over time. Holocene Extinctions describes and analyses the range of global extinction events which have occurred during this key time period, as well as their relationship to both earlier and ongoing species losses. By integrating information from fields as diverse as zoology, ecology, palaeontology, archaeology and geography, and by incorporating data from a broad range of taxonomic groups and ecosystems, this novel text provides a fascinating insight into human impacts on global extinction rates, both past and present. This truly interdisciplinary book is suitable for both graduate students and researchers in these varied fields. It will also be of value and use to policy-makers and conservation professionals since it provides valuable guidance on how to apply lessons from the past to prevent future biodiversity loss and inform modern conservation planning.

Download or read book Systematics and Taxonomy of Australian Birds written by Les Christidis and published by CSIRO PUBLISHING. This book was released on 2008-01-25 with total page 288 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Systematics and Taxonomy of Australian Birds presents an up-to-date classification of Australian birds. Building on the authors’ 1994 book, The Taxonomy and Species of Birds of Australia and its Territories, it incorporates the extensive volume of relevant systematic work since then. The findings of these studies are summarised and evaluated in the explanations for the taxonomic treatments adopted, and with the extensive citations, the book serves as a comprehensive introduction to the recent systematic literature of Australian birds. All species of birds that have been recorded from the Australian mainland, Tasmania, island territories and surrounding waters are treated and listed. Along with extant native species, all accepted vagrants, recently extinct (since 1800) native species and established introduced species are included.

Download or read book The Cambridge Natural History Birds written by Sidney Frederick Harmer and published by . This book was released on 1899 with total page 662 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: