Download or read book Ecosystem Classification for Environmental Management written by Frans Klijn and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2013-03-09 with total page 257 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: When Lovelock published his 'Gaia', it was for many people quite a relief. We would not be able to destroy life on earth. Lovelock illustrated this argument with a wealth of mechanistic feedback processes, as we know them to occur in ecosystems. These feedback processes would, somehow, lead the earth as a whole into a new equilibrium. An equilibrium with life within, be it in an entirely changed environment. This is, indeed, let us be earnest: a functioning ecosystem. But what kind of ecosystem? The Gaia-hypothesis triggered a great deal of thought and discussion about what we actually require as an environment. Bio diversity as an abbreviation of biotic diversity has since become the focal point of societal concern. But again, when we think about it, we are not only interested in the sheer number of species on earth. We also have ')ther interests: nearby, in our backyards, in the surrounding countryside, and on the various locations where we would like to spend our holidays. We also want to preserve rare or characteristic species just for their own sake. In fact, we want species in viable populations to be part of communities that are self-maintaining in environments where they belong. We know we cannot ask for this without protecting their environment, which is also our environment. This is where the next fashionable term emerges: sustainability.
Download or read book Ecosystem Classification for Environmental Management written by Frans Klijn and published by Springer. This book was released on 2014-01-15 with total page 328 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The ecosystem is a central concept in modern ecology and is fundamental to sound environmental policy making. Not all ecosystems are equally susceptible to human-induced environmental change, nor do we attribute equal value to all ecosystem types. From a nature conservation point of view we are concerned about the spatial extension of ecosystems and their quality, as well as about their responsiveness and recovery potential. This requires the classification and mapping of ecosystems. This book treats the why and how of such classification and mapping as a prerequisite to environmentally sound management aimed at sustainability and the preservation of biodiversity. Existing concepts and procedures are modified for modern applications, including susceptibility assessment, environmental quality assessment and monitoring, as well as predictive modelling for environmental impact assessments. These procedures are illustrated by applying them to current environmental problems, such as acidification, eutrophication, changing land use, or groundwater lowering. Written by a number of renowned landscape ecologists from several West European countries, this book discusses a wealth of theories, concepts, and methods from plant ecology, vegetation science, physical geography, and other environmental sciences composed in such a way to constitute practically applicable tools. For scientists engaged in applied research and professionals in environmental planning. Graduate students will find it inspiring as well as a source of practical advice.
Download or read book Global to Local Ecological Land Classification written by Richard A. Sims and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-12-06 with total page 619 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Ecological Land Classification (ELC) refers to the description of land resources at a range of spatial resolutions (i.e. global to local) and for a range of purposes or values. The emerging science of ELC is in fact a very carefully integrated blend of vegetation and earth sciences, climatology, cartography and ecology with a range of new technologies and methodologies including computer-based geographic information systems, remote sensing and simulation modelling. This publication defines the current `state-of-the-art' of ELC. It provides particular insight into the role of ELC in current and future forest resource planning and management, and emphasizes its application and usefulness at various spatial scales, for a variety of geographic locations, and under a range of management scenarios/constraints. The book is an invaluable and substantial reference source about the current trends in ELC and will be of particular value to ecologists, foresters, geographers, resource managers, wildlife biologists, GIS and remote sensing specialists, educators and students.
Download or read book Terrestrial Ecosystem Classification in the Rocky Mountains Northern Utah written by Antonin Kusbach and published by . This book was released on 2010 with total page 221 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Currently, there is no comprehensive terrestrial ecosystem classification for the central Rocky Mountains of the United States. A comprehensive classification of terrestrial ecosystems in a mountainous study area in northern Utah was developed incorporating direct gradient analysis, spatial hierarchy theory, the zonal concept, and concepts of diagnostic species and fidelity, together with the biogeoclimatic ecosystem classification approach used in British Columbia, Canada. This classification was derived from vegetation and environmental sampling of both forest and non-forest ecosystems. The SNOwpack TELemetry (SNOTEL) and The National Weather Service (NWS) Cooperative Observer Program (COOP) weather station network were used to approximate climate of 163 sample plots. Within the large environmental diversity of the study area, three levels of ecosystem organization were distinguished: (1) macroclimatic regional climate; (2) mesoclimatic, accounting for local climate and moisture distribution; and (3) edaphic soil fertility. These three levels represent, in order, the L+1, L, and L-1 levels in a spatial hierarchy. Based on vegetation physiognomy, climatic data, and taxonomic classification of zonal soils, two vegetation geo-climatic zones were identified at the macroclimatic (L+1) level: (1) montane zone with Rocky Mountain juniper and Douglas-fir; and (2) subalpine zone with Engelmann spruce and subalpine fir as climatic climax species. A vegetation classification was developed by combining vegetation samples (releves) into meaningful vegetation units. A site classification was developed, based on dominant environmental gradients within the subalpine vegetation geoclimatic zone. Site classes were specified and a site grid was constructed. This site classification was coupled with the vegetation classification. Each plant community was associated with its environmental space within the site grid. This vegetation site overlay allowed ecosystems to be differentiated environmentally and a structure, combining zonal, vegetation, and site classifications, forms a comprehensive ecosystem classification. Based on assessment of plant communities' environmental demands and site vegetation potential, the comprehensive classification system enables inferences about site history and successional status of ecosystems. This classification is consistent with the recent USDA, Forest Service ECOMAP and Terrestrial Ecological Unit Inventory structure and may serve as a valuable tool not only in vegetation, climatic, or soil studies but also in practical ecosystem management.
Download or read book Ecological Research Series written by and published by . This book was released on 1979 with total page 158 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book The Professional Practice of Environmental Management written by Robert S. Dorney and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-12-06 with total page 289 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This series is dedicated to serving the growing community of scholars and practitioners concerned with the principles and applications of environ mental management. Each volume is a thorough treatment of a specific topic of importance for proper management practices. A fundamental ob jective of these books is to help the reader discern and implement man's stewardship of our environment and the world's renewable resources. For we must strive to understand the relationship between man and nature, act to bring harmony to it, and nurture an environment that is both stable and productive. These objectives have often eluded us because the pursuit of other in dividual and societal goals has diverted us from a course of living in balance with the environment. At times, therefore, the environmental manager may have to exert restrictive control, which is usually best applied to man, not nature. Attempts to alter or harness nature have often failed or backfired, as exemplified by the results of imprudent use of herbicides, fertilizers, water, and other agents. Each book in this series will shed light on the fundamental and applied aspects of environmental management. It is hoped that each will help solve a practical and serious environmental problem.
Download or read book Forest Ecosystem Classification for Nova Scotia written by Kevin Stewart Keys and published by . This book was released on 2011 with total page 119 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This guide is part of the Nova Scotia forest ecosystem classification (FEC) system. It describes all currently recognized FEC Soil Types (STs) in the province along with related management interpretations. Although presented as a separate document, this guide is designed to be used in conjunction with provincial vegetation type and ecosite guides to support ecosystem based, stand-level forest management in Nova Scotia. Soil types were derived from 1,456 provincial FEC field plots sampled between 2000 and 2010. Data from an additional 102 non-FEC plots assessed by the Atlantic Canada Conservation Data Centre and NSDNR Wildlife Division were also used.--Document.
Download or read book Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification of Non forested Ecosystems in British Columbia written by William H. MacKenzie and published by . This book was released on 2012 with total page 48 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Non-forested ecosystems are an important part of British Columbias landscape and biological diversity. Plant community composition and vegetation structure of these ecosystems stand in contrast to the forests that are typical of much of British Columbia. These non-forested habitats supply critical life history requirements for many plant and animal species.
Download or read book A Guidebook for Integrated Ecological Assessments written by Mark E. Jensen and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-09-07 with total page 540 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A rich set of protocols for the process of assessing the ecological make-up of the land so as to guide environmental decision-making.
Download or read book Ecological Regions of North America written by and published by . This book was released on 1997 with total page 92 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This volume represents a first attempt at holistically classifying and mapping ecological regions across all three countries of the North American continent. A common analytical methodology is used to examine North American ecology at multiple scales, from large continental ecosystems to subdivisions of these that correlate more detailed physical and biological settings with human activities on two levels of successively smaller units. The volume begins with an overview of North America from an ecological perspective, concepts of ecological regionalization. This is followed by descriptions of the 15 broad ecological regions, including information on physical and biological setting and human activities. The final section presents case studies in applications of the ecological characterization methodology to environmental issues. The appendix includes a list of common and scientific names of selected species characteristic of the ecological regions.
Download or read book ECOSYM written by Lawrence S. Davis and published by . This book was released on 1976 with total page 176 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Aridland Springs in North America written by Lawrence E. Stevens and published by University of Arizona Press. This book was released on 2008 with total page 432 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A collection of articles on the ecology of North American desert springs, by authors from the fields of biology, botany, ichthyology, conservation, geology and law; and covering both the special traits of springs and the ways in which they might be managed in order to survive.
Download or read book The Classification of Vegetation and Its Application to Environmental Management written by John Russell Mase and published by . This book was released on 1975 with total page 126 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book An Ecological Basis for Ecosystem Management written by Merrill R. Kaufmann and published by . This book was released on 1994 with total page 28 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Toward Classification and Rationale for Watershed Management and Stream Protection written by Charles E. Warren and published by . This book was released on 1979 with total page 158 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Encyclopedia of Ecology and Environmental Management written by and published by Wiley-Blackwell. This book was released on 2009-07-15 with total page 832 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Encyclopedia of Ecology and Environmental Management addresses the core definitions and issues in pure and applied ecology. It is neither a short entry dictionary nor a long entry encyclopedia, but lies somewhere in between. The mixture of short entry definitions and long entry essays gives a comprehensive and up-to-date alphabetical guide to over 3000 topics, and allows any subject to be accessed to varying levels of detail; while the longer entries provide general reviews of subjects, the short definitions provide specific details on more specialised areas. An important feature of the Encyclopedia which sets it apart from other similar works is the comprehensive cross-referencing. The most comprehensive and up-to-date reference work in pure and applied ecology. Definitions cover the entire spectrum of pure and applied ecological research. Distinguished editorial board: Dr Peter Moore, Professor John Grace, Professor Bryan Shorrocks, Professor Steven Stearns, Professor Don Falk. International team of distinguished authors - over 200 contributors from 20 countries. 3000 headwords defined. Over 250 long entries review major topics. Heavily illustrated, with a section of colour plates. Complete one volume guide to pure and applied ecology. Presents cutting edge definitions in emerging fields as well as grounding in well-established areas of ecology.
Download or read book Ecosystem Geography written by Robert G. Bailey and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2014-07-08 with total page 256 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book outlines a system that subdivides the Earth into a hierarchy of increasingly finer-scale ecosystems that can serve as a consistent framework for ecological analysis and management. The system consists of a three-part, nested hierarchy of ecosystem units and associated mapping criteria. This new edition has been updated throughout with new text, figures, diagrams, photographs, and tables.