Books » Ecosystem Books

A comprehensive field guide, fully illustrated with color photographs, to the wildflowers, insects, birds, reptiles and other natural wonders of North America's deserts, from Oregon to Mexico.

With more than 500 species described and more than 400 illustrations, this guide provides quick and easy visual identification of fishes, mollusks, sponges, shrimps, lobsters, crabs, and much more of the fauna found on the coral reefs of the Caribbean and Florida.

The Adélie penguin is one of the best-studied birds in the world and is the subject of research programs from a dozen nations interested in monitoring changes in the environment and the food webs of the Southern Ocean. This species´ population has been changing dramatically over the past few decades coincident with a general warming of the maritime portion of Antarctica. When the sea-ice is seen to decline so does the population of Adélie penguins. Further south, however, the population is increasing. This book summarizes our present ecological knowledge of this polar seabird. In so doing, David Ainley describes the ecological factors important to its life history and details the mechanisms by which it is responding to climate change. The author also chronicles the history of research on Adélie penguins, beginning with the heroic expeditions at the beginning of the twentieth century. Weaving together history, ecology, natural history, and written accounts from the earliest Antarctic naturalists into a fascinating account of this charismatic bird, provides a foundation upon which future ornithological research and environmental monitoring can be based. It is a model for investigations into the effect of climate change on a particular species. The book also contains many fine illustrations from the accomplished illustrator Lucia deLeiris and photographs by the author.

• Techniques for landscapes and gardens that receive less than 20 inches of annual rainfall

• Inspiring garden scenes in 17 states-from cold and warm deserts, dry grasslands, and Mediterranean climates

• Selection guide details 85 trees, shrubs, and perennials appropriate for dry climates

• Special chapter highlights efficient irrigation systems

The book represents results of 20 years' worth of ecological investigation of alpine ecosystems in the Northwest Caucasus. Plant geographical description of the area, syntaxonomy, spatial patterns, floristic richness, structure of plant communities in relation to soil properties and herbivore influence were described for a mountain region that is difficult to access. Seasonal, inter-annual, and long-term dynamics of vegetation are discussed on the base of long-term observations as well as pollen and phytolith analyses. Population biology of alpine plants is studied by combination of field observations and mathematical modelling. Plant population strategies and soil seed banks are described for alpine plants from several communities. Results of long-term ecological experiments (plant reciprocal transplantations, dominant removals, light limitation) showed the significance of competition and facilitation for community organization. Structure of soil algal and fungal communities is represented as well as mycorrhiza of alpine plants. Main animal groups (wild history and modern nature conservation problems are discussed. The book will be of interest to plant ecologists, botanists, biogeographers, soil scientists, zoologists, soil microbiologists, naturalists and nature conservation managers dealing with high mountain ecology.

Array

The study of Antarctic communities can provide a valuable step forward in investigating the control of community development, the utilization of habitats and the interaction among species in both species rich and species poor communities. This book contains chapters characterizing the present approaches to both aquatic and terrestrial communities in the Antarctic. From biodiversity to trophic flows, from ecophysiological strategies to the impacts of environmental change and the effects of human disturbance, this volume provides an up to the minute overview of community studies in an area covering ten percent of the Earth's surface.

Continuing the tradition of excellence established by the first edition, the Second Edition of Applied Wetlands Science and Technology provides the fundamentals for delineating, identifying, and regulating wetlands. It covers functions and values, ecological assessments, and how to minimize negative impacts on wetlands. The book also presents essential information on wetland creation, enhancement, restoration, and monitoring. Selected management topics include designing and managing wetlands for wildlife, managing coastal marshes, and wetlands education.Three new chapters in the Second Edition:Wetlands Mitigation Banking-discusses the purpose, policy, and technology of mitigation bankingWatershed Management-covers the most current remediation technology as it pertains to wetlandsManaging Global Wetlands-describes the classification and management of wetlands throughout the worldWritten by wetland professionals, this indispensable guide furnishes extensive information on how wetlands function, how they can be protected, and how they can be managed. Recognizing that each and every situation is unique and requires specific solutions, Applied Wetlands Science and Technology, Second Edition focuses on providing guidelines for effective decision making.

This book addresses the challenge that the exceptional diversity of tropical fungi present to taxonomists, biochemists, molecular biologists, ecologists, and pathologists. The significance of the many tropical species and ectomycorrhizal associations in nutrient cycling in rainforests, desert ecosystems and aquatic habitats is considered, together with an evaluation of the potential of such fungi in the production of commercially useful, novel metabolites.

The Chihuahuan Desert may look worthless to some, but for Tweit it is a source of inspiration. In seven elegant essays, she explores undiscovered facets of this seemingly hostile environment, reflecting on the relationship between the land, history, and people in an underappreciated region.