In many tropical countries, mangrove forests are a crucial component of coastal resources. Nowhere is this more evident than in Thailand where their continued destruction due to shrimp farm expansion is impacting upon forestry, fisheries and the quality of the coastal environment. In addition to the environmental damage caused, mangrove loss is also a serious social problem. Many people live and work among the mangrove forests and the destruction of the resources and ecological functions these forests provide affect the economic livelihoods and cultural heritage of many communities. Against these losses must be weighed the considerable commercial and foreign exchange benefits of shrimp aquaculture and production, which is a major export industry in Thailand. Through in-depth case studies of local communities in four distinct coastal areas in Southern Thailand, the authors are able to assess objectively the underlying economic causes, and consequences, of mangrove deforestation due to the expansion of shrimp farms. Economists, ecologists, sociologists and coastal management specialists will all welcome this unique inter-disciplinary appraisal of the ecological, economic and social implications of shrimp farm expansion and mangrove conversion. It will also be of particular value to international and national policymakers concerned with coastal management in tropical countries.

Since time before memory, large numbers of salmon have made their way up and down the Klamath River. Indigenous management enabled the ecological abundance that formed the basis of capitalist wealth across North America. These activities on the landscape continue today, although they are often the site of intense political struggle. Not only has the magnitude of Native American genocide been of remarkable little sociological focus, the fact that this genocide has been coupled with a reorganization of the natural world represents a substantial theoretical void. Whereas much attention has (rightfully) focused on the structuring of capitalism, racism and patriarchy, few sociologists have attended to the ongoing process of North American colonialism. Salmon and Acorns Feed Our People draws upon nearly two decades of examples and insight from Karuk experiences on the Klamath River to illustrate how the ecological dynamics of settler-colonialism are essential for theorizing gender, race and social power today.

Gibbons examines the water supply problem through five case studies. The problems faced by these regions and the methods suggested to overcome them provide excellent models for the entire United States. The case studies---typically, expanding supplies---but economic efficiency principles lead to emphasizing managing the demand. In many cases, this means reducing demand by raising prices.

The maintenance of the freedom of fishing in the face of the changing circumstances that were occurring at the time of this title's original publication in 1973 had produced several damaging consequences. It had led to considerable waste, in both biological and economic terms, and had been the source of increasing conflict. This waste can only be prevented by the adoption of management measures and by the removal of the condition of free and open access. This book explores various techniques for this, and will be of interest to students of environmental management.

Since time before memory, large numbers of salmon have made their way up and down the Klamath River. Indigenous management enabled the ecological abundance that formed the basis of capitalist wealth across North America. These activities on the landscape continue today, although they are often the site of intense political struggle. Not only has the magnitude of Native American genocide been of remarkable little sociological focus, the fact that this genocide has been coupled with a reorganization of the natural world represents a substantial theoretical void. Whereas much attention has (rightfully) focused on the structuring of capitalism, racism and patriarchy, few sociologists have attended to the ongoing process of North American colonialism. Salmon and Acorns Feed Our People draws upon nearly two decades of examples and insight from Karuk experiences on the Klamath River to illustrate how the ecological dynamics of settler-colonialism are essential for theorizing gender, race and social power today.

To properly conserve, restore and manage riverine ecosystems and the services they provide, it is pertinent to understand their functional dynamics. Growing human populations and high dependency on natural resources in developing countries have exerted pressure on land and water resources. However, there is a major knowledge gap concerning the influence of human activities on the functioning of tropical rivers in terms of organic matter processing and energy sources supporting riverine consumers. This thesis explores the functioning of tropical upland streams and savanna rivers by assessing the spatial and temporal dynamics in organic processing under different land-use and discharge conditions and the resultant influence on energy sources for riverine consumers. This thesis contributes to the theories of river functioning and has improved understanding of the functioning of African tropical streams by identifying a diverse macroinvertebrate shredder guild and determining its role in organic matter processing. This thesis also shows that large mammalian herbivores enhance terrestrial-aquatic food web linkages in African savanna rivers via the transfer of organic matter. The findings of this researcht are useful for defining future research needs and actions for sustainable management of agriculturally influenced streams and savanna rivers in landscapes witnessing declining wildlife populations and changing land uses.

A comprehensive study of pond fisheries. Topics include the organisation and construction of fish ponds, production processes in fish farms for warmwater carp and cold-water trout, and irrigation networks and reservoirs constructed for multipurpose exploitation.

For their great commercial importance as a human food delicacy, crayfish are now becoming of wider interest to molecular biologists, and also to conservationists due to the fact that in some countries many of the native crayfish species are under threat from human activity, disease, and competition from other introduced crayfish species. Helmed by three editors in Japan, Europe, and the US, this book invites contributions from experts around the globe, covering the conservation status and biology of all endangered species, taxonomy, and distribution of crayfishes worldwide.

This book focuses on latest information on the biology and ecology of the three bluefin tuna species: the Pacific (Thunnus orientalis), Atlantic (T. thynnus), and southern bluefin tuna (T. maccoyii). In the book, the phylogeny and basic ecological information such as early life history, age and growth, and food habits are covered. Information related to migratory ecology, and important biological aspects such as metabolism and energetics, swimming performance, schooling, visual physiology, and reproductive physiology are also included. Furthermore, new research insights about various kinds of mathematical models for bluefin tuna ecology are introduced. All the chapters are contributed by active scientists engaged in bluefin tuna research. The intent of this book is to contribute to a better understanding of the biology and ecology of bluefin tuna, and encourage undergraduate and graduate students who read this book to become bluefin tuna scientists who can contribute to further understanding of the biology and ecology of bluefin tuna.

The genus Perca includes only three species of fish, but they are ubiquitous and abundant in freshwater and brackish environments of the northern hemisphere, from North America to Europe and Asia. These species are important both ecologically and economically. In Biology of Perch, world-renowned specialists review and update the biology of these fish. The book opens with a review of the genetic makeup of this complex assemblage from early post-glacial dispersion to the colonization of new habitats. The influences of geomorphological and biological factors on the dispersal of yellow perch (Perca flavescens) are explored. Two case studies exploit unique historical databases to follow population dynamics of yellow perch and European perch (P. fluviatilis) and to demonstrate how fisheries and habitat management can drastically influence the fate of fish populations. Three other chapters are dedicated to the general reproductive physiology, parasitology, and behavior of Perca species. The third species, the Balkhash perch (P. schrenkii), is a rare and threatened species of the Balkans, and a chapter is dedicated to its biology. The book ends with a review of the use of Perca species around the world as sentinels of ecological integrity and biomonitors in ecotoxicological studies.

The maintenance of the freedom of fishing in the face of the changing circumstances that were occurring at the time of this title's original publication in 1973 had produced several damaging consequences. It had led to considerable waste, in both biological and economic terms, and had been the source of increasing conflict. This waste can only be prevented by the adoption of management measures and by the removal of the condition of free and open access. This book explores various techniques for this, and will be of interest to students of environmental management.

Carp are the backbone of a growing aquaculture industry. They facilitate scientific progress as a model species in laboratories, cause concern for ecosystem managers as an invasive species, and mesmerize anglers as big game. In addition, ornamental koi carp fascinate hobby breeders. Biology and Ecology of Carp covers all these facets of this freshwater fish. Informative and engaging contributions from renowned experts review the current state of research on carp and present their original findings. Thirteen cross-linked chapters provide an exhaustive yet easily accessible treatise explorinig: Carp aquaculture Natural and artificial reproduction Feeding and growth Ecosystem effects of carp Effects of disease agents and toxic substances on carp Color illustrations and infoboxes help readers navigate technical terms and complex concepts, explaining how carp interact with their natural and artificial environments. This book is suitable for everyone interested in carp-from scholars to anglers.

Fish constitute an important natural renewable resource and any reduction in their ability to propagate as a result of human interference may have significant socioeconomic consequences. The negative effect of human activity on sex differentiation and reproductive output in fish is so diverse that it has been difficult to encompass it in a single book. This book serves as the first attempt to do so. Unlike in mammals, the expression of a host of sex differentiation genes in fish is mostly controlled by environmental factors. Not surprisingly, environmental sex differentiation is ubiquitous in fish. Overexploitation by capture fisheries does not disrupt sex differentiation but crowding in aqua-farms does, by reducing accessibility to food supply. Some of the man-made chemicals routinely used worldwide mimic endogenous hormones. For example endosulfan, which is widely used in developing countries, disrupts endogenous hormones and feminizes fish. For the first time, this book views endocrine disruption from the point of labile early life and non-labile adult stages. It shows that sex can irreversibly be reversed, when exposed to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) during early labile stages but reversibly impairs reproductive output on exposure to EDCs during non-labile adult stage. A consequence of climate change, elevated temperature, and declining oxygen and pH levels is that it masculinises genetic female fish. Fish display a remarkable ability to postpone the labile period. Besides postponement, some primary and tertiary gonochores have two distinct labile periods amenable to temperature and hormonal manipulations. Hermaphrodites have retained the period until the end of the adult stage and are capable of sex change/reversal more than once in both male and female directions.

Biodiversity loss in terrestrial environments associated with human activities has been appreciated as a major issue for some years now. What is less well documented is the effect of such activities, including climate change, on marine biodiversity. This pioneering book is the first to address this important but neglected topic, which is likely to be the key challenge for marine scientists in the near future. Using a multidisciplinary and a holistic approach, the book reveals how climatic variability controls biodiversity at time scales ranging from synoptic meteorological events to millions of years and at spatial scales ranging from local sites to the whole ocean. It shows how global change, including anthropogenic climate change, ocean acidification and more direct human influences such as exploitation, pollution and eutrophication may alter biodiversity, ecosystem functioning and regulating and provisioning services. The author proposes a theory termed the 'macroecological theory on the arrangement of life', which explains how biodiversity is organized and how it responds to climatic variability and anthropogenic climate change. The book concludes with recommendations for further research and theoretical development to identify oceanic areas in need of observation and gaps in current scientific knowledge. Many references and comparisons with the terrestrial realm are included in all chapters to better understand the universality of the relationships between biodiversity, climate and the environment. The book will serve as a textbook for all students and researchers of marine science and environmental change, but will also be accessible to the more general reader.

Immunity studies in sharks over the past three decades have produced some remarkable discoveries. If one message rings true, it is that alternative animal model systems, such as sharks and their relatives, have contributed very substantially to a better understanding of the development evolution of our own immune system. Immunobiology of the Shark describes the cellular, genetic, and molecular specifics of immune systems in sharks. Diverse approaches were employed to study the immunobiology of the shark from basic microscopic observations to detailed genome annotation. The book also raises a series of fascinating questions, which can be addressed experimentally using today's technology. This book will be a valuable resource for mainstream immunologists, comparative immunologists, geneticists, ecologists, evolutionary biologists, and investigators engaged in shark research. The book also aims to illustrate the magnificence of these animals as model systems and underscores the importance of their study to further understand their complex, and often enigmatic, biology.

Freshwater, brackish and marine ecosystems are particularly impacted by the effects of climate change and global warming. A global rise in water temperature and acidification of the aquatic environment will continue even if we can significantly reduce the current output of greenhouse gasses. Increases in water temperature will affect the life cycle, physiology, behaviours, distribution and community structure of aquatic organisms, especially fish. This important new text on climate change, and its effects on selected non-infectious disorders of fish, contains contributions by internationally recognized experts who have contributed significantly to our knowledge in this area. Comprehensive and thought provoking, the text details abiotic and biotic environmental changes associated with climate change and their effects on fish in tropical, subtropical and temperate waters. It proceeds to cover in detail developmental, physiological and metabolic disorders of fish. Outlining both current and expected changes in aquaculture systems due to climate change, plus suggestions for further studies, this contemporary text is key reading for biologists, aquatic ecologists, fish health consultants, veterinarians, policy makers and all those involved in fish health and the environment.

Biology of European Seabass presents up-to-date reviews on key topics of seabass biology, written by leading scientific experts with extensive knowledge of seabass as well as their respective field of expertise. The book covers the biology and ecology of the different sea basses and the latest findings in molecular biology, physiology, and behavior of this species. Ranging from larval development to nutrition to pathology and immune system, the chapters cover a broad spectrum. The final chapter deals with novel tools such as transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics. The social and commercial impact (fisheries and aquaculture) of seabass is also assessed.

With species existing in all subpolar seas, king crabs are one of the most valuable seafoods. Major fluctuations in their abundance have stimulated a flurry of research and a rapid expansion of the scientific literature in the last decade. King Crabs of the World: Biology and Fisheries Management consolidates extensive knowledge on the biology, systematics, anatomy, life history, and fisheries of king crabs and presents it in a single volume. This book is the first comprehensive scientific reference devoted to the biology and fisheries of king crabs.
The first part of the book describes king crabs and their place in the world, covering geographic distribution, depth and temperature ranges, and maps of known habitats. Chapters examine phylogenetic relationships, evolutionary history and phylogeography, internal and external anatomy of king crabs, and the history of North Pacific fisheries. There is also a chapter that presents a comprehensive overview of diseases and other anomalies of king crabs. The second part of the book describes the life history and biology of various king crab species, including embryonic development and environmental factors, the development and biology of larvae, the ecology and biology of juvenile stages, reproductive strategies of fished species, and the growth and feeding of king crabs and their ecological impacts.
The third part of the book discusses human and environmental interactions with king crabs through fisheries, management, and ecosystems. Topics include the impacts of fishing bycatch, handling, and discard mortality king crab aquaculture and stock enhancement, and king crabs from various regions such as Southern Hemisphere waters, the Barents Sea, and Alaska. A chapter synthesizing various aspects of king crab biology provides an ecosystem-scale perspective and the final chapter presents the author s outlook on the future of king crab research and populations."

A natural long-chain polymer, chitin is the main component of the cell walls of fungi, the exoskeletons of arthropods (including crustaceans and insects), the radulas of mollusks, and the beaks and internal shells of cephalopods. However, marine crustacean shells are the primary sources of the chitin derivative chitosan. Chitin and chitosan are useful for various biological and biomedical applications, although they have been limited by poor solubility in the past. Current research focuses on increasing their solubility and bioactivity through molecular modifications. The resulting derivatives are receiving much attention for interesting properties, such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, and nontoxicity, that make them suitable for use in the biomedical field. Chitin and Chitosan Derivatives: Advances in Drug Discovery and Developments presents current research trends in the synthesis of chitin and chitosan derivatives, their biological activities, and their biomedical applications. Part I discusses basic information about the synthesis and characterization of a variety of derivatives, including the preparation of chitin nanofibers. Part II covers chitin and chitosan modifications as the basis for biological applications. It describes antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antiviral, anticoagulant, and antimicrobial activities. Part III addresses chemically modified and composite materials of chitin and chitosan derivatives for biomedical applications, such as tissue engineering, nanomedicine, drug delivery, and wound dressing. A must-have reference for novices and experts in biotechnology, natural products, materials science, nutraceuticals, and biomedical engineering, this book presents a wide range of biological and biomedical applications of chitin and chitosan derivatives for drug discovery and development.

The introduction and rapid spread of two Eurasian mussel species, "Dreissena polymorpha "(zebra mussel) and "Dreissena rostriformis bugensis "(quagga mussel), in waters of North America has caused great concern among industrial and recreational water users. These invasive species can create substantial problems for raw water users such as water treatment facilities and power plants, and they can have other negative impacts by altering aquatic environments. In the 20 years since the first edition of this book was published, zebra mussels have continued to spread, and quagga mussels have become the greater threat in the Great Lakes, in deep regions of large lakes, and in the southwestern Unites States. Quagga mussels have also expanded greatly in eastern and western Europe since the first book edition was published.
Quagga and Zebra Mussels: Biology, Impacts, and Control, Second Edition provides a broad view of the zebra/quagga mussel issue, offering a historic perspective and up-to-date information on mussel research. Comprising 48 chapters, this second edition includes reviews of mussel morphology, physiology, and behavior. It details mussel distribution and spread in Europe and across North America, and examines policy and regulatory responses, management strategies, and mitigation efforts.
In addition, this book provides extensive coverage of the impact of invasive mussel species on freshwater ecosystems, including effects on water clarity, phytoplankton, water quality, food web changes, and consequences to other aquatic fauna. It also reviews and offers new insights on how zebra and quagga mussels respond and adapt to varying environmental conditions. This new edition includes seven video clips that complement chapter text and, through visual documentation, provide a greater understanding of mussel behavior and distribution.

The present work evaluates the toxic effects of some environmental stressors on fish eggs and larvae and describes the biomarker responses of fish from locations with varying levels of pollution. Development of the main groups of biomarkers is discussed. The book demonstrates general trends and specific peculiarities of biomarker induction in early fish life and their association with the animal's developmental stages. It addresses responses of fish eggs and larvae to pollution under experimental conditions and presents information obtained from in situ studies. Chapters describe xenobiotics accumulation, anoxia and hypoxia, increasing temperature, eutrophication, and other unfavorable environmental factors, including biotic and abiotic factors, and their impact on fish embryos. They also examine fluctuations in biomarker levels in fish eggs and larvae that have been impacted by climate changes and discuss possible scenarios, especially for fish population size, reproduction, growth, development and biodiversity.

Seaweed is used in many countries for very different purposes - directly as food, especially in sushi, as a source of phycocolloids, extraction of compounds with antiviral, antibacterial or antitumor activity and as biofertilizers. About four million tons of seaweed are harvested annually worldwide. Of the various species known, less than 20 account for 90% of the biomass exploited commercially. This book details 147 species of edible seaweed, including scientific name and respective common names, geographic location, nutritional composition, uses and is extensively illustrated.

A significant component of many different ecosystems, cyanobacteria occupy almost every niche of the earth, including fresh and salt waters, rice fields, hot springs, arid deserts, and polar regions. Cyanobacteria, along with algae, produce nearly half the global oxygen, making assessment of their ecophysiologies important for understanding climate impacts and potential remediation. Stress Biology of Cyanobacteria: Molecular Mechanisms to Cellular Responses is a compilation of holistic responses of cyanobacteria, ranging from ecological and physiological to the modern aspects of their molecular biology, genomics, and biochemistry. Covering almost every aspect of cyanobacterial stress biology, this book is divided into two parts: Bioenergetics and Molecular Mechanisms of Stress Tolerance and Cellular Responses and Ecophysiology. The first few chapters focus on the molecular bioenergetics of photosynthesis and respiration in cyanobacteria, and provide a clear perspective on different stress tolerance mechanisms. Part I also covers the effect of specific stresses-including heavy metal, high and low temperature, salt, osmotic, and UV-B stress-on a wide range of vital physiological, biochemical, and molecular processes of cyanobacteria. Part II describes mechanisms of symbiosis, stress-induced bioproducts, and the role of environmental factors on nitrogen fixation, which along with photosynthesis is a major contributor to the current geochemical status of the planet. The text also covers mutation and cyanobacterial adaptation, and the most widely studied cyanotoxin, microcystin, which has effects on both human and animal health. With contributions from experts around the world, representing the global importance of cyanobacteria, this book provides a broad compilation of research that deals with cyanobacterial stress responses in both controlled laboratory conditions as well as in their natural environment.

Does a change, which affects a few biological macro-molecules, some cells, or a few individuals within a population, have any ecological significance that would allow the prediction of deleterious effects at higher levels of biological organization, namely the population, community, and ultimately the ecosystem? With contributions from experts in the field, Ecological Biomarkers: Indicators of Ecotoxicological Effects explores how biomarkers can be used to predict effects farther down the chain. It presents a synthesis of the state of the art in the methodology of biomarkers and its contribution to ecological risk assessment. This book describes the core biomarkers currently used in environmental research concerned with biological monitoring, biomarkers which correspond to the defences developed by living organisms in response to contaminants in their environment, and biomarkers that reveal biological damage resulting from contaminant stressors. It examines the efficacy of lysosomal biomarkers, immunotoxicity effects, behavioral disturbances, energy metabolism impairments, endocrine disruption measures, and genotoxicity as all indicative of probable toxic effects at higher biological levels. It is time to revisit the biological responses most ecologically relevant in the diagnosis of the health status of an aquatic environment well before it becomes unmanageable. Biomarkers provide a real possibility of delivering an easily measured marker at a simple level of biological organization that is predictably linked to a potentially ecologically significant effect at higher levels of biological organization. The text explores the latest knowledge and thinking on how to use biomarkers as tools for the assessment of environmental health and management.

Innovative Methods of Marine Ecosystem Restoration offers a ray of hope in an increasingly gloomy scenario. This book is the first presentation of revolutionary new methods for restoring damaged marine ecosystems. It discusses new techniques for greatly increasing the recruitment, growth, survival, and resistance to stress of marine ecosystems, fisheries, and eroding shorelines, maintaining biodiversity and productivity where it would be lost. The book provides experimental proof that mild electrical stimulation results in increased settlement, increased growth, and reduced mortality for a wide variety of marine organisms, including corals, oysters, sponges, sea-grasses, and salt-marsh grasses. In addition to the diversity of ecosystems and geographic regions covered, the contributors from fourteen nations across the globe make this work the first truly global study of marine ecosystem restoration.