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Books > Science & Mathematics > Biology, life sciences > Life sciences: general issues > Ecological science, the Biosphere

Vegetation and Climate (Hardcover, 1st ed. 2022): Siegmar-W. Breckle, M Daud Rafiqpoor Vegetation and Climate (Hardcover, 1st ed. 2022)
Siegmar-W. Breckle, M Daud Rafiqpoor
R2,515 Discovery Miles 25 150 Ships in 10 - 15 working days

Vegetation, soil and climate are the most important components of ecological systems. The book represents a compact synthesis of our current knowledge about the ecology of the Earth and is thus the basis for understanding the major interrelationships in a global perspective. In the first part, with a rich endowment of illustrations and photographic material, the well-introduced book deals with the essential processes and operations on the Earth's surface that lead to the formation of the vegetation cover with its distinctive zonation. In the second part, the individual vegetation zones as large-scale ecosystems (i.e. zonobiomes of the biosphere) are consistently described comparatively according to certain criteria. In a short and compact form, the main characteristics and structures as well as examples of ecosystem processes are discussed. The large-scale ecosystems are at the same time the basis and reference system for all anthropogenic changes that have drastically altered the vegetation in the last millennia, but especially in the 20th century.This book is a translation of the original German 1st edition Vegetation und Klima by Siegmar-W. Breckle and M. Daud Rafiqpoor, published by Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature in 2019. The translation was done with the help of artificial intelligence (machine translation by the service DeepL.com). A subsequent human revision was done primarily in terms of content, so that the book will read stylistically differently from a conventional translation. Springer Nature works continuously to further the development of tools for the production of books and on the related technologies to support the authors.

Plants for Soil Regeneration - An Illustrated Guide (Hardcover): Sally Pinhey, Margaret Tebbs Plants for Soil Regeneration - An Illustrated Guide (Hardcover)
Sally Pinhey, Margaret Tebbs
R1,657 Discovery Miles 16 570 Ships in 9 - 15 working days

This book is a comprehensive, beautifully illustrated colour guide to the plants which farmers, growers and gardeners can use to improve soil structure and restore fertility without the use and expense of agrichemicals. Information based on the latest research is given on how to use soil conditioning plants to avoid soil degradation, restore soil quality and help clean polluted land. There are 11 chapters: 1 to 6 cover soil health, nitrogen fixation, green manures and herbal leys, bacteria and other microorganisms, phytoremediators and soil mycorrhiza (plant-fungal symbiosis). Chapter 7 has plant illustrations, with climate range and soil types, along with their soil conditioning properties and each plant is presented with a comprehensive description opposite a detailed illustration, in full colour. Chapters 8 to 10 examine soil stabilisers, weeds and invasive plants, and hedges and trees and the final chapter, contains 5 case studies with the most recent data, followed by an appendix and glossary. The book allows the reader to identify the plants they need quickly and find the information necessary to begin implementation of soil regeneration.

Life Under Glass (Paperback, 2nd edition): Mark Nelson, Abigail Alling, Sally Silverstone Life Under Glass (Paperback, 2nd edition)
Mark Nelson, Abigail Alling, Sally Silverstone
R529 R448 Discovery Miles 4 480 Save R81 (15%) Ships in 10 - 15 working days

The only account written during the original enclosure, Life Under Glass tells the story of the original crew that lived and worked inside the Biosphere 2 structure for two years, where they recycled their air, water, food, and wastes, setting a world record for time spent in a closed ecological system and gaining valuable insights for confronting climate change and environmental degradation. In Life Under Glass, Biosphere 2 crew members, Abigail Alling and Mark Nelson with co-captain Sally Silverstone present the full account of their remarkable two year enclosure, written while inside. From the struggles of growing their own food, to learning how to help sustain their life-giving atmosphere, the general reader is offered a rare glimpse into how a group of dedicated researchers managed to surprise the world and fulfill their dream. In this updated edition, a new chapter reflects on the legacy of Biosphere 2 and the state of related scientific progress. Other crews will come and go, but no one else will face the risks, the uncertainties, and the challenges that this new breed of explorers did on Biosphere 2's maiden voyage. Here is the fascinating story of how it all appeared-living under glass.

Planning Cities with Nature - Theories, Strategies and Methods (Hardcover, 1st ed. 2019): Fabiano Lemes De Oliveira, Ian Mell Planning Cities with Nature - Theories, Strategies and Methods (Hardcover, 1st ed. 2019)
Fabiano Lemes De Oliveira, Ian Mell
R5,180 Discovery Miles 51 800 Ships in 10 - 15 working days

This book explores novel theories, strategies and methods for re-naturing cities. It enables readers to learn from best practice and advances the current theoretical and empirical understanding in the field. The book also offers valuable insights into how planners and policymakers can apply this knowledge to their own cities and regions, exploring top-down, bottom-up and mixed mechanisms for the systemic re-naturing of planned and existing cities. There is considerable interest in 'naturalising' cities, since it can help address multiple global societal challenges and generate various benefits, such as the enhancement of health and well-being, sustainable urbanisation, ecosystems and their services, and resilience to climate change. This can also translate into tangible economic benefits in terms of preventing health hazards, positively affecting health-related expenditure, new job opportunities (i.e. urban farming) and the regeneration of urban areas. There is, thus, a compelling case to investigate integrative approaches to urban and natural systems that can help cities address the social, economic and environmental needs of a growing population. How can we plan with nature? What are the models and approaches that can be used to develop more sustainable cities that provide high-quality urban green spaces?

Only in Africa - The Ecology of Human Evolution (Paperback, New Ed): Norman Owen-Smith Only in Africa - The Ecology of Human Evolution (Paperback, New Ed)
Norman Owen-Smith
R1,181 R1,115 Discovery Miles 11 150 Save R66 (6%) Ships in 12 - 17 working days

That humans originated from Africa is well-known. However, this is widely regarded as a chance outcome, dependant simply on where our common ancestor shared the land with where the great apes lived. This volume builds on from the 'Out of Africa' theory, and takes the view that it is only in Africa that the evolutionary transitions from a forest-inhabiting frugivore to savanna-dwelling meat-eater could have occurred. This book argues that the ecological circumstances that shaped these transitions are exclusive to Africa. It describes distinctive features of the ecology of Africa, with emphasis on savanna grasslands, and relates them to the evolutionary transitions linking early ape-men to modern humans. It shows how physical features of the continent, especially those derived from plate tectonics, set the foundations. This volume adequately conveys that we are here because of the distinctive features of the ecology of Africa.

Water Security Under Climate Change (Hardcover, 1st ed. 2022): Asit K Biswas, Cecilia Tortajada Water Security Under Climate Change (Hardcover, 1st ed. 2022)
Asit K Biswas, Cecilia Tortajada
R2,841 Discovery Miles 28 410 Ships in 12 - 17 working days

This book highlights the likely impacts of climate change in terms of global and national water securities, how different countries are attempting to address these complex problems and to what extent they are likely to succeed. A major global concern at present, especially after the social and economic havoc that has been caused by COVID-19 in only one year, is how we can return to earlier levels of economic development patterns and then further improve the process so that sustainable development goals are reached to the extent possible by 2030, in both developed and developing countries. Mankind is now facing two existential problems over the next several decades. These are climate change and whether the world will have access to enough water to meet all its food, energy, environment and health needs. Much of expected climate change impacts can be seen through the lens of extreme hydrological events, like droughts, floods and other extreme hydrometeorological events. Chapter 7 is available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.Chapter 12 is available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.

Ecology of Urban Environments (Paperback): KM Parris Ecology of Urban Environments (Paperback)
KM Parris
R1,181 Discovery Miles 11 810 Ships in 12 - 17 working days

Provides an accessible introduction to urban ecology, using established ecological theory to identify generalities in the complexity of urban environments. * Examines the bio-physical processes of urbanization and how these influence the dynamics of urban populations, communities and ecosystems * Explores the ecology of humans in cities * Discusses practical strategies for conserving biodiversity and maintaining ecosystem services in urban environments * Includes case studies with questions to improve retention and understanding

Stone Will Answer - A Journey Guided by Craft, Myth and Geology (Hardcover): Beatrice Searle Stone Will Answer - A Journey Guided by Craft, Myth and Geology (Hardcover)
Beatrice Searle
R455 R363 Discovery Miles 3 630 Save R92 (20%) Ships in 5 - 10 working days

A beautiful memoir, travelogue, and meditation on stone by artist and stone mason Beatrice Searle. 'What are you doing? If you don't mind me asking?' I say that we are taking this stone to Trondheim. I continue to tell her the story of Magnus and ancient Kings. 'Would you like to stand in it?' I ask. 'That is what it is for.' At the age of twenty-six, Beatrice Searle crossed the North sea and walked 500 miles through Southern Norway on a medieval pilgrim path to Nidaros Cathedral, taking with her a 40-kilo stone from the West coast of Orkney. She had recently completed her masonry training at Lincoln Cathedral and become fascinated with the mysterious footprint stones of Scandinavia, Northern Europe and the ancient Greco-Roman world; stones closely associated with travellers, saints and the inauguration of Kings. Following in their footsteps, her stone becomes a talisman of sorts, a bedrock on the move, and an offering to those she meets along the way. Stone Will Answer is an unusual adventure story of resilience and homecoming, of weight and motion, of rediscovering love and faith, and of journeys practical, spiritual and geological. A captivating blend of exploration, memoir and myth, and an insight into a beguiling craft, it asks what lessons might be learned from stone, what we choose to carry with us and what we return to put down or pick up again.

The Ecology Book - Big Ideas Simply Explained (Hardcover): Dk The Ecology Book - Big Ideas Simply Explained (Hardcover)
Dk; Foreword by Tony Juniper 2
R665 R558 Discovery Miles 5 580 Save R107 (16%) Ships in 9 - 15 working days

Learn about species, environments, ecosystems and biodiversity in The Ecology Book. Part of the fascinating Big Ideas series, this book tackles tricky topics and themes in a simple and easy to follow format. Learn about Ecology in this overview guide to the subject, brilliant for novices looking to find out more and experts wishing to refresh their knowledge alike! The Ecology Book brings a fresh and vibrant take on the topic through eye-catching graphics and diagrams to immerse yourself in. This captivating book will broaden your understanding of Ecology, with: - More than 90 of the greatest ideas in ecology - Packed with facts, charts, timelines and graphs to help explain core concepts - A visual approach to big subjects with striking illustrations and graphics throughout - Easy to follow text makes topics accessible for people at any level of understanding The Ecology Book is a captivating introduction to what's happening on our planet with the environment and climate change, aimed at adults with an interest in the subject and students wanting to gain more of an overview. Here you'll discover more than 90 of the greatest ideas when it comes to understanding the living world and how it works, through exciting text and bold graphics. Your Ecological Questions, Simply Explained How do species interact with each other and their environment? How do ecosystems change? What is biodiversity and can we afford to damage it? This fresh new guide looks at our influence on the planet as it grows, and answers these profound questions. If you thought it was difficult to learn about this field of science, The Ecology Book presents the information in an easy to follow layout. Learn the key theories, movements, and events in biology, geology, geography, and environmentalism from the ideas of classical thinkers in this comprehensive guide. The Big Ideas Series With millions of copies sold worldwide, The Ecology Book is part of the award-winning Big Ideas series from DK. The series uses striking graphics along with engaging writing, making big topics easy to understand.

Bird Migration - A New Understanding (Hardcover): John H. Rappole Bird Migration - A New Understanding (Hardcover)
John H. Rappole
R840 Discovery Miles 8 400 Ships in 12 - 17 working days

A fascinating and nuanced exploration of why, how, and which birds migrate. Bird migration captivates the human imagination, yet for most of us, key aspects of the phenomenon remain a mystery. How do birds sense the ideal moment to take wing, and once the epic journey has begun, how do they find their distant destinations? Fresh insights about avian movements are still constantly emerging, powered by new tools like molecular genetics and transmitter miniaturization. In this book, renowned ornithologist and author John H. Rappole reveals intriguing results of recent scientific studies on migration, explaining their importance for birders, nature lovers, and researchers alike. Debunking misconceptions about the lives of birds that have persisted for thousands of years, Rappole explores unexpected causes and previously misunderstood aspects of the annual migration cycle. From the role of migrating birds in zoonotic disease transmission to climate change's impact on migration patterns, Rappole tackles crucial questions and ensures that readers come away with a new understanding of why and how birds migrate.

Climate Change and Coastal Ecosystems - Long-Term Effects of Climate and Nutrient Loading on Trophic Organization (Hardcover):... Climate Change and Coastal Ecosystems - Long-Term Effects of Climate and Nutrient Loading on Trophic Organization (Hardcover)
Robert J. Livingston
R5,139 Discovery Miles 51 390 Ships in 12 - 17 working days

Produced by a Leading Aquatic Scientist A narrative account of how estuaries around the world are being altered by human forces and human-induced global climate changes, Climate Change and Coastal Ecosystems: Long-Term Effects of Climate and Nutrient Loading on Trophic Organization chronicles a more than 40-year-old research effort conducted by Dr. Robert J. Livingston and his research team at Florida State University. Designed to evaluate system-level responses to natural and anthropogenic nutrient loading and long-term climate changes, the study focused on the northeast Gulf of Mexico river-bay systems, and concentrated on phytoplankton/benthic macrophyte productivity and associated food web organization. It addressed the changes of food web structure relative to long-term trends of climatological conditions, and was carried out using a combination of field-descriptive and experimental approaches. Details Climate Change, Climate Change Effects, and Eutrophication This book includes comparative analyses of how the trophic organization of different river-bay ecosystems responded to variations of both anthropogenic impacts and natural driving factors in space and time. It incorporates a climate database and evaluates the effects of climate change in the region. It also provides insights into the effects of nutrient loading and climate on the trophic organization of coastal systems in other global regions. Presents research compiled from consistent field sampling methods and detailed taxonomic identifications over an extended period of study Includes the methods and materials that the research team used to access the health and trophic organization of Florida's estuaries Provides an up-to-date bibliography of estuarine publications and reports Based on a longitudinal study of anthropogenic and natural driving factors on river-estuarine systems in the northeast Gulf of Mexico, Climate Change and Coastal Ecosystems: Long-Term Effects of Climate and Nutrient Loading on Trophic Organization is useful as a reference for researchers working on riverine, estuarine, and coastal marine systems.

Impacts of Oil Spill Disasters on Marine Habitats and Fisheries in North America (Hardcover): J. Brian Alford, Mark S.... Impacts of Oil Spill Disasters on Marine Habitats and Fisheries in North America (Hardcover)
J. Brian Alford, Mark S. Peterson, Christopher C. Green
R5,110 Discovery Miles 51 100 Ships in 12 - 17 working days

At an increasingly global scale, aquatic scientists are heavily entrenched in understanding the fate of marine ecosystems in the face of human-altered environments. Oil spill disasters, especially large-scale ones like the 2010 Deepwater Horizon tragedy, have left uncertain and indelible marks on marine ecosystems. Impacts of Oil Spill Disasters on Marine Habitats and Fisheries in North America contains independent scientific findings and critical reviews from experts researching the impacts of the Exxon Valdez, Ixtoc I, and Deepwater Horizon oil spills on coastal fishery resources. Comprised of three sections, this seminal work: Details the physiological effects of oil-derived compounds on fishes, presenting results from field and laboratory investigations Addresses the science of assessing the impacts of oil spills and oil response measures on coastal habitats, with an emphasis on salt-marsh ecosystems in the Gulf of Mexico Explores the quantified and potential impacts of oil spills on population and community dynamics of commercial and recreational fishery species Provides newly released results from the 25-year recovery of marine mammals, birds, and fishes following the Exxon Valdez spill Chapters discuss new techniques for collecting and processing blood samples for toxicity testing, new aerial radar techniques for detecting unseen oil on marshes, consequences of oil prevention measures (such as diverting fresh water to estuaries or building sand berms to stop oil) on coastal fishery resources, and non-traditional methods for assessing the herring stock in Prince William Sound, Alaska, USA following the Exxon Valdez disaster.

Interrelationships Between Corals and Fisheries (Hardcover): Ph.D., Stephen A. Bortone Interrelationships Between Corals and Fisheries (Hardcover)
Ph.D., Stephen A. Bortone
R5,103 Discovery Miles 51 030 Ships in 12 - 17 working days

Interrelationships Between Corals and Fisheries is derived from a workshop held by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council in Tampa, Florida in May 2013, where world authorities came together to discuss the current problems in managing tropical fisheries and offered suggestions for future directions for both researchers and environmental resource managers. This book addresses current and emerging threats as well as challenges and opportunities for managing corals and associated fisheries. It provides an information baseline toward a better understanding of how corals and the consequences of coral condition influence fish populations, especially as they relate to management of those populations. The book contains content from presentations modified as a result of interactions and discussions with colleagues and peer reviews by global experts in corals and fisheries. Many chapters include additional materials not presented in the workshop. There are also papers that were not presented at the workshop but contribute to the central theme of the book. Topics covered include: Global decline in coral reefs and impacts on fishery yields Distribution and diversity in the Gulf of Mexico Implementation of Coral Habitat Areas of Particular Concern (CHAPCs) Deepwater coral/sponge habitats Coral populations on offshore platforms Mangrove connectivity for sustaining coral reef fisheries Restoring deepwater coral ecosystems and fisheries after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill Predictive mapping of coral reef fish Covering a range of subject matter, most of the chapters offer suggestions for future research on the interrelationships between corals and fisheries. In addition, the final chapter presents a summary on these interrelationships and discusses managing them for the future.

Solitary Bees (Paperback): Ted Benton, Nick Owens Solitary Bees (Paperback)
Ted Benton, Nick Owens
R1,106 R889 Discovery Miles 8 890 Save R217 (20%) Ships in 9 - 15 working days

A completely up-to-date introduction to the most common group of bees in Britain. Bees, for most people, mean honey or bumble bees, but in fact these social species make up only a small proportion of the species that live in Britain. Open your eyes to the so-called ‘solitary’ bees, and discover a wonderfully diverse population – miners, leafcutters, carpenters and masons – many of which can be found in your own back garden. Solitary bees come in a variety of colours and sizes, with some as large as bumblebees and some only a few millimetres long, and many are key pollinators for our crops and wildflowers. This comprehensive book will tell the story of how these bees live, reproduce and thrive: discover the numerous strategies used by male bees to find females and persuade them to mate; follow the females as they build their nests – or in the case of ‘cuckoo’ species, sneak into the nests of their neighbours – and watch as the new generation appears. Explore the interactions between flowering plants and their bee visitors, asking what the plants get from the relationship, as well as how the bees select the plants they visit, and the ingenuity required to extract pollen, nectar and other rewards. Finally, learn places where bees flourish and what can be done to encourage them and ensure they continue to pollinate our flowers and crops. Drawing on all the latest research as well as the authors’ own observations in the field, this timely New Naturalist gives a wonderful insight into the complicated lives of solitary bees, and the complexity of the behaviour and ecology of this remarkable group of insects.

Network Economics of Marine Ecosystems and their Exploitation (Hardcover): Christian Mullon Network Economics of Marine Ecosystems and their Exploitation (Hardcover)
Christian Mullon
R3,489 Discovery Miles 34 890 Ships in 12 - 17 working days

This book addresses the question of the double exposure of marine ecosystems, i.e. to both global climate changes and economic globalization. This book contains a short, but self sufficient mathematical introduction, the formalization in the context of Network economics of global commodity chains, with both trophic and economic processes, and a series of cases studies, going from the re-addressing of fundamental ecological questions such as Gause's exclusion principles to practical studies such as the representation of the global supply chain for tuna.

Handbook on the Economics of Ecosystem Services and Biodiversity (Hardcover): Paulo A.L.D. Nunes, Pushpam Kumar, Tom... Handbook on the Economics of Ecosystem Services and Biodiversity (Hardcover)
Paulo A.L.D. Nunes, Pushpam Kumar, Tom Dedeurwaerdere
R6,249 Discovery Miles 62 490 Ships in 12 - 17 working days

In recent years, there has been a marked proliferation in the literature on economic approaches to ecosystem management, which has created a subsequent need for real understanding of the scope and the limits of the economic approaches to ecosystems and biodiversity. Within this Handbook, carefully commissioned original contributions from acknowledged experts in the field address the new concepts and their applications, identify knowledge gaps and provide authoritative recommendations.The Handbook offers a wealth of case studies and further: - identifies the conceptual underpinnings of the economics of ecosystems and biodiversity - demonstrates new research methodologies and their applications - provides authoritative assessment of the recent results and findings in ecosystems services and biodiversity valuation and accounting - provides the reader with the state of the art of the research on the economics of ecosystem services and biodiversity - provides spatial explicit tools for mapping ecosystem services values for land-use planning, including in the context of business and industry. This authoritative assessment will appeal to researchers and academics at both the advanced undergraduate and post-graduate levels of environmental economics and ecological economics. Policy-makers in government, business and conservation sectors will find much to engage them as the work will prove essential for implementing effective response policies for the management of ecosystems and biodiversity. Contributors: P. Ala-aho, I. Anastasiou, J.Angulo-Valdes, V. Babalos, T. Badura, K.J. Bagstad, H.E. Balbach, E.B. Barbier, A.A. Batabyal, A. Bien, L.M. Brander, A. Catzim-Sanchez, H. Chen, W.W.L. Cheung, J.C. Cooper, J. Coria, G. Cucuzza, A.T. de Blaeij, T. Dedeurwaerdere, M. De Salvo, S. Di Falco, S.T.M. Dissanayake, A.K. Duraiappah, W.H Durham, R. Eskelinen, T. Figueredo Martin, P. Fong, M. Gemma, J.M. Gowdy, M. Honey, G.W. Johnson, T. Karjalainen, M. Kettunen, B. Kloeve, E. Kougea, P. Koundouri, P. Kumar, V.W.Y. Lam, G.-M. Lange, V. Linderhof, A. Markandya, J. Mate, L. Mazza, C. Mena, Y. Mitani, E. Naikal, D. Narita, S. Navrud, P. Nijkamp, P.A.L.D. Nunes, H. OEnal, R.R. Palatnik, C. Palmer, S. Parks, M. Pascual, M. Perez-Soba, F.Pina-Amargos, N.B.P. Polman, L. Pratt, M. Pulido-Velazquez, M.J. Punt, D. Quiroga, K. Rehdanz, S. Reinhard, K. Reinikainen, E. Robinson, P.M. Rossi, G. Samonte, A. Seidl, D. Semmens, M. Shechter, B. Shitovitz, G. Signorello, R.D. Simpson, G. Slean, H.G. Smith, R.B.W. Smith, T. Sterner, M. Stithou, U.R. Sumaila, D. Suman, R.T. Tawfik, P. ten Brink, R.S.J. Tol, R.K. Turner, M. van der Heide, E.C. van Ierland, P. Verweij, F. Villa, S. Waage, X. Wang, H.-P. Weikard, J.D. Westervelt, M. Winograd, S. Withana, S. Zemah-Shamir

Encyclopedia of Marine Geosciences (Hardcover, 1st ed. 2016): Jan Harff, Martin Meschede, Sven Petersen, Joern Thiede Encyclopedia of Marine Geosciences (Hardcover, 1st ed. 2016)
Jan Harff, Martin Meschede, Sven Petersen, Joern Thiede
R15,278 Discovery Miles 152 780 Ships in 12 - 17 working days

This Encyclopedia comprises the current knowledge in marine geosciences whereby not only basic but also applied and technical sciences are covered. Through this concept a broad scale of users in the field of marine sciences and techniques is addressed, from students and scholars in academia to engineers and decision makers in industry and politics. Globally growing demand of energy and mineral resources, reliable future projection of climate processes and the protection of coasts to mitigate the threats of disasters and hazards require a comprehensive understanding of the structure, ongoing processes and genesis of the marine geosphere. Beyond the "classical" research fields in marine geology in current time more general concepts have been evolved integrating marine geophysics, hydrography, marine biology, climatology and ecology. As an umbrella the term "marine geosciences" has been broadly accepted for this new complex field of research and the solutions of practical tasks in the marine realm.

Military Strategy as Public Discourse - America's war in Afghanistan (Hardcover, New): Tadd Sholtis Military Strategy as Public Discourse - America's war in Afghanistan (Hardcover, New)
Tadd Sholtis
R4,358 Discovery Miles 43 580 Ships in 12 - 17 working days

This book presents the current history of United States military strategy in Afghanistan as an example of dysfunctional policy discourse among the nation's elites. The legitimacy of a country's military strategy can become a subject of intense public debate and doubt, especially in prolonged conflicts. Arguments typically hinge on disagreements about the values at stake, the consequences of action or inaction, and the authority of those responsible for the plan. As the US entered its second decade at war in Afghanistan, political and military leaders struggled to explain the ends and means of their strategy through internal policy debates, the promotion of counterinsurgency doctrine, and day-to-day accounts of the war's progress. Military Strategy as Public Discourse considers recent US strategy in Afghanistan as a form of valid and equitable public discussion among those with the ability to affect outcomes. The work examines the dominant forms of discourse used by the various groups of elites who make and execute strategy, and considers how representations of these forms of discourse in news media shapes elite understanding of the purpose of US efforts in wars of choice. The book proposes how policy-makers should address the problems of public discourse on war, which tends to exclude or marginalize relevant elites and focus on narrow questions of validity. This book will be of much interest to students of strategic studies, US foreign policy, and security studies in general.

The Hypothetical Species - Variables of Human Evolution (Hardcover, 1st ed. 2019): Michael Charles Tobias, Jane Gray Morrison The Hypothetical Species - Variables of Human Evolution (Hardcover, 1st ed. 2019)
Michael Charles Tobias, Jane Gray Morrison
R1,097 R912 Discovery Miles 9 120 Save R185 (17%) Ships in 10 - 15 working days

This book is a provocative and invigorating real-time exploration of the future of human evolution by two of the world's leading interdisciplinary ecologists - Michael Charles Tobias and Jane Gray Morrison. Steeped in a rich multitude of the sciences and humanities, the book enshrines an elegant narrative that is highly empathetic, personal, scientifically wide-ranging and original. It focuses on the geo-positioning of the human Self and its corresponding species. The book's overarching viewpoints and poignant through-story examine and powerfully challenge concepts associated historically with assertions of human superiority over all other life forms. Ultimately, The Hypothetical Species: Variables of Human Evolution is a deeply considered treatise on the ecological and psychological state of humanity and her options - both within, and outside the rubrics of evolutionary research - for survival. This important work is beautifully presented with nearly 200 diverse illustrations, and is introduced with a foreword by famed paleobiologist, Dr. Melanie DeVore.

Brave New Arctic - The Untold Story of the Melting North (Paperback): Mark C. Serreze Brave New Arctic - The Untold Story of the Melting North (Paperback)
Mark C. Serreze
R397 Discovery Miles 3 970 Ships in 12 - 17 working days

An insider account of how scientists unraveled the mystery of the thawing Arctic In the 1990s, researchers in the Arctic noticed that floating summer sea ice had begun receding. This was accompanied by shifts in ocean circulation and unexpected changes in weather patterns throughout the world. The Arctic's perennially frozen ground, known as permafrost, was warming, and treeless tundra was being overtaken by shrubs. What was going on? Brave New Arctic is Mark Serreze's riveting firsthand account of how scientists from around the globe came together to find answers. In a sweeping tale of discovery spanning three decades, Serreze describes how puzzlement turned to alarm as researchers concluded that the Arctic is rapidly thawing due to climate change-and humans are to blame.

Urban Ecosystems - Understanding the Human Environment (Hardcover, New): Roberta Francis, Michael A. Chadwick Urban Ecosystems - Understanding the Human Environment (Hardcover, New)
Roberta Francis, Michael A. Chadwick
R4,504 Discovery Miles 45 040 Ships in 12 - 17 working days

With over half of the global human population living in urban regions, urban ecosystems may now represent the contemporary and future human environment. Consisting of green space and the built environment, they harbour a wide range of species, yet are not well understood. This book aims to review what is currently known about urban ecosystems in a short and approachable text that will serve as a key resource for teaching and learning related to the urban environment. It covers both physical and biotic components of urban ecosystems, key ecological processes, and the management of ecological resources, including biodiversity conservation. All chapters incorporate case studies, boxes and questions for stimulating discussions in the learning environment.

Small Carnivores - Evolution, Ecology, Behaviour and Conservation (Hardcover): E Do Linh San Small Carnivores - Evolution, Ecology, Behaviour and Conservation (Hardcover)
E Do Linh San
R2,364 Discovery Miles 23 640 Ships in 12 - 17 working days

Small Carnivores: Evolution, Ecology, Behaviour, and Conservation This book focuses on the 232 species of the mammalian Order Carnivora with an average body mass "This is a book that has been needed for decades. It is the first compendium of recent research on a group of mammals which has received almost no attention before the early 1970s. This book covers a wide range of subdisciplines and techniques and should be considered a solid baseline for further research on this little-known group of highly interesting mammals. As our knowledge regarding how ecosystems function increases, then the valuable role of small carnivores and the necessity for their conservation should be regarded as of paramount importance. The topics covered in this book should therefore be of great interest not only to academics and wildlife researchers, but also to the interested layman." Professor Anne Rasa, Ethologist

Bring nature back to the city (Paperback): Ernst Wohlitz Bring nature back to the city (Paperback)
Ernst Wohlitz
R832 R197 Discovery Miles 1 970 Save R635 (76%) Ships in 9 - 15 working days

Populations of cities have grown at unprecedented rate, consuming ever more land, placing severe strain on the environment and also on cash-strapped governments. Nature needs to be reintroduced to our cities. This book is focused on urban nature conservation, aspects that will resonate with advisors to local government, people interested in bringing back nature to our cities and anyone with a keen interest in nature. Our ecosystems are under threat and green infrastructure needs to be better managed so that there will be less fragmentation and habitat loss. All of us have to live more towards a sustainable urban nature environment. This book guides all of us how to address nature on our doorsteps. There are 214 photos, 6 tables and 25 illustrations on principles of urban nature conservation. The book informs how to participate and synchronise lifestyles to contribute to sustainable urban nature environments. Urban wetlands, watercourses, riparian zones, buffer zones, ecological corridors and functions are explained. The annexures in the book described owl boxes, bird feeders, earthworm bins and how to produce organic compost. What is important is that more and more people move to cities and city developments encroach upon nature areas. These encroachments can be managed to accommodate ecologically sensitive urban nature areas. These areas can be utilised in ways that it will benefit the environment people live in.

The Ten-Thousand Year Fever - Rethinking Human and Wild-Primate Malarias (Hardcover, New): Loretta A. Cormier The Ten-Thousand Year Fever - Rethinking Human and Wild-Primate Malarias (Hardcover, New)
Loretta A. Cormier
R4,213 Discovery Miles 42 130 Ships in 12 - 17 working days

Malaria is one of the oldest recorded diseases in human history, and its 10,000-year relationship to primates can teach us why it will be one of the most serious threats to humanity in the 21st century. In this pathbreaking book Loretta Cormier integrates a wide range of data from molecular biology, ethnoprimatology, epidemiology, ecology, anthropology, and other fields to reveal the intimate relationships between culture and environment that shape the trajectory of a parasite. She argues against the entrenched distinction between human and non-human malarias, using ethnoprimatology to develop a new understanding of cross-species exchange. She also shows how current human-environment interactions, including deforestation and development, create the potential for new forms of malaria to threaten human populations. This book is a model of interdisciplinary integration that will be essential reading in fields from anthropology and biology to public health.

Ecology of Marine Bivalves - An Ecosystem Approach, Second Edition (Hardcover, 2nd edition): Richard F. Dame Ecology of Marine Bivalves - An Ecosystem Approach, Second Edition (Hardcover, 2nd edition)
Richard F. Dame
R3,486 Discovery Miles 34 860 Ships in 12 - 17 working days

Bivalve mollusks are roughly hand-sized animals that can aggregate into large groups of millions of individuals as reefs-pumping and filtering enough water in short periods of time to control the processes on the reef and adjacent tidal waters-and serve as valuable indicators and monitors of ecosystem health. Ecology of Marine Bivalves: An Ecosystems Approach, Second Edition examines the ecology of bivalves from an ecosystem or holistic view, taking into consideration their history, thermodynamics, components, and interactions with other species-namely humans. With the advent of the United Nations Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MEA) in the year 2000, its emphasis for utilizing the ecosystem approach as a standard guideline, and the growing interest in global climate change, this edition has been expanded to include: A new chapter on shell rings, which emphasizes the importance of interaction between disciplines so that we might learn from the past in order to plan for the future Scientific work done on several continents, including case studies from the Chesapeake Bay, the Wadden Sea, and other case studies from Europe and New Zealand Additional material on non-equilibrium thermodynamics, complexity theory, and other cross-disciplinary interactions This book discusses the roles of marine bivalves as a keystone species and as ecosystem engineers, and explains how bivalves are used as monitors and indicators of ecosystem stress and as a fisheries resource. Utilizing case studies and targeted published research to develop narratives suitable for a complex systems approach, the second edition of Ecology of Marine Bivalves is invaluable to scientists and marine workers interested in an up-to-date treatment of mollusks in our seas.

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