Forests provide a large range of beneficial services, including tangible ones such as timber and recreation, and intangible services such as climate regulation, biodiversity, and watershed protection. On the other hand, forests can also be considered roadblocks to progress that occupy space more productively used for agriculture, making consideration of their regulating services crucial for balancing land use and forest loss. Monitoring forest cover and loss is critical for obtaining the data necessary to help define what is needed to maintain the varying forest service requirements in different parts of the world. There is an increasing need for timely and accurate forest change information, and consequently a greater interest in monitoring those changes. Global Forest Monitoring from Earth Observation covers the very recent developments undertaken for monitoring forest areas from global to national levels using Earth observation satellite data. It describes operational tools and systems for monitoring forest ecosystems, discussing why and how researchers currently use remotely sensed data to study forest cover and loss over large areas. The book introduces the role of forests in providing ecosystem services and the need for monitoring their change over time, followed by an overview of the use of earth observation data to support forest monitoring. It discusses general methodological differences, including wall-to-wall mapping and sampling approaches, as well as data availability. This book provides excellent coverage of the research and applications of forest monitoring, indicator mapping at coarse spatial resolution, sample-based assessments, and wall-to-wall mapping at medium spatial resolution using optical remote sensing datasets, such as MODIS and Landsat. It examines the use of radar imagery in forest monitoring and presents a number of operational systems, from Brazil's PRODES and DETER products to Australia's NCAS system. Written by leading global experts in the field, this book offers a launch point for future advances in satellite-based monitoring of global forest resources. It gives readers a deeper understanding of global forest monitoring methods and shows how state-of-the-art technologies may soon provide key data for creating more balanced policies.

Our coasts provide a home and livelihoods for millions of people; many of the world's biggest cities are along coastlines. Yet these precious areas face increasing threats from irresponsible development and the potential dangers of climate change. This volume explores the wide spectrum of coastal hazards, from high-magnitude, low-frequency events like tsunamis and hurricanes, to longer-term processes like urban regeneration and changing agricultural practices. International case studies range from mitigation measures in the Azores Archipelago to managing a coastal resort in South Wales, to tsunami early warning systems in the Indian Ocean Region. The resulting collection spans approaches from social science, engineering, planning, geology and biology and presents an integrated approach for assessing the impact of, and response to, coastal hazards. It will be of interest to all those involved in strategies for the environmental management of coastlines.

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.

The authors of this book examine the latest developments in environmental research. Chapters include community and societal perspectives and strategies on learning to co-exist with environmental hazards; an overview of the current knowledge of biomonitoring of environmental heavy metals pollution; important insights on climate variables in water demand modelling which can be useful in conducting a more rigorous climate change impact analysis on urban water demand in other cities and regions; the applications of renewable energy in buildings and other various environments; an evaluation of SRCs as a potential carbon neutral source of biomass for energy and chemicals; a discussion on the distribution of certain chemical elements which in higher contents represent hazards to the environment and cause certain unwanted consequences on human health; and an analysis of dynamic linear modeling of homogenized monthly temperatures which demonstrated a rise in monthly temperature records with a seasonal pattern.

Risk analysis is not a narrowly defined set of applications. Rather, it is widely used to assess and manage a plethora of hazards that threaten dire implications. However, too few people actually understand what risk analysis can help us accomplish and, even among experts, knowledge is often limited to one or two applications. Explaining Risk Analysis frames risk analysis as a holistic planning process aimed at making better risk-informed decisions and emphasizing the connections between the parts. This framework requires an understanding of basic terms, including explanations of why there is no universal agreement about what risk means, much less risk assessment, risk management and risk analysis. Drawing on a wide range of case studies, the book illustrates the ways in which risk analysis can help lead to better decisions in a variety of scenarios, including the destruction of chemical weapons, management of nuclear waste and the response to passenger rail threats. The book demonstrates how the risk analysis process and the data, models and processes used in risk analysis will clarify, rather than obfuscate, decision-makers' options. This book will be of great interest to students and scholars of risk assessment, risk management, public health, environmental science, environmental economics and environmental psychology.

Huge quantities of natural resources are illegally harvested and their proceeds laundered in the Asia-Pacific region, fostering corruption and undermining environmental governance. Most illegal exploitation and pollution occurs in countries with poor governance capacities, but much of the sale for profit and money laundering occurs in mature markets with well-developed governance capacities. Their asymmetrical enforcement capacities can complement each other. This book explores ways to combat illegal fishing and logging in Asia-Pacific region by the use of cooperative legal measures, particularly anti-money laundering and confiscation of proceeds techniques. Contributors to this volume cover themes including: the nature of transnational environmental crime; patterns in laundering of illicit fish and forest products; networks for distribution of illicit products; weaknesses in current systems for assurance of the legality of products; and international legal cooperation to enforce anti-money laundering laws in relation to illicit products. In considering these topics the book explores how the innovative use of anti-money laundering measures and the seizure of criminal proceeds can as policy options to combat transnational fishery and forestry crimes. The book will be of keen interest to scholars and students of environmental law and criminal law, and excellent use for practitioners in natural resources conservation law.

Originally published in 1977, this title provides an overview of regional residuals-environmental quality management (REQM). Edited by Blair T. Bower, this volume offers insights on the analytical problems faced in developing useful information for societal decisions on REQM. It is a valuable resource for policy makers and students interested in environmental issues.

In this title, originally published in 1984, Wilman develops and describes a methodology for imputing a monetary value to the loss in beach recreational services that would result from a hypothetical oil spill in the Georges Bank area off Massachusetts. Combining an oil-spill risk analysis model with an hedonic pricing model to generate estimates of beach pollution costs associated with offshore oil development, Wilman makes possible for the first time a rational judgement regarding whether the benefits of developing offshore oil outweigh the costs. This book is a valuable resource for students interested in environmental studies and Wilman's methodological approach can be used to value other nonmarket resource services in any area.

Originally published in 1974, this report dwells on the problems of meeting global energy demands and the time, effort and knowledge needed to research new energy methods. With rising costs, the uncertainty of supply from the Middle East and concern over the environmental impact of energy products, Energy and the Social Sciences outlines the intense need for well-designed research. This title will be of interest to students of Environmental Studies.

Environmental Quality Management provides a quantitative analysis of regional residuals environmental quality management in the Lower Delaware Valley. Originally published in 1976, this study takes a management outlook to discuss new systems such as a non-linear aquatic eco-system model and reaches conclusions which have influenced research and management decisions about REQM across the world. This title will be of interest to students of Environmental 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.

This book presents quality technical papers representing the recent developments in the field of hydrological modeling, water management and water governance including practical applications. The content covers multifarious aspects of hydrology and water resources. It includes an application of the Hydrologic Modelling System (HEC-HMS) which has been successfully demonstrated for assessment of floods. The authors suggest an approach for the mitigation of cyclone disaster through a case study of the Phailin cyclone, whilst considering mitigating pluvial flooding, developing suitable management strategies. The book includes chapters discussing the detrended fluctuation analysis which is carried out for multifractal description of droughts. Drought characteristics are analyzed, and drought indices evolved for drought preparedness/management. The use of science in community planning under changing climate is also studied and discussed. The authors present and experimental study wherein hydraulic coefficients are calibrated by using vertical orifice. A cross flow hybrid hydrokinetic turbine is also evaluated for performance, and high head regulating radial gate designed and studied its sensitivity. This book will appeal to researchers, field practitioners, NGO and other Governmental as well as private water practitioners

Huge quantities of natural resources are illegally harvested and their proceeds laundered in the Asia-Pacific region, fostering corruption and undermining environmental governance. Most illegal exploitation and pollution occurs in countries with poor governance capacities, but much of the sale for profit and money laundering occurs in mature markets with well-developed governance capacities. Their asymmetrical enforcement capacities can complement each other.

This book explores ways to combat illegal fishing and logging in Asia-Pacific region by the use of cooperative legal measures, particularly anti-money laundering and confiscation of proceeds techniques. Contributors to this volume cover themes including: the nature of transnational environmental crime; patterns in laundering of illicit fish and forest products; networks for distribution of illicit products; weaknesses in current systems for assurance of the legality of products; and international legal cooperation to enforce anti-money laundering laws in relation to illicit products. In considering these topics the book explores how the innovative use of anti-money laundering measures and the seizure of criminal proceeds can as policy options to combat transnational fishery and forestry crimes.

The book will be of keen interest to scholars and students of environmental law and criminal law, and excellent use for practitioners in natural resources conservation law.

The global carbon markets are growing at a staggering rate. The growth prospects for business are enormous and the potential positive impacts for greenhouse gas emission reductions, climate policy options, renewable energy investment, development projects and efficiency gains are increasingly apparent. A unique part of the market in greenhouse gas emissions is the rapidly growing voluntary carbon market driven by companies, organizations and individuals committed to efficiency, profitability and rapid action on climate change. The second edition of this groundbreaking book draws together all the key information on international voluntary carbon markets with commentary from leading practitioners and business people. It covers all aspects of voluntary carbon markets around the world: what they are, how they work and, most critically, their business potential to help slow climate change. This new, fully revised second edition provides key updates on relevant trends, standards, suppliers, and growth in the marketplace, and is the indispensable guide for anyone seeking to understand voluntary carbon markets and capitalize on the opportunities they present for economic and environmental benefit. Second edition updates: * Contains updated data on credit prices, transaction volumes, major industry players, and other quantitative data through 2008, as well as revised analysis reflecting these shifts * Includes explanations of additional offset project type categories, providing prospective buyers and project developers with a more detailed understanding of the suite of offset projects available * Contains revised explanations and analyses by market experts of the key issues affecting the voluntary markets * Provides an updated 'glance into the future' of the voluntary carbon markets, reflecting market and policy trends that emerged through early 2008.

Satellite imagery and data are widely used in public health surveillance to provide early warning of disease outbreaks and for averting pandemics. Convergence of these technologies began in the 1970s and has gained wide acceptance in the 21st Century. Environmental Tracking for Public Health Surveillance focuses on the expanding use of satellite sensor imagery and long-term spectral measurements for assessing and modelling Earth's environments in context of public health surveillance. It addresses vector-borne, air-borne, water-borne, and zoonotic diseases, and explores analytical methods for forecasting environmental conditions and their potential for consequent disease outbreaks. Infectious and contagious diseases are of particular interest in this volume because once parasite-vector-human host pathways are triggered by favourable biological circumstances, pandemic diseases can spread to global scale in a matter of hours. The chapters advance readers through three sets of material. Part I reviews the 1970-2012 history of satellite Earth-science surveillance technology that led to linking natural environments to human diseases, and more generally to public health applications. Part II describes specific infectious and contagious diseases and the threat of emerging and re-emerging diseases. Part III explores the kinds of satellite data, modelling, and electronic information systems being developed to expedite health intercessions and responses at local to regional and global scales of reference. Equally important are the extensive reference sections for chapters in Parts II and III. For readers interested in tracking the development of Earth-science technology, these constitute a thorough entree to both the health and environmental literature. The chapters are written jointly by experts in both the health and Earth-science technologies. Each chapter is accompanied by an extensive list of citations to provide background and validation of the current state-of-the-art for a variety of high-interest human diseases and associated health and well-being issues. The importance of day-to-day weather patterns, the impacts of severe weather events and longer-term climate cycles form the basis for developing information systems that meet goals and expectations of national and international health monitoring bodies. Environmental Tracking for Public Health Surveillance provides a state-of-the-art overview on how environmental tracking data from satellite, airborne, and ground-based sensors are being integrated into appropriate geophysical and spatial information system models to enhance public health surveillance and decision-making from local to global levels, and is intended primarily for a cross-disciplinary professional audience consisting of public health decision-makers, spatial data analysts, modelers, Earth observation specialists, and medical researchers.

This book provides the advance research results of environmental pollution and governance and covers the main research field of environmental remediation, environmental monitoring, sanitation and so on. Nowadays, environmental pollution, as one of the most important problems in the world, has seriously affected the global ecology, temperature, water resources and so on. Therefore, the research on environmental governance can better help us comprehend the methods and measures of environmental protection and protect our ecology more scientifically and effectively. This book also aims to promote scientific information interchange between scholars from the top universities, research centers and high-tech enterprises working all around the world. It is beneficial to scholars, engineers and researchers in the field of environmental engineering and environmental governance.

Scientists and consultants need to estimate and map properties of the terrestrial environment. These include plant nutrients and parasites in soil, gaseous emissions from soil, pollutant metals and xenobiotics in waste and contaminated land, salt in groundwater and species abundances above ground. The scale varies from small experimental plots to catchments, and the land may be enclosed in fields or be open grassland, forest or desert. Those who sample the variables to obtain the necessary data need guidance on the design and analysis of sampling methods for their conclusions and recommendations to be valid.

This book provides that guidance, backed by sound rationale and statistical theory. It concentrates on design-based sampling for estimates of mean values of environmental properties, emphasizing replication and randomization. It starts with simple random sampling and then progresses to more efficient designs, such as spatially stratified random sampling, stratification by classes and cluster sampling. It includes a section on purposive sampling in classical soil survey, which is relevant to other environmental properties such as vegetation. It also describes the effects of bulking on errors and the use of ancillary information and regression to improve estimates. The authors draw the important distinction between design-based sampling for estimating means and model-based methods (geostatistics) for local spatial prediction and mapping, and focus on the latter. They describe designs suitable for computing variograms and prediction by kriging, as well as a staged approach, so that sampling is neither inadequate nor excessive, and designs adapt as knowledge is accumulated. Including numerous worked case studies of sampling in agriculture, ecology and environmental science, the book will be of immediate practical value.

The fate of much of the world's terrestrial biodiversity depends upon our ability to improve the management of forest ecosystems that have already been substantially modified by humans. Monitoring is an essential ingredient in meeting this challenge, allowing us to measure the impact of different human activities on biodiversity and identify more responsible ways of managing the environment. Nevertheless many biodiversity monitoring programs are criticised as being little more than 'tick the box' compliance exercises that waste precious resources and erode the credibility of science in the eyes of decision makers and conservation investors. The purpose of this book is to examine the factors that make biodiversity monitoring programs fail or succeed. The first two sections lay out the context and importance of biodiversity monitoring, and shed light on some of the key challenges that have confounded many efforts to date. The third and main section presents an operational framework for developing monitoring programs that have the potential to make a meaningful contribution to forest management. Discussion covers the scoping, design and implementation stages of a forest biodiversity monitoring program, including defining the purpose, goals and objectives of monitoring, indicator selection, and the process of data collection, analysis and interpretation. Underpinning the book is the belief that biodiversity monitoring should be viewed not as a stand-alone exercise in surveillance but rather as an explicit mechanism for learning about how to improve opportunities for conservation. To be successful in this task, monitoring needs to be grounded in clear goals and objectives, effective in generating reliable assessments of changes in biodiversity and realistic in light of real-world financial, logistical and social constraints.

Algae and Aquatic Macrophytes in Cities: Bioremediation, Biomass, Biofuels and Bioproducts introduces the concept of using the natural ability of plants such as algae and aquatic macrophytes to remediate pollutants from water. The book provides scientists with a green, economical and successful option when tackling rising water pollution. The book's chapters cover a range of areas, including bioremediation, biomass, biofuels and bioproducts during the remediation of polluted water systems. It draws together research from eminent scientists from across the globe and includes case studies to help researchers, students, scientists, stakeholders, policymakers and environmentalists understand and perform their research with greater ease.

Under the best of circumstances, preparing an environmental impact assessment (EIA) can be a complex and challenging task. Experience indicates that the scope and quality of such analyses varies widely throughout the U.S. as well as internationally. Written to help practitioners and decision-makers apply best professional practices in the development of EIAs, Environmental Impact Assessment: A Guide to Best Professional Practices provides an in depth, yet practical direction for developing a defensible analysis that meets best professional practices. The book describes preparation of five distinct types of assessments: Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA) Preparing Greenhouse Emission Assessments Preparing Risk Assessments and Accident Analyses Social Impact Assessment (SIA) and Environmental Justice The International Environmental Impact Assessment Process Guiding Principles To date, there is significant variation and disagreement about how such analyses should be prepared. The author introduces best professional practices (BPP) for preparing such EIAs that is intended to meet decision-making and regulatory expectations. He supplies a comprehensive and balanced skill set of tools, techniques, concepts, principles, and practices for preparing these assessments. He also includes directions for developing a comprehensive Environmental Management Systems which can be used to monitor and implement final decisions for such analyses. While the book references the U.S. National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), most of this guidance is generally applicable to any international EIA process consistent with NEPA. With thorough coverage of all aspects of assessments, the book presents a theoretical introduction to the subject as well as practical guidance. It delivers state-of-the-art tools, techniques, and approaches for resolving EIA problems.

The fate of much of the world's terrestrial biodiversity depends upon our ability to improve the management of forest ecosystems that have already been substantially modified by humans. Monitoring is an essential ingredient in meeting this challenge, allowing us to measure the impact of different human activities on biodiversity and identify more responsible ways of managing the environment. Nevertheless many biodiversity monitoring programs are criticised as being little more than 'tick the box' compliance exercises that waste precious resources and erode the credibility of science in the eyes of decision makers and conservation investors. The purpose of this book is to examine the factors that make biodiversity monitoring programs fail or succeed. The first two sections lay out the context and importance of biodiversity monitoring, and shed light on some of the key challenges that have confounded many efforts to date. The third and main section presents an operational framework for developing monitoring programs that have the potential to make a meaningful contribution to forest management. Discussion covers the scoping, design and implementation stages of a forest biodiversity monitoring program, including defining the purpose, goals and objectives of monitoring, indicator selection, and the process of data collection, analysis and interpretation. Underpinning the book is the belief that biodiversity monitoring should be viewed not as a stand-alone exercise in surveillance but rather as an explicit mechanism for learning about how to improve opportunities for conservation. To be successful in this task, monitoring needs to be grounded in clear goals and objectives, effective in generating reliable assessments of changes in biodiversity and realistic in light of real-world financial, logistical and social constraints.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are hazardous highly toxic pollutants that cause a number of environmental and human health problems. They are released during a wide range of industrial, transportation and commercial activities and their emissions have reached high levels. This book provides a review of the occurrence, behavior and ecological implications of VOCs. Chapter One evaluates the biogeneration of volatile organic compounds produced by microalgae. Chapter Two investigates VOC pollution from industrial complexes and wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Chapter Three illustrates the current knowledge of intra- and inter- organismal Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds (mVOCs)-based interactions, volatile perception, signal transduction and phenotypical responses in the receiver organisms. Chapter Four summarises the current state of knowledge regarding the impact of emissions from gasoline powered vehicles on historical ambient VOC concentration trends, and on the current ambient urban atmosphere of the South Coast Air Basin. Chapter Five discusses the oxidation of VOCs over cyptomelane catalysts. Chapter Six studies VOCs from truffles and false truffles from Basilicata in Southern Italy. Chapter Seven discusses the removal of VOCs in the air by total catalytic oxidation promoted by catalysts.

To monitor multi-hazards, Remote Sensing and GIS-based multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) techniques have been extensively used in recent years worldwide. Since natural hazards cannot be eliminated, only quantification of these events and reliable forecasting can alleviate their detrimental effects, through which we can build more resilient and safe societies. Moreover, cultivating the proper knowledge of the multi-hazards and their monitoring and management can fill the gap between science, policy, and the community concerned. In an endeavor to understand and characterize the various hazards, Monitoring and Managing Multi-hazards: A Multidisciplinary approach presents a synthesis of what cross-disciplinary researchers know about these hazards and indigenous adaptation strategies. The book therefore focuses on the use of precision techniques, Remote Sensing, and GIS technologies to quantify various natural, environmental and social hazards along with the capacity building and sustainable mitigation strategies towards resilient societies. It encompasses both thematic and regional case studies to highlight the dynamicity of climate change, change of natural resources, landscape, water, river, agricultural, and social ecosystems at various spatio-temporal scales, including theoretical and applied aspects. The book gives readers an overview and analysis of traditional and advanced geospatial technologies on atmospheric, lithospheric, hydrosphere, biospheric and socio-economic contexts, on all spatial and temporal scales regarding hazards and disasters and sustainable development and management for the future.

This series covers leading-edge research focusing on the environment, including current research data on coastal wetlands and their role in human health; electro-kinetic enhanced phytoremediation for the restoration of multi-metal(loid) contaminated soils; French neotropical solanum genus; advances in production of value-added products from sugarcane straw ash; influence of organic load, fill time and cycle length on biohydrogen production in an AnSBBR treating glucose-based wastewater; AnSBBR operated in batch and fed-batch modes applied to biohydrogen production treating lactose-based wastewater; and impact assessment of mining and metallurgical activities on the distribution of trace elements in the Stavnja Valley, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Evaluating traditional and recent analytical methods according to speed, sensitivity, and cost-efficiency, this reference supports specialists in the selection of effective analytical techniques and equipment for the study of soils, soil contaminants, and environmental samples. Updated and revised, this Third Edition illustrates the advantages, limitations, range, and challenges of the major analytical approaches utilized in modern research laboratories. It includes new chapters and expanded discussions of the measurement of organic pollutants in the environment and gas fluxes between the land surface and atmosphere, and an extensive range of environmental materials.