Precision farming is an agricultural management system using global navigation satellite systems, geographic information systems, remote sensing, and data management systems for optimizing the use of nutrients, water, seed, pesticides and energy in heterogeneous field situations. This book provides extensive information on the state-of-the-art of research on precision crop protection and recent developments in site-specific application technologies for the management of weeds, arthropod pests, pathogens and nematodes. It gives the reader an up-to-date and in-depth review of both basic and applied research developments. The chapters discuss I) biology and epidemiology of pests, II) new sensor technologies, III) applications of multi-scale sensor systems, IV) sensor detection of pests in growing crops, V) spatial and non-spatial data management, VI) impact of pest heterogeneity and VII) precise mechanical and chemical pest control.

11 11/16 X 8 1/4 in

Volume 3 examines the chemical composition of the Earth's crust, starting with the continental crust and the rocks exposed therein, moving on to oceanic crust (MORB and oceanic plateaus) and finishing with island arc crust. In addition to providing a descriptive geochemistry of the Earth's crust, the volume summarizes the processes responsible for crustal formation and modification, exchange between the crust and other Earth reservoirs (mantle, oceans and atmosphere), and examines the secular evolution of the crust.

Reprinted individual volume from the acclaimed Treatise on Geochemistry,
(10 Volume Set, ISBN 0-08-043751-6, published in 2003)
* Comprehensive and authoritative scope and focus
* Reviews from renowned scientists across a range of subjects, providing both overviews and new data, supplemented by extensive bibliographies
* Extensive illustrations and examples from the field

This book presents a state-of-the-art overview of ongoing GIScience research that has been presented at the 10th Conference of the Association of Geographic Information Laboratories for Europe (AGILE), held in Aalborg, Denmark. Included are 27 fully peer-reviewed papers not only covering basic GIScience research themes, but also ongoing research on technological advancements, as well as applied research on environmental modeling and management.

11 11/16 X 8 1/4 in

High-pressure mineral physics is a field that is strongly driven by the development of new technology. Fifty years ago, when experimentally achievable pressures were limited to just 25 GPa, little was know about the mineralogy of the Earth's lower mantle. Silicate perovskite, the likely dominant mineral of the deep Earth, was identified only when the high-pressure techniques broke the pressure barrier of 25 GPa in 1970s. However, as the maximum achievable pressure reached beyond one Megabar (100 GPa) and even to the pressure of Earth's core on minute samples, new discoveries increasingly were fostered by the development of new analytical techniques and improvements in sensitivity and precision of existing techniques.

The book consists of six sections which group the papers according to their main topics: a) Elastic and Anelastic Properties; b) Rheology; c) Melt and Glass Properties; d) Structural and Magnetic Properties; e) Diffraction and Spectroscopy; f) Pressure Calibration and Generation. As many papers cover multiple topics, readers may find papers of interest in different sections. All papers are prepared with emphasis on technical details suitable for a technical reference. Many on-line software resources are also listed in as detailed a manner as possible. However, the URL of the software sites may be subject to change without notice.
* State of the art in a very important branch of geophysics, namely the experimental determination of material behavior at the extreme conditions of planetary interiors
* Emphasis on technical details suitable for a technical reference
* Includes many on-line software resources

This second volume of Frontiers articles contains a broad array of fascinating topics. The first four
papers focus on the Sun, the origin of the solar system and the early history of the Earth. The fifth, on komatiites, is also relevant to the early Earth but also forms a nice transition to three articles that focus on subduction and mantle processes. The final three articles focus on changes in our surface environment including biogeochemical cycles, the evolution of hominids and, finally, the future threat posed by near Earth asteroids.

Lightning represents a natural phenomenon of substantial interest. Due to its complex nature, research continues in many countries and reveals amazing results. Lightning is actively observed because of its relevance to Earth climate and air composition in addition to the classical aspects of related human fatalities and damage to forests, buildings, power lines, aircraft, structures and electronic devices. In this volume, the most important contemporary questions on lightning are addressed and analyzed under many experimental and theoretical aspects. Lightning detection techniques using ground-based and space-borne methods are described, along with network engineering and statistical analysis. Contributions detail research on atmospheric electricity, cloud physics, lightning physics, modeling of electrical storms and middle atmospheric events. Special phenomena such as triggered lightning and sprite observations are examined. Lightning-induced nitrogen oxides and their effects on atmospheric chemistry and climate are discussed. Each topic is presented by international experts in the field. Topics include: * air chemistry * convective storms * infrasound from lightning * lightning and climate change * lightning and precipitation * lightning and radiation * lightning and supercells * lightning and thunderstorms * lightning detection * lightning from space * lighting protection * lightning return strokes * observations and interpretations * spatial distribution and frequency * triggered lightning * weather extremes

Cost Oriented Automation 2004 addresses a new integration environment that enables the evolution of collaborative e-design paradigm. This design paradigm aims at seamless and dynamic integration of distributed design objects and engineering tools over the internet.

Iceland provides an unique stage on which to study the natural environment, both past and present, and it is understanding both aspects of reconstructing the past and observing and interpreting the present that form the focus of the contributions to this volume.

The papers are all written by active researchers and incorporate both reviews and new data. Although concentrating largely on the recent Quaternary timescale a wide range of topics is explored including subglacial volcanism, onshore and offshore evidence for the Last Glacial Maximum and subsequent deglaciation, current glacial characteristics including jokulhlaups and glacial landsystems, soil development, Holocene ecosystem change, current oceanography, impacts of volcanic sulphur loading, chemical weathering and the CO2 budget and documentary evidence for historical climate.

The key element of the volume is that for the first time it provides a wide overview of a range of topics for which Iceland provides an almost unparalleled laboratory emphasizing the importance of research on this small island for studies over a much broader global scale. These reviews point the way to future research directions and are supplemented by extensive illustrations and a comprehensive bibliography.
* Wide range of related topics covered both from a present day and quaternary perspective
* Reviews from scientists active in each research area across a range of subjects providing both overviews and new data supplemented by an extensive bibliography
* Extensive illustrations and examples from the field

Mathematically, natural disasters of all types are characterized by heavy tailed distributions. The analysis of such distributions with common methods, such as averages and dispersions, can therefore lead to erroneous conclusions. The statistical methods described in this book avoid such pitfalls. Seismic disasters are studied, primarily thanks to the availability of an ample statistical database. New approaches are presented to seismic risk estimation and forecasting the damage caused by earthquakes, ranging from typical, moderate events to very rare, extreme disasters. Analysis of these latter events is based on the limit theorems of probability and the duality of the generalized Pareto distribution and generalized extreme value distribution. It is shown that the parameter most widely used to estimate seismic risk - Mmax, the maximum possible earthquake value - is potentially non-robust. Robust analogues of this parameter are suggested and calculated for some seismic catalogues. Trends in the costs inferred by damage from natural disasters as related to changing social and economic situations are examined for different regions.

The results obtained argue for sustainable development, whereas entirely different, incorrect conclusions can be drawn if the specific properties of the heavy-tailed distribution and change in completeness of data on natural hazards are neglected.

This pioneering work is directed at risk assessment specialists in general, seismologists, administrators and all those interested in natural disasters and their impact on society.

This book features a selection of works presented in the 2nd International Conference on BioGeoSciences in a unified framework. First, it describes several theoretical tools for the mathematical modelling of natural processes and environments, such as Quantitative Habitability Theory, dynamical systems and artificial intelligence. It then outlines applications to the broad and multifaceted area of the natural sciences and environmental engineering. This highly interdisciplinary book includes case studies with a wide range of spatio-temporal scales: from ecosystem- to astrobiological-cosmological scales.

Discover the epic history of human exploration and migration, and the stories of fearless pioneers the world over, with this stunning tour of history - map by map.

Charting everything from the movement of early Homo species out of Africa some 1.8 million years ago to the astonishing voyages of Polynesian sailors across the Pacific from 4,000 BCE, and from the California Gold Rush to the Race for Space, entries explain the movements of people and cultures who set off into the unknown - in search of adventure or a better life.

Specially commissioned maps show the key driving factors of each journey, and why certain routes were chosen over others - whether due to climate, terrain, or territory - while stunning contemporary examples offer fascinating insights into the unique world-views and political motivations of the people who commissioned them, and the cartographers who created them.

The voyages of history’s greatest explorers - from Zheng He to Ibn Battuta and Marco Polo - are brought to vivid life with accompanying photos, illustrations, and original artefacts, along with recent missions to chart the depths of the oceans and the surface of Mars. And entries also explore the experiences of established Indigenous groups and the impact of settler populations.

Packed with fascinating detail and bursting with lavish illustrations, Exploration: Map by Map is a must-have title for anyone who loves maps, history, or the pioneering spirit.

The ARTEMIS mission was initiated by skillfully moving the two outermost Earth-orbiting THEMIS spacecraft into lunar orbit to conduct unprecedented dual spacecraft observations of the lunar environment. ARTEMIS stands for Acceleration, Reconnection, Turbulence and Electrodynamics of the Moon's Interaction with the Sun. Indeed, this volume discusses initial findings related to the Moon s magnetic and plasma environments and the electrical conductivity of the lunar interior. This work is aimed at researchers and graduate students in both heliophysics and planetary physics. Originally published in Space Science Reviews, Vol. 165/1-4, 2011."

Science into Policy: Global Lessons from Antarctica reveals a unique model for integrating Earth system science with environmental and resource policies to balance economic, governmental, and societal interests. Since the International Geophysical Year in 1957-1958, scientific investigation has fostered international cooperation and the rational use of Antarctica for "peaceful purposes only." Beyond merely presenting information, this book integrates content and concepts in a manner that will appeal to individuals with interests in the natural and the social sciences.
Integrated chapters convey the natural and the human dimensions of Antarctica.
Time and space concepts are introduced from diverse perspectives to facilitate insights into ecosystem and environmental variability.
Included CD-ROM provides searchable access to a comprehensive database of Antarctic Treaty documents.
The author has been leading international expeditions to "the ice" for the past three decades.

Forests and vegetation emit biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) into the atmosphere which, once oxidized, can partition into the particle phase, forming secondary organic aerosols (SOAs). This thesis reports on a unique and comprehensive analysis of the impact of BVOC emissions on atmospheric aerosols and climate. A state-of-the-art global aerosol microphysics model is used to make the first detailed assessment of the impact of BVOC emissions on aerosol microphysical properties, improving our understanding of the role of these emissions in affecting the Earth's climate. The thesis also reports on the implications for the climate impact of forests. Accounting for the climate impacts of SOAs, taken together with the carbon cycle and surface albedo effects that have been studied in previous work, increases the total warming effect of global deforestation by roughly 20%.