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Books > Science & Mathematics > Biology, life sciences > Botany & plant sciences > Plant ecology
Flora of North America Volume 7 is the seventh volume of nineteen
on dicotyledons to be published in the Flora of North America
series. It treats more than 910 species classified among 114 genera
in five families in the following two orders of the subclass
Dilleniidae: Salicales (Willow order) and Capparales (Caper order).
The families covered in Volume 7 include Salicaceae, Capparaceae,
Brassicaceae, Moringaceae, and Resedaceae. Each genus has
representative species illustrated with a line drawing that, in
combination with keys and descriptions, will facilitate
identifications of these groups of plants. Even though many genera
of mustards (Brassicaceae-nearly 100 genera with c. 750 species)
are known in the flora area due to introduced species, many quite
species-rich genera-Draba (140 species), Boechera (109 spp.),
Physaria (90 spp.), Lepidium (40 spp.), Streptanthus (33 spp.), and
Rorippa (23 spp.)-have many endemic species that are known from
quite restricted areas within North America.
Bioinvasions and Globalization synthesises our current knowledge of
the ecology and economics of biological invasions, providing an
in-depth evaluation of the science and its implications for
managing the causes and consequences of one of the most pressing
environmental issues facing humanity today.
Community ecology is the study of the interactions between
populations of co-existing species. Co-edited by two prominent
community ecologists and featuring contributions from top
researchers in the field, this book provides a survey of the
state-of-the-art in both the theory and applications of the
discipline. It pays special attention to topology, dynamics, and
the importance of spatial and temporal scale while also looking at
applications to emerging problems in human-dominated ecosystems
(including the restoration and reconstruction of viable
communities).
Flora of North America Volume 8 is the seventh of 19 volumes on
dicotyledons to be published in the Flora of North America North of
Mexico series. It treats 680 species classified among 125 genera in
19 families. The larger families covered in Volume 8 include
Crassulaceae (Stonecrop family), Ericaceae (Heath family),
Grossulariaceae (Currant family), Myrsinaceae (Myrsine family),
Primulaceae (Primrose family), and Saxifragaceae (Saxifrage
family).
This book is an essential reference source covering the chemical elements that are nutrients for plants or grazing animals. It deals with the concentrations and transformations of these elements in soils, grassland plants, and ruminant animals, particularly cattle and sheep. For each element, the following data are given: forms occurring in soil, factors that affect availability and concentration, uptake and distribution in grassland plants, role in animal nutrition, amounts and forms excreted by grazing animals, and concentrations needed by ruminant animals.
Fungi are an essential, fascinating and biotechnologically useful group of organisms with an incredible biotechnological potential for industrial exploitation. Knowledge of the world's fungal diversity and its use is still incomplete and fragmented. There are many opportunities to accelerate the process of filling knowledge gaps in these areas. The worldwide interest of the current era is to increase the tendency to use natural substances instead of synthetic ones. The increasing urge in society for natural ingredients has compelled biotechnologists to explore novel bioresources which can be exploited in industrial sector. Fungi, due to their unique attributes and broad range of their biological activities hold great promises for their application in biotechnology and industry. Fungi are an efficient source of antioxidants, enzymes, pigments, and many other secondary metabolites. The large scale production of fungal pigments and their utility provides natural coloration without creating harmful effects on entering the environment, a safer alternative use to synthetic colorants. The fungal enzymes can be exploited in wide range of industries such as food, detergent, paper, and also for removal toxic waste. This book will serve as valuable source of information as well as will provide new directions to researchers to conduct novel research in field of mycology. Volume 2 of "Industrially Important Fungi for Sustainable Development" provides an overview to understanding bioprospecting of fungal biomolecules and their industrial application for future sustainability. It encompasses current advanced knowledge of fungal communities and their potential biotechnological applications in industry and allied sectors. The book will be useful to scientists, researchers, and students of microbiology, biotechnology, agriculture, molecular biology, and environmental biology.
This book informs about knowledge gain in soil and land degradation to reduce or prevent it for meeting the mission of the Sustainable Developments Goals of the United Nations. Essence, extent, monitoring methods and implications for ecosystem functioning of main soil degradation types are characterized in overview chapters and case studies. Challenges, approaches and data towards identification of degradation in the frame of improving functionality, health and multiple ecosystem services of soil are demonstrated in the studies of international expert teams. The book consists of five parts, containing 5-12 single chapters each and 36 in total. Parts are explaining (I) Concepts and Indicators, (II) Soil Erosion and Compaction, (III) Soil Contamination, (IV) Soil Carbon and Fertility Monitoring and (V) Soil Survey and Mapping of Degradation The primary audience of this book are scientists of different disciplines, decision-makers, farmers and further informed people dealing with sustainable management of soil and land.
The 3rd edition of this popular textbook introduces the reader to the investigation of vegetation systems with an emphasis on data analysis. The book succinctly illustrates the various paths leading to high quality data suitable for pattern recognition, pattern testing, static and dynamic modelling and model testing including spatial and temporal aspects of ecosystems. Step-by-step introductions using small examples lead to more demanding approaches illustrated by real world examples aimed at explaining interpretations. All data sets and examples described in the book are available online and are written using the freely available statistical package R. This book will be of particular value to beginning graduate students and postdoctoral researchers of vegetation ecology, ecological data analysis, and ecological modelling, and experienced researchers needing a guide to new methods. A completely revised and updated edition of this popular introduction to data analysis in vegetation ecology. Includes practical step-by-step examples using the freely available statistical package R. Complex concepts and operations are explained using clear illustrations and case studies relating to real world phenomena. Emphasizes method selection rather than just giving a set of recipes.
How will biodiversity loss affect ecosystem functioning, ecosystem
services, and human well-being?
Medicinal flora plays an important role in health care systems across the world. Out of the half million flowering plants, around 50.000 species are valued for their therapeutic properties. During the last few decades, 20% of the world's population used plants and/or their derived products as a source of medicine. WHO stated that 80% population around the globe, specifically the rural communities, depend on medicinal plants for their basic healthcare needs. To this end, plant-based phytochemicals are known to have hepato-protective, anti-carcinogenic, anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant actions. This book is a guide to ~280 plant species of medicinal flora that demonstrates global relevance. Our goal is to share local knowledge about phytomedicines to a worldwide audience. It is an illustrated reference that documents and preserves the existing knowledge on these plant taxa, with a social and cultural (ethnobotanical) emphasis. This book also provides comprehensive and useful information about traditional uses of medicinal plants by the local communities for the treatment of various prevalent diseases. It contains comprehensive descriptions of each species including family, synonyms, English name, distribution, altitude, habitat, morphological description, life form, part used, mode of utilization, diseases category, recipes, other medicinal uses, phytochemical activity and toxicity.
Coastal zones are becoming increasingly topical (and politically sensitive) as they face relentless pressures from urban expansion, recreational development, and sea level rise due to climate change. This timely book provides a comprehensive introduction to the formation, dynamics, maintenance, and perpetuation of coastal sand dune systems. It describes the interactions between living organisms and the physical processes of geomorphology. A global range of examples enhance the book's international appeal. Based on the research presented in this book, simple to complex field studies and experiments could be designed at undergraduate and graduate levels to illustrate various biological principles. This accessible book is intended for a diverse audience; as an invaluable reference for researchers who study coastal dune systems and for novice researchers requiring a sound introduction to the subject. This book is suitable for both senior undergraduate and graduate students taking courses in coastal zone management, plant ecology, restoration ecology, and conservation biology, as well as the many professional ecologists and conservation biologists requiring a concise but authoritative overview of the topic. The book also will be of relevance and use to coastal managers, planners, naturalists, and anyone pursuing a greater understanding of coastal sand dunes.
Coastal zones are becoming increasingly topical (and politically
sensitive) as they face relentless pressures from urban expansion,
recreational development, and sea level rise due to climate change.
This timely book provides a comprehensive introduction to the
formation, dynamics, maintenance, and perpetuation of coastal sand
dune systems. It describes the interactions between living
organisms and the physical processes of geomorphology. A global
range of examples enhance the book's international appeal. Based on
the research presented in this book, simple to complex field
studies and experiments could be designed at undergraduate and
graduate levels to illustrate various biological principles.
With the exception of climate change, biological invasions have
probably received more attention during the past ten years than any
other ecological topic. Yet this is the first synthetic,
single-authored overview of the field since Williamson's 1996 book.
Written fifty years after the publication of Elton's pioneering
monograph on the subject, Invasion Biology provides a comprehensive
and up-to-date review of the science of biological invasions while
also offering new insights and perspectives relating to the
processes of introduction, establishment, and spread. The book
connects science with application by describing the health,
economic, and ecological impacts of invasive species as well as the
variety of management strategies developed to mitigate harmful
impacts. The author critically evaluates the approaches, findings,
and controversies that have characterized invasion biology in
recent years, and suggests a variety of future research directions.
Carefully balanced to avoid distinct taxonomic, ecosystem, and
geographic (both investigator and species) biases, the book
addresses a wide range of invasive species (including protists,
invertebrates, vertebrates, fungi, and plants) which have been
studied in marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments
throughout the world by investigators equally diverse in their
origins.
This book provides a comprehensive and systematic analysis of the morphodynamic process of the Changjiang River from upstream to estuary in the Anthropocene. As the longest river in China, the Changjiang River has nurtured Chinese civilization with ample natural resources for thousands of years. Evidence highlights that the Changjiang River has experienced intensive human interference and indicated dramatic changes in the Anthropocene, including "no flood in flood season, no dry in dry season" in discharge; "less flood in flood season, more dry in dry season" in sediment; riverbed shifts from accretion to erosion; lakes in the middle-lower reach turn from sediment sink to source; estuarine tidal flat exhibits self-organization characteristics and maintains the current accretion state; estuarine branches that connect to the sea show district morphodynamic patterns; and depocenters of the submerged delta indicate periodic shifts. The book stresses that dam construction upstream, practically the Three Gorges Dam, the world's largest hydraulic engineering project, has significant influences on the hydrology and geomorphology of the middle-lower reach but has a slight effect on estuarine delta development. The geomorphological structure of the estuarine channel is dominated by local land reclamation, navigation, and dredging. This book clarifies the river-estuary morphodynamics of the Changjiang River and indicates the general features of global mega rivers under human interference as well as their own response mechanisms. This book also exhibits the potential risk of river-estuary deltas in the future, as both material and dynamics are experiencing acceleration adjustment.
Recently, the public attention has turned toward the intricate
interrelation between economic growth and global warming. This book
focuses on this nexus but broadens the framework to study the
issue. Growth is seen as global growth, which affects the global
environment and climate change. Global growth, in particular high
economic growth rates, imply a fast depletion of renewable and
non-renewable resources.
This book owes a great deal to the outstanding universal value of the natural heritage of Hubei Shennongjia, which offers an outstanding example of the ongoing ecological processes occurring in the development of intact subtropical mixed broad-leaved evergreen and deciduous forests in the northern hemisphere. The book demonstrates the value from the typical example of mountain altitudinal biological zones in the Oriental Deciduous Forest Biogeographical Province, and the vital origin location for global temperate flora, harboring the highest concentration of global temperate genera. Moreover, the heritage value in exceptional biodiversity and key habitat for numerous relic, rare, endangered, endemic, and type specimen species are presented. The richness of deciduous woody species in Shennongjia is the highest in the world.
The Earth's climate is constantly changing. Some of the changes are
progressive, while others fluctuate at various time scales. The El
Nino-la Nina cycle is one such fluctuation that recurs every few
years and has far-reaching impacts. It generally appears at least
once per decade, but this may vary with our changing climate. The
exact frequency, sequence, duration and intensity of El Nino's
manifestations, as well as its effects and geographic
distributions, are highly variable. The El Nino-la Nina cycle is
particularly challenging to study due to its many interlinked
phenomena that occur in various locations around the globe. These
worldwide teleconnections are precisely what makes studying El
Nino-la Nina so important.
The Systems Ecology Paradigm (SEP) incorporates humans as integral parts of ecosystems and emphasizes issues that have significant societal relevance such as grazing land, forestland, and agricultural ecosystem management, biodiversity and global change impacts. Accomplishing this societally relevant research requires cutting-edge basic and applied research. This book focuses on environmental and natural resource challenges confronting local to global societies for which the SEP methodology must be utilized for resolution. Key elements of SEP are a holistic perspective of ecological/social systems, systems thinking, and the ecosystem approach applied to real world, complex environmental and natural resource problems. The SEP and ecosystem approaches force scientific emphasis to be placed on collaborations with social scientists and behavioral, learning, and marketing professionals. The SEP has given environmental scientists, decision makers, citizen stakeholders, and land and water managers a powerful set of tools to analyse, integrate knowledge, and propose adoption of solutions to important local to global problems.
Flora of North America Volume 27 is the first volume of three on
the bryophytes (mosses, hornworts, and liverworts). Thirty-five
authors treat the first half of the mosses, including 32 of the
acrocarpous families, with introductory chapters on bryophyte
morphology, the history of North America floristic bryology, and
economic uses. The 84 species of sphagnum, of considerable economic
importance, are fully treated. The number of taxa total 37 genera
and 621 species. The taxa are fully described and keyed,
illustrated with an estimated 136 panels of detailed line drawings
of two or more species each, and geographic distributions are
provided at the province and state level. This is the first
installment of a full compilation of the mosses for North America
since A. J. Grout's Moss Flora of North America of 60 years ago,
and is sure to be an invaluable reference.
In the modern world, to meet increasing energy demands we need to develop new technologies allowing us to use eco-friendly carbon-neutral energy sources. Solar energy as the most promising renewable source could be the way to solve that problem, but it is variable depending on day time and season. From this side, the understanding of photosynthesis process could be of significant help for us to develop effective strategies of solar energy capturing, conversion, and storage. Plants, algae, and cyanobacteria perform photosynthesis, annually producing around 100 billion tons of dry biomass. Presently, the detailed studies of photosynthetic system structure make functional investigations of the photosynthetic process available, allowing scientists to construct artificial systems for solar energy transduction. This book summarizes exciting achievements in understanding of photosynthetic structures and mechanisms of this process made by world leaders in photosynthesis field, and contains information about modern ideas in development of revolutionary new technologies of energy conversion. Organized according to the natural sequence of events occurring during photosynthesis, the book includes information of both photosynthetic structures and mechanisms and its applications in bioenergetics issues.
This open access book explores a new conceptual framework for the sustainable management of the boreal forest in the face of climate change. The boreal forest is the second-largest terrestrial biome on Earth and covers a 14 million km2 belt, representing about 25% of the Earth's forest area. Two-thirds of this forest biome is managed and supplies 37% of global wood production. These forests also provide a range of natural resources and ecosystem services essential to humanity. However, climate change is altering species distributions, natural disturbance regimes, and forest ecosystem structure and functioning. Although sustainable management is the main goal across the boreal biome, a novel framework is required to adapt forest strategies and practices to climate change. This collaborative effort draws upon 148 authors in summarizing the sustainable management of these forests and detailing the most recent experimental and observational results collected from across the boreal biome. It presents the state of sustainable management in boreal forests and highlights the critical importance of this biome in a context of global change because of these forests' key role in a range of natural processes, including carbon sequestration, nutrient cycling, and the maintaining of biodiversity. This book is an essential read for academics, students, and practitioners involved in boreal forest management. It outlines the challenges facing sustainable boreal forest management within the context of climate change and serves as a basis for establishing new research avenues, identifying future research trends, and developing climate-adapted forest management plans.
Why are some kinds of organism species-rich and others species-poor? How do new species arise and why do some go extinct? Why do organisms grow and behave the way they do? This book provides an introduction to evolutionary ecology, the science that brings ecology and evolution together to help understand biological diversity. In a concise, readable format, Peter Mayhew covers the entire breadth of the subject, from life histories and the evolution of sex, to speciation and macroecology. Many emerging fields are also introduced, such as metabolic ecology, the evolution of population dynamics, and the evolution of global ecology. Discovering Evolutionary Ecology highlights the connections between these different subject areas, and for the first time paints a picture of a truly integrated field. It illustrates the research tools utilized, and demonstrates how advances in one area can spur on developments elsewhere when scientists combine evolutionary and ecological knowledge. To maximize accessibility, the book assumes only a basic knowledge of biology, includes a comprehensive glossary, and contains almost no maths. Each chapter provides suggestions for further reading, and there is also an extensive reference list. Ideal as an introduction to evolutionary ecology for undergraduates, this book will also interest established researchers, providing a broad and up-to-date context for their work.
This book presents a collection of cross-disciplinary research, with contributions addressing all key features of the plant/microbe/ENP nexus in agro-ecosystems. The uptake, transport and transformation of nanoparticles in plants have attracted more and more attention in the past several years. Especially, the impact of Engineered Nanoparticles (ENPs) on bioprocesses; low-, medium- and high-level dose responses in the microbial community of soil; and long-, medium- and short-term exposure responses, particularly microbial nitrogen transformations, are just a few of the aspects involved. Since ENPs are used in many industries, including cosmetics, agriculture, medicine, food technology and waste management, their transport through biogeochemical cycles is an important focus of many studies today. Specifically, ENP-microbe interaction has been analysed with regard to disease treatment for plants; it plays a vital role in disease inhibition by releasing metal ions that act through many pathways - e.g. reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, DNA transformation and disruption of the cell cycle - to stop cell growth in the pathogen. Due to these properties, ENPs are also used as slow release or delayed release pesticides and fungicides, and as carrier systems for growth-promoting hormones. Despite their multiple uses in various industries, the negative effects of ENPs are still a major concern for the scientific community and consumers alike. For example, their transport to various food chains has been reported to have adverse effects. This raises a degree of doubt concerning a rapidly growing scientific field with major applications in many industries. From a sustainable development perspective and particularly to ensure food security in light of the uncertainty accompanying climate change, it is imperative to address this divergence by focusing on the plant/microbe/ENP nexus.
This book provides a comprehensive monograph of the family Humiraceae. It includes information on economic botany, conservation, phylogenetic relationships, taxonomic history, ecology, cytology, anatomy, and phytochemistry, among other topics. This volume is illustrated with line drawings, black and white photographs, and distribution maps. It was written by the world-leading authority on this plant group and contains a total of eight genera, 65 species, and 15 infraspecific taxa, with two new species described. This work is volume 123 in the Flora Neotropica book series (Lawrence M. Kelly, Editor-in-Chief). Flora Neotropica volumes provide taxonomic treatments of plant groups or families growing in the Americas between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. |
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