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Tropical Fruits and Frugivores : The Search for Strong Interactors
In this book we undertake one of the first global-scale comparisons of the relationships between tropical plants and frugivorous animal communities, comparing sites within and across continents. In total, 12 primary contributors, including noted plant and animal ecologists, present newly-analyzed long-term datasets on the floristics and phenological rhythms of their study sites, identifying important seed dispersers and key plant taxa that sustain animal communities in Africa, Madagascar, Australasia, and the Neotropics.
Tropical forest seed
Aims at dealing with all practical issues in connection with practical tree seed procurement and supply in tropical countries, with necessary background information and documentation of applied methods.
Tropical forest genetics
Presents a concise overview of genetic variation, evolutionary processes and the human impact on forest genetic resources in the tropics. As well, modern tools to assess genetic diversity patterns and the dynamics of genetic structures are introduced to the non-specialist reader.
Transgenesis and the Management of Vector-Borne Disease
Parasitic, bacterial and viral agents continue to challenge the welfare of humans, livestock, wild life and plants worldwide. The public health impact and financial consequences of these diseases are particularly hard on the already overburdened economies of developing countries especially in the tropics. Many of these disease agents utilize insect hosts (vectors) to achieve their transmission to mammals. In the past, these diseases were largely controlled by insecticide-based vector reduction strategies. Now, many of these diseases have reemerged in the tropics, recolonizing their previous range, and expanding into new territories previously not considered to be endemic. Habitat change, irrigation practices, atmospheric and climate change, insecticide and drug resistance as well as increases in global tourism, human traffic and commercial activities, have driven the reemergence and spread of vector borne diseases. While these diseases can be controlled through interventions aimed at both their vertebrate and invertebrate hosts, no effective vaccines exist, and only limited therapeutic prospects are available for their control in mammalian hosts. Molecular technologies such as transgenesis, which is the subject of this book, stand to increase the toolbox and benefit disease management strategies.
Renewing local planning to face climate change in the tropics
This book aims to inspire decision makers and practitioners to change their approach to climate planning in the tropics through the application of modern technologies for characterizing local climate and tracking vulnerability and risk, and using decision-making tools. Drawing on 16 case studies conducted mainly in the Caribbean, Central America, Western and Eastern Africa, and South East Asia it is shown how successful integration of traditional and modern knowledge can enhance disaster risk reduction and adaptation to climate change in the tropics. The case studies encompass both rural and urban settings and cover different scales: rural communities, cities, and regions. In addition, the book looks to the future of planning by addressing topics of major importance, including residual risk integration in local development plans, damage insurance and the potential role of climate vulnerability reduction credits.
Post-Agricultural Succession in the Neotropics
Post-Agricultural Succession in the Neotropics draws implications from scientific studies for the wise management of old field ecosystems in the neotropics, where conversion of land to cropping systems is the most common kind of disturbance and many landscapes are defined by areas recovering from agriculture. The book provides a background in old field ecosystems and proposes restoration strategies and a trajectory for future research.
Pests of Crops in Warmer Climates and Their Control
A textbook providing basic data about the crop pests and the damage they inflict throughout the tropics and sub-tropics. Each major pest is illustrated by either a line drawing or a photograph, and sometimes the damage can also be seen. A world distribution map is provided for each species. Control measures tend to be general rather than very specific. Most of the pests are insects and mites, but some nematodes, molluscs, birds and mammals are included.
Heating, cooling, lighting : Sustainable design methods for architects
Helps architects minimize mechanical systems and energy usage over the life of the building by siting, building design, and landscaping to maximize natural heating, cooling, and lighting. This new fourth edition includes new information on integrated design strategies and designing for the Tropics. Resources include helpful case studies, checklists, diagrams, and a companion website featuring additional cases, an image bank, and instructor materials. Designing buildings that require less energy to heat, cool, and light means allowing the natural energy of the sun and wind to reduce the burden on the mechanical and electrical systems. Basic design decisions regarding size, orientation, and form have a great impact on the sustainability, cost, and comfort of a building. Heating, Cooling, and Lighting provides detailed guidance for each phase of a design project.
Harvesting Operations in the Tropics
The book brings together information on harvest methods, system productivity, and methods for conducting safe, efficient, and environmentally acceptable operations in tropical forests. It highlights the challenges of harvest operations in the tropics, includes techniques that have been shown to be successful, and discusses newer technologies.
Genomics-assisted crop improvement ; Vol.2 : Genomics applications in crops
Genomics research has great potential to revolutionize the discipline of plant breeding. This two-volume set provides a critical assessment of genomics tools and approaches for crop breeding. Volume 2, entitled "Genomics Applications in Crops", compiles crop-specific studies that summarize both the achievements and limitations of genomics research for crop improvement.
Forest Road Operations in the Tropics
This book brings together information on road planning, location, design, construction and maintenance to support environmentally acceptable operations in tropical forests. It highlights the challenges of road operations in the tropics, includes techniques that have been shown to be successful, and discusses newer technologies. It is intended as a reference book for the forest engineer and others interested in the planning and management of tropical forests. Numerical examples are provided to provide clarity for interpreting graphs, procedures, and formulas. The book covers the various facets of road management from design objectives through practices to control environmental impacts.
Forest Mensuration
Van Laar and Akça’s popular text book, Forest Mensuration, was first published in 1997. Like that first edition, this modern update is based on extensive research, teaching and practical experience in both Europe, and the tropics and subtropics. However, it has also been extensively revised, and now includes chapters on remote sensing and the application of aerial photographs and satellite imagery. As with its predecessor, this book assumes no advanced knowledge of statistical methods, and combines practical techniques with important historical and disciplinary context. The result is a strong balance between a handbook on traditional mensuration methods, and a valuable reference on the many recent research and inventory-related innovations which have emerged in recent years.
Estuaries
Aspects of the biogeochemistry of estuaries from a variety of environments, from the tropics to the Arctic, are discussed. In most cases the courses of these rivers have been altered by dams or diversions; the results of these changes on the nature of the estuary are also discussed, where such data is available. In the case of the Tasmanian rivers, the estuary of the Huon, a largely untouched river, is contrasted with that of the Derwent, a river heavily influenced by industry. The future state of all of these estuaries may be a sensitive indicator of shifts in global weather patterns.
Land-Change Science in the Tropics : Changing Agricultural Landscapes
Land use and land-cover change research over the past decade has focused mainly on contemporary primary land-cover conversions in the tropics and sub-tropics, with considerable resources dedicated to the explanation and prediction of tropical deforestation and often ignoring the dynamism in the world’s agro-pastoral landscapes. This collection integrates cutting-edge research in the social, biogeophysical, and geographical information sciences to understand the human and environmental dynamics that change the type, magnitude and location of land uses and land covers in the changing countryside.This book describes the monitoring of land-cover changes, explains the processes through which land is altered, and describes the development of spatially-explicit models to predict land change. This book illustrates how practitioners have integrated knowledge from the three scientific realms - social, biophysical, and GIScience - that underpin land-change science.
Bioclimatic housing : Innovative designs for warm climates
In the search for sustainable architecture, there is growing interest in the relationship between nature and design. In this context, Bioclimatic Housing covers creative, vernacular architecture to present both the theory and practice of innovative, low-energy architecture.The book interweaves the themes of social progress, technological fixes and industry transformation within a discussion of global and country trends, climate types, solutions and technologies. this is a truly international and authoritative work, providing an essential primer for building designers, builders, developers and advanced students in architecture and engineering.
Atlas of dermatological conditions in populations of African Ancestry
This book presents the nuances of dermatology from the African diaspora and the tropics. It not only addresses the dark pigmentation of the patient’s skin and the occurrence of tropical infections, but also the socioeconomic conditions which lead to unique features and the development of skin diseases. Chapters present numerous dermatological cases, with clear/relevant pictures, to serve as illustration of how skin conditions present in African/dark skin. Of these specific conditions, the book includes chapters on eczema, bullous diseases, hair disorders, acne, and papulosquamous disorders.
Adaptogens : Herbs for strength, stamina, and stress relief
Includes a Materia Medica with monographs covering 25 adaptogens, including eleuthero, ginseng, rhodiola, schisandra, ashwagandha, licorice, shatavari, reishi, and holy basil, as well as complementary nervines, restorative tonics, and nootropics Explains how adaptogens increase the body's resistance to adverse influences, increase energy and stamina, and counter the effects of age and stress on the body Details the actions, properties, preparation, and dosage for each herb and their uses in Ayurveda and Chinese medicine and as remedies for animals Every day our bodies strive to adapt and stay balanced, energized, and healthy, yet chronic stress and the resulting elevation of stress hormones such as cortisol have been shown to be major factors behind not only fatigue and weight gain but also many chronic and degenerative diseases
