الصفحة 6
الصفحة 6
Full of Life : UNESCO Biosphere Reserves - Model Regions for Sustainable Development
UNESCO biosphere reserves are full of life. Here, people put sustainable development into practice: economic, ecological, social and cultural objectives are pursued, conserving precious natural spaces in the process. People are opening up new opportunities for today and are taking responsibility for future generations. What could be more exciting than a look at new ways into the future? The 14 biosphere reserves in Germany are part of a world network of 440 areas in the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB). Founded in the 1970s to research the relationship between man and the environment, biosphere reserves have been developed into model regions for sustainable development since the 1992 Rio Conference. This publication gives an overview of developments to date and the new direction for the MAB Programme in Germany. The generally valid guidelines for the conservation, care and development of these areas are explained. Various project examples from practice and research bear witness to the living implementation of the Programme in the German UNESCO biosphere reserves.
From Energetics to Ecosystems : the Dynamics and Structure of Ecological Systems
Ecosystems are complex and enigmatic entities that are ultimately our life support systems. Understanding these systems to the point of being able to predict their behaviour in the face of perturbations requires that researchers adopt a number of strategies that vary in both approach and scale. This book, in a sense, is representative of some of the developments that have unfolded when math and physics met ecology. Here, some of the world’s leading ecologists examine ecosystems from theoretical, experimental, and empirical viewpoints, from energetics to ecosystems. The book begins with simplifying and synthesizing nature’s complex relationships. It then moves on to explore the mapping between food web structure and function and ends with the role of theory in integrating different research areas. From the breadth of systems analyzed to the rigor of approaches taken, this book is not only a useful resource for students and researchers in ecology, but also serves as a fitting tribute to the life and work of Peter Yodzis.
From Bulk to Nano : The Many Sides of Magnetism
The field of magnetism is rapidly advancing in this new millennium, revealing an ever-wider diversity of magnetic phenomena on more than one scale. With the emergence of countless applications particularly on a nanoscale, and their unpredictable implications mostly on a macroscale, it may seem that different aspects of magnetism are unrelated. Quite often, the overwhelming amount of topics discussed in the professional literature views only parts of a field, ignoring a broader context. Therefore, the present book aims at addressing the relationship between apparently unconnected topics in magnetism. Less obvious relationships are revealed among individual fields on various scales, making them better understandable.
From Assessing to Conserving Biodiversity : Conceptual and Practical Challenges
This book despite increasing communication, accelerating policy and management responses, and notwithstanding improving ecosystem assessment and endangered species knowledge, conserving biodiversity continues to be more a concern than an accomplished task. Why is it so? The overexploitation of natural resources by our species is a frequently recognised factor, while the short-term economic interests of governments and stakeholders typically clash with the burdens that implementing conservation actions imply. But this is not the whole story. This book develops a different perspective on the problem by exploring the conceptual challenges and practical defiance posed by conserving biodiversity, namely: on the one hand, the difficulties in defining what biodiversity is and characterizing that “thing” to which the word ‘biodiversity’ refers to; on the other hand, the reasons why assessing biodiversity and putting in place effective conservation actions is arduous.
Freshwater Animal Diversity Assessment
The Freshwater Animal Diversity Assessment gives a state of the art assessment of the diversity and distribution of Metazoa in the continental waters of the world. The project deals with all major animal groups plus the macrophytes, and encompasses the complete array of terrestrial aquatic ecosystems. It is the most comprehensive study of species- and genus-level diversity and chorology of the global freshwater fauna to date, and is the first to present comparable data on the different faunal groups concerned. The project draws from the collected expertise of numerous world-renowned taxonomic experts that have bundled efforts to produce this outstanding volume. The result is invaluable to all scientists, managers and conservationists interested in non-marine aquatic animals.
Fostering transformative change for sustainability in the context of socio-ecological production landscapes and seascapes (SEPLS)
This book is a compilation of case studies that provide useful knowledge and lessons that derive from on-the-ground activities and contribute to policy recommendations, focusing on the relevance of social-ecological production landscapes and seascapes (SEPLS) to “transformative change.” The concept of “transformative change” has been gaining more attention to deal with today’s environmental and development problems, whereas both policy and scientific communities have been increasingly calling for transformative change toward sustainable society. The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) has planned to start the so-called “assessment on transformative change” if approved by the IPBES plenary to be held in 2021
Forest Restoration in Landscapes
This book integrates the restoration of forest functions into landscape conservation plans. and this book represents the collective body of knowledge and experience of WWF and its many partners--which is collected here for the first time and which will be invaluable to all of those working in the field. This guide will serve as a first stop for practitioners and researchers in any organization or region and as a key reference on the subject. Along with concise, practical information for a variety of specific systems and issues, it gives many suggestions for further research.
Forest Policies and Social Change in England
The book stresses how values and perceptions shape policies, and conversely how policies can modify perceptions, and also how policies can fail if they do not take perceptions into account. She concludes that many of the issues facing English forestry in the 21st century – from leisure, health and amenity provision, through education and rural as well as urban regeneration, to biodiversity conservation – go well beyond both national borders and the scope of forestry. This novel synthesis provides a valuable resource for advanced students and researchers from all areas of natural resource studies, including those interested in social history, socio-economics, cultural geography and environmental psychology, as well as those studying landscape ecology, environmental history, policy analysis and natural resource management.
Forest Entomology in East Africa : Forest Insects of Tanzania
East African forests, among the world’s most biologically rich and diverse, are subject to multiple pressures, including insects. As the first work to focus exclusively on East African forest insects, this monograph distils 135 years of scientific and historical literature extending from before the colonial era to the present into an authoritative survey of this region’s major pests of trees and wood, as well as their antagonists. This comprehensive treatise also addresses insects of social and economic importance, such as endemics, edible and collectible insects, wild bees and silk producers. It should be of great value to foresters, entomologists, conservation biologists, resource managers, safari outfitters and anyone else interested in the natural history of this fascinating region.
Forest ecosystems and environments : Scaling up from shoot module to watershed
The Global Change Impacts on Terrestrial Ecosystems in Monsoon Asia (TEMA) project was carried out as a unique contribution to the international project Global Change and Terrestrial Ecosystems. TEMA aimed to integrate forest ecosystem processes. This volume presents the scaling-up concept for better understanding of ecosystem functioning.
Forest Diversity and Management
Natural forests with thousands of years of ecological continuity are unrivalled as the treasure store of terrestrial biodiversity on Earth. And while there is currently no fully comprehensive inventory of the biota associated with any given forest, it is reasonable to assume that in conserving natural forests we can conserve the myriads of unnamed bacteria, fungi, insects, mites and nematodes that forests support. Drawing on diverse research from biodiversity experts around the world, this collection of papers reflects the diversity of forest types and forest issues that concern forest scientists globally. Forest types considered vary from savannah and tropical rainforests to the ancient oak forests of Poland; issues explored include the effects of logging, management practices, forest dynamics and climate change on forest structure and biodiversity.
Forest Diversity and Function : Temperate and Boreal Systems
One of the central research themes in ecology is evaluating the extent to which biological richness is necessary to sustain the Earth's system and the functioning of individual ecosystems. In this volume, for the first time, the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem processes in forests is thoroughly explored. The text examines the multiple effects of tree diversity on productivity and growth, biogeochemical cycles, animals, pests, and disturbances.
Extreme Conflict and Tropical Forests
At a time when the international community is devoting significant attention to the issue of governance as a key factor in global environmental decline, this book provides a timely insight into the relationships between extreme conflict, the international trade in forest products, and the social, economic and environmental condition of tropical forests and their human communities. Drawing on the expertise of both natural and social scientists, Extreme Conflict and Tropical Forests explores the underlying causes and the social and environmental consequences of conflict in tropical forest areas. Case studies from Africa, Asia and Latin America present a range of issues – from illicit crops and ‘conflict timber’ production, to the potential of peace parks for improving human security, social quality and biodiversity conservation.
Extinction governance, finance and accounting : Implementing a species protection action plan for the financial markets
The book presents plans, metrics, frameworks, mechanisms and financial innovations that can be, and are being, implemented through the financial markets in order to save and protect species, enhance biodiversity and, at the same time, preserve the financial markets and the business world.
Exploring medicinal orchids
Orchids are fascinating ornamental flowers with a huge market both as cut flowers and potted plants, but they are also used in the traditional medicine system as they can be rich in phytochemicals with exceptional medicinal properties. This book, Exploring Medicinal Orchids, is a comprehensive guide for medicinally important orchids, their diversity, and their use in traditional and folk medicines. It presents information on secondary metabolites of medicinally active orchid species, pharmaceutical and medicinal applications, and describes advanced techniques of biotechnology in the conservation of medicinal orchids.
Expanding Horizons in Bioethics
What are the resources and needs, the strengths and the vulnerabilities of patients, of society, or of nature? How do we evaluate the societal potential of scientific discovery? It is fairly well assured that we are influencing the terms of existence of many inhabitants of this planet, from flora to fauna to humans. Moreover, history has shown that while technologies can be used neutrally, they can be (and have been) used to the great benefit – or the great detriment – of human life and the fate of the world as a whole. How various types of knowledge and technological ability will be deployed is up to us, individually and collectively. How such information and ability should be deployed, and for what reasons, are questions at the core of bioethical inquiry. These are the "expanding horizons in bioethics" to which this volume refers. This volume is comprised of fourteen essays. It is a rare gathering of scholarly opinion, featuring well-known experts from a diversity of disciplines. The topics addressed are of immediate concern to the public. The essays ask questions about human nature, genetic technologies, reproductive rights, human subjects research, and environmental issues – all in provocative and challenging new ways. Yet the themes that emerge throughout the volume are of enduring interest to anyone concerned about the interactions of scientific development, ethics, and society. This volume is of interest to students and teachers of bioethics and related topics, as well as to professionals working in these disciplines.
Evolutionary Algorithms for Solving Multi-Objective Problems
This book for Solving Multi-Objective Problems, significantly augmented with contemporary knowledge and adapted for the classroom. All the various features of multi-objective evolutionary algorithms (MOEAs) are presented in an innovative and student-friendly fashion, incorporating state-of-the-art research results. The diversity of serial and parallel MOEA structures are given, evaluated and compared. The book provides detailed insight into the application of MOEA techniques to an array of practical problems. The assortment of test suites are discussed along with the variety of appropriate metrics and relevant statistical performance techniques.
European Ombudsman-Institutions : A comparative legal analysis regarding the multifaceted realisatin of an idea
This book aims to comprehensively demonstrate the legal basis of parliamentary ombudsman institutions throughout Europe, analysing them in a comparative way and thereby revealing their organisational and functional diversity. It comprises the results of a research project carried out at the University of Vienna under the direction of the editor which was also intended to provide an incentive for the discussion of the legal political enhancement of such institutions.
Eukaryotic Membranes and Cytoskeleton : Origins and Evolution
Eukaryotic Membranes and Cytoskeleton: Origins and Evolution discusses the evolutionary origin and diversification of eukaryotic endomembranes and cytoskeleton from a cell biological and comparative genomic perspective. Many of the chapters present original research data from comparative genomic surveys. The presence/absence of gene families with central roles in endomembrane and cytoskeleton dynamics in a variety of eukaryotic taxa and an understanding of eukaryote phylogeny allow us to accurately reconstruct the cellular machineries present in the last common ancestor of eukaryotes. Such a reconstruction is fundamental if we are to understand eukaryotic diversification since this is the ancestral cell from which all diversity arose. Comparative genomics can likewise tell us which lineages expanded or reduced certain gene families and the associated cellular machineries.
Ethnic Identity, Social Mobility and the Role of Soulmates
Based on a study among higher-educated adult children of lower-class Turkish and Moroccan immigrants in the Netherlands, this open access book explores processes of identification among social climbers with ethnic minority backgrounds. Using both survey data and open interviews with these ‘minority climbers’, the study details the contextual and temporal nature of identification. The results illustrate how ethnicity is contextual but have tangible and inescapable effects at the same time. Also the findings call for a more reflexive use of terms like ethnic ingroup/outgroup and bonding/bridging. Overall, the book helps us understand the emergence of middle-class segments that articulate their minority identities and as such it will be of great interest to academics, policy makers and all those interested in processes of integration and/or diversity.
