Qgis for Ecologists
If you don't know where to start or how to use QGIS, this is the practical guide for you. Simple, step-by-step instructions and practical exercises make it easy and fun.
Earthworm Technology in Organic Waste Management
Earthworm Technology in Organic Waste Management: Recent Trends and Advances is a suitable contribution to the Waste and The Environment: Underlying Burdens And Management Strategies series that will be helpful in classifying and broadly addressing assessments, mitigation strategies, and the management of organic wastes using earthworms. In addition, the book provides a summary of the latest findings on emerging pollution-related issues, their sustainable management, and future perspectives. The book covers recent trends and developments in organic waste management, including the use of earthworms in municipal and industrial waste management, the role of earthworms in vermifiltration/vermiwash, and of vermicompost in crops. Finally, the book covers the potential of earthworms in the remediation of emerging contaminants. This includes antibiotic resistance genes, heavy metals, pesticides, microplastics, and other emerging pollutants that are not covered in-depth in previously published titles.
Visions and Strategies for a Sustainable Economy
The multidisciplinary edited book Visions and Strategies for a Sustainable Economy: Theoretical and Policy Alternatives provides a thorough examination - at the theoretical and, especially, policy levels - of a number of key topics related to a sustainable economy and a better society. With important contributions by distinguished academics, the book presents alternative views, provides an assessment of contemporary realities in an era of ecological emergency, and offers visions, strategies, and realistic policies towards a better economy and society while paying special attention to a "green new deal" for different areas.
Water Resources Management for Rural Development
Water Resources Management for Rural Development: Challenges and Mitigation provides an overview of the current challenges of rural water and its management strategies. The content contains practical and theoretical aspects of the water crisis in rural areas in a changing climate era, with an emphasis on recent water crisis research and management strategies. The book's structure contains fundamentals of water resources, pollution, remediation, supply and management strategies. Case studies included provide different water-related issues around the globe, introducing the reader to the paths of reducing the burden on the groundwater and the alternative options for the supply of water in rural areas. Decision-makers and water supply authorities will benefit from this unique resource that comprehensively covers rural water management in ways no comparable book has achieved.
Plastics: Just a Load of Rubbish?
Are plastics really the enemy in our fight to save the planet?Encouraged by media stories and government targets, many of us are making well-meaning attempts to forgo the use of plastics in a bid to save the environment. But are we inadvertently at risk of doing more harm than good? Are there other factors in play needing equal consideration? Plastics: Just a Load of Rubbish? examines the history and usage of the multi-faceted material that is plastic and asks some challenging questions both of the material and of ourselves. Could it be that our push for materials that are anything but plastic can actually cause more harm to the planet? Do we in fact need a paradigm shift in our outlook? Can plastics in fact further our desire to become better environmentally protective citizens?Along the way this book seeks to enlighten and entertain with fascinating facts about this much maligned material. So if you've ever wondered what exactly is a bioplastic, why some but not all plastics can be recycled and the role a clumsy cat played in the development of early plastics, then read on.Just how much do we really know about this material? Maybe now it's time to learn more.
Environmental Pollutants in the Mediterranean Sea
Pollution of the aquatic environment is a real threat across the globe. It is becoming a topic of intense study for researchers. It has been updated and almost completely revised. The Mediterranean Sea has been recognized as a target hotspot of the world as the pollutant concentration in this region is greater than the levels in other oceans. The book summarizes research on marine pollutants in the Mediterranean Sea. It presents 5 concise reviews focusing on microplastics, rare earth elements and biotoxins - which are now commonly found in the region. The Editors also emphasize on pollution problems in the Mediterranean region, with 2 chapters presenting studies on Lebanon and Morocco, respectively. The book adds to the collective information on Mediterranean marine pollution. Additionally, references are included at the end of each chapter for the benefit of advanced readers. The contributions also include discussions on important techniques used to monitor and control marine pollution, such as the bio-monitoring of effluents, and ecological impact assessment of microplastic pollution on fish and the environment.
Technology for a Sustainable Environment
Environmental issues such as overexploitation, pollution and degradation of natural resources have prompted us to look for ways to devise sustainable practices across industrial and public service sectors. Researchers and scientists all over the world are involved in developing strategies and techniques that help us achieve a sustainable environment. Technology for a Sustainable Environment presents an overview of various methods and techniques that can be adapted to sustain the environment. Chapters focus on techniques such as bioremediation, nanotechnology and biotechnology that can play a very important role in achieving environmental sustainability goals. The chapters also provide a detailed account about use of biotechnology, nanotechnology and other techniques in achieving environmental sustainability. Additionally, the book includes a discussion about emerging technologies that promote environmental sustainability like green technologies, biodegradable polymers and plastics. Readers will be able to understand how modern technologies can help in monitoring environmental pollutants, remediation of environmental pollution and prevention of environmental degradation. The book is suitable for readers, professionals and scholars at all levels who require an understanding of the technology in environmental science, environmental engineering and environmental biotechnology.
Strategic Spatial Planning Support System for Sustainable Development
This book introduces a planning support system called Strategic Spatial Plan Support System (SSP-SS) to visualize population growth and predict energy demand, land use, and waste discharge resulting from urbanization. By analyzing policy interactions between household agents, the book uses SSP-SS to visualize policy effects on urban areas during stages of growth and decline. Simulations are created based on these policy outcome assessments, taking into account the influences of energy and resource consumption on sustainable development in urban environments. The book is geared towards researchers, universities, and urban policy makers.The book begins by presenting a framework of urban growth simulation, and introducing SSP-SS. Then, household lifecycle and relocation models are employed for simulating policy impacts on urbanization, and investigating the impacts of spatial strategic planning. Several projects are assessed using agent-based modeling including shopping centre construction, day-care service for aging populations, and shelter accommodation capacities for earthquakes and other disasters. The final chapters discuss water and energy management, the environmental impacts of demand and consumption, and future recommendations for sustainable development and policy implementation.Introduces Strategic Spatial Plan Support System (SSP-SS) to visualize population growth and predict energy demand, land use, and waste discharge resulting from urbanization. Analyzes policy effects on urban areas during stages of growth and decline. Discusses the influences of water and gas consumption on environmental issues in urban areas for sustainable development.
Climate Resilient Innovative Livelihoods in Indian Sundarban Delta
This book covers several innovative alternative livelihoods based on mangrove floral resources with their respective SWOT analysis. True mangrove flora and their associates in Indian Sundarbans are noted for their wide spectrum of ecosystem services in which livelihoods of the region are one of the most important components. Many alternative mangrove-centric livelihoods are in the pipeline of startup. However, due to difficulty in marketing and lack of clarity over ownership of natural resources, the values of the mangrove-based products have not been fully realized. Natural resources of several categories in Indian Sundarbans like oysters, seaweeds, medicinal mangrove flora, vitamin-rich mangrove fruits, etc. are still lying untapped. These untapped resources have been spun with the livelihood sectors of the Sundarban people backed up with sound business models to make the venture sustainable. The carbon foot prints associated with each of these livelihoods have been studied in details and steps have been suggested for net zero carbon livelihood programmes along with their sustainability. The book provides the readers about several mangrove-based cutting-edge researches and technologies in the domain of climate resilient livelihood, which if implemented can lead to food and economic security of the region.
Biological Treatment of Waste and By-Products from Food Industry
This book discusses selected waste and by-products of the food industry. Two commonly used methods of managing these are discussed: anaerobic digestion and composting. The book reviews current research and also brings in the author's own research insights to the discussion. The book is aimed at food industry specialists, waste management specialists, scientists, and students. However, the book describes problems in an accessible way, which will make this book useful for beginners in the waste/biogas/composting sector.
Microplastic Pollution
This book sheds light on the causes, effects, and control of microplastic pollution, providing valuable insights into the tools and techniques for analysis, the impact on ecosystems, and the potential risks to human well-being. The editors focus on the urgency of addressing this global environmental challenge through collaborative efforts and sustainable solutions. This reference features 10 edited chapters covering multiple aspects of microplastic pollution. The book introduces the reader to various tools and techniques used to analyze microplastic pollution in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. It then examines the sources, pathways, and levels of microplastic contamination in the environment and explains how to assess the potential health risks for the nearby communities. The impact of microplastic on flora and fauna is presented in one chapter. To emphasize the importance of accurate assessment methods in understanding the extent and impact of microplastic contamination. The editors also present a case study conducted in Thoothukudi, South India, to explore the implications of microplastic pollution on human health. The book also provides information on solutions to microplastic pollution including the use of bioplastics and removal techniques. Microplastic Pollution: Causes, Effects, and Control It equips readers with a complete understanding of the global challenge of microplastics, fostering awareness and encouraging further research and action to protect our ecosystems and human health from their detrimental impact. It is an ideal handbook for environmental science researchers and students who need to understand microplastic pollution and plan environmental impact assessments for research projects in academic and professional settings, Key Features -Comprehensive coverage of microplastic pollution with 10 structured chapters -Informs readers about important parameters to understand and measure the impact of microplastics on local fauna, flora and the surrounding environment -Covers evaluation and remediation of microplastics in both terrestrial and marine environments -Includes references for advanced readers -Includes a case study on the effect of microplastics in Thoothukudi, South India
Tracing the Sources and Fate of Contaminants in Agroecosystems
The objective of this open access book is to present protocols, methodologies, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) used for the identification of sources, transport, and fate of agro-contaminants and illustrate them with several case studies of successful applications. The Soil and Water Management & Crop Nutrition (SWMCN) Subprogramme of the Joint Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)/International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, through a Coordinated Research Project (CRP) in partnership with national and international research institutes, developed and evaluated a set of analytical techniques (the toolbox). The toolbox integrates multiple isotope tracers that provide information on the origins and pathways of multiple pollutants through agro-ecosystems, thereby providing more accurate guidance on mitigations. However, land management strategies to address and control the transport of pollutants from soil to water bodies remain the shared responsibility of farm and aquaculture operators, agro-chemical manufacturers, and policymakers in food and agriculture as well as the mining sectors. This book is structured into eight chapters covering (i) an overview of the book's content, (ii) guidelines for designing water sampling programmes, (iii) the use of mixing models applicable to tracers for water pollution studies, (iv) compound-specific isotope analyses to investigate pesticide degradation in agricultural catchments, (v) the use of stable oxygen isotope composition of phosphate to investigate phosphorous in soil-plant continuum, (vi) the use of stable sulphur isotopes to disentangle agro-pollutants from other contaminants, (vii) nuclear tools used in sediment source apportionment, and (viii) the conclusions and perspectives forward. The book offers up-to-date information, and we hope it is a great source of information for students, researchers, and policymakers. The SWMCN subprogramme thanks all the contributors involved in the preparation of this publication.
Becoming Earth
A vivid account of a major shift in how we understand Earth, from an exceptionally talented new voice. Earth is not simply an inanimate planet on which life evolved, but rather a planet that came to life. "Glorious . . . full of achingly beautiful passages, mind-bending conceptual twists, and wonderful characters. Jabr reveals how Earth has been profoundly, miraculously shaped by life."--Ed Yong, Pulitzer Prize winner and bestselling author of An Immense World A SMITHSONIAN AND CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR One of humanity's oldest beliefs is that our world is alive. Though once ridiculed by some scientists, the idea of Earth as a vast interconnected living system has gained acceptance in recent decades. We, and all living things, are more than inhabitants of Earth--we are Earth, an outgrowth of its structure and an engine of its evolution. Life and its environment have coevolved for billions of years, transforming a lump of orbiting rock into a cosmic oasis--a planet that breathes, metabolizes, and regulates its climate. Acclaimed science writer Ferris Jabr reveals a radical new vision of Earth where lush forests spew water, pollen, and bacteria to summon rain; giant animals engineer the very landscapes they roam; microbes chew rock to shape continents; and microscopic plankton, some as glittering as carved jewels, remake the air and sea. Humans are one of the most extreme examples of life transforming Earth. Through fossil fuel consumption, agriculture, and pollution, we have altered more layers of the planet in less time than any other species, pushing Earth into a crisis. But we are also uniquely able to understand and protect the planet's wondrous ecology and self-stabilizing processes. Jabr introduces us to a diverse cast of fascinating people who have devoted themselves to this vital work. Becoming Earth is an exhilarating journey through the hidden workings of our planetary symphony--its players, its instruments, and the music of life that emerges--and an invitation to reexamine our place in it. How well we play our part will determine what kind of Earth our descendants inherit for millennia to come.
Washington D.C Driver’s Practice Tests
Want to Ace your Washington D.C. DMV Driver's License Exam, even if you've never Driven before? Are you afraid of failing your driver's license test? Or have you failed the test before and still aren't sure what the right answers are? Do you want to pass your DMV written exam without getting stumped on tricky questions? You might've heard that the driver's license test in Washington D.C. is immensely difficult, regardless of your driving experience. Plenty of out-of-staters will tell you horror stories of how they failed terribly on the written exam... despite years of driving under their belts. And it's even scarier if you've never been behind the wheel. Because as excited as you may be to start driving on your own... you only get a few tries to pass the written test... before you're forced to begin the whole application process all over again. Even if you've read through the DMV handbook over and over, you might miss a "redundant" question where all of the answers look like they could be correct. And missing just one question is enough to invalidate your entire driver's license application. But there's a simple and easy way to save yourself the embarrassment of failing your driver's license test. With the right study guide, you'll be prepared for every question you come across on the test so you can pass with flying colors. In this Washington D.C. Driver's Practice Tests Course, you will discover: A comprehensive guide to applying for, taking, and passing the Washington D.C. DMV written exam Over 700 questions and answers to prepare you for the most recent version of the written test Detailed explanations of each answer to help you get a perfect score Over 9 different chapters that lay out the basics of each section on the exam - plus 2 BONUS cheat sheets The biggest mistake most people make when prepping for their tests, and how you can avoid the same fate 56 tips and tricks to get you ready for both the written exam and the road test Studying hacks to make sure you ace every question on the test, even if you don't have enough time to practice The 12 questions most test takers get wrong - answer these the right way if you don't want to fail And much more! Don't waste hundreds or even thousands of dollars on driver's ed courses that barely even help you with the written portion of your driver's license test. This Washington D.C. Driver's Practice Tests Course shows you everything you need to know to pass your exam on the first attempt... and for only a small fraction of what it costs to hire an instructor. Regardless of your driving experience, this all-in-one guide will boost your test-taking confidence and have you cruising around Washington D.C. in no time. You could keep sitting at home worrying about whether or not you're going to have to retake the test... or you can master all the essential road rules, skills, and practices and get one step closer to obtaining your driver's license. If you want to Pass your DMV written exam once and for all, then scroll up and click the "Add to Cart" button right now.
Territorial Development and Water-Energy-Food Nexus in the Global South
Nanotechnology-Based Sensors for Detection of Environmental Pollution
Nanotechnology-Based Sensors for Detection of Environmental Pollution discusses the use of nanotechnology to generate sensors capable of performing efficient detection of different types of environmental pollutants. Sections explore environmental pollution as a threat to life on Earth, the main contaminants (inorganic, organic or pathogens), and the risk they represent to living beings. Others are dedicated to nanotechnology, allowing pollutants' detection, a brief history of nanotechnology-based sensors, different types of nanotechnology-based sensor (optical, electrochemical, and magnetic), nanotechnology-based sensors' design and fabrication, nano biosensors, and more. Additional sections focus on important specific pollutants (pesticides, heavy metal, dyes, toxic gas, pharmaceutical waste, petroleum hydrocarbons, and pathogenic microbes) and their detection by nanotechnology-based sensors and important nanomaterials in nanotechnology-based sensors, exploring carbon-based and non-carbon-based material in nanoscale (graphene, carbon nanotubes, quantum dots, magnetic nanomaterials, non-magnetic nanoparticles) and also point-of-care sensors and functionalization to generate optimized nanotechnology-based sensors to pollutants' detection.
Organic Modification of Natural Clay Minerals and Its Adsorption on Anionic Ppcps
This book mainly investigates the adsorption of anionic diclofenac sodium on natural clay minerals, the adsorption of anionic chloramphenicol on natural clay minerals and the behavior of surface and interface modification or adsorption on clay minerals. It has significant guidance for learning the transfer and fate of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in the soil. It develops an efficient, low-cost adsorbent material and provides theoretical basis and valuable reference for the effective prevention of groundwater contamination of PPCPs in the field of environmental engineering.
Toxic Lake
2024 Outstanding Academic Title, given by Choice ReviewsThe environmental history of "the most polluted lake in America."​​Native Americans have long regarded Onondaga Lake as one of the most sacred spaces in the continent, the place where peace between nations was achieved and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy was created. In the mid-twentieth century, however, it acquired a wholly different reputation as "the most polluted lake in America." Toxic Lake is an environmental history of this complex ecological system, tracking how it was tarnished, the costly efforts to clean it up, and the controversies those efforts generated. Thomas Shevory argues that the history of Onondaga Lake mirrors the larger environmental history of the US, from colonization to the industrial era, resulting, eventually, in the rise of social movements and legislative action for environmental protection. Layered within this history is the dismissal of indigenous land claims and the marginalization of indigenous voices in clean-up efforts. Toxic Lake illustrates that the failure to prevent the environmental destruction of Onondaga Lake was part of a political climate which favored unregulated industrial production and urban growth, ignoring the destructive impacts on local environments. Shevory argues this larger failure was the result of an active process of privileging the economic interests of polluters over other business interests, expanding neighborhoods, and indigenous rights. He concludes with an investigation of New York's recent declaration that the clean-up is complete, questioning what exactly that means and whether the lake's status as a sacred space will ever be re-established. Toxic Lake is a compelling work of history, demonstrating the disastrous effects of pollution and the importance of community involvement in environmental activism.
Analysis of Epidemiologic Data Using R
This book addresses the description and analysis of occurrence data frequently encountered in epidemiological studies. With the occurrence of Covid-19, people have been exposed to the analysis and interpretation of epidemiological data. To be informed consumers of this information, people need to understand the nature and analysis of these data. Effort is made to emphasize concepts rather than mathematics. Subjects range from description of the frequencies of disease to the analysis of associations between the occurrence of disease and exposure. Those analyses begin with simple associations and work up to complex relationships that involve the control of extraneous characteristics. Analyses rely on the statistical software R, which is freeware in wide use by professional epidemiologists and other scientists.
Offshore Wind Energy
Many countries have plans to expand wind energy to meet CO2 emissions targets. Lack of available land area and the need for good and stable wind conditions have stimulated the development of offshore wind turbines, which allows for the development of larger turbines. The offshore environment, however, involves new challenges related to the design, installation, operation and maintenance of the turbines. Based on a graduate-level course taught by the author, this book focuses on the opportunities and challenges related to offshore wind turbines. It introduces the offshore environment, including wind and wave dynamics, before discussing the aerodynamics of wind turbines, hydrodynamic loading, marine operations, and wind farm layout. Featuring examples that demonstrate practical application of the topics covered and exercises to consolidate student understanding, this is an indispensable reference text for advanced students and researchers of environmental science and engineering and for industry professionals working in the wind energy sector.
Introduction to Data Science in Biostatistics
Introduction to Data Science in Biostatistics: Using R, the Tidyverse Ecosystem, and APIs defines and explores the term "data science" and discusses the many professional skills and competencies affiliated with the industry. With data science being a leading indicator of interest in STEM fields, the text also investigates this ongoing growth of demand in these spaces, with the goal of providing readers who are entering the professional world with foundational knowledge of required skills, job trends, and salary expectations. The text provides a historical overview of computing and the field's progression to R as it exists today, including the multitude of packages and functions associated with both Base R and the tidyverse ecosystem. Readers will learn how to use R to work with real data, as well as how to communicate results to external stakeholders. A distinguishing feature of this text is its emphasis on the emerging use of APIs to obtain data.
Effects of Global Warming on Coral Reefs
Actions resulting from high emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG), mainly carbon dioxide ( ) through industries, cars, burning fossil fuels, among others, have intensified global warming and generated a series of consequences, specifically in the oceans, affecting all marine fauna and flora. Coral Reefs are considered to be the most diverse marine ecosystems due to the abundance and variety of species. Of great social, economic and cultural importance, they are currently being damaged by high rates of deforestation. One of the most obvious causes of the influence of global warming on these ecosystems is the bleaching of corals, as they are very sensitive to climatic variations and easily stressed. However, it is not known to what extent these changes could be harmful to this ecosystem and to the planet as a whole. This study therefore seeks to raise awareness of the means and goals for preserving these organisms.
Nature in Silico
Dramatic advances in computing power enable simulation of DNA sequences generated by complex microevolutionary scenarios that include mutation, population structure, natural selection, meiotic recombination, demographic change, and explicit spatial geographies. Although retrospective, coalescent simulation is computationally efficient--and covered here--the primary focus of this book is forward-in-time simulation, which frees us to simulate a wider variety of realistic microevolutionary models. The book walks the reader through the development of a forward-in-time evolutionary simulator dubbed FORward Time simUlatioN Application (FORTUNA). The capacity of FORTUNA grows with each chapter through the addition of a new evolutionary factor to its code. Each chapter also reviews the relevant theory and links simulation results to key evolutionary insights. The book addresses visualization of results through development of R code and reference to more than 100 figures. All code discussedin the book is freely available, which the reader may use directly or modify to better suit his or her own research needs. Advanced undergraduate students, graduate students, and professional researchers will all benefit from this introduction to the increasingly important skill of population genetic simulation.
Animal Geographies
Each year billions of animals are poisoned, dissected, displaced, killed for consumption, or held in captivity--usually for the benefit of humans. The animal world has never been under greater peril and this broad-ranging collection contributes to a much-needed, fundamental rethinking about our relation with it. Animal Geographies explores the diverse ways in which animals shape the formation of human identity. Essays on zoos and wolves, for example, reveal how animals figure in social constructions of race, gender, and nationality. From questions of identity and subjectivity, it moves to a consideration of the places where people and animals confront the realities of coexistence on an everyday basis, by way of case studies of species such as mountain lions and the golden eagle. It then examines the ways in which animals figure in the ongoing globalization of production and mass consumption--illustrated by essays on the US meatpacking industry and meat production in the Indian state of Rajasthan--and finally, takes up legal and ethical approaches to human-animal relations. Animal Geographies compels a profound rethinking of the nature of human-animal relations and offers a series of proposals for reconstituting this relationship on a progressive basis. Contributors: Kay Anderson, Glen Elder, Andrea Gullo, Unna Lassiter, William S. Lynn, Suzanne M. Michel, Chris Philo, James D. Proctor, Paul Robbins, Frances M. Ufkes, James L. Wescoat, Jr.
Agricultural Implications of Fukushima Nuclear Accident (IV)
This open access book presents the findings from on-site research into radioactive cesium contamination in various agricultural systems affected by the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident in March 2011. This fourth volume in the series reports on studies undertaken at contaminated sites such as farmland and forests, focusing on soil, water, mountain, agricultural products, and animals. It also provides additional data collected in the subsequent years to show how the radioactivity levels in agricultural products and their growing environments have changed with time and the route by which radioactive materials entered agricultural products as well as their movement between different components (e.g., soil, water, and trees) within an environmental system (e.g., forests). The book covers various topics, including radioactivity testing of food products; decontamination trials for rice and livestock production; the state of contamination in, trees, mushrooms, and timber; thedynamics of radioactivity distribution in paddy fields and upland forests; damage incurred by the forestry and fishery industries; and the change in consumers' attitudes. In the series of this book, a real-time radioisotope imaging system has been introduced, a pioneering technique to visualize the movement of cesium in soil and in plants. This is the only book to provide systematic data on the actual change of radioactivity, which is of great value to all researchers who wish to understand the effect of radioactive fallout on agriculture. In addition, it helps the general public better understand radio-contamination issues in the environment. The project is ongoing; the research groups from the Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences of The University of Tokyo continue their work in the field further to evaluate the long-term effects of the Fukushima accident.
Biodiversity Conservation: A Very Short Introduction
Very Short Introductions: Brilliant, Sharp, Inspiring Extinction is a natural process. In geological time there have been several periods of mass extinction. One of these periods is unfolding right now but all the evidence suggests that current extinction rates are between a hundred and a thousand times greater than the background rate. To put this in to context, a quarter of all known mammalian species is at risk. The current extinction crisis is unique, because it is caused by the impact of one species, humans, on all others. This acceleration of species loss, and the much more widespread reductions in the populations of many species, is not merely a tragedy in aesthetics, it is also a threat to the quality of human life, indeed to the entire human enterprise. Biodiversity, the diversity of life, is not only fascinating and beautiful, it is the engine of all the world's natural cycles, and the source of many of the resources on which humanity depends. Concern about biodiversity conservation is, therefore, not merely the preoccupation of a few enthusiastic naturalists - it is the lifeline business of everybody. In this Very Short Introduction, David Macdonald introduces the concept of biodiversity and the basic biological processes that it involves - evolutionary, ecological, and behavioral. He considers the various threats to biodiversity, their impacts, and some of the solutions to the problems; concluding by considering the future of biodiversity conservation. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
39 Experiments In Soils
This book contains a collection of practical experiments aimed at studying the physical and chemical properties of soils. The experiments cover topics such as soil texture, structure, pH, and more. The book is an essential resource for students and researchers interested in the study of soils.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
Environmental Risk Communication in China
The role of media is becoming increasingly important as globalization has developed. Given fast social transformation and technological development in China, the consequent environmental and health risks demand citizens integrate the communication and prevention of such risks as a significant part of their daily life. This book systematically discusses the communication process of typical environmental risk issues, and the complex interaction among multiple actors, including the public, media, experts, non-governmental organizations, and government in contemporary China. From a media-centered perspective, it applies major theories in the field of environmental and risk communication, and uses a variety of empirical research methods to unravel the complicated and unique experience of communication and governance. Combining theoretical reflections with real-life examples of Chinese scenarios, the authors not only encourage a dialogue between Western and Chinese academia but also inspire students and practitioners to apply risk communication theories to solving real-life problems. The book will appeal to students, scholars, and practitioners of risk and environmental communication studies.
Ecology and Ecosystems Analysis
The goal of this book is to convey the rich perspectives, principles, and enchantment of ecology to a broad audience of students and lifelong learners. The book is based on the belief that the science of ecology is best understood by examining familiar ecosystems from the natural world and weaving fresh insights and ecological concepts into an ecosystems framework to reveal the patterns, processes, and interactions that are the foundation of sustainable living systems in our biosphere. In the spirit of that teaching philosophy, the core of this book focuses on specific ecosystems that are familiar to most of us (e.g., forests, wetlands, streams, lakes, and the like).Taken as a whole, the chapters of this text are intended to provide a conceptual framework and an intellectual pathway for understanding and interpreting the ecology of the biosphere using elements of population, community, ecosystem, and landscape ecology. Equipped with this toolkit of ecological literacy, readers and students will hopefully be better prepared to make personal, business, and civic or governmental decisions that are consistent with a healthy and sustainable Earth.
Novel Sustainable Process Alternatives for the Textiles and Fashion Industry
Environmental impacts created by the textiles and fashion sector are well known and acknowledged by various stakeholders involved in the entire supply chain. The lifecycle of textile products creates various impacts to the environment and any attempts to alleviate them are highly welcomed. The whole sector is keen to investigate novel sustainable alternatives in terms of raw materials, processes, approaches to make the entire textiles and fashion sector more sustainable. This broad category of novel sustainable alternatives can be split into three subtopics: novel raw material alternatives, novel process alternative and novel alternative approaches. This volume provides cases describing novel sustainable process alternatives for the textiles and fashion industry.
The Journal Of Ecology; Volume 4
A leading journal in the field of ecology, this publication features cutting-edge research, reviews of current environmental issues, and discussions on the latest trends and techniques in ecological research. Researchers and academics in the field will benefit greatly from the wealth of knowledge contained within this journal.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
Sustainable Blended Learning in Stem Education for Students with Additional Needs
Circular Economy
The circular economy is an economic model that aims to minimize waste and maximize the use of resources by keeping them in a production and consumption cycle for as long as possible. Unlike the traditional linear economy of extract, manufacture, consume, throw away, the circular economy aims to encourage the reuse, repair, recycling and regeneration of materials and products.This economic model is based on the principle of eco-design, which involves designing products and services by taking into account their entire life cycle, from production to end-of-life.The circular economy is seen as both an environmental and economic response to the challenges posed by dwindling natural resources, increasing waste and climate change. The circular economy also relies on collaboration between different economic players, such as businesses, consumers, communities and governments, to establish more sustainable production and consumption systems.
Engagement with Sustainable Development in Higher Education
A Practical Guide for Developing Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration Skills
Principles of Environmental Science
Environmental science is an interdisciplinary field of study that integrates physics, biology, geography, ecology, geology, mineralogy and chemistry to examine environmental problems along with their impact on humans, and providing solutions to these environmental problems. Environmental studies is another field which is closely associated with environmental science, and it incorporates social sciences to understand the human relationships, perceptions, and policies towards the environment. Environmental science seeks to comprehend the physical, chemical, biological, and geological processes of the Earth. This knowledge is used to understand the different phenomena and solutions such as alternative energy systems, pollution control and mitigation, natural resource management, and the effects of global warming and climate change on the natural systems and processes of the Earth. The objective of this book is to provide an overview of the principles of environmental science. It will prove to be immensely beneficial to students and researchers in this field.
Groundwater Economics and Policy in South Asia
Groundwater Economics and Policy in South Asia is a reference guide focusing on groundwater management and groundwater economics in South Asia. The author compares the regional variations across South Asia and the public policies that shaped the groundwater sector and presents the most up-to-date information on groundwater management using practical case-studies and empirical data. With the inclusion of strong methodological solutions for sustainable groundwater management, scholars in the fields of geohydrology, agricultural sciences, water resource economics, and professionals in water science and policy will get access to the latest policies and methods used in groundwater research in South Asia.
Proceedings
This volume is a collection of papers presented at the 1958 Salt Marsh Conference, an important forum for researchers studying coastal wetlands and their ecosystems. Topics include the ecology of salt marshes, the role of marshes in the coastal environment, and the impact of human activities on these areas. With contributions from leading experts in the field, it is a valuable reference for scientists, educators, and policymakers.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
Kernel Ridge Regression in Clinical Research
IBM (international business machines) has published in its SPSS statistical software 2022 update a very important novel regression method entitled Kernel Ridge Regression (KRR). It is an extension of the currently available regression methods, and is suitable for pattern recognition in high dimensional data, particularly, when alternative methods fail. Its theoretical advantages are plenty and include thekernel trick for reduced arithmetic complexity, estimation of uncertainty by Gaussians unlike histograms, corrected data-overfit by ridge regularization, availability of 8 alternative kernel density models for datafit.A very exciting and wide array of preliminary KRR research has already been published by major disciplines (like studies in quantum mechanics and nuclear physics, studies of molecular affinity / dynamics, atomisation energy studies, but also forecasting economics studies, IoT (internet of things) studies for e-networks, plant stress response studies, big data streaming studies, etc). In contrast, it is virtually unused in clinical research. This edition is the first textbook and tutorial of kernel ridge regressions for medical and healthcare students as well as recollection / update bench, and help desk for professionals. Each chapter can be studied as a standalone, and, using, real as well as hypothesized data, it tests the performance of the novel methodology against traditional regression analyses. Step by step analyses of over 20 data files stored at Supplementary Files at Springer Interlink are included for self-assessment. We should add that the authors are well qualified in their field. Professor Zwinderman is past-president of the International Society of Biostatistics (2012-2015) and Professor Cleophas is past-president of the American College of Angiology (2000-2002). From their expertise they should be able to make adequate selections of modern KRR methods for the benefit of physicians, students, and investigators. The authors have been working and publishing together for 24 years and their research can be characterized as a continued effort to demonstrate that clinical data analysis is not mathematics but rather a discipline at the interface of biology and mathematics.
Genomics of Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria in Industrial Waste Water Treatment
This book discusses the key problems and solutions with various applicable approaches to combat antibiotic-resistant genes in industrial waste water. Several genes are selected within the chapters to illustrate the past and future roles of molecular ecophysiology and genomics in the development of wastewater microbiology as an important subdiscipline of microbial ecology. As we have very limited knowledge of composition, dynamics and stability of microbial communities, various processes in wastewater treatment have been generally considered to be "black box." In recent years, with the development of several new high throughput sequencing platforms, metagenome sequencing strategies and bioinformatics toolboxes, the analysis of the genome of complex communities has become much more accessible and means easier.The opening of the biological wastewater treatment "black box" is not the unpleasant experience it was before. The viable, but not cultural, ceases tobe the inconsequential, uncharacterizable enigma that existed today. Metagenomics leads the way for more specific studies in related fields. Finally, genomic studies of wastewater treatment microbes, in addition to their biotechnological applications, are also an excellent testing ground for variety of other ecological and environmental burns questions. Wastewater treatment plants are considered hotspots for the environmental dissemination of antimicrobial-resistant determinants. Comparative genomics of antibiotic resistant genes isolated from conventional activated sludge and biological aerated filter wastewater treatment plants is discussed.
Field Work and Laboratory Experiments in Integrated Environmental Sciences
This book introduces the variety of research skills necessary for integrated environmental science, which are applicable to atmospheric, oceanic, terrestrial, and biota studies. The surface environment of the earth is a complex system consisting of atmospheric, oceanic, and terrestrial regions as well as the biota therein, all of which interact with one another to various extents. The integration of research disciplines including earth science, biology, chemistry, physics, and social science is a core of environmental science. It encourages students and early-career scientists to take a broad view of the whole environmental system. Detailed practical information for the field or laboratory work in this book helps students and scientists to plan research strategy for their own scope and interests. In addition, this book is also useful for professionals to teach field and laboratory work in environmental science to students. This book is based on the environmental summer school program organized by the Institute of Nature and Environmental Technology, Kanazawa University, in Japan.
Workbook of Atmospheric Dispersion Estimeates
An indispensable reference guide for anyone involved in environmental science or engineering, this workbook provides practical tools and techniques for modeling atmospheric dispersion of pollutants. Written by a leading expert in the field, it offers clear explanations and step-by-step guidance for a wide range of scenarios.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
Some Plankton Studies In The Great Lakes
Dive into the fascinating world of Great Lakes plankton with this groundbreaking study. The author, a renowned biologist, provides an in-depth analysis of the many species that make up this critical ecosystem, along with expert observations on their behavior and interactions. Whether you are a scientist or simply curious about the natural world, this book is an enlightening and engaging read.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
