A Darwinian Survival Guide
How humanity brought about the climate crisis by departing from its evolutionary trajectory 15,000 years ago--and how we can use evolutionary principles to save ourselves from the worst outcomes. Despite efforts to sustain civilization, humanity faces existential threats from overpopulation, globalized trade and travel, urbanization, and global climate change. In A Darwinian Survival Guide, Daniel Brooks and Salvatore Agosta draw on their expertise as field biologists to offer a novel--and hopeful--perspective on how to meet these tremendous challenges by changing the discourse from sustainability to survival. Darwinian evolution, the world's only theory of survival, is the means by which the biosphere has persisted and renewed itself following past environmental perturbations, and it has never failed, they explain. Even in the aftermath of mass extinctions, enough survivors remain with the potential to produce a new diversified biosphere.
Intraterrestrials
A biologist's firsthand account of the hunt for life beneath earth's surface--and how new discoveries are challenging our most basic assumptions about the nature of life on Earth Life thrives in the deepest, darkest recesses of Earth's crust--from methane seeps in the ocean floor to the highest reaches of Arctic permafrost--and it is unlike anything seen on the surface. Intraterrestrials shares what scientists are learning about these strange types of microbial life--and how research expeditions to some of the most extreme locales on the planet are broadening our understanding of what life is and how its earliest forms may have evolved. Drawing on her experiences and those of her fellow scientists working in challenging and often dangerous conditions, Karen Lloyd takes readers on an adventure from the bottom of the ocean through the jungles of Central America to the high-altitude volcanoes of the Andes. Only discovered in recent decades, "intraterrestrials"--subsurface beings that are truly alien--are demonstrating how life can exist in boiling water, pure acid, and bleach. They enable us to peer back to the very dawn of life on Earth, disclosing deep branches on the tree of life that push the limits of what we thought possible. Some can "breathe" rocks or even electrons. Others may live for hundreds of thousands of years or longer. All of them are living in ways that are totally foreign to us surface dwellers. Blending captivating storytelling with the latest science, Intraterrestrials reveals what microbes in Earth's deep subsurface biosphere can tell us about the prospects for finding life on other planets--and the future of life on our own.
Deep Oakland
Now in paperback: This San Francisco Chronicle bestseller and California Book Award finalist drills down into Oakland's geological history and its impacts on the city's urban present."This book has turned me into a newcomer to my own city, but has also changed the way I will view any landscape. I can think of few greater gifts than that."--Jenny Odell, author of How to Do Nothing and Saving Time"Spending time with Andrew Alden is like giving yourself x-ray eyes." --Roman Mars, host and creator of 99% InvisibleBeneath Oakland's streets and underfoot of every scurrying creature atop them, rocks roil, shift, crash, and collide in an ever-churning seismological saga. In Deep Oakland, geologist Andrew Alden excavates the ancient story of Oakland's geologic underbelly and reveals how its silt, soil, and subterranean sinews are intimately entwined with its human history--and future. Poised atop a world-famous fault line now slumbering, Alden charts how these quaking rocks gave rise to the hills and the flats; how ice-age sand dunes gave root to the city's eponymous oak forests; how the Jurassic volcanoes of Leona Heights gave way to mining boom times; how Lake Merritt has swelled and disappeared a dozen times over the course of its million-year lifespan; and how each epochal shift has created the terrain cradling Oaklanders today. With Alden as our guide--and with illustrations by Laura Cunningham, author of A State of Change--we see that just as Oakland is a human crossroads, a convergence of cultures from the world over, so too is the bedrock below, carried here from parts still incompletely known.
Nightshining
"Jennifer Kabat's Nightshining sifts a riveting expos矇 of the Cold War technocratic fantasy-state through lyrical family memoir. Her superb investigation calls to mind those of Rebecca Solnit and Errol Morris, among others."--Jonathan Lethem A propulsive, layered examination of the conflict between the course of nature and human legacies of resistance and control. Floods, geoengineering, climate crisis. Her first year in Margaretville, New York, Jennifer Kabat wakes to a rain-swollen stream and three-foot waves in her basement.This is far from the first--and hardly the worst--natural disaster to devastate her town. As Kabat dives deeper into the region's fraught environmental history, she discovers it was more than once the site of Cold War weather experimentation. She traces connections across history, following a technology that spirals up from a 1950 flood in her town to the Vietnam War, the Reagan presidency, and a present day "fix" for climate change. She encounters unlikely characters along the way, including two scientists at General Electric: Vincent Schaefer, who never finished high school, and Kurt Vonnegut's older brother Bernard. And all the while she searches for ways to cope with the grief of her environmentalist father's recent passing. "Because I need the water to speak to me too," she writes.Inquisitive and experimental, Nightshining uses place as a palimpsest of history, digging into questions of personal responsibility and planetary change. With "characteristically lyrical incision" (Marko Gluhaich), Kabat circles back to her own life experience and the essence of being human--the cosmos thrumming in our bodies, connecting readers to the land around us and time before us.
National Geographic Backyard Guide to Edible Wild Plants
Forage more than 100 delicious edible plants straight from your backyard with this useful, engaging, beautifully illustrated guide. Nature-lovers, gardeners, and foodies can turn their backyard into a bounty with tips for identifying wild plants, advice for beginner and experienced harvesters, and more than 600 ideas and recipes to bring the wild into the kitchen. Joining National Geographic's long line of successful nature guides, National Geographic Backyard Guide to Edible Wild Plants is a colorful, appealing handbook to 102 common wild plants that can be foraged for delicious food and drink. From superstar sunflowers to spicy field mustard to alluring wild grapes, this book identifies a wide variety of flavors and textures that even novice foragers can learn to harvest with care, safety, and sustainability. From there, creative uses abound, including the how-tos behind: elderberry jamchickweed saladsunchoke soupsassafras tea wild carrot cakehomemade backyard ciderThis guide is divided into seven sections based on the parts of the plant most relevant to foragers: roots, leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds, shoots, as well as the "backyard superstars"--a dozen plants that are common, easy to identify, and abundant in their culinary possibilities. Every plant is photographed, illustrated for ease of learning, and described in detail, including hundreds of preparation tips and recipes, thanks to authors Mimi Prunella Hernandez and Heather Wood Buzzard, who bring botanical authority and kitchen creativity to every entry.
Trees of Victoria
A full-colour guide to more than 200 species of coniferous and broadleaf trees found throughout the parks, woodlands, and urban green spaces of Victoria, Canada.Victoria, British Columbia, known by locals as the "City of Gardens" also holds the esteemed position as Canada's warmest city. Its climate, a pleasant mixture of plentiful rain and long stretches of sunshine, makes Victoria an ideal place for an incredible array of diverse tree species, both native and introduced, to grow and flourish. In fact, the vast, lush, green tree canopy acts as the city's lungs, absorbing carbon dioxide from the surrounding atmosphere and releasing oxygen, helping to mitigate climate change.This compact, user-friendly guidebook introduces more than 200 species, cultivars, and varieties of Victoria's incredibly diverse tree inventory--from Garry oak to Douglas fir, giant redwood to Japanese maple. Accessible for locals and visitors alike, Trees of Victoria: A Wanderer's Guide covers Victoria proper, as well as Oak Bay, Uplands, South Saanich, James Bay, and Esquimalt, highlighting all the main visitor attractions along way. This attractive, full-colour resource is a must-have, whether you are in town for a short jaunt around the historic city centre or you wish to identify the trees in your own neighbourhood or along your regular walking or hiking route.
Water Resource Management
The reprint contains the papers that were published in the Special Issue of the journal Water, titled "Water Resource Management: Hydrological Modelling, Hydrological Cycles, and Hydrological Prediction". The issue was open between February 2023 and August 2024. The main objective was to design a platform for researchers to share their advances in various topics of water resource management, such as the assessment of river flow and precipitation variability, extreme events like floods and droughts, links between river flows and natural or human-induced catchment alterations, the assessment of uncertainty in hydrological predictions, and the impact of climate change on water resources. Ten original papers and one editorial were published. These papers cover the following research areas: water balance, hydrological modeling, seasonal and long-term variability, hydrological prediction, and the impact of anthropogenic activities on river flow changes.
Advanced Satellite Remote Sensing Techniques for Meteorological, Climate and Hydroscience Studies
The increasing frequency and intensity of weather and climate extremes have led to significant societal and environmental challenges. Recent advancements in satellite remote sensing technologies, including Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSSs) and other space-based techniques, provide critical tools for monitoring atmospheric processes, improving early warning systems, and enhancing climate resilience. This Special Issue reprint brings together 11 studies that explore cutting-edge remote sensing methodologies for severe weather detection, hydrometeorological analysis, and climate monitoring. Key topics include the evaluation of near-real-time satellite precipitation data, GNSS-derived atmospheric water vapor measurements, and the sensitivity of polar mesospheric clouds to mesospheric temperature and water vapor. Several studies in this reprint also address multi-source data fusion techniques to refine precipitation retrievals and improve the detection of weather extremes. Additionally, novel GNSS-based methodologies are explored for atmospheric sounding and hydrometeorological applications. By integrating state-of-the-art atmospheric remote sensing techniques with novel analytical methods, these studies contribute to a deeper understanding of atmospheric dynamics, enhance forecasting accuracy, and support sustainable development initiatives. The findings provide valuable insights for atmospheric monitoring, disaster risk reduction, and the advancement of global meteorological and climate services.
Modernizing Probable Maximum Precipitation Estimation
For more than 75 years, high-hazard structures in the U.S., including dams and nuclear power plants, have been engineered to withstand floods resulting from the most unlikely but possible precipitation, termed Probable Maximum Precipitation (PMP). Failure of any one of the more than 16,000 high-hazard dams and 50 nuclear power plants in the United States could result in the loss of life and impose significant economic losses and widespread environmental damage, especially under the pressures of climate change. While PMP estimates have provided useful guidance for designing critical infrastructure, weaknesses in the scientific foundations of PMP, combined with advances in understanding, observing, and modeling extreme storms, call for fundamental changes to the definition of PMP and the methods used to estimate it. Modernizing Probable Maximum Precipitation Estimation recommends a new definition of PMP and presents a vision for a methodology relevant for design, operation, and regulation of critical infrastructure. The new definition targets precipitation depths with an extremely low exceedance probability instead of assuming rainfall is bounded, and considers specified climate periods so that PMP estimates can change as the climate changes. Near-term enhancements to PMP include improved data collection, model-based storm reconstructions, and strengthened scientific grounding for PMP methods. Long-term model-based PMP estimation will employ kilometer-scale climate models capable of resolving PMP storms and producing PMP-magnitude precipitation. A Model Evaluation Project will provide scientific grounding for model-based PMP estimation and determine when transition to a model-based PMP estimation should occur. Scientific and modeling advances along this front will contribute to addressing the societal challenges linked to the changes in extreme storms and precipitation in a warming climate, which are critical steps to ensuring the safety of our infrastructure and society.
Climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies in African UNESCO biosphere reserves
How Can I Help?
From a New York Times bestselling author, a wildlife ecology expert and environmental advocate provides readers with the next step in their ecological journey. In How Can I Help?, Tallamy tackles the questions commonly asked at his popular lectures and shares compelling and actionable answers that will help gardeners and homeowners take the next step in their ecological journey. Topics range from ecology, evolution, biodiversity and conservation to restoration, native plants, invasive species, pest control, and supporting wildlife at home. Tallamy keenly understands that most people want to take part in conservation efforts but often feel powerless to do so as individuals. But one person can make a difference, and How Can I Help? details how. Whether by reducing your lawn, planting a handful of native species, or allowing leaves to sit untouched, you will be inspired and empowered to join millions of other like-minded people to become the future of backyard conservation.
Atomic Dreams
The inside story of how nuclear energy--long considered scary, controversial, and even apocalyptic--has become the hot topic of the climate debate, and perhaps a vital power source of the future On June 21, 2016, Pacific Gas & Electric Company announced a plan to shutter California's last nuclear power plant, Diablo Canyon, in 2025. The plan was hailed by environmental groups and politicians around the country. Then, suddenly, the state's Democratic establishment reversed the decision, and in 2024 the Biden-Harris administration awarded the plant $1.1 billion in credits to extend its life. What happened in between? In Atomic Dreams, journalist and lifelong environmentalist Rebecca Tuhus-Dubrow unearths the surprising answers--and the deep-seated conflicts behind them. She follows the fascinating and lively cast of characters who are immersed in the fight over Diablo Canyon and nuclear energy, among them a world-renowned climate scientist, a fashion model turned "nuclear influencer," and two radically opposed groups of mothers, both fiercely advocating for the kind of planet they want their children to inherit. And she chronicles how nuclear power has morphed from the stuff of cinematic nightmares--associated with world-ending weapons and terrifying meltdowns--to a rare issue with strong bipartisan support. Tuhus-Dubrow takes readers to nuclear plants and research facilities, to the halls of Congress and into the streets with activists as she explores the big questions wrapped up in the nuclear debate: questions about risk and responsibility, about nature and technology, about whether humans should be humble caretakers of the Earth or audacious innovators. She explores how these issues affect real people's lives, and personally grapples with the viability of this controversial energy source. Can the power of the atom be freed from its historical baggage and reinvented? Could something that once threatened to doom us now hold the potential to save us?
Snowflake Spirit
A collection of poetry with the influence of different types of snowflakes.
Sustainable Futures for Climate Adaptation
This book argues that we must radically adapt humanity and reform society, cities, buildings, and our approach to migration in order to coexist in harmony with our natural environments. Valuable reading for researchers, scholars, and upper-level students of urban studies, migration studies, human geography, ecology, politics, and design.
The Routledge Handbook of Geospatial Technologies and Society
This book provides a relevant and comprehensive reference point for research and practice in this dynamic field. It offers detailed explanations of geospatial technologies, provides critical reviews and appraisals of their application in society within international and multi-disciplinary contexts as agents of change.
Advances in Nanotechnology for Smart Agriculture
Advances in Nanotechnology for Smart Agriculture: Techniques and Applications illustrates the science and practical applications of nanoparticle synthesis for sustainable agriculture.
Laboratory Manual in Physical Geology
For introductory geology courses. Build 21st century skills with new 3D media experiences Laboratory Manual in Physical Geology offers an inquiry and activities-based approach that builds skills and gives students a complete learning experience in the lab. This user-friendly lab manual examines the basic processes of geology and their applications to everyday life, featuring an exceptional illustration program by Dennis Tasa and contributions from over 200 highly regarded geologists and geoscience educators. With the 12th Edition, lead author Vince Cronin and the newly formed NAGT editorial panel deliver the latest data and science, including new climate/environmental change and hazards/disasters lab activities. Now available with Modified Mastering Geology By combining trusted author content with digital tools and a flexible platform, Mastering personalizes the learning experience and improves results for each student. Mastering Geology extends learning and provides students with a platform to practice, learn, and apply knowledge outside of the classroom. Note: You are purchasing a standalone product; Mastering Geology does not come packaged with this content. Students, if interested in purchasing this title with Mastering Geology, ask your instructor for the correct package ISBN and Course ID. Instructors, contact your Pearson representative for more information. If you would like to purchase both the physical text and Modified Mastering Geology, search for: 0135836859 / 9780135836859 Laboratory Manual in Physical Geology Plus Modified Mastering Geology with Pearson eText -- Access Card Package, 12/e Package consists of: 0135870380 / 9780135870389 Modified Mastering Geology with Pearson eText -- ValuePack Access Card -- for Laboratory Manual in Physical Geology, 12/e 0135836972 / 9780135836972 Laboratory Manual in Physical Geology, 12/e
Unfolding Spatial Movements in the Second-Hand Book Market in Kolkata
This insightful book unfolds the boipara, exploring the acts of thinking and writing about space and place in the context of recent key conversations at the intersections of cultural geographies, mobilities, materialities and heritage studies.
Governing Natural Resources for Sustainable Peace in Africa
This book examines the dynamics of natural resource conflicts in Africa, and explores the different governance approaches for securing sustainable peace.
New Perspectives on Transboundary Water Governance
This book presents a novel examination of transboundary water governance, drawing on global case studies and applying new theoretical approaches.
Indigenous Practice and Community-Led Climate Change Solutions
This book centers Indigenous knowledge and practice in community-led climate change solutions. It will be one of the first academic books to use the consciousness framework to examine and explain humans' situatedness and role in maintaining ecosystems' health.
Environmental Issues and Challenges
This book explores the field of environmental studies emphasising its multidisciplinary nature. It looks at the fundamentals of environmental conservation and the management of sensitive ecosystems.
Land-Atmosphere Interactions and Effects on the Climate of the Tibetan Plateau and Surrounding Regions III
As the world's highest and most expansive plateau, the Tibetan Plateau (TP) is often hailed as the 'Asian Water Tower' and the 'Third Pole of the Earth'. Gaining a deeper insight into the water and energy cycles within the TP is crucial, not only for uncovering the dynamics of regional land-atmosphere interactions but also for evaluating the factors influencing alterations in the cryosphere and hydrosphere, in connection with atmospheric changes over the plateau within the Asian monsoon framework. Given that the TP is an ecologically delicate area that is highly responsive to climate variations, a systematic analysis of the land-atmosphere interactions here is instrumental in fostering a quantitative comprehension of climate change. This Special Issue showcases the latest progress in the quantitative analyses of the various factors related to land-atmosphere interactions, including surface heat fluxes, atmospheric boundary layer characteristics, soil moisture, precipitation, cloud, thunderstorm, radiation, and albedo over the Tibetan Plateau, along with their unique climate effects on surrounding regions. The selected contributions are both innovative and timely, enriching our understanding of land-atmosphere interactions propelled by global warming. We are confident that this compilation of research will serve as a valuable quantitative resource for enhancing the assessment and forecasting of land-atmosphere interactions in the 'Third Pole'.
Application of Remote Sensing Approaches in Geohazard Risk
This Special Issue, entitled "Application of Remote Sensing Approaches in Geohazard Risk", aims to provide an overview of the application of various advanced remote sensing technologies in geohazard risk identification, monitoring, and mapping. It explores the potential and future prospects of these technologies in terms of enhancing geohazard risk assessment and prediction. This reprint features 10 papers from scholars worldwide, sharing their expertise and insights. We hope that these contributions will help readers to better apply remote sensing methods in geohazard risk assessment.
Synoptic Paleoclimatology
Projecting regional climate change over this century and the next remains challenging due to the chaotic nature of weather, but it is made more reliable through reconstructions of paleoweather in relation to climate change in atmospheric and ocean circulation, winds, waves, currents, and precipitation. This primer applies a cross-disciplinary treatment of large-scale and synoptic climatology to the reconstruction of past climates under the umbrella of synoptic paleoclimatology, providing the theory and application of synoptic paleoclimatology for the study and prediction of future climate evolution. Climate proxy and data-model assimilation methodologies are described in detail, focusing on coasts, the surface ocean, glaciers, and ice sheets. This book also presents a state-of-the-art synthesis of regional climate history across the Southern Hemisphere, including tropical coral reefs, coasts, alpine glaciers, and Antarctica. This book will be invaluable to advanced students, researchers, and practitioners in climatology, paleoclimatology, meteorology, coastal geoscience, glaciology, oceanography, global change, and climate risk assessment.
Enviroment Bond of Coexistence
Environment is the source of our living which we are bound by enjoying the fruits of it and every step of a life we are connected to it there is a coexistence between us.The environment is our home, encompassing everything around us from the air that we breathe and till he land we reside it is the environment which we are connected to The environment provides us with resources like clean air, fresh water, and fertile soil. It is home to vast array of plants and animals, each playing a crucial role in maintaining the balance of ecosystems. But a question arises to the mind whether we have retain the same environment which is remaining as just the provided for all the resources or is the human existence making encroach upon these reach resources that feeders daily with the substance of living within us .It is indeed necessary for us to recognize the importance of protecting our environment. Today what we are enjoying that we want to make our future generation to enjoy it will be our responsibility and our sole way in order to bring a change and that we try to think intensively so that we protect a beautiful mother earth.
Gardens of Hope
Social changes through urban gardening and farming Gardens are often spaces of hope, expected to solve many problems in a city including food insecurity and climate resilience. In fact, there has been a historical trend of urban gardening gaining popularity during times of crisis. Gardens of Hope is the story of urban gardening in New Orleans in the decade after Hurricane Katrina. Yuki Kato highlights the impact urban gardens have on communities after disasters and the efforts of well-intended individuals envisioning alternative futures in the form of urban farming. Drawing on repeated interviews with residents who began cultivation projects in New Orleans between 2005 and 2015, Kato explains how good intentions and grit were not enough to implement or sustain urban gardeners' visions for the post-disaster city's future. Coining the term "prefigurative urbanism," Kato illustrates how individuals tried to realize alternative ways of living and working in the city through pragmatism and innovation. Gardens of Hope asks key questions about what inspires and enables individuals to pursue prefigurative urbanism and about the potential and limitations of this form of civic engagement to bring about short- and long-term changes in cities undergoing transformation, from gentrification, post-pandemic recovery, to climate change.
To Forever Inhabit This Earth
A powerful must-read for anybody interested in the intersection of environmentalism and spirituality. Rabbi and environmental activist Nina Beth Cardin draws upon Jewish texts in this impassioned call to action as the climate crisis persists. Using meticulously researched Jewish texts and the teachings of other faith traditions, Cardin makes the case that environmental sustainability is a fundamental religious principle--and something we CAN address."Despite the harms we as humanity have caused, if we dare to act boldly (which we can), based on the best guidance of our advisors (which we have), and recruit willing hearts (which we possess), we can heal the wounds, remedy our mistakes, and remake a safe and vibrant world for ourselves and all the generations to come. It is up to us."Cardin confronts both spiritual and practical issues in her search for a way forward: How much do I--do any of us--really need? How much is just right? How much is too much?How do we responsibly power a world to meet the demands of our infinite curiosity?In a world in which natural resources are inequitably dispersed, how do we ensure their just and equitable distribution?How can we best promote regenerative agricultural practices so we nourish the earth as it nourishes us?How do we house and clothe and feed ten billion people while leaving enough world for the rest of creation to thrive?And she addresses an uncomfortable truth: Even good people with good intentions may behave in ways that harm the earth. Often the choice is not ours to make. We cannot recycle if the materials we use are not recyclable. We cannot stop destroying our oceans and waterways if our detergents, cosmetics, soaps, plastics, and fertilizers are made of pollutants. We cannot take public transportation if there is none. We cannot afford the foods that are sustainably raised if unsustainably raised foods are made cheaper by government subsidies. We cannot choose to own less and share more if there are no collaborative economies to help us.
In the Bog, The ecology, landscape, archaeology and heritage of peatlands Part 2
The 2014 Sheffield conference, 'In the Bog', addressed the themes of 'the ecology, landscape, archaeology and heritage of peatlands'. Contributions from around the world considered issues of: 1. The ecology of peatlands. 2. Their histories of utilisation and exploitation. 3. Their contributions to 'ecosystem services'. And importantly, 4. Of their restoration. Globally, peatlands have shrunk dramatically over perhaps 200 to 300 years, and this must be a major contribution to global environmental change. Furthermore, the removal and degradation of peatlands has severely compromised the planetary ability to respond to and mitigate problems such as climate change. The book of the proceedings was delayed allowing for submission of chapters by various authors, but then for other reasons including workloads, university priorities, and ultimately COVID Lockdown. Nevertheless, the unique collection of contributions to the two books, 'In the Bog: The ecology, landscape, archaeology and heritage of peatlands Part 1: History & Heritage', and 'In the Bog: The ecology, landscape, archaeology and heritage of peatlands Part 2. Ecology, Management & Conservation', makes a remarkable contribution to the literature on peat and peatlands. The collections run from history and heritage and through to science and conservation management, and with a global coverage.
Biodiversity Conservation in Costa Rica
The beautiful tropical dry forest of northwest Costa Rica, with its highly seasonal rainfall and diversely vegetated landscape, is disappearing even more rapidly than Costa Rica's better-known rain forest, primarily because it has been easier to convert to agriculture. This book, based on more than thirty years of study, offers the first comprehensive look at the ecology, biodiversity, and conservation status of this endangered and fragile region. The contributors, from Costa Rica, Britain, Mexico, and the United States, and representing the fields of ecology, environmental education, policy, and the law, examine the major plant and animal groups living in the dry forest and present the first technical evaluation of Costa Rica's conservation efforts. As they assess the status of their area of specialty in the dry forest, the contributors also look beyond this particular region to show how its plants and animals are ecologically and evolutionarily connected to other geographic areas in Costa Rica and Central America. Their chapters cover topics such as watershed and coastal management, plant phenology, pollination, insects, birds, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles. They also consider the socioeconomic, policy, legal, and political aspects of biodiversity conservation, giving the volume a wide-ranging perspective and making a unique contribution to our knowledge of the tropical dry forest. The book concludes with an important synthesis of the contributors' recommendations on future directions, policies, and actions that will better conserve biodiversity in Costa Rica and other neotropical forests as well. This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press's mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 2005.
Strategic Rebuilding and Affordable Housing in the Muslim World
This book examines the debate over affordable housing and all of its complexities to critique and confront important features of rebuilding, affordability, design methodologies, and challenges in the strategic rebuilding processes.
Biodiversity Conservation in Costa Rica
The beautiful tropical dry forest of northwest Costa Rica, with its highly seasonal rainfall and diversely vegetated landscape, is disappearing even more rapidly than Costa Rica's better-known rain forest, primarily because it has been easier to convert to agriculture. This book, based on more than thirty years of study, offers the first comprehensive look at the ecology, biodiversity, and conservation status of this endangered and fragile region. The contributors, from Costa Rica, Britain, Mexico, and the United States, and representing the fields of ecology, environmental education, policy, and the law, examine the major plant and animal groups living in the dry forest and present the first technical evaluation of Costa Rica's conservation efforts. As they assess the status of their area of specialty in the dry forest, the contributors also look beyond this particular region to show how its plants and animals are ecologically and evolutionarily connected to other geographic areas in Costa Rica and Central America. Their chapters cover topics such as watershed and coastal management, plant phenology, pollination, insects, birds, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles. They also consider the socioeconomic, policy, legal, and political aspects of biodiversity conservation, giving the volume a wide-ranging perspective and making a unique contribution to our knowledge of the tropical dry forest. The book concludes with an important synthesis of the contributors' recommendations on future directions, policies, and actions that will better conserve biodiversity in Costa Rica and other neotropical forests as well. This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press's mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 2005.
Human Impact on Groundwater Environment
The contributions to this Topic will encompass a broad spectrum of topics regarding the human impact on groundwater resources, including but not limited to the following: emerging topics dealing with water resource vulnerability and human impact, including emerging and chemical contaminants; advances in analytical techniques to monitor and identify sources and processes controlling the budget of human contaminants in water resources; advances in hydrological processes and hydrodynamic models for investigating water vulnerability to human impact; analysis of urban growth consequences for water resources and water management; remote sensing applications for water vulnerability assessment; linkage between water vulnerability, scarcity, security, and sustainability.
Building Energy-Saving Technology-2nd Edition
This Special Issue introduces the recent advancements in research and development in building energy efficiency. From energy monitoring, DC heat pumps, and PV power generation to outdoor environmental design, natural ventilation, building material, green building index, and building design factors, we aim to unravel cutting-edge building energy-saving technologies. In this reprint, scholars try to identify the most appropriate technology to reduce building energy consumption and carbon emissions for more sustainable societal development.
Modeling and Remote Sensing of Forests Ecosystem
The aim of this reprint is to explore the pivotal role of forests in the global carbon cycle and climate change mitigation, highlighting their significance as the largest terrestrial carbon pool. This reprint delves into advancements in time series monitoring of forests, particularly through remote sensing technologies such as optical, synthetic aperture radar (SAR), LiDAR, and microwave sensors. These tools enable the global mapping and monitoring of forest trends with a high spatial resolution over extended periods. The topics covered include the impact of anthropogenic activities, climate extremes (e.g., droughts and wetness), and forest dynamics on ecosystem health, along with forest biomass and carbon monitoring. This reprint presents 12 insightful articles that showcase the latest research in the modeling and remote sensing of forest ecosystems.
The Ancient Life History of the Earth; A Comprehensive Outline of the Principles and Leading Facts of Pal疆ontological Science
Discover the captivating journey through time with "The Ancient Life History of the Earth" by Henry Alleyne Nicholson, a masterpiece that has been out of print for decades and is now beautifully republished by Alpha Editions. This collector's edition invites you to explore the fascinating world of paleontological science, unraveling the mysteries of Earth's ancient past with clarity and insight. Nicholson's comprehensive outline of the principles and leading facts of paleontology offers an engaging and accessible guide for both enthusiasts and scholars alike. Dive into the depths of prehistoric life and witness the evolution of our planet through vivid descriptions and expert analysis. Whether you're a seasoned paleontologist or a curious reader, this timeless classic is a must-have addition to your collection, bridging the gap between the past and the present for current and future generations. Don't miss the chance to own a piece of history and enrich your understanding of the Earth's ancient life.
Liquid Democracy
"This timely book carefully interrogates the increasingly fraught intersections of the digital, the city, and democracy. It is a book that will endure, bristling as it is with thoughtful reflection and insight on the democratic challenges that unfold amidst the ordinary, troubled and generative digital worlds of cities as different as Madrid, Taipei and Helsinki. Amidst the work of policymakers, activists, and engineers, what emerges is a hopeful exploration of what 'digital democracy platforms' might enable."--Professor Colin McFarlane, Durham University "This vital book moves beyond a universal analysis of the effects of social media platforms on liberal democracy. Through an in-depth examination of civic platforms in Finland, Spain and Taiwan, Tseng provides a compelling and nuanced empirical and theoretical analysis of the contingent relationship between platforms, place and democracy."--Professor Rob Kitchin, Maynooth University Reimagining Democracy in the Digital and Urban Age How can democracy adapt and thrive in a world reshaped by artificial intelligence and digital platforms? In Liquid Democracy, author Yu-Shan Tseng offers a bold new framework for understanding democracy as a dynamic, fluid process. Challenging the idea that AI and digital tools are inherently anti-democratic, this innovative volume bridges theory and practice to investigate various "liquid conditions," a novel concept capturing how political action flows and transforms like water within the intersections of urban spaces and digital technologies. Through an in-depth comparative study of three groundbreaking digital democracy platforms--Decide Madrid in Madrid, OmaStadi in Helsinki, and vTaiwan in Taipei--Tseng explores how digital platforms can foster participatory governance, pluralism, and alternative democratic futures. In-depth chapters critically examine the interactions between humans, algorithms, and urban systems, revealing how digital tools reconfigure the boundaries of political participation, decision-making, and collective action. Throughout the text, Tseng offers fresh insights into how democracy emerges under contingent conditions shaped by technology and geography. Drawing from years of ethnographic fieldwork, Liquid Democracy is essential reading for master's and PhD students in geography, political science, and urban studies, as well as scholars, practitioners, and policymakers interested in digital governance, smart cities, civic technology, and algorithmic politics.
Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, Nebraska
Discover the captivating world of prehistoric wonders with ""Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, Nebraska"" by the National Park Service United States. This extraordinary book takes you on a journey through time, unveiling the secrets of one of America's most fascinating fossil sites. Nestled in the heart of Nebraska, the Agate Fossil Beds are a treasure trove of ancient life, offering a glimpse into a world long past. Out of print for decades, this timeless classic has been lovingly republished by Alpha Editions, ensuring that both current and future generations can marvel at its rich history and scientific significance. This is not just a book; it's a collector's edition, a must-have for enthusiasts of natural history and paleontology. With vivid descriptions and stunning illustrations, this book brings to life the incredible discoveries made at the Agate Fossil Beds, from ancient mammals to the vibrant ecosystems they inhabited. Whether you're a seasoned fossil enthusiast or a curious newcomer, this book promises to ignite your imagination and deepen your appreciation for the natural world. Don't miss your chance to own a piece of history. Dive into the past and explore the wonders of the Agate Fossil Beds National Monument today!
The History Trees
The ultimate photographic collection of the most historic trees on the planet. Uncover remarkable trees from around the world, many of which have borne witness to key moments in history or reached a scale and age that have allowed them to become a part of history themselves. "[A] rich history ... it contains some of the most extraordinary tales of trees through time" -- The Sunday PostFirst meet 'Methuselah', a bristlecone pine in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, believed to be 4,900 years old. Learn about trees which have inspired great events, such as the Isaac Newton apple tree in Lincolnshire, where the famous scientist observed an apple falling from a tree (which still stands in the family garden). Other flora has withstood historic events such as in Japan, where the Hibaku jumoku still grows as a survivor tree from the Hiroshima bombing and the 9/11 Survivor Tree in New York City.Many trees continue to inspire our world today including the long avenue of beech trees in Northern Ireland known as the Dark Hedges which Game of Thrones fans will instantly recognise as the road to Kings Landing, the Robin Hood's oak in the Sherwood Forest or the J. R. R. Tolkien trees in Avebury, which inspired the Ents in TheLord of the Rings.Rest a while beside the oldest trunks and witness the enthralling stories nestled within the branches of these gentle giants.
The Chain of Life in Geological Time; A Sketch of the Origin and Succession of Animals and Plants
Discover the captivating journey of life on Earth with "The Chain of Life in Geological Time" by John William Dawson. This timeless masterpiece, now republished by Alpha Editions after being out of print for decades, offers a fascinating exploration of the origins and evolution of animals and plants through the ages. Dawson's insightful narrative and meticulous research illuminate the intricate legacy of life, from the earliest organisms to the complex ecosystems of today. Perfect for both enthusiasts and scholars, this collector's edition invites you to delve into the mysteries of our planet's past. Whether you're a seasoned naturalist or a curious reader, this book promises to enrich your understanding of the natural world and inspire a deeper appreciation for the wonders of life. Don't miss the chance to own a piece of history and embark on a journey through time with this beautifully restored classic.
