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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
To tackle the paucity of adequate housing in the Muslim World, Strategic Rebuilding and Affordable Housing in the Muslim World brings together a cohort of essays that deal with the the latest approaches, policy discussions, attendant research methodologies and recommendations. The volume's multidisciplinary contributors- academics, practitioners, architects, planners, researchers, urbanists, economists-offer valuable insights and critical analysis on strategic rebuilding of affordable and adequate housing, as well as the continuous improvement of living conditions. Each chapter broadens our understanding of the 'house' as a source of stability and security for individuals or families because one's house is the center of emotional life, with its ability to provide serenity, safety, and self-worth. Therefore, weaving the many aspects of this argument together the contributors of this volume purport a point of view that is carefully well-thought-out to expand the focus from just addressing individual and family needs to looking at the wider community benefits. Furthermore, adequate housing will increasingly become the focus of re-settlement, urban renewal and re-investment, primarily to deal with the homeless conditions that already exist-the influx of refugees and internally displaced people (IDP's) as the result of natural disasters (earthquakes and floods) and the collateral damage caused by war.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Before It's Gone
This "stunning call to action to save ourselves and all life on the planet" (Booklist), in the vein of This Changes Everything and Saving Us, effortlessly demonstrates how climate change is affecting America right now. Discussion of the climate crisis has always suffered from a problem of abstraction. Data points and warnings of an overheated future struggle to break through the noise of everyday life. Deniers often portray climate solutions as inconvenient, expensive, and unnecessary. And many politicians, cloistered by status and focused always on their next election, do not yet see climate as a winning issue in the short run. But climate change is here whether we want to pay attention or not. CBS News national correspondent Jonathan Vigliotti has personally witnessed that crisis unfold, spending nearly two decades reporting across the United States (and the world) documenting the people, communities, landmarks, and traditions we've already surrendered. Vigliotti shares with urgency and personal touch the story of an America on the brink. This "page-turning tour de force" (Steve Brusatte, New York Times bestselling author) traces Vigliotti's travels across the country, taking him to the frontlines of climate disaster and revealing the genuine impacts of climate change that countless Americans have already been forced to confront. From massive forest fires in California to hurricanes in Louisiana, receding coastlines in Massachusetts and devastated fisheries in Alaska, we learn that warnings of a future impacted by climate are no more; the climate catastrophe is already here.
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!
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.
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.
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.
Great Misconceptions
The term rewilding has become part of the common vernacular and with it has come a lot of misunderstanding and even misuse. This has led to a great many misconceptions about what the word actually means. Great Misconceptions brings together different writers, with different experiences, exploring some of those misconceptions, misunderstandings and myths when it comes to what rewilding means to them.The book boasts an impressive team of writers covering a varied mix of important topics. This is a book to inform, provoke thought and debate and stimulate conversation about rewilding conservation.
Rocky Mountain Tree Finder
Identify native trees of the Rocky Mountain regions of southwestern Canada and the western United States with this pocket-size guide.You can appreciate and enjoy beautiful native trees of the Rocky Mountains! If you're curious about the trees that you see, then the Rocky Mountain Tree Finder by Tom Watts and Bridget Watts is just what you need. With the handy, easy-to-use booklet, you can identify trees in the Rocky Mountain regions of western North America.The book provides a dichotomous key to identifying native trees. Simply answer a series of simple questions about the location, appearance, branches, needles/leaves, and more. Along the way, Tom's professional illustrations help to guide you to a positive identification.This guide is applicable to the mountain regions of Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming, as well as Alberta and British Columbia.Book Features: Step-by-step guide to tree identificationMore than 90 species of treesProfessional line illustrations with key markings for identificationSmall format that fits into a pocket or pack
The Lost Trees of Willow Avenue
A riveting and elegant story of climate change on one city street, full of surprises and true stories of human struggle and dying local trees - all against the national backdrop of 2023's record heat domes and raging wildfires and, simultaneously, rising hopes for clean energy. In 2023, author and activist Mike Tidwell decided to keep a record for a full year of the growing impacts of climate change on his one urban block right on the border with Washington, DC. A love letter to the magnificent oaks and other trees dying from record heat waves and bizarre rain, Tidwell's story depicts the neighborhood's battle to save the trees and combat climate change: The midwife who builds a geothermal energy system on the block, the Congressman who battles cancer and climate change at the same time, and the Chinese-American climate scientist who wants to bury billions of the world's dying trees to store their carbon and help stabilize the atmosphere. The story goes beyond ailing trees as Tidwell chronicles people on his block coping with Lyme disease, a church with solar panels on its roof and floodwater in its basement, and young people anguishing over whether to have kids -all in the same neighborhood and all against the backdrop of 2023's record global temperatures and raging wildfires and hurricanes. Then there's Tidwell himself who explores the ethical and scientific questions surrounding the idea of "geoengineering" as a last-ditch way to save the world's trees - and human communities everywhere - by reflecting sunlight away from the planet. No book has told the story of climate change this way: hyper-local, full of surprises, full of true stories of life and death in one neighborhood. The Lost Trees of Willow Avenue is a harrowing and hopeful proxy for every street in America and every place on Earth.
The Role of the Community in Coastal Erosion Management, Ka-Nyaka Island
Ecosystem Services and Urban Green Spaces
Urban ecosystems, which host most of the global population, are dynamic and multifaceted systems subject to continuous transformation. Within these ecosystems, green spaces, encompassing urban horticulture, cemeteries, urban forests, and nature-based solutions, serve as critical components for enhancing the well-being of urban residents. These green spaces provide a wide array of ecosystem services (ESs) vital for sustainable urban living. To ensure the continued provision of these services, it is imperative to map and assess them systematically. In addition, it is essential to critically analyze and refine policy frameworks, governance structures, and urban planning strategies that support the management and enhancement of these services. This Special Issue is dedicated to the mapping and assessment of urban ecosystem services, with a focus on the planning of urban green spaces to optimize the delivery of these services. It will also explore the formulation of coherent policy approaches regarding and strengthening governmental oversight of green spaces. Furthermore, it examines the dynamics of collaborative governance arrangements related to urban green spaces and investigates the use of innovative policy tools (such as living labs) for the establishment and enhancement of ecosystem services in urban settings.
Orchard Management under Climate Change
Climate is one of the most important limiting factors for fruit production, and climate change affects a range of physiological processes in fruit tree species, such as their phenological stages, bud dormancy and bud burst, pollination and fruiting, growth and fruit quality. Research shows that erratic weather events such as extreme heat, drought and sudden frost are responsible for stress in fruit trees, which can negatively affect fruit quality, sugar content, acidity and overall flavor. In a warming world, orchards face a range of environmental challenges that affect growth and productivity. Farmers need to adapt to protect their crops from the effects of climate change in this scenario. Fruit trees pose unique adaptation challenges for growers. Likewise, researchers are facing an increasing demand for studies on this topic to find solutions for managing orchards under changing climatic conditions and extreme weather events. Because of the importance of the topic, ongoing studies should be encouraged and shared quickly so that readers can find approaches and results that address their questions. Climate change is a very topical and relevant issue for orchard management and is addressed in various ways in this Reprint. Contributions cover sustainable cultural practices in different orchards under different climatic conditions, as well as long-term studies on the effects of global warming on grapevines.
Dreams of Presence
Throughout the twentieth century, the question of culture was a central pillar of social scientific thought. Today, however, the concept has disappeared from the academic landscape. Despite pressing political debates about culture wars, identity politics, cultural appropriation, and nativism, the concept of culture is no longer seen as a credible explanatory tool.Dreams of Presence provides a novel theoretical approach to the question of culture and will be of use to geographers, anthropologists, sociologists, and social theorists grappling to understand why culture continues to be a dominant political force in our contemporary world. Drawing on Heidegger, Levinas, Derrida, and Zizek, Mitch Rose provides an existential, rather than sociological, account of culture, conceptualizing it as a refuge where subjects endeavour to establish ownership over a life that perpetually eludes them. The book argues that culture is a claim; not something subjects ever have but something they desire; not something properly present but a dream of presence: an imagination of identity we cultivate, care for, and materially build in order to assure ourselves that we are sovereign, self-standing beings.
Volcanoes in Human History
The classic account of how volcanism has shaped human culture and science, from the Bronze Age eruption that destroyed Minoan Crete to Mount St. Helens When the volcano Tambora erupted in Indonesia in 1815, as many as one hundred thousand people perished from the blast and ensuing famine. Gases and dust particles ejected into the atmosphere changed weather patterns around the world, resulting in the infamous "year without a summer" in North America, food riots in Europe, and a widespread cholera epidemic. And the gloomy weather inspired Mary Shelley to write the gothic novel Frankenstein. This panoramic book tells the story of nine such epic volcanic events, explaining the related geology and exploring the myriad ways our planet's volcanism has affected human history.
Environmental and Social Justice Issues
This book uses a declarative mapping methodology to examine a range of issues relating to environmental and social justice issues, including climate change, homelessness, refugees, food insecurity, and racial and gender inequality. The book explores how we can bring about change in order to have a meaningful impact on these problems, using a literature-based approach to identify and analyse this through the Declarative Mapping Method, showing how this methodology can be used in the context of these issues. The authors build a body of knowledge based upon published research, to offer a template that may be used to bring about meaningful and appropriate changes in human behaviour in a variety of social/ecological justice contexts. In a world where most of the global challenges we face are a result of human behaviour, the book applies psychological principles to gain a deeper understanding of our responses to world issues. Case studies are included to show how specific strategies can be used to address problems, and a holistic perspective offers strategies and insights into addressing these challenges. This is an ideal text for researchers and students interested in environmental and social issues, especially those looking to find ways to address them through research methodologies.
When Humans Nearly Vanished
The fascinating true story of the explosion of the Mount Toba supervolcano--the Earth's largest eruption in the past 28 million years--and its lasting impact on Earth and human evolution Some 73,000 years ago, the huge dome of Mount Toba, in today's Sumatra, Indonesia, began to rumble. A deep vibration shook the entire island. Jets of steam and ash emanated from the summit, followed by an explosion louder than any sound heard by Homo sapiens since our species evolved on Earth. The eruption of the Toba supervolcano released the energy of a million tons of explosives; seven hundred cubic miles of magma spewed outward in an explosion forty times larger than the largest hydrogen bomb and more than a thousand times as powerful as the Krakatau eruption in 1883. So much ash and debris was injected into the stratosphere that it partially blocked the sun's radiation and caused global temperatures to drop by five to nine degrees. It took a full decade for Earth to recover to its pre-eruption temperatures. When Humans Nearly Vanished presents the controversial argument that the Toba catastrophe nearly wiped out the human race, leaving only about a thousand to ten thousand breeding pairs of humans worldwide. Human genes today show evidence of a "genetic bottleneck," an effect seen when a population of organisms becomes so small that their genetic diversity is greatly reduced. This group of survivors could be the ancestors of all humans alive today. Donald R. Prothero explores the geological and biological evidence supporting the Toba bottleneck theory; reveals how the explosion itself was discovered; and offers insight into how the world changed afterward and what might happen if such an eruption occurred today. Prothero's riveting account of this calamitous supervolcanic explosion is not to be missed.
The Living Mountain
"In a world of self-help, this is true inspiration, deeply admirable without the distance of heroism, bracing without stridency and, ultimately, generous. The mountain, Shepherd tells us, is 'a corrective of glib assessment.' So is its book." --The New York Times Book Review An internationally bestselling classic on the power of the natural world--"part memoir, part field notebook, part lyrical meditation on nature and our relationship with it, evocative of Rachel Carson and Henry Beston and John Muir" (Maria Popova, The New York Times). This masterpiece of nature writing by Nan Shepherd describes her journeys into "the high and holy places" of the Cairngorm Mountains of Scotland. There she encounters a world of spectacular cliffs, deep silences, and lakes so clear that they cannot be imagined. As she walks through clouds, endures blizzards, and watches the great spirals of eagles in flight, Shepherd comes to know something about the hidden life of this remarkable landscape--and also herself. The Living Mountain is the result of one woman's lifetime spent in search of the essential nature of the wild world around her. Composed during World War II, Shepherd's manuscript lay untouched for almost four decades, nearly lost to time, before it was finally published. In the decades since, audiences and critics of all generations have embraced it as a classic, an enduring testament to the magnificence of mountains and our communion with the environment.
Sensors and Advanced Sensing Techniques for Computer Vision Applications
This is a reprint of the Special Issue on "Sensors and Advanced Sensing Techniques for Computer Vision Applications" aims to address many topics related to the challenging problems of computer vision and pattern recognition in conjunction with the emerging field of deep learning and remote sensing. As a result of the open call for papers, papers related to deep learning, neural networks, and soft computing have been accepted after a rigorous peer review process and assessed for their technical merit and relevance. The featured articles cover applications in the following fields: Deep learning for 2D/3D object recognition and classification; Autonomous navigation and robotic agents; Data augmentation in computer vision; Image fusion, segmentation, and classification from different sensors; Parallel Machine Learning; Photogrammetry and 3D point clouds; Multidisciplinary applications of deep learning, pattern recognition, and computer vision for driving assisting systems and aircraft industry.This reprint could serve as a valuable handbook for engineers being able to work on interdisciplinary topics and integrate technologies that eventually converge.
