Biodiversity of West African Forests

Biodiversity of West African Forests

This book focuses on the biodiversity and ecology of West African forests. The first part of the book includes 8 chapters which analyse the factors that give rise to biodiversity and structure tropical plant communities. It emphasizes the distribution and state of the forests and analyses vegetation gradients, determines hotspots of plant diversity, and treats distribution patterns of rare and endemic species in the Upper Guinean forests which extend from Senegal to Togo. The main part of the book is an atlas with ecological profiles of 280 rare and endemic plant species and 56 large timber species, each with a one-page entry including a coloured photograph and distribution map. This book will appeal to researchers working in forestry, biodiversity, plant ecology and conservation.

Biodiversity of West African Forests

Marine Ecologonomics

Marine Ecologonomics

This book outlines a framework for analysis of marine resource management incorporating ecological and economic considerations and technological feasibility. Ecologonomics – a new emerging science combining economic and ecological concepts and principles – is introduced. Its use in studying changes in natural processes occurring in the marine environment in combination with analysing economic consequences of human impact on marine ecosystems is demonstrated. A unique book, which offers a rare insight into the research achievements of Russian scientists.

Marine Ecologonomics

Green Architecture

Green Architecture

ARCHITECTURAL STRUCTURE & DESIGN. When is a house ecological? Does the use of natural materials and solar cells on the roof make a building an example of ‘green’ architecture? Perhaps even Antoni Gaudi and Frank Lloyd Wright designed ‘greener’ buildings than most contemporary architects, whose low-energy houses scarcely differ outwardly from traditional ones.James Wines puts up the various – and often irreconcilable – concepts of environmentally-friendly architecture for discussion, making a case for an architecture that not only focuses on technological solutions, but also tries to reconcile man and nature in its formal idiom. Among the examples of contemporary ecological architecture presented are works by Emilio Ambasz, Gustav Peichl, Arthur Quarmby, Jean Nouvel, Sim Van der Ryn, Jourda and Perraudin, Log ID, James Cutler, Stanley Saitowitz, Francois Roche, Nigel Coates and Michael Sorkin.

Green Architecture

Cultivating Biodiversity to Transform Agriculture

Cultivating Biodiversity to Transform Agriculture

How can cultivated plant biodiversity contribute to the transformation and the ‘ecologization’ of agriculture in Southern countries? Based on extensive field work in the Southern countries, a great deal of scientific progress is presented in all areas affecting agriculture (agronomy, plant breeding and crop protection, cultivation systems, etc.) in order to intensify the ecological processes in cultivated plots and at the scale of rural landscapes.

Cultivating Biodiversity to Transform Agriculture

Eutrophication - Volume 2

Eutrophication - Volume 2

Eutrophication continues to be a major global challenge and the problem of eutrophication and availability of freshwater for human consumption is an essential ecological issue. The global demand for water resources due to increasing population, economic developments, and emerging energy development schemes has created new environmental challenges for global sustainability. Accordingly, the area of research on eutrophication has expanded considerably in recent years. Eutrophication, acidification and contamination by toxic substances are likely to pose increasing threats to freshwater resources and ecosystems. The consequences of anthropogenic-induced eutrophication of freshwaters are severe deterioration of surface waters and growing public concern, as well as new interest among the scientific community. Eutrophication: causes, consequences & control provides the latest information on many important aspects of the processes of natural and accelerated eutrophication in major aquatic ecosystems around the world.

Eutrophication - Volume 2

Seafood and Freshwater Toxins, Second Edition

Seafood and Freshwater Toxins, Second Edition

The occurrence of marine and freshwater toxins is a rapidly evolving problem due to ever-changing circumstances. Expanding international commerce is forcing cargo ships into virgin territory, deforestation and pollution violate the natural ecological balance, and a changing climate holds unknown potential to alter current factors and trigger toxic blooms in new forms, at new rates, and in new places. Fortunately, with notable advances in analysis technology, the body of knowledge in the field is equally dynamic. In just six years since the first edition, toxins that warranted only line listings, including pfiestra, gambierol, and polycavernoside, are now worthy of entire chapters, requiring a new edition to encompass the expanding scope of the field.

Seafood and Freshwater Toxins, Second Edition

Human Landscapes in Classical Antiquity

Human Landscapes in Classical Antiquity

Human Landscapes in Classical Antiquity shows how today’s environmental and ecological concerns can help illuminate our study of the ancient world. The contributors consider how the Greeks and Romans perceived their natural world, and how their perceptions affected society. The effects of human settlement and cultivation on the landscape are considered, as well as the representation of landscape in Attic drama. Various aspects of farming, such as the use of terraces and the significance of olive growing are examined. The uncultivated landscape was also important: hunting was a key social ritual for Greek and hellenistic elites, and ‘wild’ places were not wastelands but played an essential economic role. The Romans’ attempts to control their environment are analyzed.

Human Landscapes in Classical Antiquity

Marriages, Families and Relationships

Marriages, Families and Relationships

This bestselling text on marriages, families, and relationships combines a rigorous scholarly and applied approach with a unique theme especially relevant to today’s dynamic global environment: Making choices in a diverse society. The text achieves an excellent balance between the sociological, or ecological and family systems theoretical perspectives, while including extensive coverage of family dynamics and interpersonal relationships. The authors use an engaging presentation to create a highly readable text that offers insightful perspectives on the diversity of our modern society, including different ethnic traditions and family forms.

Marriages, Families and Relationships