Al-Alia Publishing House
Al-Alia Publishing House produces stories for children. Not only the child enjoys the new experience of reading Alia presents, but so as everyone else.
View Rights PortalAl-Alia Publishing House produces stories for children. Not only the child enjoys the new experience of reading Alia presents, but so as everyone else.
View Rights PortalInvasive alien plants pose a major threat to agriculture and livelihoods worldwide. This book considers those impacts and options for biological control, through a case study of mikania weed, a neotropical invasive plant in many countries in the tropical humid forest zones of Southeast Asia. This perennial vine can smother agro-forestry and natural forest ecosystems, as well as many crops within homegarden and plantation production systems. The design of policy frameworks to combat invasive species is considered in depth, as is the use of classical biological control against mikania weed ; 1: Invasive alien plants as a constraint to development in tropical Asia: is there a crisis in the making?2: Profile of an invasive plant: Mikania micrantha3: Social and economic implications of Mikania micrantha in the Kerala Western Ghats4: Impacts and management options for Mikania micrantha in plantations5: Mikania micrantha: its status and impact on people and wildlife in Nepal6: Impact and management of invasive alien plants on Pacific island communities7: Understanding the impact of invasive Mikania micrantha in shifting agriculture and its management through traditional ecological knowledge8: Prevention and related measures for invasive alien plants in India; policy framework and other initiatives9: Control options for invasive alien plants in agroforestry10: Classical biological control of Mikania micrantha: the sustainable solution11: Policy frameworks for the implementation of a classical biological control strategy: the Chinese experience12: Policy frameworks for the implementation of a classical biological control strategy: the Indian experience
Invasive alien species are a major threat to biodiversity and ecosystems throughout the world. In India, a country with four of the world's most important 'biodiversity hotspots', the invasion of alien plants means risking a national ecological disaster with major social and economic consequences. Currently, there is insufficient information about invasive alien plants; their distribution, rate of spread and adaptability to new environments. This book reveals existing and potential invaders, evaluates the level of risk they pose to native species and suggests steps to manage spread and limit damage. Invaluable to policy-makers, this book is also required reading for researchers of invasive plants worldwide.
Human activities have contributed to the distribution of many plant, animal and microbial species to parts of the world where they are not native. This spread of alien species can have devastating consequences on native biodiversity. Examples include alien mammals consuming native vegetation and alien insects spreading viruses, as well as plants such as water hyacinth, which has caused major problems to waterways when introduced from South America.The Global Invasive Species Programme (GISP) was established to address concerns with alien invasive species, formulated in the Convention on Biological Diversity. GISP is coordinated by:the Scientific Committee on Problems of the Environment (SCOPE)the World Conservation Union (IUCN)CAB InternationalIts goal is to improve prevention and management of biological invasions, and this book represents a key outcome. It has been assembled by a team of international experts. Features include:case studies from around the globe, with some emphasis on islandsa focus on biodiversity, but with some consideration of traditional agriculture and forestryadvice on national management plans, including risk analysis.
It's been nine years since Jasmine Copperfield's mother disappeared when her mission to Mars went awry. Ever since that tragic day, Jasmine has done her best to cope with the lonely life of an only child whose father never comes home for dinner. It's hard enough on its own, but when her childhood nurse goes suddenly missing, Jasmine knows something is terribly wrong. She embarks on a brave adventure to rescue Amby, discovering unexpected friends along the way––as well as enemies she never would have thought could exist.
Biological invasions - the introduction, establishment and spread of invasive alien species - are complex global phenomena that can cause significant environmental, ecological, and economic harm. Along with the direct effects of an invasive host organism, there is the additional threat of co-introduced pathogenic and parasitic species. Co-introduced parasites can affect the success of the invasive organism but can also go on to infect hosts in the new range, resulting in novel ecological interactions and complex impacts. These 'Invasive Parasites' can have profound impacts on the success of a biological invasion, and can pose a significant risk to wildlife, in addition to organisms cultured for agriculture and aquaculture. Compiling information on parasite invasions for the first time, this unique book: - provides an in-depth resource on parasite invasions, revealing the subtleties underlying biological invasions and co-introduced disease; - examines the phenomenon and consequences of parasite release in invaded host communities; - explores parasite invasion impacts, interactions and diagnostic techniques; - includes case studies across a broad range of hosts (plants, vertebrates and invertebrates) and parasites (viruses to large Metazoa), from a plethora of aquatic and terrestrial environments. Authored by leading researchers in the discipline, this new book is a useful tool for helping invasion researchers incorporate disease data into their invasion models, as well a vital resource for researchers, policy makers, and environmental managers that are more generally interested in the myriad consequences of species invasions
Could one timid school-girl defeat aliens who plan to take over every junior school-kid’s body? In London, timid teenager Amie sees nasty bullies beating up her school-friends and hypnotizing female teachers. She can’t get anyone to take the attacks seriously, then discovers that the bullies are shape-shifting, gravity-defying aliens intent on taking over the bodies of kids in junior schools all over the world. When the massive, invulnerable alien Mothership arrives, with 100s of smaller space-ships with laser-guns, the Government launches 100s of war-planes and soldiers to battle the invaders. But, they’re invulnerable and only Amie can beat them. Can she find new courage to save herself, family, friends and the school-kids by defeating the aliens?
This book is about globally invasive alien birds. It consists of three sections. In the first section, a species account for each of the 32 global avian invader species (as listed by the Invasive Species Specialist Group, ISSG) is provided. Here experts currently conducting or who have previously researched these species provide detailed, up-to-date information of these birds and their current invasive status on a global scale, with images of the species and distribution maps. Details provided include physical description, diet, introduction and invasion pathway, breeding behaviour, habitat, impacts of species, control and any uses for this species. In the second section, avian invasions are discussed biogeographically, further highlighting aspects of current and emerging invasive species in different countries. In the third section, the ecology and impacts of avian invasive species is considered. Table of contents 1: Introduction Chapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2: Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris Linnaeus, 1758) Chapter 3: Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis Linnaeus, 1766) Chapter 4: Jungle Myna (Acridotheres fuscus Wagler, 1827) Chapter 5: Red-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer Linnaeus, 1766) Chapter 6: Red-whiskered Bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus Linnaeus, 1758) Chapter 7: Great Kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus Linnaeus, 1766) Chapter 8: Red-billed leiothrix (Leiothrix lutea Scopoli, 1786) Chapter 9: Ring-necked Parakeet (Psittacula krameri Scopoli, 1769) Chapter 10: Monk Parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus Boddaert, 1783) 2: Global avian invaders (as listed by ISSG) Chapter 11: House Sparrow (Passer domesticus Linnaeus, 1758) Chapter 12: Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis Gmelin, 1788) Chapter 13: Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater Boddaert, 1783) Chapter 14: Rock Dove (Columba livia Gmelin, 1789) Chapter 15: Eurasian Collared-dove (Streptopelia decaocto Frivaldszy, 1838) Chapter 16: Chukar Partridge (Alectoris chukar Gray, 1830) Chapter 17: Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis Linnaeus, 1758) Chapter 18: Red Junglefowl (Gallus gallus Linnaeus, 1758), Grey Junglefowl (Gallus sonneratii Temmink, 1813) and Green Junglefowl (Gallus varius Shaw, 1798) Chapter 19: House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus Müller, 1776) Chapter 20: Common Waxbill (Estrilda astrild Linnaeus, 1758) Chapter 21: Scaly-breasted Munia (Lonchura punctulata Linnaeus 1758) Chapter 22: Northern Red Bishop (Euplectes franciscanus Isert 1789) Chapter 23: Warbling White-eye (Zosterops japonicus Temminck and Schlegel 1845) Chapter 24: House Crow (Corvus splendens Vieillot, 1817) Chapter 25: Australian Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen Latham, 1802) Chapter 26: Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos Linnaeus, 1758) Chapter 27: Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis Gmelin, 1789) Chapter 28: Egyptian Goose (Alopochen aegyptiaca Linnaeus, 1766) Chapter 29: Greylag Goose (Anser anser Linnaeus, 1758) Chapter 30: Canada Goose (Branta canadensis canadensis Linnaeus, 1758) Chapter 31: Mute Swan (Cygnus olor, Gmelin, 1789) Chapter 32: Gray-headed Swamphen (Porphyrio poliocephalus Latham, 1801) Chapter 33: African Sacred Ibis (Threskiornis aethiopicus Latham, 1790) Chapter 34: Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus Gmelin, 1788) Chapter 35: Swamp Harrier (Circus approximans Peale, 1848) 3: Avian invaders’ biogeography and emerging invasive species Chapter 36: Continental analysis of invasive birds: Australia and New Zealand Chapter 37: Continental analysis of invasive birds: Africa Chapter 38: Continental analysis of invasive birds: North America Chapter 39: Continental analysis of invasive birds: South America Chapter 40: Continental analysis of invasive birds: Europe and the Middle East Chapter 41: Continental analysis of invasive birds: Asia 4: Impacts and management Chapter 42: Competition between invasive and native bird species Chapter 43: Control or eradication: problems in the management of invasive birds Chapter 44: Using citizen science to study exotic and invasive birds 5: Conclusion Chapter 45: Conclusions
Riley Bloom is a twelve-year-old girl who is extra intuitive. Her special intuitive abilities put her on the trail of a mystery. Several people in Riley’s town of Foggy Hollow have disappeared without a trace. At first, Riley has no clue what has happened to the missing townspeople. But then she meets Zach Archer, a new kid in school who has a wild theory about the whereabouts of the missing citizens. Zach’s theory is that Earth is being invaded by aliens. Zach and Riley form a team with two other kids, who together use their combined talents to try to stop the alien plot to take over the planet. They have a lot of smarts on their side, but it’s not easy to save the world when you have a big history paper due in a week . . . especially when your history teacher is an alien in disguise!
There are many hypotheses describing the interactions involved in biological invasions, but it is largely unknown whether they are backed up by empirical evidence. This book fills that gap by developing a tool for assessing research hypotheses and applying it to twelve invasion hypotheses, using the hierarchy-of-hypotheses (HoH) approach, and mapping the connections between theory and evidence. In Part 1, an overview chapter of invasion biology is followed by an introduction to the HoH approach and short chapters by science theorists and philosophers who comment on the approach. Part 2 outlines the invasion hypotheses and their interrelationships. These include biotic resistance and island susceptibility hypotheses, disturbance hypothesis, invasional meltdown hypothesis, enemy release hypothesis, evolution of increased competitive ability and shifting defence hypotheses, tens rule, phenotypic plasticity hypothesis, Darwin's naturalization and limiting similarity hypotheses and the propagule pressure hypothesis. Part 3 provides a synthesis and suggests future directions for invasion research
There are many hypotheses describing the interactions involved in biological invasions, but it is largely unknown whether they are backed up by empirical evidence. This book fills that gap by developing a tool for assessing research hypotheses and applying it to twelve invasion hypotheses, using the hierarchy-of-hypotheses (HoH) approach, and mapping the connections between theory and evidence. In Part 1, an overview chapter of invasion biology is followed by an introduction to the HoH approach and short chapters by science theorists and philosophers who comment on the approach. Part 2 outlines the invasion hypotheses and their interrelationships. These include biotic resistance and island susceptibility hypotheses, disturbance hypothesis, invasional meltdown hypothesis, enemy release hypothesis, evolution of increased competitive ability and shifting defence hypotheses, tens rule, phenotypic plasticity hypothesis, Darwin's naturalization and limiting similarity hypotheses and the propagule pressure hypothesis. Part 3 provides a synthesis and suggests future directions for invasion research
Over the past century, the number of species that have been transported to areas outside their native range has increased steadily. New pests and pathogens place biological pressure on valuable resident species, but strict bans may conflict with trading and travel needs. An overview of how the conflict can be managed using pest risk mapping and modelling, this book uses worked examples to explain modelling and help development of tool kits for assessment.
The first installment of the ‘Little Green Men’ series --- a new full-length fairytale by famous children’s book author Jin Bo. The book centerson the cute fairytale image of ‘little green men’. It depicts a pair of good friends who hope to encounter mysterious little green men, their accidental discovery of them in the suburbs, and, finally, the adventures that occur after they invite the little green men to come to the human world. The book preserves Jin Bo’s beautiful and lyrical style, extols on the value of childlike innocence, and is a classic original fairytale.
Invasive alien plants and animals are known for their disruption of ecosystems and threat to biodiversity. This book highlights their major impact on human health. This includes not only direct effects through contact with the species via bites, wounds and disease, but also indirect effects caused by changes induced in ecosystems by invasive species, such as more water hyacinth increasing mosquito levels and thereby the potential for malaria. Covering a wide range of case studies from different taxa (animals and plants), and giving an overview of the diverse impacts of invasive species on health in developed and developing countries, the book is a significant contribution that will help in prioritizing approaches to controlling invasive species and mitigating their health effects. It covers invasive plants, marine species, spiders and other arachnids, ticks and dust mites, insects, mosquitos and other diptera, freshwater species (invertebrates and fishes), amphibians and reptiles, birds and mammals. Key Features Collects together the major health impacts for the first time Covers animal and plant invasive species Examines issues in developed and developing countries The broad spectrum of the analyzed case studies will ensure the appeal of the book to a wide public, including researchers of biological invasions, doctors, policy-makers and managers, and students of invasive species in ecology, animal and plant biology and public health medicine.
Yang Peng's alien series original science fiction works. The book continues Yang Peng's consistent style of creation—incredible imagination, extraordinary exaggeration, unrepeatable comedy, bizarre plots, sci-fi elements, relaxing, humorous, and thrilling fun. At the same time, courage, integrity, kindness, unity, patriotism, and environmental protection are integrated into the delightful storytelling. The theme is positive, setting a good example for the children. Aliens have invaded Earth! This is a group of aliens from the ghost planet who cannot be killed. How to do? In this critical situation, the brave primary school student Dididi, the intelligent Dr. Guima, the wise Witch Gurit, the Hiroshima atomic bomb victim Shuiyunjingzi gathered together to form the "Save the Earth Four" group. A fierce battle with the aliens started ...
The book provides a comprehensive overview of current knowledge about "wattles", a large clade of over 1000 species of trees and shrubs in the genus Acacia, most of which are native to Australia. It examines the biology, ecology, evolution, and biogeography of wattles in their native ranges, including the evolutionary forces that have driven past speciation and adaptation to diverse environments, the conservation status, uses and human perceptions of these species. It considers the different histories of the introductions and proliferation of wattles as alien species in different parts of the world since c. 1850 (the Anthropocene), situated within relevant political, socio-economic and scientific contexts, together with an analysis of how awareness of their impacts as invasive species has changed over time. Differences in the dynamics and trends associated with the introduction, naturalization and invasion of wattles in different parts of the world are reviewed. The book also synthesizes the global distribution of wattles using diverse data sources, alongside trends, patterns and projections of global uses of wattles. It discusses the genetics, biotic interactions, and ecological, economic and social impacts of invasive wattles. The first comprehensive global synthesis in book form of aspects of the biology, ecology, biogeography and management of one of the world's most important woody plant genera. Provides the foundation for the assessment of evidence-based information required to formulate sustainable management strategies for non-native plants that have both benefits and negative impacts. Sheds new light on many aspects of plant invasion science. This book is aimed at academics and students in the field of ecology, and at managers of natural and anthropic ecosystems, policy-makers and regulators, and the general public interested in biology and environmental science.
All books have either writing, pictures or both in it, but the book that Ellen got as a gift has neither. It does, however, have extraordinary recording powers. Like in so many of Sandro’s stories, in The Strange Book it is completely natural for dreams to merge with reality. Through the matter-of-fact occurrence of unlikely events, The Strange Book tells a story of growing up without abandoning the inner child.
Since the first edition of this book was published in 2002, the field of quantitative genetics, genomics and breeding has changed markedly. To meet this challenge, this new edition has only five updated chapters; the remaining 17 chapters are entirely new. This book presents state-of-the-art, authoritative chapters on 1) Genomics, Quantitative Trait Loci and Molecular Breeding (11 chapters) and 2) Multi-environment Trials and Plant Breeding (11 chapters). These chapters emphasise the application of genomics and genome editing techniques in the context of plant breeding, and the latest in examining genotype X environment interactions in the field through applying quantitative genetics techniques. There is a particular focus on using genomic information to help evaluate traits that can combat abiotic stresses, genome-wide association mapping, high-throughput phenotyping, bioinformatics and the use of big data and gene editing techniques. Chapters describe breeding approaches that help make use of alien germplasm and enable biofortification, and the intergration of statistical techniques. Examples are taken from across crop science and a very wide geographical base.
In einem Artikel, in dem sich Autoren der Frankfurter Allgemeinen Sonntagszeitung mit Philosophen-Videos auf Youtube befaßten, hieß es, dort könne »man Denker in Aktion sehen und beobachten, wie die Körpersprache, von der in den Texten keine Spur zu finden ist, das Wort übernimmt«. Wenn es einen Gegenwartsphilosophen gibt, bei dem Körpersprache und Denkstil tatsächlich zur Deckung zu kommen scheinen, so ist das Slavoj Žižek, der philosophische »Sprengmeister« aus Ljubljana. Diesen »nervösen Intellektuellen« (die tageszeitung) haben Susan Chales de Beaulieu und Jean-Baptiste Farkas in ihrem, von arte koproduzierten Filmporträt buchstäblich festgehalten. Sie lassen Žižek nicht nur Kernelemente seiner Theorie erläutern, sie entlocken ihm auch aufschlußreiche Erklärungen zu seinem quecksilbrigen Schreibstil und läden ihn zu einer über Monitore hergestellten Begegnung mit seinen langjährigen Weggefährten Alain Badiou und Jacques Rancière. Als Extras sind weitere Interviews mit Žižek, Restaurantgespräche sowie diverse Auszüge einer seiner legendären Vorträge zu sehen.
Aus dem Englischen von Gisela Fichtl