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      • Trusted Partner
        Forestry & silviculture: practice & techniques
        October 2007

        Biodiversity Loss and Conservation in Fragmented Forest Landscapes

        The Forests of Montane Mexico and Temperate South America

        by Adrian C Newton

        Increasing concern surrounding the loss of natural forests and the decline in biodiversity has lead to a rise in research and policy initiatives in recent years. However, interest has focused primarily on lowland tropical rainforests. Tropical montane and temperate rainforests, which face similar pressures from human activities and play major roles in the livelihood of rural communities, are often ignored. Biodiversity Loss and Conservation in Fragmented Forest Landscapes is the product of over 10 years of intensive field research into the changing montane and temperate rainforests of Mexico and South America. By concentrating on these largely overlooked environments, the studies reported allow for comparative analysis across areas and help identify how human disturbance has impacted the biodiversity of all forest types. Chapters incorporate features of landscape ecology, floristic biodiversity, conservation and policy and vary from in-depth investigations of a single study area to integrated examinations across regions.

      • Trusted Partner
        April 2021

        The value of the forest

        by Zhao Wenying, Jiang Tianyi

        This book systematically introduces the multiple values of forests from the perspective of combining science and culture. Including forest environment adaptation, population self-regulation, community survival and development, system harmony and unification laws of the jungle, forest purification of air, adjustment of hydrological climate, soil conservation, maintenance of biodiversity and other ecological service values, the main forest products, wood products and wood environment value , The development value of forest food, medicinal materials, industrial and agricultural raw materials, landscape and other non-wood forest products, the health value of forests to promote human health, the forest inherits human civilization, breeds ecological ideas, and forms the value of cultural signs such as landscapes, trees, flowers, and animals , The aesthetic value of the forest from the form, color, dynamic, etc., and so on. This book creatively intersperses the classic evaluations of many celebrities and scholars on the forest, discusses the comprehensive value of ancient and famous trees, and realizes the organic integration of ideology, knowledge and interest.

      • Trusted Partner
        Biodiversity
        January 2004

        Biodiversity of West African Forests

        An Ecological Atlas of Woody Plant Species

        by Edited by Lourens Poorter, Frans Bongers, Francois N Kouamé, William D Hawthorne

        The rain forests of West Africa have been designated as one of the world's hotspots of biodiversity. They extend from Ghana to Senegal and are referred to as the Upper Guinean forests. Because of their isolated position, they harbour a large number of rare and endemic animal and plant species.This book focuses on the biodiversity and ecology of these forests. It analyses the factors that give rise to biodiversity and structure tropical plant communities. It also includes an atlas with ecological profiles of rare plant species and large timber species.

      • Trusted Partner
        November 2021

        The Forest of the Future – A New Reality

        Understanding the ecosystem

        by Hans Jürgen Böhmer

        What happened with forest dieback? The predictions of the 1980s that forests would be in decline across Europe have not come true. Currently, attention again focuses on the doom scenarios of the loss of entire forests and cultural landscapes in an emotional and sometimes hysterical debate. Biogeographer Hans Jürgen Böhmer refers to updated case studies and his 30 years of research experience on global ecosystems to demonstrate extremely complex interrelations of the natural world that various actors monitor in contrasting ways and characterized by different times and ideologies. Böhmer advocates to embed the sustainability debate more strongly in the living environment, rather than relying exclusively on model calculations.

      • Trusted Partner
        March 2021

        International Trade in Forest Products

        Lumber Trade Disputes, Models and Examples

        by G Cornelis van Kooten, Linda Voss

        Because of the long-standing Canada-U.S. lumber trade dispute and the current pressure on the world's forests as a renewable energy source, much attention has been directed toward the modelling of international trade in wood products. Two types of trade models are described in this book: one is rooted in economic theory and mathematical programming, and the other consists of two econometric/statistical models--a gravity model rooted in theory and an approach known as GVAR that relies on time series analyses. The purpose of the book is to provide the background theory behind models and facilitate readers in easily constructing their own models to analyse policy questions that they wish to address, whether in forestry or some other sector. Examples in the book are meant to illustrate how models can be used to say something about a variety of issues, including identification of the gains and losses to various players in the North American softwood lumber business, and the potential for redirecting sales of lumber to countries outside the United States. The discussion is expanded to include other products besides lumber, and used to examine, for example, the effects of log export restrictions by one nation on all other forestry jurisdictions, the impacts of climate policies as they relate to the global forest sector, and the impact of oil prices on forest product markets throughout the world. This book will appeal to practising economists and researchers who wish to examine various policies that affect international trade, whether their interest is local or international in scope. Because the book provides the theoretical bases underlying various models, students and practitioners will find this a valuable reference book or supplementary textbook.

      • Trusted Partner
        Forestry & related industries
        July 2005

        Tropical Forests of the Guiana Shield

        by Edited by David Hammond

        The Guiana Shield is an ancient geological formation located in the northern part of South America, covering an area of one million square kilometres. Despite its hostile environment, it is home to many unusual and highly specialized plants and animals, which constitute a rich area of biodiversity. Chapters in this book include hydrology, nutrient cycling, forest phenology, insect-plant interactions, forest microclimate, plant distributions, forest dynamics and conservation and management of flora and fauna. It provides a comprehensive and detailed review of the ecology, biology and natural history of the forests of the area.

      • Trusted Partner
        Fertilizers & manures
        February 2006

        Soil Biodiversity in Amazonian and Other Brazilian Ecosystems

        by Edited by Fattima M S Moreira, Jose O Siqueira, Lijbert Brussaard

        The loss of biological diversity has become an increased concern over recent years and is now enshrined in international conventions. Most biodiversity in fact occurs in the soil. Soil organisms (especially bacteria, fungi and soil invertebrates) play a major role in the formation of soil structure and are primary agents of decomposition and are drivers of nutrient cycling, and hence agricultural production.This book reviews soil biodiversity in one of the key biodiversity hotspots of the world, i.e. the Amazon and nearby regions of Brazil. It covers both the tropical savannah and rain forests . The work reported is based on a project "Conservation and Sustainable Management of Below-Ground Biodiversity", executed by TSBF-CIAT with co-financing from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implementation support from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The book represents a major contribution to the literature and will interest those in biodiversity conservation, soil scienceand ecology and biodiversity conservation.

      • Trusted Partner
        June 2024

        Sustainable Ecological Restoration and Conservation in the Hindu-Kush Himalayan Region

        A Comprehensive Review

        by Zhanhuan Shang, Allan Degen, Devendra Gauchan, Madan Koirala, Muhammad Khalid Rafiq, Awais Iqbal, Binyu Luo, Dawei Zhang, Diwakar Adhikari, Dongmei Li, Furbe Lama, Haonan Guo, Hui Xu, Huma Ali, Jalal Hayat Khan, Jiayi He, Jie Lian, Mei Huang, Monika Ghimire, Narayan Prasad Gaire, Peipei Liu, Qinghui Fang, Ramesh Prasad Sapkota, Ramesh Raj Pant, Rashila Deshar, Ritika K.C, Rui Zhang, Rukhsanda Aziz, Srijana Khanal, Tianyun Qi, Udhab Raj Khadka, Usha Rai, Usman Ali, Wenyin Wang, Xiaoping Jing, Yamuna Ghale, Youyan Liu, Zhen Peng, Zhiqiang Dang

        The years 2021 to 2030 have been designated as "The United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration". Ecological restoration and biodiversity conservation efforts face unprecedented challenges, especially in developing countries and areas, such as the Hindu Kush-Himalayan (HKH) region. This huge HKH region, which includes areas in eight separate countries (Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, India, China, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Bhutan), is a biodiversity hotspot with a vast array of ecosystems, landscapes, peoples and cultures. It is known as one of 'the pulses of the world'. However, the HKH is also the world's largest and poorest mountain region, where landscapes and environments have been severely damaged as a result of climate change and human activities. Coordinating conservation and restoration policies, sharing knowledge and funds, and maintaining livelihoods are major challenges and are in urgent need of improvement. This book details the past and current ecological problems in the HKH region, and the threats and challenges that ecosystems and local people face. It pays special attention to developments of transformative adaptations and presents examples of sustainable conservation and ecological restoration management practices. Three primary questions are addressed: (1) Do the existing conservation strategies of international organizations and government policies really protect ecosystems and solve biodiversity problems? (2) Can these management measures be one-time solutions? and (3) What is the strategic framework and scenario prognosis for the future based on the historical trajectory of ecological conservation and restoration in the region? This book is essential reading for ecologists and conservation biologists involved in large-scale ecological restoration projects, along with practitioners, graduate students, policy makers and international development workers.

      • Trusted Partner
        Children's & YA

        La forêt sacrée (The sacred forest)

        by Nicolas Condé

        Koné is old enough to return to the sacred forest to bring back a fantastic animal that will accompany him all his life. But the forest is full of dangers and the animals have become rare and hard to find. When Koné finally meets the Chameleon, will he understand the message and be able to carry out his mission?

      • Trusted Partner
        Agricultural science
        December 2005

        Valuing Crop Biodiversity

        On-Farm Genetic Resources and Economic Change

        by Edited by Melinda Smale

        This book examines the challenges faced by farmers trying to maintain crop biodiversity in developing and transitional economies. Using a collection of empirical case studies of farmers and crop scientists across a range of agricultural economies and income levels, it presents economic tools and methods for valuing and managing crop biodiversity. It discusses the economic benefits of crop biodiversity for farmers and suggests ways in which crop biodiversity can be supported by national policies. The book provides an indispensable 'tool kit' for all those concerned with the development of strategies to facilitate sustainable management and conservation of crop genetic diversity for future generations.

      • Trusted Partner

        Lam Chua: Travel Notes on Food 2

        by Lam Chua

        Lam Chua: Travel Notes on Food 2 is a sequel to Lam Chua: Travel Notes on Food, involving Mr. Chua's travel notes and random thoughts on his trip for savoring food, especially his new articles as well as his Weibo post about delicacies, anecdotes and scenery during 2018 to 2020. What Mr. Chua delivers to us in this book goes beyond just travelling and food, but more of his refreshing insight into life's ups and downs.

      • Trusted Partner
        Plant ecology
        December 2016

        Plant Biodiversity

        Monitoring, Assessment and Conservation

        by Edited by Abid A Ansari, Sarvajeet Singh Gill

        Plants are important components to the ecosystem. They are the base of the food chain and play a significant role in energy flow and biogeochemical cycling of nutrients between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. They must constantly fight against the environmental modifications, however, that threaten to cause global species extinction and habitat destruction. A new multidisciplinary science has evolved to deal with the crises confronting biological diversity. It has two goals: first, to investigate human impacts on biological diversity and second, to develop practical approaches to prevent extinction of species. This book is a practical update on our knowledge on monitoring, assessment and conservation of plant biodiversity in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems and related fields. It includes a general overview of plant biodiversity, investigates a wealth of factors affecting and hindering plant biodiversity before exploring in depth methods of monitoring, assessing and conserving our plant species. Globally relevant, this book is a valuable resource for all researchers, professionals and students of botany and plant biodiversity studies.

      • Trusted Partner
        Organic farming
        July 1997

        Biodiversity Information

        Needs and Operations

        by David L Hawksworth. Edited by Paul M Kirk, Stella Dextre Clarke

        Biodiversity has been identified as a key issue in the general debate about the sustainable use of the world’s natural resources. Major international efforts are now underway to assess and maintain biodiversity. However, there is an urgent need to collect, manage and disseminate information related to biodiversity in an efficient and effective way. The purpose of this book is to review the needs and opportunities for information and efficient information flows in support of world priorities in biodiversity. It is based on papers presented at a workshop held in London in July 1996, organized by CAB International with the support of the International Union of Biological Sciences (IUBS), International Union of Forestry Research Organizations (IUFRO), IUCN — The World Conservation Union and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Contributors include leading players from organizations concerned with conserving and managing biodiversity, based in Europe and the USA as well as developing countries.

      • Trusted Partner
        Food & Drink

        Lam Chua: Travel Notes on Food

        by Lam Chua

        Lam Chua: Travel Notes on Food involves Mr. Chua's travel notes and random thoughts on his trip for savoring food. He experiences around the world from Moscow to Buenos Aires, feasting your eyes on European and American styles and customs; he travels around China from Dalian of Liaoning to Sheung Wan of Hong Kong, savoring local culture and cuisines; he talks about food from cup noodles and sauce to fish roes and curry, airing opinions and making comments in passionate language. Besides, the book is illustrated by the Hong Kong talented artist as well as Mr. Chua's dedicated illustrator Ms. Meilo So. Her loose, flowing, and easily recognizable style add more appeal and interest to the book.

      • Trusted Partner
        July 2024

        Conservation of Dragonflies

        Sentinels for Freshwater Conservation

        by Michael J Samways

        Dragonflies are among the most familiar and popular of all insects, deeply embedded in human cultural history. They are iconic and tell us much about the environments in which we and they live. Their conservation is an important part of biodiversity conservation. One modern dragonfly species is listed as extinct, with many others currently threatened. It is now essential to increase conservation efforts towards saving these threatened species, with strategies now available for doing this. Recovery of dragonfly populations goes hand in hand with improvements to both freshwater conditions and bank vegetation quality. In contrast, some other dragonfly species have benefitted greatly from human transformation of the landscape, with artificial ponds in particular, increasing the population levels of many species. In turn, climate change is seeing many geographical range shifts. Dragonflies are variously sensitive to the health of freshwater systems, and the quality of vegetation along rivers and around ponds. Dragonflies are excellent indicators in these times of great concern over the quality of our freshwater supplies. Their wide range of sensitivities enables us to measure the extent to which freshwater ecosystems are either deteriorating or are improving when we undertake restoration. They enable us to gauge how well we are conserving freshwaters, whether ponds and lakes, streams or rivers. They are also good umbrellas for many other freshwater inhabitants, which altogether reflect the health of a freshwater system. Conservation of Dragonflies: Sentinels for Freshwater Conservation is for naturalists, citizen scientists, entomologists and conservation scientists, as well as practitioners and policy makers around the world.

      • Trusted Partner
        Forestry & related industries
        January 2000

        Forest Tourism and Recreation

        Case Studies in Environmental Management

        by Edited by Dr Xavier Font, John Tribe

        The demand for ecotourism and outdoor recreation is increasing, and the pressures on land use are becoming more obvious. A large part of the experience of ecotourism and recreational landscape depends on the maintenance of forested land. Effective management of tourism and recreation in forests can provide extra income to help offset the costs of sustainable timber production and encourage biodiversity conservation.This multi-author book considers the compatibility between tourism, forestry and conservation, the management of natural resources and the involvement of stakeholders and the community. Issues are presented through case studies from a range of countries and topics covered include National Parks, peri-urban forestry and wilderness management, as well as practitioner-oriented contributions.

      • Trusted Partner
        Sustainability
        June 1999

        Agrobiodiversity

        Characterization, Utilization and Management

        by Edited by David Wood, Jillian M Lenné

        Global attention to biodiversity has expanded in the past decade. Agricultural biodiversity is the most important part of biodiversity for human survival, yet has been neglected as a topic. This book provides a broad review of current thinking on agrobiodiversity - what it is, how it is conserved, and how it can be better utilized in sustainable farming. It brings together contributions from a wide geographical and disciplinary background. Emphasis is placed on functional interactions between components of agrobiodiversity in a range of farming systems, illustrated by many case studies. The book relates the evolution of agrobiodiversity and its successful management to the broader environment and to the growing need to conserve biodiversity in productive agricultural systems. It is essential reading for ecologists, biologists and agricultural scientists.

      • Trusted Partner
        January 2018

        Biodiversity, Revised Edition

        Conserving Endangered Species

        by Anne Maczulak, Ph.D.

        Students with a basic understanding of the environment and concern for its future know the importance of preserving biological diversity. Biodiversity is the variety of living things on Earth or in a specific area. This definition seems simple enough to understand, yet the concept of biodiversity has deeper meanings that challenge even trained environmental scientists. A region that has a wide variety of species in robust populations is said to possess biodiversity. But not every place on Earth bursts with diverse life. Biodiversity concentrates in certain areas, while other parts of the globe possess a somewhat lesser variety and number of species. Biodiversity, Revised Edition takes a look at how habitats are destroyed, the devastating effect this has on biodiversity, and the ways in which scientists restore ecosystems and habits. This updated, full-color book also examines the ethical questions that arise when trying to rescue threatened species in the face of dire human conditions. Chapters include: Endangered Species Measuring Species and Extinction Protecting Native from Invasive Species            Urban Development Nature Reserves Species Protection Methods for Measuring Diversity.

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