Product Description
(Springer-Praxis)A textbook providing a connection between ecological science and the sustainable development of the living resources in coastal waters. Explores the impact of pollution, global warming, overfishing and other activities on coastal water systems, providing a host of underwater photographs. DLC: Coastal ecology. ... Read more

Product Description
In temperate areas, grasslands can occupy 50% of the agricultural area, providing up to 75% of fodder for cattle playing an essential role in farming systems. This important book provides comprehensive details of 40 major grass species. For each species included, an anatomical description is given together with full colour photographs and comprehensive details concerning the ecological requirements and agronomic properties species-by-species.

This book provides an invaluable reference source for any scientist involved in work with grass. ... Read more

Product Description
This new book, published for the European Weed Research Society, provides a detailed overview of the management of aquatic weeds, which cause serious problems in bodies of water throughout the world.This state-of-the-art review includes worldwide coverage of these undesirable organisms. It provides readers with information on the ecology and management of aquatic weeds, as well as in-depth discussion of environmental consequences of weed control methods. Valuable appendix materials give useful listings of the weeds, biological control agents used against aquatic weeds, and herbicides used in fresh waters. ... Read more

Product Description

The book comprehensively evaluates the characteristics and floodplain evolution of Val Roseg on an annual basis for several years. Channel typology, groundwater-surface water hydrology, thermal and chemical regimes are examined. Biotic dynamics of vegetation, aquatic flora, fungi, and surface and interstitial fauna are evaluated in detail. Analyses are presented of the spatial and seasonal dynamics of the functional processes of organic matter, litter decomposition, nutrient limitations, and drift and colonization. Emerging from these analyses is an important synthesis of these dynamic and rapidly changing river ecosystems.

Product Description
This volume is produced from digital images created through the University of Michigan University Library's large-scale digitization efforts. The Library seeks to preserve the intellectual content of items in a manner that facilitates and promotes a variety of uses. The digital reformatting process results in an electronic version of the original text that can be both accessed online and used to create new print copies. The Library also understands and values the usefulness of print and makes reprints available to the public whenever possible. This book and hundreds of thousands of others can be found in the HathiTrust, an archive of the digitized collections of many great research libraries. For access to the University of Michigan Library's digital collections, please see http://www.lib.umich.edu and for information about the HathiTrust, please visit http://www.hathitrust.org ... Read more

Product Description

Stable isotopes are frequently used as tracers in biological systems, and their ability to track changes and processes over time has made them increasingly important to ecological research. For ecologists, stable isotopes provide a natural way to directly trace details of element cycling in the environment.

Stable Isotope Ecology provides a solid introduction to this advanced subject, and can also be used as an instructive review for more experienced researchers and professionals. The book approaches the use of isotopes from the perspective of ecological and biological research, but its concepts can be applied within other disciplines as well. In order to enable scientists to establish source-sink connections in ecological settings, Stable Isotope Ecology begins by reviewing fundamental topics of tracer fractionation and mixing. Several mini-reviews profile problems and successes encountered with isotope tracing in particular focus areas, while emphasizing the role that humans increasingly play in changing our planetary ecosphere. A novel, step-by-step spreadsheet modeling approach is also presented for circulating tracers in any ecological system, including any favorite system an ecologist might dream up while sitting at a computer. Just type in values and watch the isotope action unfold in the dynamic models.

Fry's humorous and lighthearted style painlessly imparts the principles of isotope ecology, using a unique, hands-on approach to engage students. The mechanics of fractionation and mixing are laid out in simple steps, with numerous examples and accessible mathematics (algebra only).  The book encourages students to begin their own pilot project with stable isotopes.

The attached CD-ROM contains color illustrations, spreadsheet models, technical appendices, and problems and answers. The CD materials are accessible for novices and experts alike, and enhance the learning experience, adding electronic dynamics to the printed book. 

About the Author:

Dr. Brian Fry is a Professor in the Coastal Ecology Institute and the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Studies at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. His mother and father both used isotopes in their research careers, so he is a second generation isotope scientist.

Customer Reviews (2)

Review by Catarina Vinagre
This is a must read book for anyone starting to use stable isotopes in ecological studies. The most complex subjects are easily understood due to the direct language of the book.

A good book that interest me a lot
The author gave readers clear points in chapters with his humorous style. If you are the reader that want to understant stable isotope issue in ecology this is absolutly a great book for begining. ... Read more

Product Description
Seamounts are ubiquitous undersea mountains rising from the ocean seafloor that do not reach the surface. There are likely many hundreds of thousands of seamounts, they are usually formed from volcanoes in the deep sea and are defined by oceanographers as independent features that rise to at least 0.5 km above the seafloor, although smaller features may have the same origin.

This book follows a logical progression from geological and physical processes, ecology, biology and biogeography, to exploitation, management and conservation concerns. In 21 Chapters written by 57 of the world's leading seamount experts, the book reviews all aspects of their geology, ecology, biology, exploitation, conservation and management. In Section I of this book, several detection and estimation techniques for tallying seamounts are reviewed, along with a history of seamount research.

This book represents a unique and fresh synthesis of knowledge of seamounts and their biota and is an essential reference work on the topic. It is an essential purchase for all fisheries scientists and managers, fish biologists, marine biologists and ecologists, environmental scientists, conservation biologists and oceanographers. It will also be of interest to members of fish and wildlife agencies and government departments covering conservation and management.

Supplementary material is available at: www.seamountsbook.info ... Read more

Product Description

In this book, scientists from eleven countries summarize the results of an EU project (CLIME) that explored the effects of observed and projected changes in the climate on the dynamics of lakes in Northern, Western and Central Europe. Historical measurements from eighteen sites were used to compare the seasonal dynamics of the lakes and to assess their sensitivity to local, regional and global-scale changes in the weather. Simulations using a common set of water quality models, perturbed by six climate-change scenarios, were then used to assess the uncertainties associated with the projected changes in the climate. The book includes chapters on the phenology and modelling of lake ice, the supply and recycling of nitrogen and phosphorus, the flux of dissolved organic carbon and the growth and the seasonal succession of phytoplankton. There are also chapters on the coherent responses of lakes to changes in the circulation of the atmosphere, the development of a web-based Decision Support System and the implications of climate change for the Water Framework Directive.

Product Description
This book provides a comprehensive overview of the methods used to examine the decomposition of plant litter, one of the most fundamental ecosystem processes. Special emphasis is placed on leaf litter in fresh waters, but most methods are equally applicable to plant litter in coastal marine and terrestrial ecosystems. Rather than presenting specific protocols, the book focuses on the principles and concepts underlying the various methods and their relative merits and limitations. Specifically the multi-authored chapters deal with: litter mass loss and the controlling factors detritivores, fungi and bacteria associated with decomposing litter bulk chemical litter properties models describing the decomposition process the use of litter decomposition in bioassessment and education. "Litter Decomposition in Aquatic Ecosystems" is part of the new "Ecological Methods and Concepts" series (formerly "Methods in Ecology"). The series provides graduate students and practicing research scientists with the latest information on experimental techniques and current thinking in ecology. ... Read more

Product Description

This outstanding volume provides an up-to-date overview of the advances in our knowledge of harmful cyanobacteria. An essential reference for all scientists and environmental professionals interested in cyanobacterial ecology and water management.

Product Description
The 3e of Ecology and Classification of North American Freshwater Invertebrates continues the tradition of in-depth coverage of the biology, ecology, phylogeny, and identification of freshwater invertebrates from the USA and Canada. This edition is in color for the first time and includes greatly expanded classification of many phyla and a downloadable set of references for all chapters.

- Contains extensive and detailed classification keys for identification of diverse freshwater invertebrates.
- Many drawings and color photographs of freshwater invertebrates.
- Single source for a broad coverage of the anatomy, physiology, ecology, and phylogeny of all major groups of invertebrates in inland waters of North America, north of Mexico. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Great, but......
The book is the one that I was looking for, however, the seller said it was like new with no marks.When I went through the book, there were underlined portions throughout and the pages were coming off the binding.I rated it 5 stars for the content itself as this is a great book for any who want to key out macrobenthics, but the seller needs to have a better description of their items.

Great
I needed this book for my Invertebrate Field Zoology class in college. It has extensive keys, great pictures, and a ton of info.Arrived in great condition and in a timely manner, thanks!

Excellent Book
I used this as the textbook for my aquatic invertebrates class, and I loved it. The book has 23 chapters, each of which is devoted to a different phylum of invertebrates, as well as one chapter devoted to aquatic insect ecology. The chapters are all written by experts on the specific phylum, but every chapter follows the same basic outline. There are also many well-labeled diagrams. I wouldn't recommend this book if you just want a casual introduction to invertebrates, because it is written on a graduate-course level. But if you are taking college classes in invertebrates or aquatic biology of any sort, I highly recommend this book.

A Good bench reference for non-insects
The other reviewers' descriptions are correct: this is a valuable reference. I would like to like to clarify this a little however. The text is an important tool for taxonomists and ecologists working with aquatic macroinvertebrates. However, its emphasis is clearly on non-insects.If you need to identify insects-the most abundant aquatic macroinvertebrates, you should use Merritt and Cummins (1996) text: An introduction to the Aquatic Insects of North America.If you will be identifying samples for stream bioassessments you will need both of these books-and probably some others-as bench references.

To use these references to identify organisms, you will need access to a laboratory because you will need glassware, forceps, microscopes and other tools and chemicals. Sometimes a dissecting scope is required. Sometimes you will need to mount parts of organisms on microscope slides to view them on a compound scope at high magnification.If you represent a volunteer group and don't have access to (or experience with) this type of equipment, this book may not be for you.You might be better off with Resse Voshell's book: A Guide to Common Freshwater Invertebrates of North America. His text generally has family-level taxonomy based on characteristics observable in the field.Both books contain interesting ecological information in addition to taxonomic identification.

So yes, this book clearly deserves two "Thumbs Up" but you should consider your experience level, taxonomic need, and how you will use this book before you purchase it.I hope this helps you decide if the book is right for you. Feel free to email me with questions if necessary (brett@thebugguy.org).Best regards.

A Major Source of Aquatic Invertebrate Information
The second edition of "Ecology and Classification of North American Freshwater Invertebrates" has provided aquatic biologists with a powerful tool.The study of freshwater organisms has gained in importance as we see our precious water resources become more scarce and polluted.As water flows downhill it takes with it every chemical and waste product we deposit on the surface.Fresh water (and marine) organisms are a first line of defense alerting us to the destruction.The presence or absence of many of these organisms is often significant in regard to water quality and environmental health.

In addition, there is increased interest in our freshwater systems and their biota, both among professionals and knowledgeable amateurs.The lack of funding and specialists in certain areas for the needed research in aquatic systems may make the role of the latter more important with time, as has already occurred in astronomy and to a lesser degree in other areas of study.

This book is a good summery of aquatic organisms from Protozoa to Arthropoda.Despite a few irritating typos, it compares well with earlier editions of Pennak's "Freshwater Invertebrates of the United States" in coverage (the 4th edition of Pennak drops both the protoctists and the insects, while retaining the non-insect arthropods and including some color illustrations).If one can afford them they are both worth having, but for reasonably up-to-date overall coverage and inclusiveness and at a cheaper price, Thorp and Covich (eds.) book is a good reference for all Canadian and U. S. freshwater invertebrates in the very broad sense. ... Read more

Product Description
Metals toxicology, environmental chemistry, chemical fate modeling, and regulatory practice converge in this reassessment of the scientific and engineering basis for regulating metals in the aquatic environment. Forty participants in a SETAC workshop noted the scientific- and regulated-community consensus that a departure is needed from purely observational and empirical evaluation of organism response to metal exposure. Instead, sound permitting decisions demand input from mathematical models that integrate fundamental changes in target tissue with site-specific metal chemistry and that link to receiving stream exposure models. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (1)

Mechanistic Plankton Ecology
I was hoping for a constructive presentation of plankton ecology models similar to the presentation of governing equations in continuum mechanics. This was not the case in the text. ... Read more

Product Description
Concern about future supplies of fresh water to society, to meet the full range of human needs, now comes very high on the priority list of global societal issues. An overarching issue, which this book addresses, is whether global climate change is a dominant driver of change in the structure and function of all natural water-based ecosystems, or whether direct human population growth and accelerated consumption are playing an equal or greater role. This book divides the whole aquatic realm into 21 ecosystems, from those on land (both saline and fresh water) to those of the open and deep oceans. It draws on the understanding of leading ecologists to summarize the state and likely condition by the year 2025 of each of the ecosystems. Written for academic researchers and environmental professionals, the aim is to put the climate change debate into a broader context as a basis for conservation science and planning. ... Read more

Product Description
Ecologists have long struggled to predict features of ecological systems, such as the numbers and diversity of organisms. The wide range of body sizes in ecological communities, from tiny microbes to large animals and plants, is emerging as the key to prediction. Based on the relationship between body size and features such as biological rates, the physics of water and the amount of habitat available, we may be able to understand patterns of abundance and diversity, biogeography, interactions in food webs and the impact of fishing, adding up to a potential 'periodic table' for ecology. Remarkable progress on the unravelling, describing and modelling of aquatic food webs, revealing the fundamental role of body size, makes a book emphasising marine and freshwater ecosystems particularly apt. Here, the importance of body size is examined at a range of scales that will be of interest to professional ecologists, from students to senior researchers. ... Read more

Product Description
This book discusses various freshwater ecosystems and methods used for the purposes of water quality monitoring, including those utilizing aquatic macrophytes. Early-established management plans provide the first steps towards sustainable management of aquatic environments. Thus, the methods used for managing aquatic plants, including mechanical or manual harvesting, hand-pulling and biological control are discussed. The removal efficiency of nutrients and of metal by macrophytes is examined, as well as the potential use of these plants in wastewater treatment. This book surveys and critically reviews existing literature regarding the presence of steroid sex hormones in freshwater ecosystems, their sources and potential fate. Discharges from wastewater treatment plants and transport from agricultural operations are also examined. Finally, this book discusses the role of NF-kB inhibitors, an inducible transcription, in marine chemical ecology, as well as its role in biomedicine. ... Read more

Product Description
Humic substances occur in all kinds of aquatic systems, but are particularly important in northern, coniferous areas. They strongly modify the aquatic ecosystems and also constitute a major problem in the drinking water supply.
This volume covers all aspects of aquatic humic substances, from their origin and chemical properties, their effects on light and nutrient regimes and biogeochemical cycling, to their role regarding organisms, productivity and food web organization from bacteria to fish. Special emphasis is paid to carbon cycling and food web organization in humic lakes, but aspects of marine carbon cycling related to humus are treated as well. ... Read more