Product Description
Protecting Biodiversity addresses one of the most fundamental aspects of this important issue: the lack of adequate national laws regulating access to, and compensation for, the use of local genetic resources. This book is the first to compare such laws and policies across a range of countries in both the industrialized and developing worlds, including Argentina, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Paraguay, Peru and the United States. It also presents legal viewpoints, conclusions and solid recommendations for future action. ... Read more

Product Description

The idea of biodiversity has become increasingly important for those who wish to preserve and protect the varieties of life on Earth. While most works on biodiversity look at only three components-the diversity of genes, of species, and of ecosystems-Understanding Biodiversity examines the diversity of life in all of its manifestations. The living world is diverse in many ways. Animals and plants vary greatly in their size and shape, in their behavior, in how they reproduce, in how they sense the surrounding world. Understanding Biodiversity argues that there are many ways in which biodiversity has an intrinsic value - for humans, and for the living world as a whole - and that biodiversity should be better understood and appreciated by everyone, not just those in the scientific community. Only through such comprehension and appreciation will we come to value and protect biodiversity more than we do now. Humanity can only gain from such an expanded view.

Product Description
Wildlife includes all non-domesticated plants, animals, and other organisms. Domesticating wild plant and animal species for human benefit has occurred many times all over the planet, and has a major impact on the environment, both positive and negative. Wildlife can be found in all ecosystems, Deserts, rain forests, plains, and other areas - including the most developed urban sites - all have distinct forms of wildlife. While the term in popular culture usually refers to animals that are untouched by human factors, most scientists agree that wildlife around the world is impacted by human activities. This book examines the destruction, conservation and biodiversity of wildlife. ... Read more

Product Description
Maps of species' distributions or habitat suitability are required for many aspects of environmental research, resource management and conservation planning. These include biodiversity assessment, reserve design, habitat management and restoration, species and habitat conservation plans and predicting the effects of environmental change on species and ecosystems. The proliferation of methods and uncertainty regarding their effectiveness can be daunting to researchers, resource managers and conservation planners alike. Franklin summarises the methods used in species distribution modeling (also called niche modeling) and presents a framework for spatial prediction of species distributions based on the attributes (space, time, scale) of the data and questions being asked. The framework links theoretical ecological models of species distributions to spatial data on species and environment, and statistical models used for spatial prediction. Providing practical guidelines to students, researchers and practitioners in a broad range of environmental sciences including ecology, geography, conservation biology, and natural resources management. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

worth the price
This is a good introduction to methods and theoretical issues related to mapping species distributions. From Maxent to GARP AND Biomapper.

excellent for teaching as well as reference
We adopted Janet Franklin's book in a specialized graduate course for ecology students at the University of Amsterdam, and it turned out to be very well suited for our purposes.

The book covers all relevant aspects of species distribution modeling (SDM) in a balanced and accessible way for ecologists that want to understand or apply SDM. In my view the right choices were made in covering the all different aspects of SDM (species data, environmental data, methods, methodological background, case studies) while reaching sufficient depth at the critical points.
The book does not contain exercises, so when using it as study material, it should be complemented by exercises and examples (both data sets and computer-code implementing models). But in fact, I consider it a (wise) choice rather than an omission not to include that kind of material in the book. The appropriate type of exercises and model-implementations depend a lot on the specific interests of a target group as well as the modeling and/or computer skills. So one would for that purpose rather design tailored material, complementing the book.

The book provides a very complete bibliography (and 'model-ography') on species distribution modeling until 2010. The discussion of this literature (including it's structuring in several tables) is thoughtful and well done.

My only criticism on the book is not about content but about layout: a) some illustrations could have been made much better (e.g. those picturing regression trees, figs. 7.1 & 7.2) or more information-rich (e.g. the explanation of an ensemble model, fig. 7.5); b) an author-index would have been nice (since the book gives a very good introduction to - and overview of the SDM-literature).

The best solid foundation in species distribution modeling available
Whether you are a student, professor, or experienced species distribution modeler, this book will have something to teach you.As far as I know, this is the only book that truly provides a comprehensive foundation in species distribution modeling. It starts with the history and applications of SDM and the ecological concepts that drive the modeling; then discusses data requirements and issues; covers modeling methods and considerations; and ends with a discussion of model evaluation and implementation.The writing style is casual and very digestible, but the text is also rich with citations to the most recent literature on the topic.Indeed, there are more than 50 pages of references! I've learned a ton from reading this book, and I highly recommend it.

Very useful book for everyone working with species distribution models (sdm)
I used this book for my MSc thesis and found very helpful. The first chapters focus on the data for species and environmental variables. Consequently an overview of different modelling techniques is given (statistical and machine learning). Finally evaluation statistics are discussed. All these chapters are backed up with ample references to the primary literature.

My conclusion is, that the whole task of modelling species distributions is set into a very nice framework in this book.
... Read more

Product Description
This unique textbook takes a broad look at the rapidly expanding field of freshwater microbiology. Concentrating on the interactions between viruses, bacteria, algae, fungi and micro-invertebrates, the book gives a wide biological appeal. Alongside conventional aspects such as phytoplankton characterisation, seasonal changes and nutrient cycles, the title focuses on the dynamic and applied aspects that are not covered within the current textbooks in the field.

• Complete coverage of all fresh water biota from viruses to invertebrates
• Unique focus on microbial interactions including coverage of biofilms, important communities on all exposed rivers and lakes.
• New information on molecular and microscopical techniques including a study of gene exchange between bacteria in the freshwater environment.
• Unique emphasis on the applied aspects of freshwater microbiology with particular emphasis on biodegradation and the causes and remediation of eutrophication and algal blooms.

Product Description
Measuring and Monitoring Biological Diversity: Standard Methods for Mammals provides a comprehensive manual for designing and implementing inventories of mammalian biodiversity anywhere in the world and for any group, from rodents to open-country grazers. The book emphasizes formal estimation approaches, which supply data that can be compared across habitats and over time. Beginning with brief natural histories of the twenty-six orders of living mammals, the book details the field techniques—observation, capture, and sign interpretation—appropriate to different species. The contributors provide guidelines for study design, discuss survey planning, describe statistical techniques, and outline methods of translating field data into electronic formats. Extensive appendixes address such issues as the ethical treatment of animals in research, human health concerns, preserving voucher specimens, and assessing age, sex, and reproductive condition in mammals.

Useful in both developed and developing countries, this volume and the Biological Diversity Handbook Series as a whole establish essential standards for a key aspect of conservation biology and resource management. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Measuring Mammals, the difinitive work.
I am a mammalogist new to the field.I designed my first investigation, a mammalian bioinventory of a park in Costa Rica in 1999.The Wilson book was extremely helpful, and I cited it no less than 10 times in my permit application. I reccommend this publication to any persons hoping to work with mammals or currently employed sampling mammal diversity. ... Read more

Product Description

The fragmenting of habitats is endangering animal populations and degrading or destroying many plant populations throughout the world. To address this problem, conservationists have increasingly turned to biological corridors, areas of land set aside to facilitate the movement of species and ecological processes. However, while hundreds of corridor initiatives are under way worldwide, there is little practical information to guide their design, location, and management. "Applying Nature's Design" offers a comprehensive overview of current knowledge on corridors, their design, and their implementation. Anthony B. Anderson and Clinton N. Jenkins examine a variety of conceptual and practical issues associated with corridors and provide detailed case studies from around the world. Their work considers how to manage and govern corridors, how to build support among various interest groups for corridors, and the obstacles to implementation. In addition to assessing various environmental and ecological challenges, the authors are the first to consider the importance of socioeconomic and political issues in creating and maintaining corridors.

Product Description
Explore the latest research on biological control!

Completely updated for 2003, this new edition examines methods for making agricultural systems less susceptible to insect pests. Containing new findings and reports of strategies, Biodiversity and Pest Management in Agroecosystems, Second Edition will show you how pests can be managed by enhancing beneficial biodiversity using agroecological diversification methods.

Biodiversity and Pest Management in Agroecosystems, Second Edition provides you with an essential overview of the role of biodiversity in agriculture and then gets specific, with new and updated information on:

the agroecology of pest management

plant diversity and pest outbreaks within agroecosystems

diversification strategies for pest management

how sustainable farming systems are designed

You'll also explore:

the role of plant diversity on the biology of beneficial insects

insect regulation in diverse agroecosystems

manipulation of plant diversity in agroecosystems

ecological and socioeconomic implications

The fact is, many modern agroecosystems are unstable as a consequence of constant human intervention in crop systems which ignore ecological principles. With case studies on a variety of crops and pests, Biodiversity and Pest Management in Agroecosystems, Second Edition explores entomological aspects of agriculture and analyzes the ecological basis for the maintenance of biodiversity. It will familiarize you with the theory and practice of enhancing biological pest control in agricultural systems by managing vegetational diversity via multiple cropping, cover cropping, rotations, and other spatial and temporal designs. With studies on intercropping, cover cropping, weed management, and crop-field border vegetation manipulation, this book covers the effects of these diverse systems on pest population density and the mechanisms underlying pest reduction in polycultures. Make it a part of your reference/teaching collection today! ... Read more

Product Description
In the last decade biodiversity loss and persistent poverty in developing countries have been recognised as major international problems that require urgent attention. However, the nature and scale of the links between these two problems, and between efforts to address them, has been the subject of much heated debate. Understanding the different elements of this debate is critical if we are to move towards constructive solutions.

This Reader provides a guide to, and commentary on, the different strands of the current conservation-poverty debate through a selection of key readings from both the conservation and development literature including policy documents, journal articles and reports. The breadth of material will help readers, including both students and professionals, to locate current debates within their wider contexts.

Among the areas of debate covered are:

" The lack of attention to biodiversity concerns in international development policy
" The social implications of protectionist conservation policy
" The roles and responsibilities of conservation NGOs towards local communities
" The links between climate change, biodiversity and poverty reduction, and in particular the implication of discussions around reduced emissions from deforestation (REDD) as a climate change mitigation strategy. ... Read more

Product Description
This book comprehensively addresses the economic, social and institutional difficulties in conserving biodiversity and the ecosystem services that it provides. It covers a wide range of issues such as biodiversity, ecosystem services and valuation in the context of diverse ecosystems such as tropical forests, marine areas, wetlands and agricultural landscapes, non-timber forest products, incentives and institutions, payments for ecosystem services, governance, intellectual property rights and the protection of traditional knowledge, management of protected areas, and climate change and biodiversity. It also covers the application of environmental economics and institutional economics to different cases and the use of techniques such as contingent valuation method and game theory. The book spans the globe with case studies drawn from a cross section of regions and continents including the UK, US, Europe, Australia, India, Africa and South America. ... Read more

Product Description

Since the award-winning first volume, The Biology of Sharks and Their Relatives, published in 2004, the field has witnessed tremendous developments in research, rapid advances in technology, and the emergence of new investigators beginning to explore issues of biodiversity, distribution, physiology, and ecology in ways that eluded more traditional studies. As an entirely new companion volume, Sharks and Their Relatives II: Biodiversity, Adaptive Physiology, and Conservation brings you up to speed on these significant changes, specifically examining how elasmobranch fishes – the sharks, skates, rays, and chimaeras – successfully survive in a wide range of habitats.

Emphasizes Conservation of Threatened Species
This multidisciplinary volume begins by examining elasmobranch biodiversity patterns and their integrated sensory systems. It then explores the physiological adaptations – from unique sensory modalities to compensatory mechanisms for physiological and environmental stress – that make these animals particularly well-suited for the range of habitats where they are found, in both oceanic and freshwater realms.

Features Established Researchers and Introduces New Pioneers in the Field
The book then considers the human interactions and anthropogenic effects on worldwide elasmobranch populations and the potential extinction risks posed by increasing threats from changes in habitat, changes in water chemistry, and growing commercial exploitation. This text truly is unrivaled in terms of coverage and readability, and it is a must-have reference for marine biologists, fishery scientists, oceanographers, and also marine, zoo, and aquarium veterinarians.

To address subject areas and subdisciplines where coverage was absent or superficial in volume one, Jeffrey Carrier and associates have assembled in the current volume a collection of works that reveal patterns of biodiversity, the physiological attributes that contribute to elasmobranchs’ successful exploitation of oceanic and freshwater realms, and the unique issues associated with the interaction between elasmobranchs and humans, all of this with overarching attention to issues of conservation.

"We begin with chapters examining biodiversity. We have chosen to approach this discussion by presenting elasmobranchs as inhabitants of the range of zoogeographic provinces, realizing that significant overlap may occur for more pelagic species. This realization was reflected in the dialogue that occurred during preparation of the book between our chapter authors, and the recognition that many species simply cannot be confined to a specific habitat or range of habitats. We then continue by examining some of the unique physiological adaptations that allow these animals to exploit the range of habitats where they are found, from unique sensory modalities to compensatory mechanisms for physiological and environmental stress.

"Our concluding section presents some of the challenges faced by members of these groups. We have asked our authors to consider human interactions and anthropogenic effects on worldwide populations and the potential extinction risks posed from survival under increasing threats from changes in habitat, changes in water chemistry, and increasing commercial exploitation. Conservation of species under threat remains a theme throughout the book.

"Our authors represent an international group of investigators including established scientists whose work has been widely published and respected, and emerging younger scientists who have exploited recent advances in technology to ask and answer new questions as well as offering new insights and interpretations to enduring problems in the fields of ecology and physiology. We have asked them to be speculative and challenging, and we have asked them to predict future areas for investigation in hopes that their work will both inspire and provoke additional studies of these fascinating animals."
   - from the Preface

Product Description

Product Description

Product Description
Forest biodiversity monitoring programs, by evaluating the performance of existing management regimes and helping to identify opportunities for improved practice, represent an essential ingredient in the development of more sustainable management systems. Nevertheless many costly monitoring efforts are often little more than "tick the box" exercises that do little more than erode the credibility of science. The purpose of this book is to identify the key elements of a robust and pragmatic framework for how monitoring and evaluation programs can make a more meaningful contribution to the development of an ecologically sustainable system of forest use. To be meaningful monitoring programs need to be purposeful and grounded in clear objectives, effective in providing reliable assessments of the links between management activities and changes in forest biodiversity, and realistic in light of real-world financial, logistical and social constraints. Science can make a substantial contribution to achieving these aims but a key component of success lies in overcoming the organizational insularity that currently exists between researchers, managers and bureaucrats.

The first part of the book lays out the importance of biodiversity monitoring in achieving responsible management, and sheds light on the key obstacles and challenges that have thus far confounded attempts to integrate meaningful monitoring programs into forest management systems. The second part presents an operational framework for developing improved forest biodiversity monitoring systems. These proposals address the challenges central to the scoping, design and implementation stages of a forest biodiversity monitoring program, including the definition of program goals and objectives, the indicator selection process, and data collection, analysis and interpretation. The book is not intended to provide a "how-to manual" of technical issues but rather to encourage a broader appreciation of the purpose and overall design of an effective monitoring program, with a particular emphasis on designing monitoring programs that are successful in the context of real-world challenges and constraints. The book ends with a section on integrating biodiversity information into the bigger picture and how to frame and evaluate trade-offs in multiple use forests.
... Read more

Product Description
Where the eastern and western currents of American life merge as smoothly as one river flows into another is a place called Nebraska. There we find the Platte, a river that gave sustenance to the countless migrants who once trudged westward along the Mormon and Oregon trails. We find the Sandhills, a vast region of sandy grassland that represents the largest area of dunes and the grandest and least disturbed region of mixed-grass prairies in all the Western Hemisphere. And, below it all, we find the Ogallala aquifer, the largest potential source of unpolluted water anywhere.

These ecological treasures are all part of the nature of Nebraska. With characteristic clarity, energy, and charm, Paul A. Johnsgard guides us through Nebraska's incredible biodiversity, introducing us to each ecosystem and the flora and fauna it sustains and inviting us to contemplate the purpose and secrets of the natural world as we consider our own roles and responsibilities in our connection with it.

Paul A. Johnsgard is Foundation Professor Emeritus of Biological Sciences at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and winner of several state and national writing awards for his books. He is the author of more than forty books, including Prairie Dog Empire: A Saga of the Shortgrass Prairie, Crane Music: A Natural History of American Cranes, and This Fragile Land: A Natural History of the Nebraska Sandhills, all available from the University of Nebraska Press. ... Read more

Product Description
The relationships between international intellectual property treaties, the United Nations international environmental treaties (first and foremost the Convention on Biological Diversity), the relevant customary norms and soft law form a complex network of obligations that sometimes conflict with each other. The first set of treaties creates private rights while the latter affirms the sovereignty rights of States over genetic resources and related knowledge and creates international regimes of exploitation of the same. Jonathan Curci proposes solutions to the conflicts between treaties through the concept of 'mutual supportiveness', including the construction of a national-access and benefit-sharing regime, mandatory contractual provisions in relevant international contracts, a defensive protection when genetic resource-related traditional knowledge is unjustly patented through the analysis of the concepts of 'ordre public and morality', 'certificate of origin' in the patent application and 'novelty-destroying prior art' and positive protection through existing and sui generis intellectual property rights and misappropriation regimes. ... Read more

Product Description
Traditional wildlife conservation policy includes the establishment of protected areas where certain species are off limits to commercial exploitation. But for people in the developing world who depend on these resources for survival, such a policy is unworkable. Recently, some conservation experts have argued that planned, commercial use - harvesting wild species for human consumption - may actually promote biodiversity conservation. In Harvesting Wild Species Curtis Freese draws together a diverse group of authorities to discuss the conditions under which commercial use may serve as a conservation tool. Presenting fifteen case studies from around the world - in areas ranging from fisheries and forestry to non-timber forest products and trophy hunting - the authors explore the link between sustainable development and biodiversity conservation. Based on a study commissioned by the World Wide Fund for Nature, Harvesting Wild Species aims to raise among environmentalists, policy makers, funding agencies, students, and researchers an awareness of the role of economic incentives in conservation efforts. ... Read more

Product Description

Marine, coastal and wetland habitats are threatened, through exploitation, and also by climate change, as ocean currents change course, sea levels rise, and rainfall patterns change. This book gathers papers on the biodiversity conservation of these increasingly threatened habitats. The papers provide a snapshot of the problems they face, and offer numerous examples which render this volume valuable to educators in marine, freshwater and wetlands ecology, conservation and ecological restoration.

Product Description

Customer Reviews (6)

Deserves a place in every community and college library environmental studies collection
There are rarely pleas to save the predator. "The Wolf's Tooth: Keystone Predators, Trophic Cascades, and Biodiversity" discusses predators and their importance to the environment and its balance. Focusing on the predator as a cornerstone of the ecosystem, Cristina Eisenberg brings a scholarly scientific treatise on the subject, to provide much in way of research and opinion on the matter. With chapters analyzing patterns in ecosystems, the ocean, how humanity has interrupted the ecosystem and how it can contribute to its repair, Eisenberg does well in presenting much food for thought. Enhanced with plenty of resources and appendixes for ease of use, "The Wolf's Tooth" deserves a place in every community and college library environmental studies collection.

Passion shines through
Cristina Eisenberg may be a conservation biologist, but in The Wolf's Tooth, she also demonstrates great teaching skills.She uses repetition, personal stories of her field work and includes a glossary, all to help the reader understand her views on how keystone predators can regulate ecosystems. Her style of writing is clear and direct and the passion she has for her subject shines through in every chapter.It is a well-documented book that would be a great addition to the personal or educational library of anyone interested in conservation biology.It's a book for scientist and layman alike and will help all find hope in the future.

very exciting, and interesting..couldn't put it down
This was a very interesting and exciting read.the depth of Cristina Eisenberg's details i found fascinating.very good choice.

Connections
The fundamental insight of ecology is that all of life is connected.Cristina Eisenberg's "The Wolf's Tooth" explores this interdependence through the lens of food webs in wild nature.

With the restoration of the gray wolf to Yellowstone National Park, the idea that ecosystems can be shaped by predators at the top of the food chain - trophic cascades - has gained increased attention from ecologists and conservationists."The Wolf's Tooth" is a measured look at this idea of "top-down regulation," not overplaying the story, but still emphasizing its too-often-overlooked role in food web dynamics.One of the singular strengths of the book is in bringing focus to the role keystone species can play in restoring and rewilding landscapes.

Interweaving personal stories with a wealth of research, Eisenberg carefully guides the reader through the science in a manner accessible to the interested layperson.In the end, one is left with the truism that wild nature is not only more complicated than we think, it's more complicated than we can think.Getting there is a fascinating journey populated with willows, wolves, and warblers, as well as starfish and sea otters, conservationists and ranchers, and an intrepid field ecologist following the spoor of Aldo Leopold who always told his children, "it's all about relationships."

Had to force myself to put it down
After admiring the dust cover, I spent the next hour or two absorbing the first few chapters.I enjoy Eisenberg's style of writing; she is easy to understand as she shares with the reader her experiences in the field.If you care about your environs and want to learn how top predators can affect an environment, this book is a must read.Lay persons and scientists alike will gain an insight into "keystone predators, tropic cascades, and biodiversity".

... Read more