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The book places a strong emphasis on the significance of synthesizing nanomaterials and explores various methods of achieving this, with particular attention given to the production of environmentally friendly or'green'nanomaterials. This book illustrates the current gaps in the agriculture and food industry, and explores the potential applications of nanomaterials within this field. The integration of nanotechnology into the fields of biology and biochemistry holds the potential to exert a significant impact on the food industry in the future. This book comprehensively explores the various facets of design, utilization, and implementation of green nanomaterials within the agriculture and food industry. It delves into their applications in areas such as fertilizers, sensors, food processing, food packaging, and sustainable agricultural practices. Additionally, this book explores the current limitations and potential solutions in the field of green nanomaterials, highlighting their role in fostering a sustainable economy.Features: Addressing the global food crisis and presenting a picture of depleting food reserves Importance of nanomaterials and their efficient utilization Green synthesis of nanomaterials Utilization of green nanomaterials for development of smart and sustainable agriculture Emergence and growing application of green nanomaterials in the food industry Green nanomaterials towards a sustainable economy Existing challenges and limitations, with future prospects of using green nanomaterials in food and agricultural conversion devices

'Oversight of Biological and Ecological Emergencies'delves into managing biological disasters and ecological crises that impact public health and the environment. The book covers topics such as bioterrorism, invasive species management, and strategies for reducing the spread of infectious diseases. We explore case studies on the impacts of biological emergencies and provide practical guidelines for emergency preparedness and response. The book also addresses policy frameworks and international cooperation needed to manage these crises effectively. Ideal for public health officials, environmental scientists, and emergency planners, this resource offers actionable insights for handling biological and ecological threats.

This contributed volume presents the latest in research on geographies of the Indian Subcontinent, with a focus on innovative technologies and methodologies such as machine learning, remote sensing, geographic information systems, and more. The cases presented in this volume offer novel research that advances our understanding of the Indian Subcontinent in integrated and interdisciplinary manner. The book is split into three distinct sections. The first covers field observations and experiment design. The second examines applications of geospatial technologies and modelling techniques. The last section highlights cases of translating this research into concrete policy. The techniques described here and the lessons learned from the cases presented are transferrable to problems in geography across the globe, and the book is targeted towards young professors, scholars, and researchers interested in the emerging techniques being applied to research in the field of geography and allied disciplines.

This book examines how different countries across Southeast Asia and Latin America respond to the emergence and expansion of the lucrative, yet controversial palm oil industry, paying attention to how national policy and governance regimes are shaping this global industry.With its historic roots in Southeast Asia, oil palm cultivation continues to expand beyond its historical centres. In Latin America, many countries are now developing their own policies to promote and govern oil palm cultivation. This book provides a unique examination of how different countries strive to strike a balance between developmental and environmental concerns, through case studies on Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Colombia, Brazil, Ecuador, Honduras, and Mexico, and an outlook for the industry's prospects in Africa. This book applies an assemblage approach to draw out lessons on the global challenges posed by the industry and how differing national governance regimes and communities might respond to them. Rather than a single global industry, the book unveils a complex arrangement of national and even local palm oil assemblages, indicating that there is more than one way to do palm oil. In doing so, the book contributes to a better understanding of the drivers and processes that shape the governance of the industry, both in different nations and globally.This book will be of great interest to students and scholars of the palm oil industry, as well as those interested in natural resource governance, sustainable agriculture, conservation, environmental justice, and environmental and development policy more broadly.

'Wild Plains Trek'offers a compelling exploration of the world's grassland ecosystems, focusing particularly on the Serengeti while drawing parallels to similar plains worldwide. The book weaves together three fundamental themes: grassland ecosystem dynamics, animal migration patterns, and critical conservation efforts, presenting a comprehensive view of these endangered landscapes through both scientific data and engaging field observations. Following the natural rhythm of seasonal changes, the narrative takes readers on a journey from the challenges of the dry season through the spectacular migrations triggered by rainfall patterns. The book's unique strength lies in its ability to connect complex ecological principles with real-world conservation challenges, utilizing detailed research from satellite tracking, soil analysis, and long-term field studies. Readers gain insights into the fascinating adaptations of endemic species, from specialized grasses to the diverse array of insects, birds, and mammals that call these plains home. Through accessible scientific language and information-rich visualizations, the book bridges the gap between academic research and practical conservation. It addresses crucial debates in wildlife management while maintaining a balanced, evidence-based approach to both conservation successes and challenges. Whether for conservation professionals seeking current research or general readers interested in grassland ecology, the book provides valuable insights into the delicate balance of these vital ecosystems and the urgent need for their preservation.

Guide to post-industrial site restoration and re-establishment of rich communities of plant species for the provision of key ecosystem services In line with the UN sustainable development goals, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services on Post-Industrial Land is an expert guide to ecological restoration of post-industrial lands, explaining how to re-introduce biodiversity and ecosystem services by implementing natural processes in the rehabilitation of disturbed sites. It covers both the initial stages associated with the improvement of physicochemical and biological substrate characteristics as a precondition for continuous vegetation, as well as the subsequent re-establishment of rich communities of plant species and how these communities may be optimized for their biodiversity and ecosystem services such as pedogenesis, nutrient cycling, habitation for other organisms, food plants for herbivores, carbon sequestration, and aesthetic value. Case studies of successful restoration of industrial sites from Asia, Africa, North and South America, and Europe, which include coal and mineral mining sites, oil drilling sites, and dumpsites, complement the conceptual part of the text and demonstrate how to put the theory into practice. Written by an experienced researcher in the field, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services on Post-Industrial Land includes information on: Mining sustainability in arid zones, aromatic plants for phytoremediation, and spontaneous flora growth on metalliferous sites Resilience of plant diversity, ecosystem services from rehabilitated waste dumpsites, and plantation forestry for eco-restoration Soil biodiversity and plant-microbe interactions, afforestation of former asbestos mines, and bauxite mine restoration and management Role of the local government in re-use of sites, restoration of wetlands in oil and gas exploration areas, and carbon sequestration in revegetated coal mine soil Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services on Post-Industrial Land is an essential guide for environmental managers, scientists, ecologists, and engineers tasked with restoring post-industrial sites, managers in mining, oil, gas, and other heavy industries, and NGOs involved in sustainable land use.

This book examines the strategies adopted by local governments to obtain excess construction land quotas in the face of the central government's strict land management system. It applies game theory, principal-agent theory, collective action theory, and competition and collusion theory to analyze the trade-offs and constraints faced by local governments under the existing institutional framework. It also empirically tests the imitative competitive strategy of land violation and the institutional collusion strategy of land development rights trading using spatial panel model and Tobit model. The book reveals the internal mechanism behind local governments'simultaneous adoption of competitive and collusive strategies in pursuing local interests and economic growth. It also shows how local governments'land violations have significant strategic characteristics in time and space, and how economic development gap, resource endowment gap, and human network relationship influence their collusion formation in land development rights trading. This book is a valuable contribution to the literature on land management, local governance, and political economy in China. It is suitable for scholars, students, policy makers, and practitioners who are interested in understanding the complex dynamics of land development in China. The book is written in an accessible and engaging style, with clear explanations of theoretical concepts and empirical methods.

Volume IV of the Six Volume Remote Sensing Handbook, Second Edition, is focused on the use of remote sensing in forestry, biodiversity, ecology, land use and land cover, and global terrestrial carbon mapping and monitoring. It discusses remote sensing studies of multi-scale habitat modeling, forest informatics, tree and stand height studies, land cover and land use (LCLU) change mapping, forest biomass and carbon modeling and mapping, and advanced image analysis methods and advances in land remote sensing using optical, radar, LiDAR, and hyperspectral remote sensing. This thoroughly revised and updated volume draws on the expertise of a diverse array of leading international authorities in remote sensing and provides an essential resource for researchers at all levels interested in using remote sensing. It integrates discussions of remote sensing principles, data, methods, development, applications, and scientific and social context.FEATURES Provides the most up-to-date comprehensive coverage of remote sensing science for forests, biodiversity, land cover and land use change (LCLUC), biomass, and carbon. Discusses and analyzes data from old and new generations of satellites and sensors spread across 60 years. Extensive forestry, LCLUC studies, biomass, and carbon using optical, radar, LiDAR, and hyperspectral data. Includes numerous case studies on advances and applications at local, regional, and global scales. Introduces advanced methods in remote sensing such as machine learning, cloud computing, and AI. Highlights scientific achievements over the last decade and provides guidance for future developments. This volume is an excellent resource for the entire remote sensing and GIS community. Academics, researchers, undergraduate and graduate students, as well as practitioners, decision makers, and policymakers, will benefit from the expertise of the professionals featured in this book and their extensive knowledge of new and emerging trends.

'Cozy Planet Homes'presents a comprehensive exploration of Earth's diverse habitats and their inhabitants, uniquely combining NASA satellite imagery and NOAA climate data to reveal the fascinating ways life adapts to challenging environments. The book masterfully weaves together three core themes: the formation of varied habitats, the remarkable biological adaptations of organisms, and humanity's impact on natural ecosystems. Through accessible scientific explanations, readers discover how geological processes and climate patterns create distinct environments, from frost-resistant tundra plants to desert-adapted cacti. The narrative progresses logically from fundamental concepts to complex ecological interactions, making sophisticated scientific concepts approachable through real-world examples and data visualizations. Particularly intriguing are the detailed case studies of survival adaptations, such as Arctic fish developing antifreeze proteins and mangrove trees evolving specialized root systems. The book's use of current satellite data and long-term environmental monitoring provides readers with an unprecedented view of how ecosystems function and change over time. What sets this work apart is its practical approach to conservation, combining scientific understanding with actionable solutions. While maintaining scientific rigor, the book bridges the gap between complex ecological principles and their practical applications in conservation efforts. Through its interdisciplinary approach, linking climate science with biological studies and social considerations, readers gain both theoretical knowledge and practical tools for participating in habitat preservation initiatives, making it valuable for both environmental professionals and engaged citizens.

This innovative Routledge Handbook sheds light on the complex and transformative nature of Global China, prompting a re- evaluation of existing theories on global and regional dynamics. It encourages theoretical innovation, methodological reflection and analytical transformation, providing new avenues for critical engagement with China's global interactions. The chapters propose three key commitments for the study of Global China: Advocating for diverse viewpoints and non- binary frameworks, employing nuanced analysis to understand Beijing's transnational relations and utilizing alternative methodological approaches to explore different trajectories for China in international affairs.The Handbook also identifies and avoids epistemic traps that hinder the understanding of Global China, such as othering and strategic narcissism. It suggests five analytical frameworks related to relationality, global capitalist processes, language and discourse power, planetary- scale modernization and experimentalism to guide future research. By adopting these frameworks, researchers can gain a deeper understanding of the multifaceted factors shaping Global China within the broader global context of cooperation, competition and crisis.

This book is essential for anyone who wants to understand the challenges of environmental degradation and learn about the sustainable solutions needed to address these critical issues. Today, the entire globe is suffering from various forms of environmental degradation, resource depletion, and an imbalance of natural phenomena. In this context, one of the major issues is loss of ecosystem services and proper functioning of natural ecosystems. Pollution, ecological invasion, loss of biodiversity, land degradation, and loss of productivity across various ecosystems have become the biggest challenges humankind is faced with. Considering Sustainable Development Goals 2030, the major target is to restore degraded ecosystems and their functionality, which will bring back the valuable ecosystem services of a diverse ecosystem. Ecosystem Management: Climate Change and Sustainability addresses all these issues to teach a global readership the dimensions of ecosystem services and ways toward a future sustainable world.

This volume discusses the reduction, recycling, and reuse of industrial and agricultural biomass wastes to develop value-added products using environmentally sustainable practices and technologies. Through these waste valorization approaches, biomass waste materials can be converted into useful bio-chemical products, sustainable construction materials, polymers, bio-energy, and bio-fuel as sustainable alternatives to products and materials with negative environmental and health consequences. The chapters highlight the development and implementation of eco-friendly solutions to biomass waste production with the aim of reducing natural resource deterioration, bolstering rural and small-scale business systems in communities impacted by pollution and climate change, and providing power from residual biomass to broadly reduce environmental impacts through improved waste management practices. The book is intended to be a useful resource for researchers, policymakers, NGOs, government agencies, and local community authorities working in waste management and environmental sustainability.

Oklahoma is currently home to 117 known species of mammals, representing one marsupial (opossums; Didelphimorphia), seven insectivores (shrews and moles; Soricomorpha), twenty-three bats (Chiroptera), one armadillo (Cingulata), four rabbits (Lagomorpha), fifty-one rodents (Rodentia), twenty-two carnivores (Carnivora), and eight artiodactyls (deer, pronghorn, sheep, and bison; Artiodactyla). For the professional mammalogist and amateur naturalist alike, Mammals of Oklahoma provides a clear, comprehensive, illustrated guide to Oklahoma's diverse native fauna, as well as introduced species and extirpated and unverified mammals cited in the state's records. Incorporating the latest data, this second edition includes up-to-date descriptions and identification keys; line drawings and full-color photos and distribution maps; life history information; and ecological notes on such things as dens, nests, burrows, food habits, reproduction, pathogens and parasites, and predators. The book's etymology offers insight into each species'scientific name, and its natural history describes habitat and diseases, among other distinguishing characteristics. A glossary provides guidance on technical terms. This accessible and authoritative volume marks a significant update and expansion of the knowledge of mammals in Oklahoma. It will be the definitive desk reference and field guide to the state's rich mammalian diversity.

First published in 1970, Regional Problems and Policies in Italy and France examines the problem of regional imbalance in two important countries of Western Europe and emphasizes that policies aimed at promoting regional development must form an integral part of national economic policies.The book is divided into three parts—Part I: Regional Problems and Policies in Italy; part II: Regional Problems and Policies in France; and part III: Regional Policy: Three Issues. Part I and II analyze how regional policy in France and Italy has moved away from the public assistance type of intervention into new, broader approaches which require reorganization of traditional procedures, change in economic structures, introduction of new products and methods of production, movement of workers between areas and occupations, and shifts in geographical distribution of population and employment. Part III explores regional planning and growth centres or growth areas in the light of Fench and Italian experiences. It further analyses the regional effects of the EEC and gives a brief account of how British regional problems and policies would be affected by the membership of Community. This volume is an essential reading for students of Western European governmental policy and the European Economic Community.

Improving weather and climate prediction with better representation of fast processes in atmospheric models Many atmospheric processes that influence Earth's weather and climate occur at spatiotemporal scales that are too small to be resolved in large scale models. They must be parameterized, which means approximately representing them by variables that can be resolved by model grids. Fast Processes in Large-Scale Atmospheric Models: Progress, Challenges and Opportunities explores ways to better investigate and represent multiple parameterized processes in models and thus improve their ability to make accurate climate and weather predictions. Volume highlights include: Historical development of the parameterization of fast processes in numerical models Different types of major sub-grid processes and their parameterizations Efforts to unify the treatment of individual processes and their interactions Top-down versus bottom-up approaches across multiple scales Measurement techniques, observational studies, and frameworks for model evaluation Emerging challenges, new opportunities, and future research directions The American Geophysical Union promotes discovery in Earth and space science for the benefit of humanity. Its publications disseminate scientific knowledge and provide resources for researchers, students, and professionals.

This volume came about based on the recognition that the rise and spread of Covid-19 has led contemporary scholarship to consider the possibility that there will be an increasing acceleration of new and highly transmissible plagues, viruses and other diseases linked to the mass travel and trade that characterizes hyper-globalisation. As historians and archaeologists studying the civilisations of the most distant past, we felt that we had something to contribute to this conversation through providing a historical perspective, with the twin goals of relieving the social anxiety caused by pandemics and taking advantage of our present experiences to see how we might view our own research in a fresh, new light. Archaeologists and scholars of ancient history know that epidemic plagues and other environmental catastrophes are nothing new: disease and illness are clearly represented in the archaeological and historical record. The chapters in this volume focus on plague in antiquity, centred primarily on the ancient Near East. Chronologically, they span the Bronze Age to Late Antiquity, and regionally they cover Mesopotamia, Egypt, the Levant, Cyprus, Anatolia and the Indus valley. The contributors discuss a range of topics related to plague-its causes and transmission, environmental factors, responses and treatments, disruptions and social effects-drawing on ancient texts, modern sociology, archaeological evidence and cultural material remains. The variety of contributions demonstrates that rather than being anomalous, various forms of illness were normal, recurring and prevalent within the ancient world. The authors refer to the current Covid-19 pandemic, which was also inspiration in producing this work. This volume contributes to the contextualistion of plague, pestilence, disease and disability within wider and deeper human history.

The fundamental ecological, cultural and economic roles of insects give them central importance in functioning of terrestrial and inland water ecosystems worldwide. Insect declines, from a variety of anthropogenic threats, erode these services and dictate the need for insect conservation, but the consequences of insect losses are poorly recognised. In Australia, insect conservation must proceed from a very uncertain and incomplete knowledge of insect identifications and diversity, and also from a generally poor public appreciation of their central ecological roles and relevance to human welfare and other biota. These impediments occupy much of this book, in which cases of insect conservation across the world are used to provide lessons for Australia, where a combination of large numbers of insect species and small numbers of entomologists and citizen participants necessitates clear appreciation of insect importance, and focussed conservation priorities. Low public sympathy and inadequate scientific information can hinder progress because uncertainty, imprecision and ignorance are difficult to explain to policymakers and funding agencies whose interest and support may be pivotal. Understanding and overcoming those impediments is a vital component of insect conservation. This book is intended as an introduction to the needs, rationale and practice of insect conservation in Australia for students in conservation biology, managers and other concerned people who are not specialists in entomology, to whom the daunting variety and complexity of insect life may deter involvement, and for whom an Appendix aid to recognising insect orders is included. The text is based on conservation needs of Australia's insects and shows how progress necessitates effective communication, clear priorities, and plans for action within a realistic and practical framework of aims and needs for practical conservation. A suggested ‘Agenda'for advancing insect conservation in Australia encompasses many of these needs and activities.

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.

Water Stories in the Anthropocene explores how climate change has emerged as a major theme in our daily lives as it poses a myriad of economic, scientific, political and cultural challenges in the age of the Anthropocene. In all its forms and manifestations, climate change is primarily a water crisis. Water scarcity, droughts, floods, deluge, rising sea levels, ice melting, wetlands loss and sea pollution are among the main threats posed by climate change, wreaking havoc on both human and nonhuman forms of life. This book engages with instances of extreme events related to water (droughts, floods, deluges) and the impact of climate change on some waterbodies (seas and wetlands) in contemporary Anglophone novels. By taking into account a corpus of novels ranging from the various areas of the Anglophone world, and thus shuttling between the Global North and the Global South, the book reads these novels as'water stories.'This volume pays attention to the pervasive presence of water in all aspects of our lives, thus showing how narratives can offer insightful accounts of the present water crisis. Alternating between an econarratological perspective, reflections on the Anthropocene and the human/nonhuman imbrications within the blue humanities, the book contributes significantly to the considerations of the imaginative possibilities of these water stories, showing how narratives can offer insightful accounts of the present water crisis.

Written by one of the leading experts in the field, Paul Ekins, Stopping Climate Change provides a comprehensive overview of what is required to achieve ‘real zero'carbon dioxide emissions by 2050, and negative emissions thereafter, which is the only way to stop human- induced climate change.This will require innovation in socio-technical systems, and in human behaviour, on an unprecedented scale. Stopping Climate Change describes the changes required to meet this goal: in technologies, social institutions and individual activities. Paul Ekins examines in detail issues around the supply and demand of energy and materials, and the efficiency of their use. It also analyses greenhouse gas removal technologies, offsetting and geoengineering, and plots the reduction of the non- CO2 greenhouse gas-emitting activities. Having set out the changes required, Ekins considers the economic implications, in terms of both the innovation and investments that are necessary to bring them about, and the effects that these are likely to have on national economies. The evidence presented points clearly to the economic impacts of decarbonisation being positive for the majority of countries, and for the world as a whole, even before considering the benefits of avoided climate change. When the health benefits of stopping the burning of fossil fuels are factored in, the global net benefits of decarbonisation are unequivocal.Drawing on examples from the UK and Europe, but with wider relevance at a global scale, Stopping Climate Change clearly shows how determined policy action at different levels could stop climate change. It will be of great interest to students, scholars and policymakers researching and working in the field of climate change and energy policy.

This book comprises proceedings of the 28th International Conference on Hydraulics, Water Resources, River and Coastal Engineering (HYDRO 2023). It focuses on emerging opportunities and challenges in the field of hydrology and hydrological modelling. The book covers a range of topics including, but not limited to, groundwater modelling and management, integrated water resources and watershed management, surface water hydrology, drought assessment and mitigation, risk, reliability and design of hydrologic systems. The book presents these topics in the form of illustrations and tables, thereby providing the readers with an in-depth insight into the recent research. It also addresses fundamental concepts and studies in the field of hydrology and hydrological modelling, making it a valuable resource for researchers and professionals working in the fields of hydraulics, water resources and coastal engineering.

Environmental Policy and NEPA is a concise study of environmental policy-where we have come from, what we are facing and where we can go in the future. An outgrowth of initiatives taken by the Council of Environmental Quality (CEQ), and edited by the current Associate Director, this publication studies the effectiveness and efficiency of the implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).Divided into three main sections, part one covers the historical background and trends of NEPA. Part two addresses current substantive and conceptual issues associated with the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process. Part three discusses future opportunities including impact on humans, effective public participation in the EIA process and the need for sustainability.This excellent reference brings together 28 contributing authors who combine their expertise to address a multitude of topics. Environmental Policy and NEPA is mandatory reading for the professional, researcher, government policymaker, activist, student or anyone looking for a complete presentation of the EIA process.

Assessing different materials in various fields is necessary to move on a sustainable path. In this regard, imaging is a nondestructive technology with high speed, accuracy, reliability, repeatability, and low cost and complexity that is widely used in different sectors. The technology receives different ranges of wavelengths through electromagnetic spectra emitted from objects, and then provides and records the corresponding images. Machine vision systems by applying image processing operation are developed to process the acquired images for assessing the internal and external properties of objects via extracting color, textural, and morphological features of the images and then analyzing them by applying different artificial intelligence or statistical prediction methods. Imaging technology includes different techniques such as visible and non-visible systems. Visible imaging technology that is widely used for assessing and conducting subsequent operations such as automatic sorting and grading objects, instead of human labor. Nonvisible imaging such as thermal, near-infrared hyperspectral, magnetic resonance, and ultrasound imaging are techniques that work beyond the human eye. This ability expands the applications of imaging technology in different sectors such as agriculture and medicine. The goal of this book is to briefly discuss the current applications and future trends of different imaging techniques in different fields. This book provides useful information about different imaging techniques and their applications for students, researchers, and companies to use and develop the technology for assessing different objects of interest.

There are growing concerns about the decline of biodiversity due to human activities, such as infrastructure development and resource extraction. These activities, including coal mining and stream diversion, threaten ecosystems and wildlife significantly. Impact of Societal Development and Infrastructure on Biodiversity Decline is a book that examines these issues comprehensively. It provides insights into the complexities of biodiversity conservation amidst rapid societal development. This book is a timely solution for academics, researchers, and policymakers seeking to understand and mitigate the impacts of such activities on biodiversity. The book explores the ecological and biodiversity studies in coal mining areas through a detailed case studies in regions with major coal industries. It delves into the loss of biodiversity due to stream diversion, providing a thorough analysis of the ecological risks and costs involved. The book proposes mitigation measures to address these challenges, including impact assessments and an environmental management plan. Furthermore, it outlines a plantation program to restore biodiversity and ecosystem services, offering practical solutions for sustainable land use practices. Impact of Societal Development and Infrastructure on Biodiversity Decline is a vital tool for anyone interested in the intersection of societal development and biodiversity conservation. By highlighting the importance of biodiversity and the threats it faces, the book aims to raise awareness and facilitate informed decision-making. It provides a roadmap for sustainable development that prioritizes biodiversity conservation, offering hope for a future where human progress and ecological balance can coexist harmoniously.

In this insightful book, Martin Hedemann-Robinson appraises the European Union's development of its legal framework to assist in combating one of the foremost challenges facing the international community: global deforestation. He provides an analytical overview of the evolving Union legislation, discussing its impact both within the single market as well as internationally.The book meticulously assesses the evolution of EU policy intervention regarding global deforestation, which commenced with the Union's 2003 Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade Action Plan. Subsequent chapters discuss the development of voluntary partnership agreements forged with non-EU countries in tropical forested regions, as well as analyse the EU's 2010 Timber Regulation designed to exclude illegal timber from being sold on the single market. Hedemann-Robinson then examines more recent and profound adjustments to the EU's policy framework, notably the 2023 Deforestation-Free Product Regulation (DFPR) which phases in a ban of certain imported agricultural produce associated with contributing to the problem of global deforestation. Finally, the book places these developments in a broader international context, considering the extent of political and legal co-operation across the globe.Comprehensive and precise, Combating Deforestation will prove an invaluable resource for students and scholars of law, geography, ecology and political science. It will also interest practitioners and policymakers involved in environmental protection, international public law and international trade.

This book focuses on two issues: the creation of benefits and opportunities for the poverty-stricken people and the trade-off between FCS and poverty alleviation. At the theoretical level, it explains the essential characteristics of PAFCS, analyses the impact mechanism of FCS projects in poverty alleviation, clarifies the stakeholders and their interests and demands, and delineates the dynamic mechanism of FCS projects and poverty alleviation. Based on this theoretical framework, the current situation and challenges for PAFCS in southwest China's ethnic areas are examined in depth. Project performance was quantitatively measured both for projects themselves and for community farmers. The research emphasises that FCS projects in poverty-stricken areas are not the same as PAFCS, highlights the combination of poverty alleviation theory and ecological compensation theory, and considers PAFCS as an intersection of poverty research and ecological compensation research. Additionally, theresearch suggested that FCS projects are not general poverty alleviation projects, highlights the need for full respect to be granted to the subjective will and value judgement of farmers, including poverty-stricken farmers, takes the lead in focusing on the win–win goal of combating climate change and reducing poverty, and makes a breakthrough in researching some key issues that need to be solved in the practice of PAFCS in the ethnic areas of Southwest China. This book is helpful for global scholars in the field of sustainable development, anti-poverty and forest carbon sequestration, government officials, and organisations in developing countries concerned with agricultural development, forestry economy, and sustainable development, as well as all the people around the world who want to find innovative solutions in the climate negotiations.

Microbial Biostimulants for Plant Growth, Development and Abiotic Stress Amelioration provides readers with insights into the major role of biostimulants in plant growth and development while under abiotic stress. The term biostimulants is broadly used to reference a group of diverse substances and microorganisms that stimulate life or that promote favorable plant responses. They stimulate natural processes to enhance/benefit nutrient uptake, nutrient efficiency, tolerance to abiotic stress, and crop quality. Many biostimulants improve nutrition and they do so regardless of their own nutrient contents. Further, recently microbe-based biostimulants have emerged as important plant protectors under a range of adverse conditions. Microbial Biostimulants for Plant Growth, Development and Abiotic Stress Amelioration is the latest volume in the Biostimulants and Protective Biochemical Agents series. - Presents the potential for more environmentally sustainable interventions against abiotic stresses - Highlights the variety of applications for which biostimulants are proving effective - Includes coverage of commercialization and role in addressing Sustainability Development Goals

How do we – and how should we – engage with the natural environment through the concepts of rights and responsibilities? In this book, Michael Cox develops the theory and practice of environmental property rights, moving beyond simplistic assumptions that do not reflect the diversity of arrangements we see in the world. Recognizing this diversity will help us craft better responses to environmental problems in the future with an interdisciplinary foundation in what has worked, or not worked, in the past. Synthesizing a variety of methods and disciplines, Cox explores rights-based environmental policies as well as different cultural approaches to environmental ownership. The result is a book that helps the reader understand the full range of possibilities when it comes to environmental ownership.

There is an almost universal recognition that modern agri-food supply chains are unsustainable. They are seen as both contributing to and vulnerable to climate change, too reliant on environmentally-damaging synthetic inputs, as undermining biodiversity, generating significant losses and waste and failing to deliver the nutritious food required for a healthy, balanced diet.Transforming food systems: The quest for sustainability addresses one of the greatest global challenges of our time: how to reform food systems so they are more sustainable but still able to produce the food we need. The book traces the evolution of the current global food production system and reviews competing approaches to achieving more sustainable production, starting with ‘reformist'approaches which promote new technologies as a way forward, such as genetic modification and synthetic foods.This collection also considers the pros and cons of ‘progressive'approaches, such as regenerative and organic agriculture, as well as the more radical solutions which seek to achieve a more fundamental reform of the food system.As the world tackles the central question of how food should be produced in the future, this book provides readers with an authoritative guide to the various solutions on offer and how to assess which road we should take.

Biodiversity is declining at an alarming rate due to anthropogenic activities around the world. This book is the second volume in the new series Biodiversity Hotspots of the World, which highlights the 36 hotspot regions of the world, regions that have been designated as reaping maximum benefit from preservation efforts. This series is our humble attempt to document these hotspots as a conservation and preservation measure.The concise volumes in this series focus on the most interesting and important properties of these hotspots, covering physiography and climatology; vegetation and forest types; amphibian and reptile biodiversity; genetic diversity of crops, plants, fishes, butterflies, insects, birds, mammals, angiosperms, and gymnosperms; and much more. And of course, the unique threats and conservation efforts for the areas are addressed as well.The Himalayan Mountains are the highest mountain range in the world and include Mount Everest as well as eight other highest peaks of the world. While it is difficult to document the biodiversity of this inhospitable terrain, we do know that out of the 9,000 different species of plants recorded in the area, 3,500 plants are endemic to the Eastern Himalaya region. Anthropogenic activities including deforestation, fragmentation of habitats, pollution, high population, climate change, and poaching of wildlife pose serious threats to the biodiversity of the region. The highlands have exceptionally rich biodiversity, high endemism, and over 160 globally threatened species, including the densest population of Bengal tigers and the three largest herbivores on the continent: the Asian elephant, greater one-horned rhinoceros, and wild water buffalo. The region boasts the world's richest counts of alpine flora within its temperate broad-leaved forests, with a total of 10,000 species of plants.This volume, Biodiversity Hotspot of the Himalayas, as well as the other volumes in this series, will be essential resources for researchers and practitioners in the fields of conservation biology, ecology, and evolution as the series concisely records the existing biodiversity of these hotspots of the world.

Every civilization in history has faced moments of overwhelming existential crises, and they all eventually collapsed. Was this failure inherent in the evolution of civilization, something within the human species, or a combination of both? More importantly, was it predictable and unavoidable? Most civilizations believed they had a special relationship with the divine and were beyond the laws of nature. Our current economic civilization is now global and interdependent. Today's economy is responsible for the most rapid mass extinction in Earth's history. We face imminent catastrophic climate change and environmental disruption, yet the same sense of exceptionalism and hubris clouds humanity's judgement and ability to act rationally.Environmental disruption is making the planet uninhabitable. No economy can consume its way out of scarcity. This law of nature conflicts with many longstanding economic theories. Sheltered and self-absorbed elitists promote lies and prey on humanity's most vulnerable instincts of pecking order, conformity, and obedience to authority. These primal instincts may be maladapted to civilization in its current form. Today's elitists are choosing mass extinction in a false belief in their own invincibility. To survive, humanity can no longer follow delusional leaders to self-destruction.In non-technical language, the author explores common phases in the development of past civilizations, and the critical junctures and decisions that made collapse inevitable. He investigates the linkages and contradictions between human social behavior, the economy, and the environment. In the closing pages, he identifies a clear path to redemption.

This contributed volume focuses on the Neotropical region, and explores the environmental, ecological and socio-economic components that facilitate the emergence of zoonotic diseases. This book highlights the primary ecological, environmental, social, and economic variables associated with the risk of maintenance, transmission, and dissemination of emerging, re-emerging, and neglected infectious diseases, in which Neotropical vertebrates are involved. It compiles up-to-date knowledge and research for the neotropical region, as well as discusses the current needs of knowledge improvement. The chapters include various examples of the cycles of infectious diseases, all with world-wide relevance where neotropical wild vertebrates are affected or involved.

The present book is divided into two parts. The first part of the book covers environmental studies, covering the multidisciplinary subject, natural resources, ecosystems, biodiversity and its conservation, environmental pollution, social issues and the environment and human population and the environment. In the second part disaster management have been covered with emphasis on - introduction to disasters, man-made disasters, disaster management and COVID-19 and its impact on environment. This book will be highly useful for the students undergoing the course of environmental studies and disaster management. This book is intended to give easy readability, and it covers almost all the basic aspects of Environmental Science and Disaster Management. We hope that this book will be of greater use for the students of undergraduate courses of Indian Universities, researchers and policy makers interested in improving the environmental quality.

Posthumanist Manifesto: A Pluralistic Approach compares the posthumanist proposal with humanism and transhumanism in ethics, aesthetics, ontology, and epistemology. Roberto Marchesini clarifies the specificity of the posthumanist approach and the novelty of its theoretical and applicative program. Beyond theoretical aspects of poshumanism, this book proposes new approaches to social models, personal rights and citizenship, the relationship between the biosphere and the ecological crisis, and the impact of technology.This book answers questions such as “What is posthumanism and why does it have this definition?”; “How does posthumanism differ from other theoretical approaches?”; and “What are the urgencies to be addressed for posthumanist critique?” The author explores how posthumanism interprets technology in relationship with the body, how to think of a posthumanist anthropology, what ontological transformations posthumanism introduces, and why we can talk about a paradigmatic metamorphosis with respect to humanism, as posthumanism thinks and plans the society of the future.

This proceedings book provides selections from the 2023 Topical Issues in International Political Geography (TIPG) meeting. This gathering addresses the main issues of contemporary political geography and international relations, providing a platform for discussion and collaboration between an international array of experts primarily in the fields of political geography, geopolitics, and international relations. The first section of this volume focuses on international relations, addressing issues such as multipolarity, small states, transport cooperation, politico-geographical processes, and international security in the context of geographic space. Building on these spatially rooted themes, section two presents contributions that focus on the dual processes of globalization or regionalism. Authors of these chapters use historical frameworks to interrogate the nation state, ideology, identity, symbolisms, sovereignty, and memory. In section three, the focus narrows to specific domestic policies—such as those related to gender, public services, elections, and corruption prevention—situated in contemporary conversations about digital transformations. Section four turns to instruments of cultural policy, examining tourism and (in a new addition in response to developments in the field) education. Similarly, section five introduces a theme new to the conference: migration and socio-demographic processes. These chapters evaluate national, regional, and local aspects of migration and multiculturalism. The final section turns to the still-pressing theme of sustainable development, taking up case studies of nations and international organizations grappling with questions about sustainable growth, political ecology, and environmental culture. The content of the book will be interesting to experts, academics, and students.

The United States is an important food producer globally, in part because of its abundance of agriculturally productive soils. However, management practices that maximize yields have caused losses in soil organic matter, poor soil structure and water-holding capacity, and increased salinity on millions of acres of land - and have adversely affected the microbial communities that are the drivers of many soil processes. At the same time, recent scientific advances have spurred interest in how microbial communities can support soil health, food quality, and human health. It is in this context that the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture asked the National Academies to explore the linkages between soil health and human health. The report finds that to improve soil health, federal agencies need to promote the importance of soil health, support translational research, and develop a coordinated national approach to monitor soil health over time and space. Given the potential that microbiomes have in modulating soil, plant, and human health, there is also a pressing need to determine which microbial features, if any, contribute to quantifying or fortifying health in both human and soil systems and to understand the direct and indirect roles of soil, alongside other environmental factors, in influencing human microbial colonization and subsequent health outcomes. Such investigation involves delving into the relatively sparse or disconnected research regarding the microbiome continuum that links soil and human systems.

Experience the vibrant diversity of West Coast Wildflowers with this amazing, informative guide to more than 1,200 plant species.​Wildflowers of California is a comprehensive field guide for anyone wishing to learn about the amazingly diverse wildflowers of the region. Organized by flower color and shape, and including a range map for each flower described, the guide is as user-friendly as it is informative. This must-have book is perfect for hikers, naturalists, and native plant enthusiasts. Describes and illustrates 1200 commonly encountered species Includes perennials, annuals, and shrubs, both native and nonnative Thousands of superb color photographs and range maps User-friendly organization by flower color and shape

Approaching the contributions of a world-wide sector of scientific institutions to addressing the extinction crisis, Botanical Gardens and Their Role in Plant Conservation brings together a diversity of perspectives. There are more than 3,600 botanical gardens worldwide, where trees, shrubs, herbs, and other plants are studied and managed in collections. They are foremost among efforts to conserve the diversity of living plant species and ensure that crucial biodiversity is available for the future of humanity.This book is a showcase for plant conservation, restoration, biodiversity, and related scientific and educational work of botanical gardens around the world, featuring both thematic overview chapters and numerous case studies that illustrate the critical role these institutions play in fighting extinction and ensuring plant diversity is available for sustainable use.FEATURES A wide range of case studies derived from practical experience in a diversity of institutional, national, and biogeographical settings, Reviews of topics such as networking amongst institutions, the importance of global policy agreements such as the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation, Profiles of botanical gardens contributions at the national level to conservation priorities, Real-world examples of programs in plant conservation for both critically endangered wild plant diversity and unique horticultural or cultural germplasm. Botanical Gardens and Their Role in Plant Conservation includes contributions from institutions from Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and the Americas, and institutions of all sizes and histories, from long-established national gardens to new gardens offering their perspectives on developing their roles in this vital undertaking.

The most up-to-date and gorgeous photographic collection of all 1,144 bird species in North America (including Hawaii!).A Great Blue Heron, a Wood Duck, a Baltimore Oriole, an Eastern Bluebird, or a Belted Kingfisher—which North American bird species is your favorite? In Birds of North America: A Photographic Atlas, Bruce M. Beehler provides the information and images you need to identify and enjoy each of the 1,144 amazing and diverse bird species recorded in the United States and Canada, including Hawaii and Alaska. Featuring more than 1,200 full-color photographs and illustrations and more than 700 range maps, this comprehensive reference provides both beginners and seasoned birders with important facts about each bird's ecology, behavior, seasonal movements, nesting biology, and conservation status. Birds of North America gives bird-lovers everything they could ask for: The photographs and illustrations, selected and curated by Brian E. Small, one of America's most talented nature photographers, depict each species in its most beautiful plumage and natural habitat. The largest, most detailed, and most up-to-date range maps available anywhere provide invaluable insider information on the best birding hotspots. And the special sections rounding out the book offer helpful guidance on birding gear, field trip planning, critical resources, and conservation issues. This is the book for aspiring and veteran bird enthusiasts alike.