A field guide to our mechanical future, presenting the next generation of intelligent robots and their makers.Around the world, scientists and engineers are participating in a high-stakes race to buil
Why do larger areas have more species? What makes diversity so high near the equator? Has the number of species grown during the past 600 million years? Does habitat diversity support species diversity, or is it the other way around? What reduces diversity in ecologically productive places? At what scales of space and time do diversity patterns hold? Do the mechanisms that produce them vary with scale? This book examines these questions and many others, by employing both theory and data in the search for answers. Surprisingly, many of the questions have reasonably likely answers. By identifying these, attention can be turned toward life's many, still-unexplained diversity patterns. As evolutionary ecologists race to understand biodiversity before it is too late, this book will help set the agenda for diversity research into the next century.
Biodiversity is as close as your breakfast table. Your cereal and coffee are the products of at least a dozen species of plants and animals. And believe it or not, you are related to your morning mea
Seeds are nature’s consummate survivors. The next time you admire a field of waving green grassland or a stunning grove of acacia, stop to consider how it got that way—often against incred
With the extinction rate at 3000 species a year and accelerating, we can now predict that as many as half of the Earth's species will disappear within the next 100 years. The species that survive wil
Two young explorers journey with Fabien Cousteau into the depths of the Amazon Jungle to find a new species of piranha in this next colorful installment of the Fabien Cousteau Expeditions graphic nove
Two young explorers journey with Fabien Cousteau into the depths of the Amazon Jungle to find a new species of piranha in this next colorful installment of the Fabien Cousteau Expeditions graphic nove
Picking up where Cod left off, an "invaluable" (Financial Times) look at the global crisis of overfishing.Gourmands and health-conscious consumers alike have fallen for fish; last year per capita consumption in the United States hit an all-time high. Packed with nutrients and naturally low in fat, fish is the last animal we can still eat in good conscience.Or can we?In this vivid, eye-opening bookfirst published in the UK to wide acclaim and now extensively revised for an American audienceenvironmental journalist Charles Clover argues that our passion for fish is unsustainable. Seventy-five percent of the world's fish stocks are now fully exploited or overfished; the most popular varieties risk extinction within the next few decades.Clover trawls the globe for answers, from Tokyo's sumptuous fish market to the heart of New England's fishing industry. He joins hardy sailors on high-tech boats, interviews top chefs whose menu selections can influence the fate of entire species, and exami
Next stop...The Magic School Bus heads to the Galapagos to learn about invasive species! Arnold is alarmed to discover that the beloved Ms. Frizzle has been promoted and her younger sister Fiona is ta
The popular image of sharks is of a dorsal fin cleaving the surface as it rushes to its next kill, but this is a limited caricature. There are over 500 species to choose from, most of whom are far mor
The birthplace of modern humans, Africa, has the highest genetic diversity in the world, yet it remains vastly understudied. With biomedical research increasingly focused on human variation, studying the large population size and number of mutations in African genomes could unravel the complexity of phenotypic traits underlying the biology of our species and hold huge potential for scientific and medical advances. An initial chapter 'conceptualizes Africa', providing relevant terminology. The first section covers genetic history and population structure. The next section looks at the genetic basis of common infectious diseases, such as leishmaniasis, malaria and tuberculosis, with a final part considering common non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, heart disease and cancer. Gene environment interaction under globalization and the burden of diseases of lifestyle are included. For researchers and graduate students in biological anthropology, genetic anthrop
Cyclo-octatetraene is a compound of fundamental importance to theoretical chemists and has played an outstanding role in many aspects of organic and organometallic chemistry. As [8]annulene, the next higher vinylogue of benzene, it is essential to the understanding of cyclic alternating pi systems. As a medium-ring polyene, it undergoes a wide variety of reactions that are often accompanied by skeletal transformations, and it is the progenitor of a large number of interesting species, ranging in complexity from cyclobutadiene to triamantane. It also forms an exceptional variety of complexes with transition metals, important from the viewpoint of bonding theory, and increasingly useful in providing routes to systems that are not readily available by the conventional transformations of organic chemistry. The recent rapid developments and growth of interest in the study of cyclo-octatetraenes and its derivatives make this comprehensive review especially timely.
Young readers will learn about twelve of the butterfly species that call the Arctic home and how they survive from one summer to the next. With a simple layout and easy-to-follow headings for each but
With up to a quarter of all insect species heading towards extinction over the next few decades, there is now a pressing need to summarize the techniques available for measuring insect diversity in or
An enhanced edition of DK’s exhaustive guide to the underwater world.This authoritative, sumptuously illustrated encyclopedia is now in its third edition. Illustrated with a blend of beautiful and informative illustrations, maps, and photography, it is a broad-ranging, in-depth guide to both physical oceanography and marine life. A comprehensive introduction explains important principles and processes, from the geology of the seafloor to the chemistry of seawater. The next two chapters look at key environments – from the seashore out to the open ocean – and the main groups of ocean life. Both of these chapters include systematic directory sections that contain in-depth visual profiles of key locations and species. The final chapter is a detailed, 60-page atlas of the world’s oceans and seas, illustrated with maps compiled from satellite measurements of the ocean floor. Distributed throughout the book are feature spreads on the impact that humans are having on the marine environment, co
The heartwarming friendship between a girl and the dog next door tenderly evokes the power of stories to bring―and keep―us together.Two houses stand side by side: one is home to a dog, the other to a young girl. Though a fence divides them, girl and dog build a sweet and sturdy friendship rooted in make-believe…and are lonely no more. Paired with moving illustrations and based on a true story, this endearing tale from the author of I, Cosmo testifies to the transformative power of creativity and inter-species friendship.
Discover the farm's feathered friends in this playful, charming 1000-piece puzzle. Featuring over 40 distinctive and colorful chicken types in a lush, green grass setting, Chickenology 1,000 Piece Puzzle showcases whimsical art and a varied scene.Whether you raise backyard chickens, have an interest in sustainable farming, or just love animals and colorful, fun puzzle scenes, this jigsaw puzzle is sure to challenge and delight! A wide variety of chickens assemble on a bright green lawn in this ideal family puzzle, depicting a flurry of activity: feathers, eggs, plants, and baby chicks fill the scene, creating layers of visual interest to explore as you solve. The image features labels for the more unusual chicken species, making this jigsaw puzzle educational as well as fun.This high-quality puzzle contains minimal puzzle dust for neater assembly and is accompanied by an oversize insert with the reference image and an artist statement by rising star Camilla Pintonato. Next time you're
Discover European wilderness--from Croatia's coastline to Scotland's highlands--in this comprehensive guide to pristine parks and wild spaces, full of photos, maps, and tips.In these rich and informative pages, the travel pros at National Geographic bring you the premier guide to 460 national parks of Europe. Find your way to Snowdonia in Wales, offering more than 1,490 miles of walking trails through thick forests, coastal beaches, deep lakes, and jagged mountains. Catch a glimpse of more than 10,000 species inhabiting Germany's Bavarian Forest. Explore the flora and fauna while camping amid the twin peaks of France's Pyrénées. Or visit "the home of the giants," Norway's Jotunheimen park, containing the country's 29 highest peaks and plenty of backcountry hiking. This breathtaking tour spans the entire continent and will inspire your next grand adventure with more than 400 photos, 55 maps, rich histories, exciting itineraries, and need-to-know tips from what to do and how to get there
With up to a quarter of all insect species heading towards extinction over the next few decades, there is now a pressing need to summarize the techniques available for measuring insect diversity in or
