With heart-shaped face, buff back and wings, and pure white underparts, the barn owl is a distinctive and much-loved bird which has fascinated people from many cultures throughout history. How did the barn owl colonise the world? What adaptations have made this bird so successful? How is the increasing impact of human disturbance affecting these animals? Answering these questions and more, Roulin brings together the main global perspectives on the evolution, ecology and behaviour of the barn owl and its relatives, discussing topics such as the high reproductive potential, physiology, social and family interaction, pronounced colour variation and global distribution. Accessible and beautifully illustrated, this definitive volume on the barn owl is for researchers, professionals and graduate students in ornithology, animal behaviour, ecology, conservation biology and evolutionary biology, and will also appeal to amateur ornithologists and nature lovers.
The second edition of this acclaimed text has been fully updated and substantially expanded to include the considerable developments (since publication of the first edition) in our understanding of the science of climate change, its impacts on biological and human systems, and developments in climate policy. Written in an accessible style, it provides a broad review of past, present and likely future climate change from the viewpoints of biology, ecology, human ecology and Earth system science. It will again prove to be invaluable to a wide range of readers, from students in the life sciences who need a brief overview of the basics of climate science, to atmospheric science, geography, geoscience and environmental science students who need to understand the biological and human ecological implications of climate change. It is also a valuable reference text for those involved in environmental monitoring, conservation and policy making.
Animal biodiversity is a vast field of study. This book covers the interdisciplinary aspects of animal biodiversity by integrating concepts from evolutionary ecology, conservation biology, etc. It aim
Attempts by ecologists to establish models for predicting the growth of a population or the fluctuations of a natural resource can be confounded by environmental heterogeneity. Spatio-Temporal Heterogeneity explores a range of available statistical methods to help ecologists in the attempt to unravel complexities, demonstrating how to place these changes into an understandable statistical framework. It addresses several key questions, including how to interpret the parameters of statistical models in relation to the biological and environmental realities, how to design a study to collect the best sample data and how to avoid pitfalls in modelling, design, statistical assessment and interpretation. Dutilleul uses a variety of examples to facilitate understanding, from plant ecology, earth and atmospheric sciences, animal biology, forestry and limnology. The accompanying CD-ROM contains MATLAB and SAS codes to aid analyses.
We are causing species to go extinct at extraordinary rates, altering existing species in unprecedented ways and creating entirely new species. More than ever before, we require an ethic of species to guide our interactions with them. In this book, Ronald L. Sandler examines the value of species and the ethical significance of species boundaries and discusses what these mean for species preservation in the light of global climate change, species engineering and human enhancement. He argues that species possess several varieties of value, but they are not sacred. It is sometimes permissible to alter species, let them go extinct (even when we are a cause of the extinction) and invent new ones. Philosophically rigorous, accessible and illustrated with examples drawn from contemporary science, this book will be of interest to students of philosophy, bioethics, environmental ethics and conservation biology.
We are causing species to go extinct at extraordinary rates, altering existing species in unprecedented ways and creating entirely new species. More than ever before, we require an ethic of species to guide our interactions with them. In this book, Ronald L. Sandler examines the value of species and the ethical significance of species boundaries and discusses what these mean for species preservation in the light of global climate change, species engineering and human enhancement. He argues that species possess several varieties of value, but they are not sacred. It is sometimes permissible to alter species, let them go extinct (even when we are a cause of the extinction) and invent new ones. Philosophically rigorous, accessible and illustrated with examples drawn from contemporary science, this book will be of interest to students of philosophy, bioethics, environmental ethics and conservation biology.
"An excellent job of presenting complex information on marine mammal biology, conservation, and wildlife protection laws in an elegant and comprehensive manner. Their helpful suggestions will engage a
This series of A-level social biology topic books responds to the changing demands of social biology syllabuses, with each text dealing with a particular area of interest. Although the series is primarily intended for students of A-level social biology, the books will appeal to students studying a wide range of biological subjects at A-level. Environmental Concerns covers topics common to several A-level human and social biology syllabuses. It is particularly relevant to the human ecology and conservation options. The text focuses on the social and economic implications of current ecological issues as well as the basic biological concepts involved. It deals with the causes, effects and prevention of atmospheric and water pollution as well as with the disruption of ecosystems by changes in land use. The conflict of interests between conservation and exploitation is discussed, along with management techniques including the controversial method of culling to maintain diversity. The moral
Terrestrial orchids have great appeal, but unfortunately they rank among the most vulnerable of all plant species, and little is known about how they reproduce in nature. This book contains a detailed survey of the biology of terrestrial orchids, from seed dispersal to establishment and life of the adult plant, based on comparisons of field and culture experiments. The unusual mode of obtaining energy by means of mycorrhiza is examined and evaluated in terms of plant structure and function and the impact of this mycotrophic nutrition on orchid evolution. The book makes it clear that an understanding of germination, life histories and seasonal phenology in natural habitats is essential for success of culture methods, propagation and conservation. The final chapter is a systematic presentation of the life history, endophytes and propagation of thirty-six genera of terrestrial orchids. Environmental plant physiologists will find this a stimulating book; for all those who are involved in o
Biogeography is about the geographical distribution, both past and present, of plants, animals and other organisms. In this undergraduate textbook Spellerberg and Sawyer bring a modern and new approach to a developing subject, writing in a lively and sometimes provocative manner. Throughout the text the applications of biogeography in conservation management, economic production, environmental assessment, sustainable use of resources, landscape planning and public health are emphasised. Applications of island biogeography in conservation, the concept of wildlife corridors and the analysis of biogeographical data are all discussed and the role of humans and their cultures in biogeography is explored. The applied approach of this textbook, along with its numerous illustrative examples and figures, make it an interesting introduction to the field for all geography, biology and environmental science students.
Biogeography is about the geographical distribution, both past and present, of plants, animals and other organisms. In this undergraduate textbook Spellerberg and Sawyer bring a modern and new approach to a developing subject, writing in a lively and sometimes provocative manner. Throughout the text the applications of biogeography in conservation management, economic production, environmental assessment, sustainable use of resources, landscape planning and public health are emphasised. Applications of island biogeography in conservation, the concept of wildlife corridors and the analysis of biogeographical data are all discussed and the role of humans and their cultures in biogeography is explored. The applied approach of this textbook, along with its numerous illustrative examples and figures, make it an interesting introduction to the field for all geography, biology and environmental science students.
Human-wildlife conflict is a major issue in conservation. As people encroach into natural habitats, and as conservation efforts restore wildlife to areas where they may have been absent for generations, contact between people and wild animals is growing. Some species, even the beautiful and endangered, can have serious impacts on human lives and livelihoods. Tigers kill people, elephants destroy crops and African wild dogs devastate sheep herds left unattended. Historically, people have responded to these threats by killing wildlife wherever possible, and this has led to the endangerment of many species that are difficult neighbours. The urgent need to conserve such species, however, demands coexistence of people and endangered wildlife. This book presents a variety of solutions to human-wildlife conflicts, including novel and traditional farming practices, offsetting the costs of wildlife damage through hunting and tourism, and the development of local and national policies.
Old World monkeys (Cercopithecoidea) are the most successful and diverse group of living non-human primates in terms of the number of species, behavioural repertoires and ecology. They have much to teach us about the processes of evolution and the principles of ecology, and are among our closest living relatives. This volume presents a broad, technical account of cercopithecoid biology including molecular, behavioural and morphological approaches to phylogeny, population structure, allometry, fossil history, functional morphology, ecology, cognitive capabilities, social behaviour and conservation. It will be the definitive reference on this group for professionals and graduate students in primatology, animal behaviour, paleontology, morphology, systematics and physical anthropology, but will also be useful to senior undergraduates.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD ARTWORKThis topical and exciting textbook describes fisheries exploitation, biology, conservation and management, and reflects many recent and important changes in fisheries sci
This collection of original essays by economists, biologists and political scientists has a common theme: that protecting species at risk while safeguarding social order is a policy challenge that entangles biology, politics, and economics. Nearly 1200 species are listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973; only twelve have been removed from the list. Attempts at species recovery on public and private property lead the authors to examine the political realities that define the debate: who should pay the costs and receive the benefits, and how interest group behaviour affects the nature of endangered species protection. Although the ESA directs administrative agencies to list and protect species following scientific priorities, the collection addresses the economic choices that still must be confronted. These range from the protection potential of private markets to the design of incentive schemes to encourage conservation by private landowners.
The introduction earlier this century of Norwegian reindeer to the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia provided scientists with the unusual opportunity of studying the interaction between a large arctic herbivore and a southern ecosystem that had not previously been exposed to grazing by mammals. Originally published in 1988, this book synthesises the results of many years' research into this fascinating ecological situation. The author develops the observations into two main themes. First,a comparative study of the biology and ecology of a deer that occurs in a wide variety of Arctic habitats. Secondly, an investigation into the ways in which an introduced population adapts to a new environment, its relevance to the population ecology of mammals and to the conservation of southern island ecosystems. In doing this, the author discusses many topics including reproductive biology, feeding ecology, growth, mortality and population dynamics. This in-depth study of a single species in an
With this work, Newman (marine science, College of William and Mary) and Clements (Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, Colorado State University) attempt to bridge the gap between
This collection of essays is the first major work in more than a decade to discuss the critical issue of wildlife contraception and the first ever to take up contraception-both theory and practice-for
Terrestrial orchids have great appeal, but unfortunately they rank among the most vulnerable of all plant species, and little is known about how they reproduce in nature. This book contains a detailed survey of the biology of terrestrial orchids, from seed dispersal to establishment and life of the adult plant, based on comparisons of field and culture experiments. The unusual mode of obtaining energy by means of mycorrhiza is examined and evaluated in terms of plant structure and function and the impact of this mycotrophic nutrition on orchid evolution. The book makes it clear that an understanding of germination, life histories and seasonal phenology in natural habitats is essential for success of culture methods, propagation and conservation. The final chapter is a systematic presentation of the life history, endophytes and propagation of thirty-six genera of terrestrial orchids. Environmental plant physiologists will find this a stimulating book; for all those who are involved in o
This book, first published in 1984, opens with a consideration of crops in general and goes on to examine specific crops such as wheat, rye and barley. The author then considers various types of farming, using settled agriculture, crop rotation and intensive systems as his examples. This is followed by a chapter on grass conservation and then by a detailed discussion of various types of livestock. The next chapter is devoted to problems of land reclamation. Finally, the author considers several subjects which are currently the source of debate and controversy. These include hedgerows, the use of chemical fertilisers and the provision of recreational areas.
