Ecosystems

Coastal zones contain many of the Earth’s most complex and diverse ecological systems, productive in both the biological and economic senses. Coastal region includes inshore waters, inter-tidal areas and extensive tracts of contiguous land. Coastal zones are not only economically valuable for fish... More

The first resource of its kind-essential practical guidance on wetlands bioassessment and management Although bioassessment has become a vital tool in the successful management of many aquatic ecosystems, to date there has been no single book that covers the application of bioassessment principles ... More

At the intersection of environmental science and human biology this book deals with dry ecosystems - aridity, droughts, wind and its influence on soils and regulation - the societies affected by these ecosystems, and the inventiveness of those living under these conditions. These environments are th... More

The book discusses the importance of planning inthe management and conservation of so precious a resource as water and to use itjudiciously so that the needs of the present generation are met withoutcompromising the needs of the future generation. The book elucidates the variousways of water managem... More

This book is the conversion of a tropical rainforest biome and the collision between what previously had been more discrete ecological zones within South Asia. The author demonstrates that profound ecological transformations occurred in the highlands of Sri Lanka during the nineteenth century. Hard... More

This work is a very comprehensive and multidisciplinary study of Indian wetlands.... This is a valuable book for scholars and students in the field of environment, ecology, development, biology, geography, economics and anthropology... it is an invaluable resource for policy makers, environmentalist... More

CONTENTS: 1. Inter-Relationships Between Fishes and Their Abiotic and Biotic Environment, 2. Fundamental Links in the Life Cycles of Fishes, 3. The Significance of Fishes in the Life of Mankind and the Biological Basis of a Rational Fishes, 4. Bibliography, 5. Subject Index.... More

"A spectacular tour of the world's largest wetland." The Pantanal covers 81,000 square miles in the middle of South America, extending over parts of Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay. About half the size of California and 20 times the size of the Everglades, the Pantanal flood plain is the largest wetl... More

Coral reefs around the world are sustaining massive damage at an alarming rate. Geological Approaches to Coral Reef Ecology provides a uniquely historical perspective on the destructiona "through both natural and human processesa "of coral reef ecosystems. Chapters applying the principles of geophys... More

"A richly illustrated and comprehensive survey of the world's great desert regions." This compact reference begins by defining deserts and the climatic conditions that bring about their existence. With spectacular photographs, the authors examine the various desert landscapes and the effects that w... More

Praise for the previous editions of "Wetlands": "Wetlands, the field of study, would not be what it is without Wetlands, the book." ----Bill Streever, Wetlands, 2001 "The Third Edition of this highly successful book manages to set new standards in presentation and content to confirm its place as t... More

This is a major source of reference for anyone who wants to get familiar with the economics of development issues. It is based on the author's rich research and experience that he has collected by working in the field over the years. Hardbound... More

Wetlands are among the most productive and biologically diverse ecosystems on earth. Their very diversity has produced a fragmented area of study where each wetland type is considered in isolation. This work provides a synthesis of the existing field of wetland ecology using such central themes as b... More

Coral reefs are the 'rain forests' of the ocean, containing the highest diversity of marine organisms and facing the greatest threats from humans. As shallow-water coastal habitats, they support a wide range of economically and culturally important activities, from fishing to tourism. Their accessib... More

Deserts provide a harsh and inhospitable environment for plants and animals, and the ecosystem is correspondingly fragile and prone to disruption by a variety of external factors. The Mojave Desert is a winter-rainfall desert, experiencing drought in the summer months and occasional rain during the ... More

In this broad introduction to saltmarsh ecology, emphasis is placed on geographical diversity of saltmarsh vegetation and on the ecophysiological mechanisms that permit tolerance to the major challenges of high, but variable, soil salinities and of frequently waterlogged soils. The importance of sal... More

In this volume, a multidisciplinary group of acknowledged experts fully intergrate the physical, chemical, and biological sciences to provide a complete understanding of the interrelationships between snow structure and life. This volume opens a new perspecitve on snow cover as a habitat for organis... More

Prolonged seasonal drought affects most of the tropics, including vast areas presently or recently dominated by 'dry forests'. These forests have received scant attention, despite the fact that humans have used and changed them more than rain forests. This volume reviews the available information, o... More