Suchergebnisse

1. Introduction -- 2. Endangered Species, Fragile Marine Ecosystems, and the Philippines -- 3. The International Frameworks for the Conservation of Biodiversity and of the Marine Environment -- 4. The Protection and Preservation of Endangered Species and Fragile Ecosystems and the Jurisdiction of the Arbitral Tribunal -- 5. Endangered Species, Fragile Ecosystems, and the Obligation to Protect and Preserve the Marine Environment -- 6. Summary and Conclusions

Proposes biological and political strategies to dramatically alter existing management systems and replace the 1973 Endangered Species Act with pragmatic policy allowing for positive incentives, decentralization, and innovation; US.

Marine Ecological Processes is a modern review and synthesis of marine ecology that provides the reader - particularly the graduate student - with a lucid introduction to the intellectual concepts, approaches, and methods of this evolving discipline. Comprehensive in its coverage, this book focuses on the processes controlling marine ecosystems, communities, and populations and demonstrates how general ecological principles - derived from terrestrial and freshwater systems as well - apply to marine ecosystems. Numerous illustrations, examples, and references clearly impart to the reader the current state of research in this field; its achievements as well as unresolved controversies

Integrated Water Management (IWM) deals with the planning and management of water resources by integrating the different issues involved, including ecological, economic, technical legislative, and transboundary. This book offers a general framework for IWM. It includes both the different environmental problems that affect the very different ecosystems and the main methodologies able to face the problem of IWM.

This book summarizes research from the intensive study of a pristine subalpine lake ecosystem and its catchment over the last 50 years. A wide range of topics is presented, including several unique time series focusing on changes in ice cover, water temperature, zooplankton, benthos and fish. Significant changes in the lake fauna after the introduction of European minnow into an ecosystem where brown trout was the sole fish species have been documented. The area received substantial radioactive fallout from the Chernobyl accident in 1986, and two articles address long-term changes in radiocaesium activity concentrations in allochthonous plant material and in fish. Other topics include palaeoecology, mercury in fish and remote sensing of catchment snows. Such long-term research is crucial in a rapidly changing environment due to the impacts of climate change, long-range pollutants and alien species. This provides a solid basis for future monitoring and management of freshwater ecosystems. The book will not only be of interest to freshwater ecologists working in the field, but also for managers responsible for the protection and monitoring of natural areas. It illustrates the changes now taking place in pristine ecosystems as a result of human activities and will serve as a supplementary text for courses in environmental management

"Stolzenburg narrates these cautionary tales with a conservationist's attention to ecological detail and a childlike reverence for flesh-tearing beasts. His infectious enthusiasm should spark even in bug-wary urbanites a renewed appreciation for nature's complexity." -TIME magazine.

Cave organisms are the 'monsters' of the underground world and studying them invariably raises interesting questions about the ways evolution has equipped them to survive in permanent darkness and low-energy environments. Undertaking ecological studies in caves and other subterranean habitats is not only challenging because they are difficult to access, but also because the domain is so different from what we know from the surface, with no plants at the base of food chains and with a nearly constant microclimate year-round. The research presented here answers key questions such as how a constant environment can produce the enormous biodiversity seen below ground, what adaptations and peculiarities allow subterranean organisms to thrive, and how they are affected by the constraints of their environment. This book is divided into six main parts, which address: the habitats of cave animals; their complex diversity; the environmental factors that support that diversity; individual case studies of cave ecosystems; and of the conservation challenges they face; all of which culminate in proposals for future research directions. Given its breadth of coverage, it offers an essential reference guide for graduate students and established researchers alike

The author presents a functional overview of mangrove forest ecosystems: how they live and grow at the edge of tropical seas, how they play a critical role along the world's tropical coasts, and what their future might be in a world affected by climate change.

"Biodiversity and Ecosystem Insecurity provides an authoritative and comprehensive assessment of the threats presented to human security and well-being by the loss of ecosystems and biodiversity recently confirmed as one of the critical 'planetary boundaries' that has already been exceeded. Contributors examine the current trends and state of biodiversity globally, the drivers of biodiversity loss including climate change and economic and population pressures, and the mechanisms and policies needed for conserving and restoring biodiversity in the future. Strong emphasis is placed throughout on the fundamental importance of placing a realistic economic value on nature and the services that ecosystems provide if we are to manage our natural resources successfully; and also on the crucial role of international institutions and government policies achieving this goal. As the recent high-profile meeting of the Convention on Biological Diversity in Nagoya, Japan, underlined, the scale and pace of the destruction of natural habitats and species imperil us all. This volume is an invaluable resource for conservationists, students and those in the private and public sectors concerned to redress the damage being done to the natural world."--Provided by publisher.

Intro -- Climate and Conservation -- Contents -- Foreword -- Preface -- PART I: Setting the Context -- Chapter 1: Climate Change Science, Impacts, and Opportunities -- Climate Change and Biodiversity -- Past and Future Changes -- Consequences for Conservation -- Need for Scape-scale Management and Conservation -- Responding to the Threat of Climate Change -- Opportunities -- Overview of the Book -- Chapter 2: Landscape and Seascape Climate Change Planning and Action -- Selecting Focal Species, Processes, and Ecosystems -- Framing Climate-informed Conservation Goals -- Assessing Climate Change Impacts -- Identifying and Prioritizing Adaptation Actions -- Implementing Actions at a Scape Scale -- Monitoring and Revisiting Plans -- Conclusions -- Acknowledgments -- PA RT 2: Equatorial and Tropical Landscapes -- Chapter 3:Albertine Rift, Africa -- Introduction to the Region -- Historical Overview of Conservation and Science Initiatives -- Current Conservation in the Region -- Regional Effects of Climate Change -- Approaches to Conservation under Climate Change -- Landscape Conservation Needs Assessment in Response to Climate Change -- Roadblocks and Opportunities -- Conclusion and Recommendations -- Chapter 4: The Brazilian Amazon -- Introduction to the Region -- Historical Overview of Conservation and Science Initiatives -- Current Conservation in the Region -- Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon -- Regional Effects of Climate Change -- Roadblocks and Opportunities -- Approaches to Conservation under Climate Change -- Conclusion and Recommendations -- Chapter 5 :Mesoamerican Biological Corridor -- Introduction to the Region -- Historical Overview of Conservation and Science Initiatives -- Paseo Pantera:Path of the Jaguar -- Formation of the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor (MBC) -- Regional Effects of Climate Change.

Water development projects have altered the environmental flow landscapes where dams and diversions have been built, and this could have effects on coastal resources, particularly in estuaries. Water is an important human resource and water needs grow as populations grow. However, freshwater inflow to the coast is fundamental to the functioning of estuaries. Can we have stable, secure, and sufficient water resources for people and still protect estuarine health? Estuaries are the most productive environments on Earth, and this is in part due to freshwater inflow, which dilutes marine water, and transports nutrients and sediments to the coast. Estuaries are characterized by salinity and nutrient gradients, which are important in regulating many biological processes. As water is diverted for human consumption, it is common for many environmental problems to appear. While many countries have water quality programs, few are dealing with water quantity alterations. The first step is to define marine resources to protect, and the water quality conditions those resources need to thrive. The second step is to determine the flow regimes needed to maintain the desired water quality conditions. Finally, many regions are using adaptive management programs to manage freshwater resources. These programs set goals to protect ecosystem resources, identify indicators, and monitor the indicators over time to ensure that the goals are appropriate and resources are protected. Case studies demonstrate that monitoring and research can determine the ecological and socio-economical impacts of altered freshwater inflows, and stakeholders and managers can make well-informed decisions to manage freshwater inflows to local coasts wisely. ​

Earth is home to an estimated 8 million animal species, 600,000 fungi, 300,000 plants, and an undetermined number of microbial species. Of these animal, fungal, and plant species, an estimated 75% have yet to be identified. Moreover, the interactions between these species and their physical environment are known to an even lesser degree. At the same time, the earth's biota faces the prospect of climate change, which may manifest slowly or extremely rapidly, as well as a human population set to grow by two billion by 2045 from the current seven billion. Given these major ecological changes, we cannot wait for a complete biota data set before assessing, planning, and acting to preserve the ecological balance of the earth. This book provides comprehensive coverage of the scientific and engineering basis of the systems ecology of the earth in 15 detailed, peer-reviewed entries written for a broad audience of undergraduate and graduate students as well as practicing professionals in government, academia, and industry. The methodology presented aims at identifying key interactions and environmental effects, and enabling a systems-level understanding even with our present state of factual knowledge. Features authoritative, peer-reviewed entries from the Encyclopedia of Sustainability Science and Technology Covers topics ranging from atmospheric biogeochemistry to invasive species, ecosystem services, and urban ecology. Provides an ecological systems perspective on the vital question of how to cope with climate change and the global human population explosion Includes a glossary of key terms and a concise definition of the subject for each contribution.