St Helena


Book Description

A guidebook for true explorers, the south Atlantic islands of St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha are isolated and therefore a fascinating destination for travellers who enjoy a completely different vacation. Their remote location has led to a host of endemic plant species and large seabird colonies, meaning the islands appeal to botanists and birdwatchers the world over.







St Helena


Book Description

Rugged, volcanic and very remote, the three tiny islands of St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha dot the South Atlantic like so many bits of flotsam. As Napoleon's place of exile following the Battle of Waterloo, St Helena has gained a notoriety that assures its place in the travel lexicon. This fully revised edition includes information on St Helena's new airport, which makes it possible for the first time for visitors to explore the island's natural and historic attractions without a five-day sea voyage to get here. Hiking, fishing, snorkelling and diving are included, plus details of marine wildlife, from whale sharks and dolphins to groupers and soldier fish. Expert author Tricia Hayne also provides a section on '24 hours in Cape Town', offering a brief overview of what to see and do with a day between voyages.




Penguins


Book Description

Penguins, among the most delightful creatures in the world, are also among the most vulnerable. The fragile status of most penguin populations today mirrors the troubled condition of the southern oceans, as well as larger marine conservation problems: climate change, pollution, and fisheries mismanagement. This timely book presents the most current knowledge on each of the eighteen penguin species-from the majestic emperor penguins of the Antarctic to the tiny blue penguins of New Zealand and Australia, from the northern rockhopper penguins of the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans to the Galapagos penguins of the equator-written by the leading experts in the field. Included for each species: o Life history o Distribution, population sizes and trends o International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) status o Threats to survival o Legal protection The book also provides information on current conservation efforts, outlines the most important actions to be taken to increase each population's resilience, and recommends further research needed to protect penguins and the living creatures that share their environment. Beautifully illustrated with full-color photographs of each species in their natural habitat and detailed charts and graphs, Penguins will be an invaluable tool for researchers, conservation groups, and policy makers. It will also enchant anyone interested in the lives or the plight of these fascinating animals. Watch the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0s0BbIU6cqE&feature=plcp




Birds of the UK Overseas Territories


Book Description

An authoritative guide to birds of the UK Overseas Territories. The UK Overseas Territories (UKOTs) are scattered across the globe. Most are small islands or island complexes, occurring from the Caribbean to the furthest reaches of the South Atlantic, via the Indian and Pacific Oceans. In terms of global biodiversity, these territories are remarkably significant. Among landscapes that range from coral atolls, through mangroves and dry forests to the ice sheets of Antarctica, the UKOTs support no fewer than 45 species of birds currently considered to be globally threatened. They are also home to a third of all the world's breeding albatrosses, and nine of the world's 17 species of penguin. In a rapidly changing world, the UKOTs symbolise global crises in climate and biodiversity. Threats faced by their wildlife range from mortality of seabirds at sea through industrial fisheries, and on land as a result of introduced ground predators, to the utter devastation of hurricanes in the Caribbean, which provide a stark reminder of our changing climate. The human impact on the wildlife of our planet has been increasing for centuries, but the next few decades promise to be critical. This book, illustrated with maps and colour photos, explores the birds and other wildlife of each of the 14 UKOTs, with a particular focus on environmental threats and conservation priorities. Written by authors with a deep connection to the sites, this book represents an important stocktake of the biological richness of these special places in the early 21st century.




Penguins


Book Description

An acclaimed photographic guide to these marvelous and enigmatic birds—now in a new, updated edition Penguins are perhaps the most beloved birds. On land, their behavior appears so humorous and expressive that we can be excused for attributing to them moods and foibles similar to our own. Few realize how complex and mysterious their private lives truly are, as most of their existence takes place far from our prying eyes, hidden beneath the ocean waves. Now in a new, updated edition, this stunningly illustrated book provides a unique look at these extraordinary creatures and the cutting-edge science that is helping us to better understand them. Featuring more than 400 breathtaking photos, this is the ultimate guide to all 18 species of penguins, including those with retiring personalities or nocturnal habits that tend to be overlooked and rarely photographed. This revised second edition features updated scientific information and some spectacular new photographs. Penguins is the most ambitious book to date by Tui De Roy, Mark Jones, and Julie Cornthwaite. Their travels, spanning more than two decades, have seen them crisscross the southern hemisphere to virtually everywhere that penguins are found, from the sun-baked lava shores of the Galápagos to some of the remotest subantarctic islands, as well as all around the Antarctic continent, where Emperor penguins breed on the deep-frozen sea. A book that no bird enthusiast or armchair naturalist should do without, Penguins includes discussions of penguin conservation, informative species profiles, fascinating penguin facts, and tips on where to see penguins in the wild. Covers all 18 species of the world’s penguins Features more than 400 stunning photos Explores the latest science on penguins and their conservation Includes informative species profiles and fascinating penguin facts




Conservation of Marine Birds


Book Description

Conservation of Marine Birds is the first book to outline and synthesize the myriad of threats faced by one of the most imperiled groups of birds on earth. With more than half of all 346 seabird species worldwide experiencing population declines and 29% of species recognized as globally threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the timing to determine solutions to threats could not be more urgent. Written by a diverse team of international experts on marine birds, this book explores the environmental and biogeographical factors that influence seabird conservation and provides concrete recommendations for mounting climate change issues. This book will be an important resource for researchers and conservationists, as well as ecologists and students who want to understand seabirds, the threats they are facing, and tactics to help conserve and protect them. - Outlines both threats and solutions in the marine and terrestrial realm - Synthesizes information to provide a comprehensive strategy moving forward, especially considering climate change - Created by a team of experts with the latest and most comprehensive knowledge of seabird conservation




Exploring the Last Continent


Book Description

This multi-disciplinary book will cater to students and those who want to have a more critical look behind the scenes of Antarctic science. This book will take a systems approach to providing insights into Antarctic ecosystems and the geophysical environment. Further, the book will link these insights to a discussion of current issues, such as climate change, bio prospecting, environmental management and Antarctic politics. It will be written and edited by experienced Antarctic researchers and scientists from a wide range of disciplines. Academic references will be included for those who wish to delve deeper into the topics discussed in the book.