Plant Ecology in the Middle East


Book Description

This advanced textbook explores the intriguing flora and plant ecology of the Middle East, framed by a changing desert landscape, global climate change, and the arc of human history. This vast region has been largely under-recognized, under-studied, and certainly under-published, due in part to the challenges posed to research by political disputes and human conflict, and a treatise on the subject is now timely. The book integrates Middle Eastern plant geography and its major drivers (geo-tectonics, seed and fruit dispersal, plant functional types, etc.) with the principles of plant ecology. The authors include the many specialized adaptations to desert and dryland ecosystems including succulence, water-conserving photosynthesis, and a remarkable range of other life history strategies. They explore the formation of 'climate relicts', and describe the long history of domestication in the region together with the many reciprocal effects of agriculture on plant ecology. The book concludes by discussing conservation in the region, highlighting five regional biodiversity hotspots where the challenges of desertification, habitat loss, and other threats to plant biodiversity are particularly acute. Plant Ecology in the Middle East is a timely synthesis of the field, setting a new baseline for future research. It will be important reading for both undergraduate and graduate students taking courses in plant ecology, evolution, systematics, biodiversity, and conservation, and will also be of interest and use to a professional audience of botanists, conservation biologists, and practitioners working in dryland ecosystems.




Encyclopaedia of Historical Metrology, Weights, and Measures


Book Description

This first of three volumes starts with a short introduction to historical metrology as a scientific discipline and goes on with an anthology of acient and modern measurement systems of all kind, scientific measures, units of time, weights, currencies etc. It concludes with an exhaustive list of references. Units of measurement are of vital importance in every civilization through history. Since the early ages, man has through necessity devised various measures to assist him in everyday life. They have enabled and continue to enable us to trade in commonly and equitably understood amounts, and to investigate, understand, and control the chemical, physical, and biological processes of the natural world. The essence of the work is an alphabetically ordered, comprehensive list of measurement nomenclature, units and scales. It provides an understanding of almost all quantitative expressions observed in all imaginable situations, including spelling variants and the abbreviations and symbols for units, and various acronyms used in metrology. It will be of use not only to historians of science and technology, but also to economic and social historians and should be in every major academic and national library as standard reference work on the topic.







Art of the First Cities


Book Description

Catalog of an exhibition being held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art from May 8 to Aug. 17, 2003.




FACETS OF CONTEMPORARY HISTORY


Book Description

This book “Facets of Contemporary History”is a selection of research papers, presented in the International Conference on Contemporary History which was held on 30th and 31st January 2015. This conference was organized by the Department of History, Tourism and Travel Management, Ethiraj College for Women, Chennai. It gives us great pleasure to put together a selection of the papers for the public in the form of a book in the interest of research. Contemporary History refers to the history of the immediate past or that which can be expected to remain in living memory. While there are areas of history which have branched off from contemporary history such as social history and economic history this conference took a very broad look at contemporary events from not just a historical but also a social science perspective. This Book contains 6 Sections namely Political History, Socio-Cultural History, Gender, Economic History, Environment and Tourism. We would like to place on record the Management of the college for the moral and financial support extended in the conduct of the Conference and in the production of the book. Thanks are due to our respected Chairman of the Trust Board, Mr. V.M.Muralidharan for all his support and encouragement. Heartfelt thanks are due to Prof.Dr.Karu. Nagarajan Member Secretary, TAMIL NADU STATE COUNCIL FOR HIGHER EDUCATION for their generous financial Assistance towards the conduct of the Conference. We would be failing in our duty if we do not thank the faculty of the Department of History, Tourism and Travel Management for their support and encouragement in the conduct of the Conference.




Origins of Arabia


Book Description

In full colour, Origins of Arabia describes the first origins and subsequent adventures of the Arabian peninsula, taking the story right up to recent times. It offers a basic explanation of some of the geological principles and forces behind these changes, and weaves in the fossil record and the changing climate in building up the picture of the area. As the story reaches more recent times, the arrival of man and his relation with the rocks, the water resources and the useful minerals of the land are described. Much has been compressed into a small volume. The tale is told as a chronology and written for the intelligent layman. Contents include: Arabian Origins; Building on the Shield; Collision with Asia; Man upon the Scene; From Stone to Bronze; Coast to Coast; Index and Bibliography.