Ecosystems of California


Book Description

This long-anticipated reference and sourcebook for CaliforniaÕs remarkable ecological abundance provides an integrated assessment of each major ecosystem typeÑits distribution, structure, function, and management. A comprehensive synthesis of our knowledge about this biologically diverse state, Ecosystems of California covers the state from oceans to mountaintops using multiple lenses: past and present, flora and fauna, aquatic and terrestrial, natural and managed. Each chapter evaluates natural processes for a specific ecosystem, describes drivers of change, and discusses how that ecosystem may be altered in the future. This book also explores the drivers of CaliforniaÕs ecological patterns and the history of the stateÕs various ecosystems, outlining how the challenges of climate change and invasive species and opportunities for regulation and stewardship could potentially affect the stateÕs ecosystems. The text explicitly incorporates both human impacts and conservation and restoration efforts and shows how ecosystems support human well-being. Edited by two esteemed ecosystem ecologists and with overviews by leading experts on each ecosystem, this definitive work will be indispensable for natural resource management and conservation professionals as well as for undergraduate or graduate students of CaliforniaÕs environment and curious naturalists.




Physical and Chemical Processes in the Aquatic Environment


Book Description

There is need in environmental research for a book on fresh waters including rivers and lakes. Compared with other books on the topic, this book has a unique outline in that it follows pollution from sources to impact. Included in the text is the treatment of various tracers, ranging from pathogens to stable isotopes of elements and providing a comprehensive discussion which is lacking in many other books on pollution control of natural waters. Geophysical processes are discussed emphasizing mixing of water, interaction between water and the atmosphere, and sedimentation processes. Important geochemistry processes occurring in natural waters are described as are the processes specific to nutrients, organic pollutants, metals, and pathogens in subsequent chapters. Each of these chapters includes an introduction on the selected groups, followed by the physicochemical properties which are the most relevant to their behavior in natural waters, and the theories and models to describe their speciation, transport and transformation. The book also includes the most up to date information including a discussion on emerging pollutants such as brominated and phosphate flame retardants, perflurochemicals, and pharmaceutical and personal care products. Due to its importance an ecotoxicology chapter has been included featuring molecular biological methods, nanoparticles, and comparison of the basis of biotic ligand model with the Weibull dose-response model. Finally, the last chapter briefly summarizes the regulations on ambient water quality.




Reservoir Limnology


Book Description

Addresses reservoirs as unique ecological systems and presents research indicating that reservoirs fall into two or three highly concatenated, interactive ecological systems ranging from riverine to lacustrine or hybrid systems. Includes some controversial concepts about the limnology of reservoirs, which make for interesting reading.




Climatic Change and Global Warming of Inland Waters


Book Description

Effects of global warming on the physical, chemical, ecological structure and function and biodiversity of freshwater ecosystems are not well understood and there are many opinions on how to adapt aquatic environments to global warming in order to minimize the negative effects of climate change. Climatic Change and Global Warming of Inland Waters presents a synthesis of the latest research on a whole range of inland water habitats – lakes, running water, wetlands – and offers novel and timely suggestions for future research, monitoring and adaptation strategies. A global approach, offered in this book, encompasses systems from the arctic to the Antarctic, including warm-water systems in the tropics and subtropics and presents a unique and useful source for all those looking for contemporary case studies and presentation of the latest research findings and discussion of mitigation and adaptation throughout the world. Edited by three of the leading limnologists in the field this book represents the latest developments with a focus not only on the impact of climate change on freshwater ecosystems but also offers a framework and suggestions for future management strategies and how these can be implemented in the future. Limnologists, Climate change biologists, fresh water ecologists, palaeoclimatologists and students taking relevant courses within the earth and environmental sciences will find this book invaluable. The book will also be of interest to planners, catchment managers and engineers looking for solutions to broader environmental problems but who need to consider freshwater ecology.




National Enforcement Investigations Center


Book Description




Water Encyclopedia, Surface and Agricultural Water


Book Description

Maximizing the use of our visible surface supplies in light of their greatest need in agriculture presents an enormous challenge throughout the world. New techniques in agricultural applications to preserve resources and increase yields are featured. Dams, lakes, and hydraulic features of surface water systems are amply covered, along with the importance of storm water management to growing communities.




Hydropower Economics


Book Description

There are few more urgent topics in today’s world, so full of ecological uncertainty. Hydropower Economics uses various econometric measures to examine sustainable alternative energy sources. It kicks off by modeling hydropower, yes, but it does not end there. Forsund has extended his model to include thermal power and wind power, too – forms of alternative energy that are taking on an ever larger profile.




The Physical Geography of Southeast Asia


Book Description

This will be the first comprehensive and detailed volume on the physical environment of Southeast Asia and will be essential reading for geographers, ecologists, and environmental managers. As the definitive reference work on the region it will cover all aspects of the biophysical environment and its current environmental problems and mangement practices. The topics discussed range from a regional view of landforms and vegetation to specific cases including urban environments,coral reefs, volcanic hazards, and the Mekong River Basin. The contributors are distinguished, scholarly, and have a long association with Southeast Asia.This is the fourth volume to be published in the Oxford Regional Environment series.




Freshwater Ecology


Book Description

Freshwater Ecology, Second Edition, is a broad, up-to-date treatment of everything from the basic chemical and physical properties of water to advanced unifying concepts of the community ecology and ecosystem relationships as found in continental waters.With 40% new and expanded coverage, this text covers applied and basic aspects of limnology, now with more emphasis on wetlands and reservoirs than in the previous edition. It features 80 new and updated figures, including a section of color plates, and 500 new and updated references. The authors take a synthetic approach to ecological problems, teaching students how to handle the challenges faced by contemporary aquatic scientists.This text is designed for undergraduate students taking courses in Freshwater Ecology and Limnology; and introductory graduate students taking courses in Freshwater Ecology and Limnology. - Expanded revision of Dodds' successful text. - New boxed sections provide more advanced material within the introductory, modular format of the first edition. - Basic scientific concepts and environmental applications featured throughout. - Added coverage of climate change, ecosystem function, hypertrophic habitats and secondary production. - Expanded coverage of physical limnology, groundwater and wetland habitats. - Expanded coverage of the toxic effects of pharmaceuticals and endocrine disrupters as freshwater pollutants - More on aquatic invertebrates, with more images and pictures of a broader range of organisms - Expanded coverage of the functional roles of filterer feeding, scraping, and shredding organisms, and a new section on omnivores. - Expanded appendix on standard statistical techniques. - Supporting website with figures and tables - http://www.elsevierdirect.com/companion.jsp?ISBN=9780123747242