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This volume summarises the result of an interdisciplinary research programme entitled `Rehabilitation of the Atmosphere of the New States of Germany - Effects on Terrestrial Ecosystems'. Before the unification of Germany, emission loads of SO2 and dust particles were up to 18-fold higher in East than in West Germany. However, emission rates have decreased significantly since reunification in 1990, due to the breakdown of a large number of industrial and particularly lignite- fired powerplants and the implementation of clean air technologies. In order to study the effects of these dramatic changes in atmospheric chemistry on terrestrial ecosystems, comprehensive field studies were conducted in pine forest ecosystems along an historic gradient of atmospheric deposition rates in the northeastern lowlands of Germany. The fast and dramatic reduction of dust particle and SO2 emissions offers a unique opportunity to test the role of SO2 and alkaline particle deposition with regard to changes or damage to forest ecosystems and whether the forest stands return to a state of resilience. In this respect, this ecosystem experiment can be looked upon as a roof experiment without a roof.
Tree based production systems abound especially in the tropics. Despite the pervasiveness of such multipurpose “trees-outside-forest” resources, they have not attracted adequate attention in the development paradigms of many nation states. These multispecies production systems impact the ecosystem processes favourably. Yet, our understanding of the diversity attributes and carbon dynamics under agroforestry is not adequate. This book focuses on the role of multispecies production systems involving tree and crop species as a means for carbon sequestration and thereby reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. Sixteen chapters organized into three broad sections titled: Measurement and Estimation, Agrobiodiversity and Tree Management, and Policy and Socioeconomic Aspects represent a cross section of the opportunities and challenges in current research and emerging issues in harnessing carbon sequestration potential of agroforestry systems.
Stress Field of the Earth’s Crust is based on lecture notes prepared for a course offered to graduate students in the Earth sciences and engineering at University of Potsdam. In my opinion, it will undoubtedly also become a standard reference book on the desk of most scientists working with rocks, such as geophysicists, structural geologists, rock mechanics experts, as well as geotechnical and petroleum en- neers. That is because this book is concerned with what is probably the most pe- liar characteristic of rock – its initial stress condition. Rock is always under a natural state of stress, primarily a result of the gravitational and tectonic forces to which it is subjected. Crustal st...
Die Globalisierung in ökonomischer und politischer sowie in kultureller und sozialer Hinsicht rückt das Thema internationale Gerechtigkeit immer stärker in den Fokus. Letztlich geht es um die Frage moralischen Handelns auf globaler Ebene, um eine globale Praxis, die prinzipiell für alle gerecht ist. Ausgangspunkt der Debatte ist dabei die Frage nach der Verallgemeinerbarkeit grundlegender Prinzipien sozialer Gerechtigkeit, die zumindest innerhalb demokratischer Nationalstaaten gelten: Inwieweit kann der Anwendungsbereich innerstaatlicher Prinzipien sozialer Gerechtigkeit global ausgedehnt werden? Bestehen auf globaler Ebene andere, gegebenenfalls schwächere Beziehungen moralischer Verantwortung, die entsprechend andere Prinzipien globaler sozialer Gerechtigkeit fordern?
R. F. HUTTL AND W. SCHAAF Brandenburg Technical University Cottbus, Chair of Soil Protection and Recultivation, P.O. Box 10 13 44, 03013 Cottbus, Germany The health status of forest trees and stands is determined by numerous site factors such as chemical, physical, and biological soil factors, water supply, climate, weather conditions, management history as well as atmospheric deposition impacts. In this context, the nutrient supply is an important evaluation parameter. Forest trees well supplied with nutrients are more resistant to stresses that affect the forest ecosystem than other trees. This is true for both biotic and abiotic influences. Therefore the investigation of the so-called 'ne...
In Pamirian Crossroads and Beyond Hermann Kreutzmann offers insights in his fieldwork-based research in High Asia during four decades. A human-geographical perspective is pursued in which case studies about colonial and post-colonial boundary-making, exchange relations of mountain communities across international borders, the transformation of agricultural and pastoral practices and the effects of modernisation strategies in neighbouring countries are centred in the Hindukush, Wakhan Quadrangle, Pamirian Crossroads, Karakoram Mountains and Himalaya. Empirical evidence is augmented by in-depth archival research, thus allowing a perspective from the 19th to the 21st century. By shifting the focus to mountain peripheries and emphasising spaces in between urban centres of power in Afghanistan, Pakistan, China, and the Central Asian Republics different arenas of confrontation and effective changes emerge.
The objective of this book is to outline the serious dangers to the soil and forest as a result of continuing emissions of acid-producing gases, thus pointing to the urgent need of their reduction. This volume reviews relevant information dealing with changes due to acidification of the soil and with the physiological processes of the tree involved in nutrient uptake, transfer, and utilization as well as with the nature and degree of damage that has occurred. Written in a comprehensive format, it discusses the importance of viable forests, the vital role of nutrients in the structure and physiology of the tree, and the relevance of prior dieback episodes. This is a valuable resource for those interested in forestry, environmental science, and the pulp and paper industry.
This book presents the results of the Interdisciplinary Research Group "Society – Water – Technology" of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities. It describes interdisciplinary evaluation criteria for major water engineering projects (MWEPs) and portrays an application to the Lower Jordan Valley (Middle East) and the Fergana Valley (Central Asia). Both areas are characterised by transboundary conflicts, by challenges due to demographic and climate change and by political and societal pressures. Based on the findings, the book provides recommendations for science and political decisions makers as well as for international financing institutions. In addition, it outlines ...
Wolfgang Gründinger explores how interest groups, veto opportunities, and electoral pressure formed the German energy transition: nuclear exit, renewables, coal (CCS), and emissions trading. His findings provide evidence that logics of political competition in new German politics have fundamentally changed over the last two decades with respect to five distinct mechanisms: the end of ’fossil-nuclear’ corporatism, the new importance of trust in lobbying, ’green ’ path dependence, the emergence of a ’Green Grand Coalition’, and intra-party fights over energy politics.