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Coral reefs are among Earth's most diverse, productive, and beautiful ecosystems, but until recently, their ecology and the means to manage them have been poorly understood and documented. In response to the inadequate information base for coral reefs, this book reviews the ecological and conservation status of coral reefs of the Western Indian Ocean, bringing together presentations of the region's leading scientists and managers working on coral reefs. Coral Reefs of the Indian Ocean: Their Ecology and Conservation starts with a general overview of the biogeography of the region and a historical account of attempts to conserve this ecosystem. It goes on to describe the state of the reefs in each of the countries with coral reefs, and it concludes with a series of management case studies. The book also summarizes most of the existing ecological information on reefs in this region and efforts at management, making it useful for students, teachers, and investigators interested in tropical or marine ecology, conservation biology and management, and environmental sciences.
A global assessment of the current state of freshwater fish biodiversity and the opportunities and challenges to conservation.
The book examines contemporary urban challenges and opportunities within the context of the traditional Malthusian theory. The book reorients the classic Malthusian debate on population and food by focusing on global urbanisation and its consequences for peoples’ access to basic means of subsistence. Case studies from both developing and developed countries provide a comprehensive overview of the issues related to availability of food and water in an urban context. The book suggests that the concern for human survival is still relevant and can be exacerbated by rapid urbanisation, and that the negative impacts of urban processes require an increased attention of the international community as we enter the new Sustainable Development Goals era.
The second volume of The Natural History of the Crustacea Series, covering how crustaceans live in a wide range of environments, with emphasis on how they exploit food sources.
Decapods are the largest, most prominent, and, unfortunately, most threatened freshwater crustaceans. Advances in Freshwater Decapod Systematics and Biology presents a selection of papers by geographical and domain experts, in taxonomy, phylogenetics, biogeography, life history, and conservation. The major groups of freshwater decapods—crabs, crayfish, prawns, and anomurans—are all represented. This volume includes a chapter commemorating Richard Bott’s influence on freshwater crab/decapod biology; descriptions of seven new species (Atyidae, Aeglidae, Pseudothelphusidae, Potamidae, and Sesarmidae); chapters on larval-based phylogenetics and molecular clock calibration; and reviews of l...
Lakes of Africa: Microbial Diversity and Sustainability examines microbial ecosystems in African lakes, including the history and formation of African lakes. The book describes how environmental stressors—including seasonal variations, climate change, and anthropogenic activities—affect microbial ecosystem dynamics in African lakes and the microbial responses to these stressors. The book explores and evaluates extremophiles in African lakes, including industrial biotechnology applications. The book highlights challenges facing microbial ecology in African lakes, as well as the design of models for solving these problems and predicting the future of lake microbial ecosystem sustainability. - Includes unique case studies on both African lakes and brine lakes, providing real life examples of the topics discussed - Provides a foundational background to the topic - Presents definitions throughout, whenever a new term is introduced, for a seamless reading experience and background information
The definitive resource on the biology and evolution of freshwater mollusks. There are more species of freshwater mollusks—well over 5,000—than all the mammal species of the world. Freshwater mollusks are also arguably the most endangered fauna on the planet. Yet few references exist for researchers, shell enthusiasts, and general readers who are interested in learning more about these fascinating creatures. In Freshwater Mollusks of the World, Charles Lydeard and Kevin S. Cummings fill that void with contributions from dozens of renowned mollusk experts. Touching on 34 families of freshwater gastropods (snails) and 9 families of freshwater bivalves (mussels and clams), each chapter prov...
This book introduces updated information on conservation issues, providing an overview of what is needed to advance the global conservation of freshwater decapods such as freshwater crabs, crayfish, and shrimps. Biodiversity loss in general is highest in organisms that depend on intact freshwater habitats, because freshwater ecosystems worldwide are suffering intense threats from multiple sources. Our understanding of the number and location of threatened species of decapods, and of the nature of their extinction threats has improved greatly in recent years, and has enabled the development of species conservation strategies. This volume focuses on saving threatened species from extinction, and emphasizes the importance of the successful implementation of conservation action plans through cooperation between scientists, conservationists, educators, funding agencies, policy makers, and conservation agencies.
Southeast Asia, with a total population of 520 million, remains a region characterized by fragmentation, diversity, and considerable internal conflict despite the unifying influence of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), formed some thirty-five years ago. In the new millennium, it has lost the distinction of being one of the world’s faster growing group of economies since the 1997 financial crisis. While it has benefited from the winds of globalization, it has now to cope with the painful adjustments to problems that stem from the inadequacies of good governance and structural changes. This volume brings together the combined insights of specialists who have worked and lived in the region. The theme of the book is change and transformation. The authors identify the trends and forces that propel the region along, and then bring in discussions on key issues. In some cases, they offer their views on the future of the region and recommendations for solutions. The intention of the book is to offer a scholarly review of the region’s development over the past half century and to provide a firm basis for forecasting its further evolution in the new millennium.