We live in an oil-dependent world, and have got to this level of dependency in a very short space of time, using vast reserves of oil in the process without planning for when the supply is not so plentiful. This book guides communities to begin an 'energy descent' journey.

Explores affinities between humans and our original habitat - grasslands. This title introduces an intriguing cast of characters to illuminate a wide range of related topics: our love affair with turf and how it manifests in lawns and sports, the ecological and economic dimensions of ranching, grasslands and restoration ecology, and more.

Essays link Gaian science to such global environmental quandaries as climate change and biodiversity destruction, providing perspectives from science, philosophy, politics, and technology.

Carbon capture and sequestration is of great interest because potentially large amounts of CO2 produced by the industrial burning of fossil fuels could be sequestered. This book explores policies that Congress is considering to reduce US emissions of greenhouse gases.

Discusses the topics that cover novel bioactive systems for human and environmental protection and preservation of cultural heritage from the microorganisms' and fungi attacks. This book presents the results of theoretical and experimental investigations conducted by scientists from different countries in the field of bioactive compounds.

Tells the natural and human history of the Valles Caldera preserve. This title captures the splendour of this place with photographs.

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Information on the structure and function of key ecosystems critical to the life cycles of fish and other aquatic animals is provided in this reference work, which covers physical and chemical aspects of estuaries, the biology and ecology of key organisms and human interaction with the environment.

The world is losing species and biodiversity at an unprecedented rate, driven by a complex array of social, economic, political and biological factors. This book examines the underlying causes, providing analyses of a range of case studies and integrating them into an interdisciplinary framework.

The United Nations University project on People, Land Management and Environmental Change has used the traditional skills of smallholder farmers to produce this book. It should be of interest to all concerned with sustainable development and global change issues.

A comprehensive exploration of the effects of fires - in forests and other environments-on soils, watersheds, vegetation, air and cultural resources.

This text offers an integrated approach to studying the environment, linking the philosophical, social and physical sciences to environmental problems and issues. It covers three main themes: the exploitation of nature; the limits of exploitation; and managing environmental problems.

A selection of reviews on topical subjects in the field of ecological research. Topics covered include: module and metamer dynamics and virtual plants; foraging in plants - the role of morphological plasticity in resource acquisition; and fire frequency models, methods and interpretation.

Since time immemorial mankind has taken it upon himself to wage war against nature -- against those species of birds and mammals which he believes conflict with his livelihood. This remarkable book documents the history of that battle in England and Wales from the Middle Ages, shedding a new light on the history of our much-loved wildlife.

Features an overview of biodiversity - what it is, how it arose, its distribution, why it is important, human impact upon it, and what should be done to maintain it. This work offers an overview of the attempts made to quantify and describe biodiversity in a scientific way.