Hummingbirds have always held popular appeal, with their visual brilliance, extraordinary flight dexterity and jewel-like size and colour. Only recently has their serious scientific study started to gain the attention it demands. With the increasing interest in biodiversity, they are a subject growing in significance with every new species discovery made. Hummingbirds presents every species, with over 300 birds shown in dazzling, life-size, cut-out photography.
Flowers have played an important role in human culture and survival for thousands of years. The final products of flowers—fruits and seeds—are vitally important as food. Flowers provide bursts of color to homes and gardens and they symbolize love, sorrow, and renewal. Yet we often overlook their real purpose. Why do flowers exist and why do they have certain colors, shapes, and smells? What function does a flower have in the life and survival of the plants themselves? In nature, flowers play an essential role in improving a plant’s chances of survival. Some flowers are pollinated by wind or water but most are designed to attract and reward pollinators, such as bees, butterflies, birds, and bats, to carry their pollen from flower to flower. After being pollinated, flowers produce fruits and again take advantage of wind, water, and animals to disperse their seeds, ensuring a new generation of their species. Pollination and seed dispersal are fine-tuned systems, and their importance in sustaining a healthy environment cannot be overstated. And, as ongoing climate and other environmental changes apply new pressures, flowers must continue to adapt in order to survive. In this beautifully illustrated book with over 200 stunning photographs, Michael Fogden and Patricia Fogden draw from existing research and their extensive field experiences all over the world to present a detailed but accessible introduction to the natural history of flowers. They discuss a representative sample of flowering and fruiting strategies, illustrating interactions between plants and their pollinators and dispersers, and conclude with descriptions of their favorite tropical flowers.
Dieses Buch handelt von den faszinierenden und gleichzeitig gefürchtetsten Geschöpfen, die die Natur hervorgebracht hat. Seit jeher haben Menschen Schlangen mit Neugier und Angst, aber auch mit Ehrfurcht und Abscheu betrachtet. Schlangen bedeuten extreme Gefahr, Ungewissheit, jedoch auch wertvolle Nahrung. In vielen Kulturen symbolisieren sie besonders Positives: Fruchtbarkeit, Verjüngung, auch Frieden oder Heilung. Das Buch ist in drei Teile gegliedert. Im ersten geht es um die Klassifikation und die allgemeine Biologie von Schlangen. Teil II gibt einen Überblick über alle wichtigen systematischen Gruppen der Serpentes. Im dritten und abschliessenden Teil sind Evolution und Biogeographie von Schlangen das Thema. Harry W. Greene und die Photographen Michael und Patricia Fogden führen Wissenschaft und Kunst zusammen, um dem Leser die Schönheit und Faszination dieser Tiere zu vermitteln. Herausgekommen ist so eine einzigartige Lektüre für interessierte Laien sowie für Biologen, Herpetologen und Terrarianer.
Hummingbirds have always held popular appeal, with their visual brilliance, extraordinary flight dexterity and jewel-like size and colour. Only recently has their serious scientific study started to gain the attention it demands. With the increasing interest in biodiversity, they are a subject growing in significance with every new species discovery made. Hummingbirds presents every species, with over 300 birds shown in dazzling, life-size, cut-out photography.
This series looks at the biology and behaviour of the rainforest plants, animals and people, describing how they live together in harmony and balance and how vital they are to the wellbeing of the world Resources and Conservation examines the eco-systems provided by the rainforests of the world, why forest clearance is taking place on such a large scale and how it is damaging the delicate environments. Divided into short, concise chapters it looks at the biology and behaviour of rainforest plants and describes how they live together. This title reveals the efforts being made by conservationists desperately trying to halt the destruction of the rainforests.
Tropical rainforests cover only about 6% of the earth's surface, yet they are home to more than half the world's species. This book looks at the biology and behaviour of predators and prey describing how they live together in harmony and balance and how vital they are to the wellbeing of the whole world. It is one of a series of books which aims to provide an understanding of the unique ecosystems of the rainforest. It describes the amazing plants and animals and how they interact, and addresses local and global environmental and conservation issues.
This ninth annual edition of Vital Signs takes the world's pulse by compiling a wide-ranging collection of trends that identify both problems and progress in the quest for a sustainable society. It highlights both alarming situations and encouraging developments. Part One is a comprehensive presentation of the key indicators in areas such as food, agriculture, energy, atmosphere, economics, transport and the military. Part Two provides in-depth special feature articles on: environmental features, such as transgenic crops and paper recycling; economic features, such as environmental taxes and corporate mergers; and social features, such as tuberculosis, prisons and women in politics.
Tropical rainforests cover only about 6% of the earth's surface, yet they are home to more than half the world's species. This book looks at the biology and behaviour of rainforest animals and people describing how they live together in harmony and balance and how vital they are to the wellbeing of the whole world. It is one of a series of books which aims to provide an understanding of the unique ecosystems of the rainforest. It describes the amazing plants and animals and how they interact, and addresses local and global environmental and conservation issues.
Encyclopedia of Deserts represents a milestone: it is the first comprehensive reference to the first comprehensive reference to deserts and semideserts of the world. Approximately seven hundred entries treat subjects ranging from desert survival to the way deserts are formed. Topics include biology (birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fishes, invertebrates, plants, bacteria, physiology, evolution), geography, climatology, geology, hydrology, anthropology, and history. The thirty-seven contributors, including volume editor Michael A. Mares, have had extensive careers in deserts research, encompassing all of the world’s arid and semiarid regions. The Encyclopedia opens with a subject list by topic, an organizational guide that helps the reader grasp interrelationships and complexities in desert systems. Each entry concludes with cross-references to other entries in the volume, inviting the reader to embark on a personal expedition into fascinating, previously unknown terrain. In addition a list of important readings facilitates in-depth study of each topic. An exhaustive index permits quick access to places, topics, and taxonomic listings of all plants and animals discussed. More than one hundred photographs, drawings, and maps enhance our appreciation of the remarkable life, landforms, history, and challenges of the world’s arid land.
Flowers have played an important role in human culture and survival for thousands of years. The final products of flowers—fruits and seeds—are vitally important as food. Flowers provide bursts of color to homes and gardens and they symbolize love, sorrow, and renewal. Yet we often overlook their real purpose. Why do flowers exist and why do they have certain colors, shapes, and smells? What function does a flower have in the life and survival of the plants themselves? In nature, flowers play an essential role in improving a plant’s chances of survival. Some flowers are pollinated by wind or water but most are designed to attract and reward pollinators, such as bees, butterflies, birds, and bats, to carry their pollen from flower to flower. After being pollinated, flowers produce fruits and again take advantage of wind, water, and animals to disperse their seeds, ensuring a new generation of their species. Pollination and seed dispersal are fine-tuned systems, and their importance in sustaining a healthy environment cannot be overstated. And, as ongoing climate and other environmental changes apply new pressures, flowers must continue to adapt in order to survive. In this beautifully illustrated book with over 200 stunning photographs, Michael Fogden and Patricia Fogden draw from existing research and their extensive field experiences all over the world to present a detailed but accessible introduction to the natural history of flowers. They discuss a representative sample of flowering and fruiting strategies, illustrating interactions between plants and their pollinators and dispersers, and conclude with descriptions of their favorite tropical flowers.
Over nine successful editions, CAMPBELL BIOLOGY has been recognised as the world’s leading introductory biology textbook. The Australian edition of CAMPBELL BIOLOGY continues to engage students with its dynamic coverage of the essential elements of this critical discipline. It is the only biology text and media product that helps students to make connections across different core topics in biology, between text and visuals, between global and Australian/New Zealand biology, and from scientific study to the real world. The Tenth Edition of Australian CAMPBELL BIOLOGY helps launch students to success in biology through its clear and engaging narrative, superior pedagogy, and innovative use of art and photos to promote student learning. It continues to engage students with its dynamic coverage of the essential elements of this critical discipline. This Tenth Edition, with an increased focus on evolution, ensures students receive the most up-to-date, accurate and relevant information.
The recent conflict between indigenous Uyghurs and Han Chinese demonstrates that Xinjiang is a major trouble spot for China, with Uyghur demands for increased autonomy, and where Beijing’s policy is to more firmly integrate the province within China. This book provides an account of how China’s evolving integrationist policies in Xinjiang have influenced its foreign policy in Central Asia since the establishment of the People’s Republic in 1949, and how the policy of integration is related to China’s concern for security and its pursuit of increased power and influence in Central Asia. The book traces the development of Xinjiang - from the collapse of the Qing empire in the early twentieth century to the present – and argues that there is a largely complementary relationship between China’s Xinjiang, Central Asia and grand strategy-derived interests. This pattern of interests informs and shapes China’s diplomacy in Central Asia and its approach to the governance of Xinjiang. Michael E. Clarke shows how China’s concerns and policies, although pursued with vigour in recent decades, are of long-standing, and how domestic problems and policies in Xinjiang have for a long time been closely bound up with wider international relations issues.
The food analyst plays an important role in modern society. Stricter control over additives in food and concern about the effects of contamination of food by industrial and agricultural chemicals are among the developments which are leading to an increasing emphasis on detailed and accurate analysis of food. However. analysis of food is required for many reasons, including detection of toxic components, monitoring legislation, detecting adulteration, formulation of controlled diets, controlling formulation during product development and detecting changes in food during storage and processing. Foods comprise a complex mixture of components and food analysis requires efficient methods of separation with high sensitivity or specificity of detection. Although many food components are involatile or thermally labile and therefore not suitable for analysis by gas chromatography, other components are volatile and this technique is the preferred analytical method. Developments in methods of derivati zation, injector design and column technology have also extended the applicability of gas chromatography to the analysis of relatively involatile compounds.
A general introduction to surface and interfacial forces, perfectly combining theoretical concepts, experimental techniques and practical applications. In this completely updated edition all the chapters have been thoroughly revised and extended to cover new developments and approaches with around 15% new content. A large part of the book is devoted to surface forces between solid surfaces in liquid media, and while a basic knowledge of colloid and interface science is helpful, it is not essential since all important concepts are explained and the theoretical concepts can be understood with an intermediate knowledge of mathematics. A number of exercises with solutions and the end-of-chapter summaries of the most important equations, facts and phenomena serve as additional tools to strengthen the acquired knowledge and allow for self-study. The result is a readily accessible text that helps to foster an understanding of the intricacies of this highly relevant topic.
This book reexamines current knowledge on the evolution, ecology, and conservation biology of both New World vultures (Cathartidae) and Old World vultures (Accipitridae) and seeks answers to past and present regional extinctions, colorizations, and conservation questions. Extinct species of both families are examined, as is the disputed evidence fo
Serving as a general introduction to surface and interface science, this book focuses on basic concepts rather than specific details, and on intuitive understanding rather than merely learning facts. The text reflects the fact that the physics and chemistry of surfaces is a diverse area of research that involves classical scientific and engineering disciplines. As such, it discusses fundamental subjects, such as thermodynamics of interfaces, as well as applied topics including wetting, friction, and lubrication. Following an introduction to the most important techniques and methods, readers will be able to apply simple models to their own scientific problems. Furthermore, manifold high end technological applications are shown together with the basic scientific treatment, for example AFM, surface technology, biotechnology, microelectronics, and biomaterials. The book is written with advanced students of chemistry, physics, materials science, chemical engineering and related subjects who have a basic knowledge of natural sciences and mathematics in mind. In addition, scientists and engineers who are not yet specialists in surface science but want to learn more about this important subject will equally benefit.
Driven by declining profits and government regulation, a new form of class-wide business leadership has emerged: a transcorporate network that is giving a new coherence and power to business in both America and Britain. This book delineates the "inner circle" of top executives who play a leading role in this network, advising the highest levels of government and working to promote a political environment favorable to all business.
The official tie-in to the third instalment in the legendary Planet Earth franchise Few places on Earth remain untouched by humans, creating challenges for the wildlife we share it with. We have entered a new age, and we must look at the splendour of the natural world through a different lens. From the depths of our oceans, to scorching deserts and the most remote jungles, Planet Earth III features spectacular places and surprising animal behaviours from all corners of our world. And for the first time, a human element is introduced to each landscape, highlighting how, in the age of the Anthropocene, today's planet has been forever changed by humanity and that wildlife now faces new challenges in our crowded, modern world. Featuring over 250 beautiful full-colour photographs, Planet Earth III reveals the wonders and trials of life on an increasingly fragile planet, bringing you closer than ever before to our world’s most intriguing species, unseen landscapes and natural phenomena.
Each year ecotoxicological problems become increasingly complex and encompass broader spatial and temporal scales. Our practical understanding must evolve accordingly to maintain an acceptable quality of life. Fully revised and expanded to reflect new developments, the third edition of Fundamentals of Ecotoxicology provides a broad overview of the
Life in the desert holds a range of biological adaptations. From camels to desert scorpions to snakes, the biodiversity of these areas is fascinating. Deserts presents the intricacies of this seemingly barren and harsh ecosystem, explaining how and
Dorothy and Leonard Elmhirst were the founders of Dartington - she the daughter of an American millionaire who was once Secretary to the US Navy; he the son of a Yorkshire parson and secretary to Rabindranath Tagore in Bengal before he married Dorothy. They were the twentieth century’s most substantial private patrons of architecture in England as well as of the arts and education. Dartington School was one of the most famous experimental schools in the world. Bertrand Russell sent his children there, as did Aldous Huxley and the Freuds. Dartington College of Arts and its associated Summer School of Music were equally famous in the world of the arts. Bernard Leach taught pottery, Mark Tobey painting, and Imogen Holst music. The Amadeus Quartet was formed there. Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears were frequent performers. In a setting of great beauty, school and college belonged to a general experiment in rural reconstruction. Dartington Glass was made in the Devonshire countryside and exported world-wide. So were Dartington Textiles, Dartington Furniture and Dartington Pottery. This book, originally published in 1982 (and reissued in 1996), describes how a unique combination of education, arts, industry and agriculture came to be put together. The result was one of the hardiest Utopian communities of modern times. It eventually overcame the strong local opposition to such a daring undertaking. The author finds the origins of modern Dartington in the founders’ hopes that mankind would be liberated through education; that a new flowering of the arts would transform a society impoverished by industrialisation and secularisation; and that a society seeking to draw together town and country would combine the best of both worlds. This book is an extraordinary memoir of two people and the place they made.
This stimulating and challenging book explores the duplicitous nature of development in China. On the positive side, it brings longer and healthier lives; fewer children dead before they are five years old; more comfort and security from famine and disaster; more education; more communication; more travel; less war. But from another, darker perspective, development brings violence to some people – those who are in the way of the new things, those who cannot adapt to the new ways – and it threatens old knowledges, habits and societies as it disrupts old power structures. Michael Webber presents fascinating case studies that demonstrate what these forms of development mean for people who are relatively weak or powerless – those who post-colonial theorists call the subalterns. The cases illustrate how development can change the manner in which people relate to each other and threatens their entire environment. Through this detailed consideration of the impacts of development on the people who live in those places, he examines whether these changes represent the emergence of capitalism or a transition, develops a theory of relationships between economy and daily life and questions the very nature of Chinese capitalism. This multidisciplinary study encompasses the social sciences to provide a coherent view of the forms that development takes in various places within rural China. As such, it will prove a fascinating and thought-provoking read for undergraduates, postgraduate students and researchers within economics, Asian studies, development studies and geography.
The major new course text has been written by experienced authors to provide coverage of the Advanced Subsidiary (AS) and Advanced GCE Biology and Human Biology specifications in a single book. Advanced Biology provides clear, well-illustrated information, which will help develop a full understanding of biological structure and function and of relevant applications. The topics have been carefully organised into parts, which give a logical sequence to the book. This new text has been developed to replace the best-selling titles Biology: Principles and Processes and Biology, A Functional Approach. Features include: full-colour design with clear diagrams and photographs; up-to-date information on biotechnology, health, applied genetics and ecology; clearly written text using the latest Institute of Biology terminology; a useful summary and a bank of practice questions at the end of every chapter; support boxes help bridge the gap from GCSE or equivalent courses; extension boxes providing additional depth of content - some by guest authors who are experts in their field; and a comprehensive index so you can quickly locate information with ease. There is also a website providing additional support that you can access directly at www.advancedbiolgy.co.uk.
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