Niche Construction

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Publisher : Princeton University Press
ISBN 13 : 1400847265
Total Pages : 489 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (8 download)

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Book Synopsis Niche Construction by : F. John Odling-Smee

Download or read book Niche Construction written by F. John Odling-Smee and published by Princeton University Press. This book was released on 2013-02-15 with total page 489 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The seemingly innocent observation that the activities of organisms bring about changes in environments is so obvious that it seems an unlikely focus for a new line of thinking about evolution. Yet niche construction--as this process of organism-driven environmental modification is known--has hidden complexities. By transforming biotic and abiotic sources of natural selection in external environments, niche construction generates feedback in evolution on a scale hitherto underestimated--and in a manner that transforms the evolutionary dynamic. It also plays a critical role in ecology, supporting ecosystem engineering and influencing the flow of energy and nutrients through ecosystems. Despite this, niche construction has been given short shrift in theoretical biology, in part because it cannot be fully understood within the framework of standard evolutionary theory. Wedding evolution and ecology, this book extends evolutionary theory by formally including niche construction and ecological inheritance as additional evolutionary processes. The authors support their historic move with empirical data, theoretical population genetics, and conceptual models. They also describe new research methods capable of testing the theory. They demonstrate how their theory can resolve long-standing problems in ecology, particularly by advancing the sorely needed synthesis of ecology and evolution, and how it offers an evolutionary basis for the human sciences. Already hailed as a pioneering work by some of the world's most influential biologists, this is a rare, potentially field-changing contribution to the biological sciences.

Evolutionary Genetics of Invertebrate Behavior

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Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN 13 : 1489934871
Total Pages : 331 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (899 download)

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Book Synopsis Evolutionary Genetics of Invertebrate Behavior by : Milton Davis Huettel

Download or read book Evolutionary Genetics of Invertebrate Behavior written by Milton Davis Huettel and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2013-11-11 with total page 331 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In the preface to Sir Vincent B. Wigglesworth's classic 1939 book on insect physiology he asserted that insects provide an ideal medium in which to study all the problems of physiology. A strong case can be made as well for the use of insects as significant systems for the study of behavior and genetics. Contributions to genetics through decades of research on Drosophila species have made this small fly the most important metazoan in genetics research. At the same time, population and behavioral research on insects and other invertebrates have provid ed new perspectives that can be combined with the genetics approach. Through such in tegrated research we are able to identify evolutionary genetics of behavior as a highly signifi cant emerging area of interest. These perspectives are ably described by Dr. Guy Bush in the introductory chapter of this book. During March 21-24, 1983, many of the world's leading scientists in invertebrate behavioral genetics were drawn together in Gainesville, Florida, for a colloquium entitled "Evolutionary Genetics of Invertebrate Behavior." This conference was sponsored jointly by the Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, chaired by Dr. Daniel Shankland, and the Insect Attractants, Behavior and Basic Biology Research Laboratory, U.S. Department of Agriculture, directed then by Dr. Derrell Chambers.

Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Biology

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Publisher : Academic Press
ISBN 13 : 0128004266
Total Pages : 2138 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (28 download)

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Book Synopsis Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Biology by :

Download or read book Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Biology written by and published by Academic Press. This book was released on 2016-04-14 with total page 2138 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Biology, Four Volume Set is the definitive go-to reference in the field of evolutionary biology. It provides a fully comprehensive review of the field in an easy to search structure. Under the collective leadership of fifteen distinguished section editors, it is comprised of articles written by leading experts in the field, providing a full review of the current status of each topic. The articles are up-to-date and fully illustrated with in-text references that allow readers to easily access primary literature. While all entries are authoritative and valuable to those with advanced understanding of evolutionary biology, they are also intended to be accessible to both advanced undergraduate and graduate students. Broad topics include the history of evolutionary biology, population genetics, quantitative genetics; speciation, life history evolution, evolution of sex and mating systems, evolutionary biogeography, evolutionary developmental biology, molecular and genome evolution, coevolution, phylogenetic methods, microbial evolution, diversification of plants and fungi, diversification of animals, and applied evolution. Presents fully comprehensive content, allowing easy access to fundamental information and links to primary research Contains concise articles by leading experts in the field that ensures current coverage of each topic Provides ancillary learning tools like tables, illustrations, and multimedia features to assist with the comprehension process

Evolution of Insect Pests

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Publisher : John Wiley & Sons
ISBN 13 : 9780471600770
Total Pages : 506 pages
Book Rating : 4.6/5 (7 download)

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Book Synopsis Evolution of Insect Pests by : Ke Chung Kim

Download or read book Evolution of Insect Pests written by Ke Chung Kim and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 1993-05-17 with total page 506 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Reflects on insect pests' evolution by evaluating existing theories, documenting case studies of diverse pest species and presenting new concepts regarding the problem of variation and implications for pest management strategies. Leading experts offer contributions which deal with variations in genetic markers and ecologically meaningful traits as well as future perspectives in entomology and biosystematics.

Cockroaches

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Publisher : JHU Press
ISBN 13 : 0801891752
Total Pages : 781 pages
Book Rating : 4.8/5 (18 download)

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Book Synopsis Cockroaches by : William J. Bell

Download or read book Cockroaches written by William J. Bell and published by JHU Press. This book was released on 2007-07-27 with total page 781 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The essential volume on the biology and behavior of these remarkable insects. “This transformative work will be an inspiration to students of entomology.” —Choice The cockroach is truly an evolutionary wonder. This definitive volume provides a complete overview of suborder Blattaria, highlighting the diversity of these amazing insects in their natural environments. Beginning with a foreword by Edward O. Wilson, the book explores the fascinating natural history and behavior of cockroaches, describing their various colors, sizes, and shapes, as well as how they move on land, in water, and through the air. In addition to habitat use, diet, reproduction, and behavior, Cockroaches covers aspects of cockroach biology, such as the relationship between cockroaches and microbes, termites as social cockroaches, and the ecological impact of the suborder. With over 100 illustrations, an expanded glossary, and an invaluable set of references, this work is destined to become the classic book on the Blattaria. Students and research entomologists can mine each chapter for new ideas, new perspectives, and new directions for future study. “Well-written . . . visually attractive . . . This book is much needed to educate biologists about the fascinating biology and diversity of cockroaches.” —Integrative and Comparative Biology “A must-have for any insect hobbyest.” —Allpet Roaches Forum “This contribution is an important source of information on cockroach natural history and diversity.” —The Quarterly Review of Biology “Suitable for researchers, students, and naturalists, chapters are topical, exploring the diversity of cockroaches.” —Southeastern Naturalist

Pests of Stored Foodstuffs and their Control

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Author :
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN 13 : 0306481316
Total Pages : 476 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (64 download)

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Book Synopsis Pests of Stored Foodstuffs and their Control by : Dennis S. Hill

Download or read book Pests of Stored Foodstuffs and their Control written by Dennis S. Hill and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2007-05-08 with total page 476 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book is intended to serve as an introduction to the pests of stored foodstuffs of all types on a worldwide basis, and as a broad reference text. It is aimed at being complementary to the more detailed and more specific texts that are listed in the References. It does presuppose an adequate basic knowledge of entomology and zoology in the user. The stored products mentioned in the text are commercial products in the widest sense, including all types of plant and animal materials in addition to grain and prepared foodstuffs. Storage is viewed very broadly, from one day on a shelf to several years in a silo, or refrigerated store at -20°C. In many publications the produce surveyed has been restricted to stored grains, because of their obvious importance to human society, and because of the great quantities involved. For many different materials, of both plant and animal origin, there is a shortage of specific information, but it is to be hoped that this situation will gradually be rectified. It should be clearly understood that any reference to animal pests is made in the strict zoological sense, and refers to any members of the Kingdom Animalia. There is a regrettable tendency in some circles to use the term ‘animal’ as being synonymous with ‘mammal’ – a habit to be deplored! There is definite emphasis on animal pests in this text, but micro-organisms are included where relevant.

Effective Ecology

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Publisher : CRC Press
ISBN 13 : 1000923622
Total Pages : 211 pages
Book Rating : 4.0/5 (9 download)

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Book Synopsis Effective Ecology by : Roger D. Cousens

Download or read book Effective Ecology written by Roger D. Cousens and published by CRC Press. This book was released on 2023-08-21 with total page 211 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Ecology is one of the most challenging of sciences, with unambiguous knowledge much harder to achieve than it might seem. But it is also one of the most important sciences for the future health of our planet. It is vital that our efforts are as effective as possible at achieving our desired outcomes. This book is intended to help individual ecologists to develop a better vision for their ecology – and the way they can best contribute to science. The central premise is that to advance ecology effectively as a discipline, ecologists need to be able to establish conclusive answers to key questions rather than merely proposing plausible explanations for mundane observations. Ecologists need clear and honest understanding of how we have come to do things the way we do them now, the limitations of our approaches, our goals for the future and how we may need to change our approaches if we are to maintain or enhance our relevance and credibility. Readers are taken through examples to show what a critical appraisal can reveal and how this approach can benefit ecology if it is applied more routinely. Ecological systems are notable for their complexity and their variability. Ecology is, as indicated by the title of this book, a truly difficult science. Ecologists have achieved a great deal, but they can do better. This book aims to encourage early-career researchers to be realistic about their expectations: to question everything, not to take everything for granted, and to make up their own minds.

Evolution from a Thermodynamic Perspective

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Publisher : Springer Nature
ISBN 13 : 3030851869
Total Pages : 383 pages
Book Rating : 4.0/5 (38 download)

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Book Synopsis Evolution from a Thermodynamic Perspective by : Carl F Jordan

Download or read book Evolution from a Thermodynamic Perspective written by Carl F Jordan and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on 2021-11-26 with total page 383 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Survival of the fittest” is a tautology, because those that are “fit” are the ones that survive, but to survive, a species must be “fit”. Modern evolutionary theory avoids the problem by defining fitness as reproductive success, but the complexity of life that we see today could not have evolved based on selection that favors only reproductive ability. There is nothing inherent in reproductive success alone that could result in higher forms of life. Evolution from a Thermodynamic Perspective presents a non-circular definition of fitness and a thermodynamic definition of evolution. Fitness means maximization of power output, necessary to survive in a competitive world. Evolution is the “storage of entropy”. “Entropy storage” means that solar energy, instead of dissipating as heat in the Earth, is stored in the structure of living organisms and ecosystems. Part one explains this in terms comprehensible to a scientific audience beyond biophysicists and ecosystem modelers. Part two applies thermodynamic theory in non-esoteric language to sustainability of agriculture, and to conservation of endangered species. While natural systems are stabilized by feedback, agricultural systems remain in a mode of perpetual growth, pressured by balance of trade and by a swelling population. The constraints imposed by thermodynamic laws are being increasingly felt as economic expansion destabilizes resource systems on which expansion depends.

The Evolutionary Biology of Species

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Publisher :
ISBN 13 : 0198749740
Total Pages : 284 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (987 download)

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Book Synopsis The Evolutionary Biology of Species by : Timothy G. Barraclough

Download or read book The Evolutionary Biology of Species written by Timothy G. Barraclough and published by . This book was released on 2019 with total page 284 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 'Species' are central to understanding the origin and dynamics of biological diversity; explaining why lineages split into multiple distinct species is one of the main goals of evolutionary biology. However the existence of species is often taken for granted, and precisely what is meant by species and whether they really exist as a pattern of nature has rarely been modelled or critically tested. This novel book presents a synthetic overview of the evolutionary biology of species, describing what species are, how they form, the consequences of species boundaries and diversity for evolution, and patterns of species accumulation over time. The central thesis is that species represent more than just a unit of taxonomy; they are a model of how diversity is structured as well as how groups of related organisms evolve. The author adopts an intentionally broad approach, stepping back from the details to consider what species constitute, both theoretically and empirically, and how we detect them, drawing on a wealth of examples from microbes to multicellular organisms.

The Evolutionary Ecology of Plant Disease

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Publisher : Oxford University Press
ISBN 13 : 0192518763
Total Pages : 337 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (925 download)

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Book Synopsis The Evolutionary Ecology of Plant Disease by : Gregory Gilbert

Download or read book The Evolutionary Ecology of Plant Disease written by Gregory Gilbert and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 2023-06-19 with total page 337 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Understanding the symbiosis between plants and pathogenic microbes is at the core of effective disease management for crops and managed forests. At the same time, plant-pathogen interactions comprise a wonderfully diverse set of ecological relationships that are powerful and yet so commonplace that they often go unnoticed. Ecologists and evolutionary biologists are increasingly exploring the terrain of plant disease ecology, investigating topics such as how pathogens shape diversity in plant communities, how features of plant-microbe interactions including host range and mutualism/antagonism evolve, and how biological invasions, climate change, and other agents of global change can drive disease emergence. Traditional training in ecology and evolutionary biology seldom provides structured exposure to plant pathology or microbiology, and training in plant pathology rarely offers depth in the theoretical frameworks of evolutionary ecology or includes examples from complex wild ecosystems. This novel textbook seeks to unite the research communities of plant disease ecology and plant pathology by bridging this gap.

Development Betrayed

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Publisher : Routledge
ISBN 13 : 1134915640
Total Pages : 281 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (349 download)

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Book Synopsis Development Betrayed by : Richard B Norgaard

Download or read book Development Betrayed written by Richard B Norgaard and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2006-05-18 with total page 281 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Modernity promised control over nature through science, material abundance through technology and effective government through rational, social organization. Instead of leading to this promised land it has brought us to the brink of environmental and cultural disaster. Why has there been this gap between modernity's aspirations and its achievements? Development Betrayed offers a powerful answer to this question. Development with its unshakeable commitment to the idea of progress, is rooted in modernism and has been betrayed by each of its major tenets. Attempts to control nature have led to the brink of environmental catastrophe. Western technologies have proved inappropriate for the needs of the South, and governments are unable to respond effectively to the crises that have resulted. Offering a thorough and lively critiques of the ideas behind development, Richard Norgaard also offers an alternative co-evolutionary paradigm, in which development is portrayed as a co-evolution between cultural and ecological systems. Rather than a future with all peoples merging to one best way of knowing and doing things, he envisions a future of a patchwork quilt of cultures with real possibilities for harmony.

Nonequilibrium Ecology

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Publisher : Cambridge University Press
ISBN 13 : 9781139448512
Total Pages : 248 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (485 download)

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Book Synopsis Nonequilibrium Ecology by : Klaus Rohde

Download or read book Nonequilibrium Ecology written by Klaus Rohde and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2006-01-19 with total page 248 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Ecology has long been shaped by ideas that stress the sharing of resources and the competition for those resources, and by the assumption that populations and communities typically exist under equilibrium conditions in habitats saturated with both individuals and species. However, much evidence contradicts these assumptions and it is likely that nonequilibrium is much more widespread than might be expected. This book is unique in focusing on nonequilibrium aspects of ecology, providing evidence for nonequilibrium and equilibrium in populations (and metapopulations), in extant communities and in ecological systems over evolutionary time, including nonequilibrium due to recent and present mass extinctions. The assumption that competition is of overriding importance is central to equilibrium ecology, and much space is devoted to its discussion. As communities of some taxa appear to be shaped more by competition than others, an attempt is made to find an explanation for these differences.

Alien Species and Evolution

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Publisher : Island Press
ISBN 13 : 1597268356
Total Pages : 393 pages
Book Rating : 4.5/5 (972 download)

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Book Synopsis Alien Species and Evolution by : George W. Cox

Download or read book Alien Species and Evolution written by George W. Cox and published by Island Press. This book was released on 2013-04-10 with total page 393 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In Alien Species and Evolution, biologist George W. Cox reviews and synthesizes emerging information on the evolutionary changes that occur in plants, animals, and microbial organisms when they colonize new geographical areas, and on the evolutionary responses of the native species with which alien species interact. The book is broad in scope, exploring information across a wide variety of taxonomic groups, trophic levels, and geographic areas. It examines theoretical topics related to rapid evolutionary change and supports the emerging concept that species introduced to new physical and biotic environments are particularly prone to rapid evolution. The author draws on examples from all parts of the world and all major ecosystem types, and the variety of examples used gives considerable insight into the patterns of evolution that are likely to result from the massive introduction of species to new geographic regions that is currently occurring around the globe. Alien Species and Evolution is the only state-of-the-art review and synthesis available of this critically important topic, and is an essential work for anyone concerned with the new science of invasion biology or the threats posed by invasive species.

Environmental Pest Management

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Publisher : John Wiley & Sons
ISBN 13 : 1119255554
Total Pages : 424 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 (192 download)

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Book Synopsis Environmental Pest Management by : Moshe Coll

Download or read book Environmental Pest Management written by Moshe Coll and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2017-10-02 with total page 424 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A wide-ranging, interdisciplinary exploration of key topics that interrelate pest management, public health and the environment This book takes a unique, multidimensional approach to addressing the complex issues surrounding pest management activities and their impacts on the environment and human health, and environmental effects on plant protection practices. It features contributions by a distinguished group of authors from ten countries, representing an array of disciplines. They include plant protection scientists and officers, economists, agronomists, ecologists, environmental and public health scientists and government policymakers. Over the course of eighteen chapters, those experts share their insights into and analyses of an array of issues of vital concern to everyone with a professional interest in this important subject. The adverse effects of pest control have become a subject of great concern worldwide, and researchers and enlightened policymakers have at last begun to appreciate the impact of environmental factors on our ability to manage pest populations. Moreover, while issues such as pesticide toxicity have dominated the global conversation about pest management, economic and societal considerations have been largely neglected. Environmental Pest Management: Challenges for Agronomists, Ecologists, Economists and Policymakers is the first work to provide in-depth coverage of all of these pressing issues between the covers of one book. Offers a unique multi-dimensional perspective on the complex issues surrounding pest management activities and their effect on the environment and human health Addresses growing concerns about specific pest management strategies, including the use of transgenic crops and biological controls Analyses the influence of global processes, such as climate change, biological invasions and shifts in consumer demand, and ecosystem services and disservices on pest suppression efforts Explores public health concerns regarding biodiversity, pesticide use and food safety Identifies key economic drivers of pest suppression research, strategies and technologies Proposes new regulatory approaches to create sustainable and viable crop protection systems in the framework of agro-environmental schemes Offering a timely and comprehensively-unique treatment of pest management and its environmental impacts in a single, inter-disciplinary volume, this book is a valuable resource for scientists in an array of disciplines, as well as government officials and policymakers. Also, teachers of undergraduate and graduate level courses in a variety of fields are sure to find it a highly useful teaching resource.

Ecology & Environment for General Studies CSAT - Paper 1 IAS Prelims 2nd Edition

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Author :
Publisher : Disha Publications
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 107 pages
Book Rating : 4./5 ( download)

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Book Synopsis Ecology & Environment for General Studies CSAT - Paper 1 IAS Prelims 2nd Edition by : Disha Experts

Download or read book Ecology & Environment for General Studies CSAT - Paper 1 IAS Prelims 2nd Edition written by Disha Experts and published by Disha Publications. This book was released on with total page 107 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Ecology and Environment General Studies CSAT - Paper 1 IAS Prelims for Civil Services Preliminary Exam covers various Chapters and their important topics. The book is divided into 17 chapters followed by 2 levels of exercises - Simple MCQs & statement based MCQs. The book captures most of the important questions with explanations of the past 12 years of the IAS Prelim exam distributed in the various chapters.

The Princeton Guide to Evolution

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Publisher : Princeton University Press
ISBN 13 : 1400848067
Total Pages : 888 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (8 download)

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Book Synopsis The Princeton Guide to Evolution by : David A. Baum

Download or read book The Princeton Guide to Evolution written by David A. Baum and published by Princeton University Press. This book was released on 2013-11-04 with total page 888 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Princeton Guide to Evolution is a comprehensive, concise, and authoritative reference to the major subjects and key concepts in evolutionary biology, from genes to mass extinctions. Edited by a distinguished team of evolutionary biologists, with contributions from leading researchers, the guide contains some 100 clear, accurate, and up-to-date articles on the most important topics in seven major areas: phylogenetics and the history of life; selection and adaptation; evolutionary processes; genes, genomes, and phenotypes; speciation and macroevolution; evolution of behavior, society, and humans; and evolution and modern society. Complete with more than 100 illustrations (including eight pages in color), glossaries of key terms, suggestions for further reading on each topic, and an index, this is an essential volume for undergraduate and graduate students, scientists in related fields, and anyone else with a serious interest in evolution. Explains key topics in some 100 concise and authoritative articles written by a team of leading evolutionary biologists Contains more than 100 illustrations, including eight pages in color Each article includes an outline, glossary, bibliography, and cross-references Covers phylogenetics and the history of life; selection and adaptation; evolutionary processes; genes, genomes, and phenotypes; speciation and macroevolution; evolution of behavior, society, and humans; and evolution and modern society

Agricultural Systems: Agroecology and Rural Innovation for Development

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Publisher : Academic Press
ISBN 13 : 0080919774
Total Pages : 396 pages
Book Rating : 4.0/5 (89 download)

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Book Synopsis Agricultural Systems: Agroecology and Rural Innovation for Development by : Sieglinde Snapp

Download or read book Agricultural Systems: Agroecology and Rural Innovation for Development written by Sieglinde Snapp and published by Academic Press. This book was released on 2011-09-02 with total page 396 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Agricultural Systems: Agroecology and Rural Innovation for Development is a comprehensive source for developing sustainable farming systems. With the inclusion of research theory and examples using the principles of cropping system design, students will gain a unique understanding of the technical, biological, ecological, economic, and sociological aspects of farming systems science for rural livelihoods. Editors Snapp and Pound provide a much-needed synthetic overview of the emerging area of agroecology applications to transforming farming systems and supporting rural innovation. A companion website for training and teaching features learning modules, student exercises, case studies, illustrative power point presentations, and reference links. The wide range of subjects, integrated references, and companion website, make this core reading for courses in international agricultural systems and management, sustainable agricultural management, and cropping systems. - Coverage provides students with an enhanced understanding of how research can be harnessed for sustainable agriculture - Incorporates social, biological, chemical, and geographical aspects important to agroecology - Addresses social and development issues related to farming systems - Companion Website for training and teaching: learning modules, student exercises, case studies, illustrative power point presentations, and reference links