Author: Walter G. Whitford
Publisher: Academic Press
ISBN: 0081026552
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 476
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Book Description
Nearly one-third of the land area on our planet is classified as arid or desert. Therefore, an understanding of the dynamics of such arid ecosystems is essential to managing those systems in a way that sustains human populations. This second edition of Ecology of Desert Systems provides a clear, extensive guide to the complex interactions involved in these areas. This book details the relationships between abiotic and biotic environments of desert ecosystems, demonstrating to readers how these interactions drive ecological processes. These include plant growth and animal reproductive success, the spatial and temporal distribution of vegetation and animals, and the influence of invasive species and anthropogenic climate change specific to arid systems. Drawing on the extensive experience of its expert authors, Ecology of Desert Systems is an essential guide to arid ecosystems for students looking for an overview of the field, researchers keen to learn how their work fits in to the overall picture, and those involved with environmental management of desert areas. - Highlights the complexity of global desert systems in a clear, concise way - Reviews the most current issues facing researchers in the field, including the spread of invasive species due to globalized trade, the impact of industrial mining, and climate change - Updated and extended to include information on invasive species management, industrial mining impacts, and the current and future role of climate change in desert systems
Author: Tanya E. Cheeke
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 1439852960
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 312
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Book Description
While soil ecologists continue to be on the forefront of research on biodiversity and ecosystem function, there are few interdisciplinary studies that incorporate ecological knowledge into sustainable land management practices. Conventional, high fossil-fuel input-based agricultural systems can reduce soil biodiversity, alter soil community structure and nutrient cycling, and lead to greater dependence on energy-intensive practices. Microbial Ecology in Sustainable Agroecosystems brings together soil ecologists, microbial ecologists, and agroecologists working globally to demonstrate how research in soil ecology can contribute to the long-term sustainability of agricultural systems. The book identifies five key areas of research that can be combined to support and direct sustainable land management practices: agriculture, biodiversity, ecosystem services, integrated soil ecology research, and policy. Topics include: A broad range of soil microbial processes in terms of the importance of microbial heterogeneity Inputs by soil microorganisms into wheat-farming systems The importance of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in making nutrients more available to crops The benefits and environmental problems associated with the use of crops genetically modified with Bacillus thuringiensis The incorporation of soil ecological or microbial ecological theory into agricultural practice to improve agricultural productivity and sustainability Challenges in sustainable agricultural research and the need for coalescing new avenues of research in agriculture and soil ecology The contributors range from long-time ecological researchers to graduate students and early career scientists, representing a wide spectrum of experience, ages, diversity, and research interests in this area. They cover the diversity and complexity of microbial activity and interactions in soil systems and the many ways in which microorganisms may be manipulated and managed to improve the functions of crop rhizospheres and thereby maximize crop yields and overall productivity. These recommendations can be used to direct and influence agricultural and environmental policy and guide future research in sustainable agricultural systems management.
Author: A. Louise Heathwaite
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781901502039
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 204
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Book Description
Author: Michael Hutchings
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 9780632057146
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 454
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Book Description
Spatial and temporal heterogeneity.
Author: Rocio Millán
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
ISBN: 2889459071
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 165
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Book Description
Climate and environment of Gaia, mother Earth, are under multiple significant stresses. The increase in world population demands large increases in food production, but this must be reached by use of sustainable methods. Emission of climate gasses needs to be dramatically decreased, overall ecological footprints have to be diminished, and socioeconomy of rural areas has to be boosted. These aims are not easy to combine. However, the bio-economy and green solutions may provide mankind with tools of great value both to mitigate pollution and climate change and to adapt to future changes. It is clear that all forms of agriculture cause changes in balances and fluxes of pre-existing ecosystems, thereby limiting resiliency functions. Intensive agriculture in regions that are influenced by industrial pollution, with strong reduction of landscape structures and vast decoupling of energy and matter cycles, has caused stress and degradation of the production base; massive influence has also been exerted on neighbouring compartments. Average yields are probably close to 50 % of maximum yield many places, due to mismanagement of the crops during the production phase, or due to the inappropriate use of key resources. This relationship often leads to a mis-match between input of resources and process outputs, and creates pollution and unbalance in the landscape. Fertilizer runoff and salt accumulation occurs if water supply is in surplus or deficiency, due to soil compaction after use of large machines, and pollinating insects are suffering in regions with large monocultures and high pesticide inputs. These few examples show some of the dilemmas of using input factors in a way that does not fit with the overall conditions. Hence it will be as important as ever to develop new agricultural systems exploiting seasonal growth cycles through intercropping and the integration of mixed perennial crops to ensure permanent availability of plant fractions to be delivered to end users. The problem of degrading soils threatened by overuse, compaction, pollution and loss of biology can only be tackled by a cross disciplinary research approach addressing the entire spectrum of agricultural, environmental and socioeconomic functions of our agricultural systems. While efforts to demonstrate the benefit of site-specific management are relatively recent and have taken various approaches, they specifically refer to variable-rate applications of single inputs, e.g. seeds, fertilizers, chemicals. It is high time to deploy principles of precision agriculture for integrated crop management through combined variable inputs of irrigation water, fertilizers, composts and crop density to improve degrading land and on the other side produce valuable raw products for biorefineries and biobased industries In order to implement such novel production systems, for food and non-food products, the demonstration of land use changes, for biodiversity, for sufficient food and biomass production is essential, with emphasis on the diversity of species and varieties grown, harvested and converted to valuable products. Therefore this Research Topic combines studies demonstrating improved use of soil amendments, nutrients, as well as improved soil fertility for higher resilience against climate stress and recuperation of abandoned or contaminated soils for cropping and animal husbandry. Mixed cropping for high biomass production to create higher added value through the production and transformation of green biomass into novel products is presented as one of the solutions. Applied research for a sustainable and ecologically compatible land use aimed at sufficient food production is as important as ever. Adequate management plans have to be developed from modeling and implemented to increase soil life at the level of the local farm and the region. Growing biomass plants for biorefinery processes should lower production costs, avoid pollution of surface and groundwater, reduce pesticide residues, reduce a farmer’s overall risk, and increase both short- and long-term farm profitability. Such production systems are established amongst the authors of this Research Topic and will allow to obtain an integrated picture of the role of closed cycling loops for N, P and K, and water in an agricultural ecosystem. The next step will be to support decision-making using sustainability indicators and toolboxes as they have been developed for different agricultural systems. The availability of stable research networks of study sites across Europe will help to develop decision support systems applicable across a variety of domains for integrated food and non-food production in the EU, in regards to socio-economy, sustainability and ecology.
Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Agricultural conservation
Languages : en
Pages : 402
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Book Description
Author: Neil Willey
Publisher: Garland Science
ISBN: 1315616866
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 400
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Book Description
Environmental Plant Physiology focuses on the physiology of plant-environment interactions, revealing plants as the key terrestrial intersection of the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere and geosphere. It provides a contemporary understanding of the topic by focusing on some of humankind's fundamental biological, agricultural and environmental challenges. Its chapters identify thirteen key environmental variables, grouping them into resources, stressors and pollutants, and leading the reader through how they challenge plants and how plants respond at molecular, physiological, whole plant and ecological levels. The importance of taking account of spatial and temporal dimensions of environmental change in order to understand plant function is emphasised. The book uses a mixture of ecological, environmental and agricultural examples throughout in order to provide a holistic view of the topic suitable for a contemporary student audience. Each chapter uses a novel stress response hierarchy to integrate plant responses across spatial and temporal scales in an easily digestible framework.
Author: Bin Huang
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
ISBN: 2832534678
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 538
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Book Description
Author: F Stuart Chapin III
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 0387216634
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 449
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Book Description
Features review questions at the end of each chapter; Includes suggestions for recommended reading; Provides a glossary of ecological terms; Has a wide audience as a textbook for advanced undergraduate students, graduate students and as a reference for practicing scientists from a wide array of disciplines
Author: SARE/ACE Program. North Central Region
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Agriculture
Languages : en
Pages : 220
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Book Description
