Protection of the environment has nowadays become a major challenge and a condi tion for survival of future human generations and life on Earth in general. Yet it is still far too much of a dream or hope rather than a reality in the policy of our societies. Presently we are experiencing an unprecedented exponential growth of demography combined with a race for profit, resulting in excessive consumption particularly of en ergy, and a serious impact on the world ecosystems. Various types of pollutants and emerging new diseases not only disrupt the normal course of life, but also above this some of the atmospheric pollutants are most likely involved in the changing climate. We fear and literally shiver at the thought that the "changing climate" would ultimately disrupt the fragile thermodynamic equilibrium between the atmosphere and the oceans. Are we insensitive to these facts to the point of pushing our descendants, some genera tions ahead, into a new glacial period after a first period of warming up, at least, in northern Europe, like the one that took place 13 to 14 millennia ago? Surely the planet's nature is not prepared to be dominated by man and will go its way, whether humanity will be alive or dead.

What happens when you have to choose between doing the right thing, knowing disaster will ensue, or taking the wrong action and saving everything you love? Haunted by his mother's sudden death when he was young, Ben Gates spends his life trying to be a hero, but can never seem to get it right. Ben's good intentions and sincere yearnings to make a difference draw him into he Mangrove Underground, a half-baked eco-terror plot to 'save' the backcountry by scaring away tourists and transplants. After Ben unwittingly betrays the group his best friend, Mangrove Underground mastermind Henry Moton, goes missing and is presumed dead in a wilderness fire. Ten years later, Ben is a supervisor at the wilderness park. Henry Moton and his revolution are a local legend. Then a series of mysterious swamp fires erupt, and keep erupting, despite the park's best efforts. Legend gives way to conspiracy theory, and Henry Moton, still idolized by many locals, is assumed to be alive and as hell-bent on mayhem as ever. Ben becomes a man on a mission: discover who's setting the fires, save his hometown, and exorcise the ghost of Henry Moton. Ben's riveting tale is told in a series of intertwined narratives. As the stories converge, Ben realizes what he must do to save the community he loves and transform his life into something he can be proud of. Part Florida eco-thriller and part hero's quest, Mangrove Underground subverts the expectations of both genres in its tale of journeys and endings and how getting there changes you, with atonement to be won by those brave enough to rise above their transgressions.

This book focuses on the worldwide threats to mangrove forests and the management solutions currently being used to counteract those hazards. Designed for the professional or specialist in marine science, coastal zone management, biology, and related disciplines, this work will appeal to those not only working to protect mangrove forests, but also the surrounding coastal areas of all types. Examples are drawn from many different geographic areas, including North and South America, India, and Southeast Asia. Subject areas covered include both human-induced and natural impacts to mangroves, intended or otherwise, as well as the efforts being made by coastal researchers to promote restoration of these coastal fringing forests.

Explores how the management of wetlands can influence carbon storage and fluxes. Wetlands are vital natural assets, including their ability to take-up atmospheric carbon and restrict subsequent carbon loss to facilitate long-term storage. They can be deliberately managed to provide a natural solution to mitigate climate change, as well as to help offset direct losses of wetlands from various land-use changes and natural drivers. Wetland Carbon and Environmental Management presents a collection of wetland research studies from around the world to demonstrate how environmental management can improve carbon sequestration while enhancing wetland health and function. Volume highlights include: Overview of carbon storage in the landscape Introduction to wetland management practices Comparisons of natural, managed, and converted wetlands Impact of wetland management on carbon storage or loss Techniques for scientific assessment of wetland carbon processes Case studies covering tropical, coastal, inland, and northern wetlands Primer for carbon offset trading programs and how wetlands might contribute The American Geophysical Union promotes discovery in Earth and space science for the benefit of humanity.Its publications disseminate scientific knowledge and provide resources for researchers, students, and professionals.

The 7-volume Encyclopedia of Biodiversity, Second Edition maintains the reputation of the highly regarded original, presenting the most current information available in this globally crucial area of research and study. It brings together the dimensions of biodiversity and examines both the services it provides and the measures to protect it. Major themes of the work include the evolution of biodiversity, systems for classifying and defining biodiversity, ecological patterns and theories of biodiversity, and an assessment of contemporary patterns and trends in biodiversity. The science of biodiversity has become the science of our future. It is an interdisciplinary field spanning areas of both physical and life sciences. Our awareness of the loss of biodiversity has brought a long overdue appreciation of the magnitude of this loss and a determination to develop the tools to protect our future. Second edition includes over 100 new articles and 226 updated articles covering this multidisciplinary field— from evolution to habits to economics, in 7 volumes The editors of this edition are all well respected, instantly recognizable academics operating at the top of their respective fields in biodiversity research; readers can be assured that they are reading material that has been meticulously checked and reviewed by experts Approximately 1,800 figures and 350 tables complement the text, and more than 3,000 glossary entries explain key terms

Offers a perspective on soils as earth materials, which establishes a pedological hierarchy of materials, processes and factors, and their rationalization in terms of plate tectonics. The book should interest soil and earth scientists.

A comprehensive update of this popular and practical introduction to mangrove and seagrass biology providing a concise and affordable overview.

Plants, so predictable, stay where they are. And yet, like all living things, they also move: they grow, adapt, shed leaves and bark, spread roots and branches, snare pollinators, and reward cultivators. This book, the first to thoroughly explore the subject since Darwin’s 1881 treatise on movements in plants, is a comprehensive, up-to-date account of the mechanisms and the adaptive values that move plants. Drawing on examples across the spectrum of plant families—including mosses, ferns, conifers, and flowering plants—the author opens a window on how plants move: within cells, as individual cells, and via organs. Opening with an explanation of how cellular motors work and how cells manage to move organs, Dov Koller considers the movement of roots, tubers, rhizomes, and other plant parts underground, as well as the more familiar stems, leaves, and flowers. Throughout, Koller presents information at the subcellular and cellular levels, including the roles of receptors, signaling pathways, hormones, and physiological responses in motor function. He also discusses the adaptive significance of movements. His book exposes the workings of a world little understood and often overlooked, the world of restless plants and the movements by which they accomplish the necessary functions of their lives.

Mangroves with Therapeutic Potential for Human Health: Global Distribution, Ethnopharmacology, Phytochemistry, and Biopharmaceutical Applications explores, for the first time in a book, the exciting potential of mangroves for therapeutic applications in medicine and pharmacology. This authoritative, illustrated and clearly written book pairs the fascinating biodiversity of mangroves with their promising pharmacological propensities. Providing a comprehensive and authoritative overview, the book explores the important aspects related to mangroves, including global distribution, medicinal values and pharmaceutical applications in one source. This book is a valuable resource for researchers, academics in the field of herbal medicine, pharmacology, pharmacognosy, medicinal chemistry, biochemistry, natural product chemistry, ethnopharmacology, biotechnology, marine biology, microbiology, as well as professionals in the pharmaceutical industries. - Discusses the possible pharmaceutical applications of mangroves - Provides all relevant information on the medicinal uses of mangroves in an easily accessible collection - Contains high-quality illustrations to help with understanding and identification