Identifying distinct biogeographic populations of waterfowl from 868 species worldwide, this work highlights the changes which have taken place in recent years.

This book is the outcome of a major international conference on waterbirds held in Edinburgh in April 2004.

This report outlines the results of the internationally coordinated census of wintering waterbirds in the Baltic Sea 2007-2009 undertaken under the SOWBAS project (Status of wintering Waterbird populations in the Baltic Sea). The estimated total number of wintering waterbirds was 4.41 million compared to 7.44 million during the last co-ordinated census 1992-1993. Despite the general declines stable or increasing populations of herbivorous species were recorded. While benthic carnivores with a coastal distribution have either shown moderate declines, stable or increasing populations seaducks with an offshore distribution have declined seriously. Based on analyses of trends in wintering waterbirds and pressures indicators are suggested as performance indicators in relation to the international and national actions taken to reduce the anthropogenic pressures in the Baltic Sea.

This text provides a synthesis of the existing field of wetland ecology using a few central themes, including key environmental factors that produce wetland community types and some unifying problems such as assembly rules, restoration and conservation.

Heron Conservation provides a comprehensive update following two distinct threads. The status and conservation needs of herons are first presented on a regional basis, in a series of chapters set at continental or subcontinental scale. Over 200 biologists and heron conservationists - many associated with the Heron Specialist Group sponsored by Wetlands International and IUCN - have contributed to the data summarised here and these very latest census and survey results provide the most up to date and detailed picture of heron populations currently available. Chapters discussing several critical issues in heron conservation follow, often focusing on the international nature of the problem. Many heron populations are migratory and depend upon conservation of both summer and wintering wetland habitats often located on different continents. Effective conservation of these wetlands of international importance depends in large part on local and regional socio-economic factors. Herons, to the extent that they require maintenance of wetland functioning, should be an integral part of sustainable wetland conservation. Features: * Fascinating insight into a topical issue * Beautiful colour pho

The first reference to demonstrate how birds survive the high-altitude Central Asian Flyway and the threats to this unique migration.

The World Ocean Assessment - or, to give its full title, The First Global Integrated Marine Assessment - is the outcome of the first cycle of the United Nations' Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects. The Assessment provides vital, scientifically-grounded bases for the consideration of ocean issues, including climate change, by governments, intergovernmental agencies, non-governmental agencies and all other stakeholders and policymakers involved in ocean affairs. Together with future assessments and related initiatives, it will support the implementation of the recently adopted 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly its ocean-related goals. Moreover, it will also form an important reference text for marine science courses.