Covers: forestry research in Asia and the Pacific; management of tropical forests for products and energy; forests and wildlife management; tropical rainforests of northern Australia; forest resources in New Guinea; management factors affecting forests; fire management in Central America; biological diversity, and much more. Graphs and photos.

Guana, in the British Virgin Islands, is home to a remarkably diverse assortment of animal and plant life: mangroves, flamingos, iguanas, frogs, birds, snakes, spiders, tortoises, grasshoppers, and bats, to name but a few. What is so surprising about Guana's astonishing panoply is that, according to prevailing ecological theories, the island's diversity should be much lower than it actually is. This provocative book describes Guana's flora and fauna against the backdrop of islands worldwide and their ecology, evolution, and conservation. Much more than a book about one island, it raises important challenges to prevailing dogma of island biogeography and theoretical ecology. James (Skip) Lazell demonstrates that meaningful conservation and avoiding tragic loss of biodiversity demand we know far more about biological interactions, physiographic and geological structure, meteorology, and other factors. He presents compelling evidence that high levels of natural biodiversity underpin ecosystem resilience and stability. Lazell's engaging narrative, containing many entertaining asides and personal reflections, widens into an evocative commentary about the nature of life on earth.

Koa (Acacia koa) is a tree species endemic to Hawaii that is of immense ecological and economic importance. This species has been mined from local forests for its wood for more than 100 years, and extensive areas of koa-dominated forests have been converted to grazing lands. Today, in recognition of the great importance and value of koa and the forests in which it is found, there is substantial interest in restoration and management of koa forests. This report brings together knowledge on the biogeography, physiology, ecology, and silviculture of koa in an effort to assist landowners and resource stewards in making sound decisions about restoring and managing koa forests.

The Handbook of Irrigation System Selection for Semi-Arid Regions compares the various types of available irrigation systems for different regions and conditions, and explains how to analyze field data to determine the suitability of the land for surface, sprinkle, or drip irrigation systems. The book focuses on strategies for irrigation development and management and examines deficit irrigation and partial root-zone drying systems. Also, solute leaching modeling under different irrigation systems, soil moisture conditions, and organic fertilizer application in arid areas are discussed. Further, it examines multi-criteria decision making for irrigation management and the appraisal of agricultural lands for irrigation in hot, sub-humid regions. Features: Presents comparative analysis to aid in the selection of the most appropriate types of irrigation systems according to land characteristics. Includes numerous practical case studies. Offers parametric evaluation systems for irrigation purposes. Considers data from semi-arid zones, each with different sub-climates. Focusing on semi-arid land, the book highlights parametric evaluation systems for irrigation purposes, along with the use of analytical hierarchy processes integrated with GIS to determine which systems are best suited. This comprehensive and well-illustrated handbook will be of great interest to students, professionals, and researchers involved with all aspects of irrigation in semi-arid regions.