Principles of Soil Conservation and Management
Principles of Soil Conservation and Management

Author: Humberto Blanco-Canqui

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2008-09-16

Total Pages: 617

ISBN-13: 1402087098

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“Principles of Soil Management and Conservation” comprehensively reviews the state-of-knowledge on soil erosion and management. It discusses in detail soil conservation topics in relation to soil productivity, environment quality, and agronomic production. It addresses the implications of soil erosion with emphasis on global hotspots and synthesizes available from developed and developing countries. It also critically reviews information on no-till management, organic farming, crop residue management for industrial uses, conservation buffers (e.g., grass buffers, agroforestry systems), and the problem of hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico and in other regions. This book uniquely addresses the global issues including carbon sequestration, net emissions of CO2, and erosion as a sink or source of C under different scenarios of soil management. It also deliberates the implications of the projected global warming on soil erosion and vice versa. The concern about global food security in relation to soil erosion and strategies for confronting the remaining problems in soil management and conservation are specifically addressed. This volume is suitable for both undergraduate and graduate students interested in understanding the principles of soil conservation and management. The book is also useful for practitioners, extension agents, soil conservationists, and policymakers as an important reference material.

Ecological Effects of Water-level Fluctuations in Lakes
Ecological Effects of Water-level Fluctuations in Lakes

Author: Karl M. Wantzen

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2009-05-06

Total Pages: 184

ISBN-13: 1402091923

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Most aquatic ecosystems have variable water levels. These water-level fluctuations (WLF) have multiple effects on the organisms above and below the waterline. Natural WLF patterns in lakes guarantee both productivity and biodiversity, while untimely floods and droughts may have negative effects. Human impacts on WLF have led to a stabilization of the water levels of many lakes by hydraulic regulation, untimely drawdown due to water use, or floods due to water release from hydropower plants in the catchments. This book provides a first review in this field. It presents selected papers on the ecological effects of WLF in lakes, resulting from a workshop at the University of Konstanz in winter 2005. Issues addressed here include the extent of WLF, and analyses of their effects on different groups of biota from microorganisms to vertebrates. Applied issues include recommendations for the hydrological management of regulated lakes to reduce negative impacts, and a conceptual framework is delivered by an extension of the floodpulse concept for lakes. Current impacts on water use, including increasing demands on drinking and irrigation water, hydropower etc., and climate change effects on WLF make this book an essential resource for aquatic ecologists, engineers, and decision-makers dealing with the management of lake ecosystems and their catchments.

Texas Aquatic Science
Texas Aquatic Science

Author: Rudolph A. Rosen

Publisher: Texas A&M University Press

Published: 2014-11-19

Total Pages: 218

ISBN-13: 1623492270

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This classroom resource provides clear, concise scientific information in an understandable and enjoyable way about water and aquatic life. Spanning the hydrologic cycle from rain to watersheds, aquifers to springs, rivers to estuaries, ample illustrations promote understanding of important concepts and clarify major ideas. Aquatic science is covered comprehensively, with relevant principles of chemistry, physics, geology, geography, ecology, and biology included throughout the text. Emphasizing water sustainability and conservation, the book tells us what we can do personally to conserve for the future and presents job and volunteer opportunities in the hope that some students will pursue careers in aquatic science. Texas Aquatic Science, originally developed as part of a multi-faceted education project for middle and high school students, can also be used at the college level for non-science majors, in the home-school environment, and by anyone who educates kids about nature and water. To learn more about The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, sponsors of this book's series, please click here.

Where the Land is Greener
Where the Land is Greener

Author: World Overview of Conservation Approaches and Technologies

Publisher: Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Co-operation

Published: 2007

Total Pages: 380

ISBN-13:

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This publication examines soil and water conservation technologies and approaches from a global perspective, using case studies from over 20 countries around the world. It addresses key environmental concerns such as desertification, poverty, water scarcity and conflicts. Various land use categories are covered (cropland, forest and grazing land) and technologies described include: conservation agriculture, manuring and composting including vermiculture, vegitative strips, agroforestry, water harvesting, gully rehabilitation, terraces and grazing land management. Co-published by the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Co-operation (CTA), FAO, UNEP and the Centre for Development and Environment (CDE) on behalf of the World Overview of Conservation Approaches and Technologies (WOCAT), this publication sets new standards for the systematic documentation, evaluation and dissemination of knowledge on sustainable land management.