Systems Analysis and Simulation in Ecology
Systems Analysis and Simulation in Ecology

Author: Bernard C. Patten

Publisher: Elsevier

Published: 2013-09-11

Total Pages: 624

ISBN-13: 1483277518

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Systems Analysis and Simulation in Ecology, Volume I, is a book of ecology in transition from a ""soft"" science, synecology, to a ""hard"" science, systems ecology. It is an enthusiastic and optimistic statement about the fundamental adaptability of the scientific mechanism to newly appreciated truths of existence. It documents, in ecological science, a move away from the explanatory or cognitive criterion toward the predictive criterion, a hard one with the potential of leading ultimately to optimal design and control of ecosystems. The book is organized into three parts. Part I is an overview of some of the methods and rationales for ecological systems modeling for the purposes of simulation and systems analysis. It provides an elementary introduction to the use of analog and digital computers for simulation and a rationale for ecological model-building. Part II illustrates three different approaches to population modeling. These include a mathematical analysis of microbial (Chlorella, Selenastrum) dynamics in both continuous and batch cultures; and a bioenergetics study of the terrestrial isopod Armadillidium, utilizing concepts from control theory and the transfer function technique of classical dynamic analysis. Part III brings together a group of papers describing various aspects and philosophies of ecological simulation. These include common problems in ecosystem simulation and the question whether or not some of the newer methods of systems ecology might not be used in connection with some of the older data and observations of traditional synecology.

Thorp and Covich's Freshwater Invertebrates
Thorp and Covich's Freshwater Invertebrates

Author: Neusa Hamada

Publisher: Academic Press

Published: 2018-08-30

Total Pages: 838

ISBN-13: 0128042648

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Thorp and Covich's Freshwater Invertebrates, Fourth Edition: Keys to Neotropical Hexapoda, Volume Three, provides a guide for identifying and evaluating a key subphylum, hexapoda, for Central America, South America and the Antarctic. This book is essential for anyone working in water quality management, conservation, ecology or related fields in this region, and is developed to be the most modern and consistent set of taxonomic keys available. It is part of a series that is designed to provide a highly comprehensive, current set of keys for a given bioregion, with all keys written in a consistent style. This series can be used for a full spectrum of interested readers, from students, to university professors and government agencies. - Includes zoogeographic coverage of the entire Neotropics, from central México and the Caribbean Islands, to the tip of South America - Identifies aquatic springtails (Collembola) and insects to the genus level for many groups, and family or subfamily level for less well known taxa - Presents multiple keys, from higher to lower taxonomic levels that are appropriate for each users' level of scientific knowledge and needs - Provides a general introduction and sections on limitations, terminology and morphology, material preparation and preservation, and references

Prospects for Biological Control of Plant Feeding Mites and Other Harmful Organisms
Prospects for Biological Control of Plant Feeding Mites and Other Harmful Organisms

Author: Daniel Carrillo

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2015-04-30

Total Pages: 337

ISBN-13: 3319150421

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

The history of biological control of harmful organisms by mites is marked by outstanding achievements with a few premiere natural enemies. Early works concentrated on the use of predatory mites for the control of synanthropic flies, More recently, the focus has been mostly on mites of the family Phytoseiidae for the control of plant feeding mites. This is an important family of acarine predators of plant pest mites, which are effectively used in agriculture worldwide. Besides the vast knowledge in several species in this family, there are as well many opportunities for biological control, represented in an array of organisms and through the improvement of management techniques, which are constantly explored by researchers worldwide. This has resulted in an increasing interest in predatory mite species within the families Stigmaeidae, Ascidae, Laelapidae, Rhodacaroidea, Macrochelidae, Erythraeidae and Cheyletidae, among others. This book will compile important developments with predatory mite species within these families, which are emerging as important tools for integrated pest management. New developments with predatory insects and pathogenic organisms attacking mites will also be a subject of this book. Finally, the potential and gaps in knowledge in biological control of acarine plant pests will be addressed.

The New Natural History of Madagascar
The New Natural History of Madagascar

Author: Steven M. Goodman

Publisher: Princeton University Press

Published: 2022-11-15

Total Pages: 2297

ISBN-13: 0691229406

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

A marvelously illustrated reference to the natural wonders of one of the most spectacular places on earth Separated from Africa’s mainland for tens of millions of years, Madagascar has evolved a breathtaking wealth of biodiversity, becoming home to thousands of species found nowhere else on the planet. The New Natural History of Madagascar provides the most comprehensive, up-to-date synthesis available of this island nation’s priceless biological treasures. Now fully revised and expanded, this beautifully illustrated compendium features contributions by more than 600 globally renowned experts who cover the history of scientific exploration in Madagascar, as well as the island’s geology and soils, climate, forest ecology, human ecology, marine and coastal ecosystems, plants, invertebrates, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. This invaluable two-volume reference also includes detailed discussions of conservation efforts in Madagascar that showcase several successful protected area programs that can serve as models for threatened ecosystems throughout the world. Provides the most comprehensive overview of Madagascar’s rich natural history Coedited by 18 different specialists Features hundreds of new contributions by world-class experts Includes hundreds of new illustrations Covers a broad array of topics, from geology and climate to animals, plants, and marine life Sheds light on newly discovered species and draws on the latest science An essential resource for anyone interested in Madagascar or tropical ecosystems in general, from biologists and conservationists to ecotourists and armchair naturalists

Identification and Ecology of Freshwater Arthropods in the Mediterranean Basin
Identification and Ecology of Freshwater Arthropods in the Mediterranean Basin

Author: Alain Maasri

Publisher: Elsevier

Published: 2023-10-31

Total Pages: 682

ISBN-13: 0128218568

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Identification and Ecology of Freshwater Arthropods in the Mediterranean Basin covers the entire Mediterranean basin, including parts of Europe, Asia, Africa and the Mediterranean islands, but excluding other biogeographic locations with Mediterranean climates located outside the region. The book provides an extensive description of the taxonomy and ecology of aquatic arthropods encountered in lentic and lotic habitats, as well as in less studied underground and estuarine habitats. It offers expanded taxonomic identification keys to major groups of arthropods with a description of their ecology and distribution. Keys for insects include aquatic larval stages and water-dwelling adults of Coleoptera and Heteroptera. Additional sections focus on taxa that can be encountered in adjacent brackish and estuary ecosystems as long as the taxon primarily occurs in freshwaters. This is a much-needed, comprehensive resource on the taxonomy and ecology of freshwater arthropods with an introduction to recent molecular tools for identifications. It will be particularly useful for freshwater ecologists, limnologists, environmentalists and students in the ecological sciences. - Presents taxonomic keys to genera and species to the majority of aquatic arthropod families - Provides coverage of all freshwater ecosystems of the Mediterranean basin, with case studies and examples - Includes numerous photographs of the aquatic arthropods described in the chapters - Covers the ecology and taxonomy of organisms living in more traditionally studied lakes and streams as well as in less studied underground and estuarine habitats

The Collembola of Fennoscandia and Denmark, Part II: Entomobryomorpha and Symphypleona
The Collembola of Fennoscandia and Denmark, Part II: Entomobryomorpha and Symphypleona

Author: Arne Fjellberg

Publisher: BRILL

Published: 2007-08-31

Total Pages: 272

ISBN-13: 9047423917

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

This volume completes the survey of the ca. 400 species of springtails, which can be found in Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, the Faroes and the Arctic Islands and includes the sections Entomobryomorpha and Symphypleona. The first volume, published in 1998, covered Poduromorpha. Identification keys and full descriptions of the species are richly illustrated by line drawings. Photos are provided for some species displaying characteristic patterns of pigmentation. New diagnostic characters, including sensillary chaetotaxy and details of the mouth apparatus, are introduced. With the appearence of this book soil scientists and the interested amateur have now a modern tool to identify all species of Nordic springtails. In addition the habitat preferences and geographical distribuition are summarised. The book will be of general interest to everyone working on springtail identification.

American Insects
American Insects

Author: Ross H. Arnett, Jr.

Publisher: CRC Press

Published: 2000-07-28

Total Pages: 1032

ISBN-13: 9780849302121

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Offering a complete accounting of the insects of North America, this handbook is an up-dated edition of the first handbook ever compiled in the history of American entomology. By using American Insects, A Handbook of the Insects of America North of Mexico, Second Edition, readers can quickly determine the taxonomic position of any species, genus, or higher taxon of insect known to occur in America and Canada. Every order, family, and genus is conveniently numbered and indexed, making this volume the only complete single source for all of the names of orders, families, and genera currently available. This book fills the need for an accurate way to identify, with the several hundred drawings and photos, the common insects of all orders. Now there is a tool available to those working without a major collection and library; and those who would like to have a general knowledge of insect life without becoming overwhelmed by the vast number of minute insect species. This usable guide provides sizes, shapes, color patterns and salient features of some species of each major family by pointing out those groups most likely to be encountered, including all North America pests. What's New in this Edition? Researchers in many orders use the results of cladistics, a new tool for determining the relationship of orders, families, genera, and species of organisms, including plants as well as animals Specialists have provided lengthy lists of generic changes Many of the identification keys have been revised by adding more illustrations and making sure all description terms are in the Glossary The bibliographies of each Order section have been updated to include all important works that have appeared since the original edition

Alien and Invasive Animals
Alien and Invasive Animals

Author: Mike Picker

Publisher: Penguin Random House South Africa

Published: 2013-10-24

Total Pages: 635

ISBN-13: 1775841308

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

While alien plants have been well publicised, this is the first book to be published on alien animals of Africa. It describes the history of each invasion, and the ecological and economic impacts in South Africa; and it discusses the effect of introduced biocontrol agents (usually insects), which are also alien species released deliberately to control problem plants. Key features are: • Each group of animals is covered in a separate chapter written by a specialist in the field • Colour photographs of each species • Maps for each species’ native and introduced range, and a detailed map of its spread in South Africa • Text covers identification and biology, distribution, impacts and control for the particular species • Alien animals are considered in all habitats, including freshwater, terrestrial and marine. The book will be an essential reference for conservationists, farmers, reserve managers, gardeners, anglers, biology students and researchers, and of interest to the lay public.