The tropical UK Territories have extensive coral reefs. Huge parts of these areas are exceptionally rich, productive and diverse. Their marine biodiversity exceeds that of the UK itself, and several are already, or are planned to be, strictly protected. Some of these areas serve as reference sites for many other countries with damaged reefs and they are oases of tropical marine biodiversity in a fast-degrading world. This book reviews all of the UK reefs, from those scarcely known to those where substantial research has already been performed.
The Government, in consultation with the Territories and other stakeholders, has developed a strategy of re-engagement: strengthening links between the Territories and the UK; strengthening governance; and enhancing support to the Territories. This White Paper sets out priorities for action in terms of defending the Territories; supporting successful economic development; preserving the Territories' rich environmental heritage and addressing the challenges of climate change; making government work better; community issues; and strengthening links with international and regional organisations or other countries. Taking this forward will require a partnership between the UK Government and Territory Governments. The UK wants to strengthen political engagement between Ministers in the UK and the Territories, particularly through the proposed Joint Ministerial Council, and is determined to live up to its responsibilities to the Territories
This volume discusses the growing issue of global environmental microplastic pollution resulting from the industrial manufacturing of everyday products. The book focuses on the emergence of microplastic pollution, types, sources, fate, dynamic trends in the environment, occurrence in different environmental settings, toxicity, risk assessment, and prevention strategies. The authors provide a detailed explanation and provision of the techniques used for the detection, separation, and identification of microplastics for use by industry workers and scientists, along with policy recommendations for legislative bodies to reduce the spread and impact of harmful microplastics. The book will be of use to students, teachers, researchers, policy makers, and environmental organizations.
This book is an attempt to acknowledge the discipline ‘wetland science’ and to consolidate research findings, reviews and synthesis articles on different aspects of the wetlands in South Asia. The book presents 30 chapters by an international mix of experts in the field, who highlight and discuss diverse issues concerning wetlands in South Asia as case studies. The chapters are divided into different themes that represent broad issues of concern in a systematic manner keeping in mind students, researchers and general readers at large. The book introduces readers to the basics and theory of wetland science, supplemented by case studies and examples from the region. It also offers a valuable resource for graduate students and researchers in allied fields such as environmental studies, limnology, wildlife biology, aquatic biology, marine biology, and landscape ecology. To date the interdisciplinary field ‘wetland science’ is still rarely treated as a distinct discipline in its own right. Further, courses on wetland science aren’t taught at any of the world’s most prestigious universities; instead, the topics falling under this discipline are generally handled under the disciplines ‘ecology’ or under the extremely broad heading of ‘environmental studies’. It is high time that ‘Wetland Science’ be acknowledged as an interdisciplinary sub-discipline, which calls for an attempt to consolidate its various subtopics and present them comprehensively. Thus, this book also serves as a reference base on wetlands and facilitates further discussions on specific issues involved in safeguarding a sustainable future for the wetland habitats of this region.
Advances in Marine Biology has been providing in-depth and up-to-date reviews on all aspects of marine biology since 1963--over 40 years of outstanding coverage! The series is well known for its excellent reviews and editing. Now edited by Michael Lesser (University of New Hampshire, USA) with an internationally renowned Editorial Board, the serial publishes in-depth and up-to-date content on many topics that will appeal to postgraduates and researchers in marine biology, fisheries science, ecology, zoology, and biological oceanography. Volumes cover all areas of marine science, both applied and basic, a wide range of topical areas from all areas of marine ecology, oceanography, fisheries management and molecular biology and the full range of geographic areas from polar seas to tropical coral reefs. This volume, with an introduction by Ray Hilborn, will present the latest views on the use of MPAs or Marine Managed Areas for fisheries management. It will contain a wide range of case studies including the Chagos archipelago, South Georgia, the Caribbean, the North Sea, Florida, Hawaii, Great Barrier Reef, California, Mediterraneanand the Phoenix Islands Protected Area. It is the intention of the editors that the volume presents a series of evidence based rather than advocacy driven contemporary reviews. AMB volumes solicit and publish review articles on the latest advances in marine biology Many of the authors of these review articles are the leading figures in their field of study and the material is widely used by managers, students and academic professionals in the marine sciences
Diego Garcia is a pivotal US base for all Middle East operations. This book describes its evolution from a secret US-UK bilateral deal in 1966 and the deportation of the native population in the 70s to its new role in Guantánamo-style 'renditions' and the impact of miltary construction on its environment.
Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, and Cayman Brac are, in reality, the summits of independent fault blocks that rise from the depths of the Caribbean Sea. This book traces the geological evolution of these islands over the last 30 to 35 million years. The balance between deposition of carbonate sediments and karst development of the exposed land was dictated by the interaction between ever-changing sea levels and vertical tectonic movement of the fault blocks. Today, drinking water needed for the ever-increasing populations of the islands is supplied largely by desalinization plants that are located in accord with a detailed knowledge of the bedrock. This book is based on an extensive data base that has been assembled over the last 40 years of field work and laboratory analyses. Noteworthy aspects of this database include: Approximately 60 visits to the islands over last 40 years – sampling and documentation of virtually every accessible outcrop on the islands (including some that no longer exist). Most samples have been fully documented petrographically and geochemically. Data from 120 wells that have been drilled to depths up to 245 m (most less than 125 m). Wells have been cored and/or chip sampled. Full documentation of drilling histories, XRD analyses of samples, extensive geochemical analyses for major and minor elements, stable isotopes, 87Sr/86Sr ratios, and Rare Earth Elements from numerous samples. Mapping and sampling of modern sediments, including sediment cores, from most of the lagoons around Grand Cayman. Extensive thin section petrography, scanning electron microscope, and electron microprobe analyses of the dolostones and limestones that form the bedrock of the islands. Samples and data collected from numerous caves on Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac have been used to track their developmental history. Detailed analyses of phosphates collected from Little Cayman. Detailed analyses of terra rossa collected from each of the islands.
This book summarizes what is known about mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs) geographically and by major taxa. MCEs are characterized by light-dependent corals and associated communities typically found at depths ranging from 30-40 m. and extending to over 150 m. in tropical and subtropical ecosystems. They are populated with organisms typically associated with shallow coral reefs, such as macroalgae, corals, sponges, and fishes, as well as specialist species unique to mesophotic depths. During the past decade, there has been an increasing scientific and management interest in MCEs expressed by the exponential increase in the number of publications studying this unique environment. Despite their close proximity to well-studied shallow reefs, and the growing evidence of their importance, our scientific knowledge of MCEs is still in its early stages. The topics covered in the book include: regional variation in MCEs; similarities and differences between mesophotic and shallow reef taxa, biotic and abiotic conditions, biodiversity, ecology, geomorphology, and geology; potential connectivity between MCEs and shallow reefs; MCE disturbances, conservation, and management challenges; and new technologies, key research questions/knowledge gaps, priorities, and future directions in MCE research.
