Diese Reihe bietet ausgewogene, umfassende und aktuelle Überblicke über zentrale Themen der Ökologie und Naturschutzbiologie. Sie konzentriert sich auf wissenschaftliche Erkenntnisse im Pflanzen- und Tierreich mit Schwerpunkt auf praktischen Anwendungen und realen Herausforderungen des Naturschutzes. Die Serie richtet sich an fortgeschrittene Studierende, Forschende und Praktiker und schlägt eine Brücke zwischen theoretischer Wissenschaft und angewandtem Naturschutz. Die Sammlung untersucht vielfältige Ansätze und Skalen, von Populationsdynamiken bis hin zu Studien auf Landschaftsebene, und vermittelt wichtiges Wissen zum Verständnis und Schutz der Biodiversität.
This book explores the concept of ecosystem functioning amidst declining biodiversity and global changes. It integrates natural sciences with philosophy and social sciences, offering a new methodology for practical application. Case studies illustrate the interplay between theory and practice, emphasizing the social dimensions influencing research.
Field studies form the backbone of research, teaching, policy and advisory work. For the first time, a single textbook provides an overview of the diversity, impacts and importance of field work. The authors capture the spirit of enjoying fieldwork, and the many benefits it brings to society.
Challenging the traditional notion of a stable 'balance of nature', this book presents compelling evidence that ecosystems are dynamic and constantly changing. It explores the complexities of environmental interactions and the impacts of human activity, arguing for a more nuanced understanding of ecological relationships. By examining various case studies, the author reveals how disturbances and adaptations shape natural systems, ultimately advocating for a reevaluation of conservation strategies.
This book provides a comprehensive guide to environmental risk assessment, covering the psychology of risk perception, expert judgement, and hazard identification. It discusses technical tools for transparent assessments, such as Monte Carlo simulation, and introduces innovative methods like p-bounds and information-gap theory for informed decision-making.
Researchers and policymakers involved in the conservation of relatively small, isolated and protected areas will find this book invaluable. It presents insights from the ecology and conservation management of one of Africa's oldest protected wildlife areas, the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park.
Despite a century of study by ecologists, recovery following disturbances (succession) is not fully understood. This book provides the first global synthesis that compares plant succession in all major terrestrial biomes and after all major terrestrial disturbances. It asks critical questions such as: Does succession follow general patterns across biomes and disturbance types? Do factors that control succession differ from biome to biome? If common drivers exist, what are they? Are they abiotic or biotic, or both? The authors provide insights on broad, generalizable patterns that go beyond site-specific studies, and present discussions on factors such as varying temporal dynamics, latitudinal differences, human-caused vs. natural disturbances, and the role of invasive alien species. This book is a must-read for researchers and students in ecology, plant ecology, restoration ecology and conservation biology. It also provides a valuable framework to aid land managers attempting to manipulate successional recovery following increasingly intense and widespread human-made disturbances.