Temporal Dynamics And Ecological Process

Temporal Dynamics and Ecological Process

Learning and Applying Landscape Ecology

"Learning and Applying Landscape Ecology" serves as a comprehensive guide to the interdisciplinary field of landscape ecology. Authored by leading experts, we provide an overview of key concepts, theories, methods, and applications relevant to understanding and managing landscapes. We start by introducing the fundamental principles of landscape ecology, including spatial patterns, landscape structure, and ecological processes. Our book explores dynamic interactions between natural and human systems, emphasizing the importance of considering multiple scales, spatial heterogeneity, and landscape connectivity in ecological studies. Topics such as landscape dynamics, fragmentation, resilience, and sustainability are thoroughly covered. We highlight the role of landscape ecology in addressing pressing environmental challenges like habitat loss, biodiversity conservation, climate change, and land use planning. Drawing insights from ecology, geography, sociology, economics, and other fields, our interdisciplinary approach emphasizes the interconnectedness between human societies and the environment. Numerous case studies, examples, and practical applications illustrate key concepts and methods, providing insights into real-world landscape management challenges. "Learning and Applying Landscape Ecology" is suitable for students, researchers, practitioners, and policymakers. It serves as a valuable resource for courses in ecology, environmental science, geography, planning, and related disciplines, offering a comprehensive foundation for exploring landscape dynamics and sustainability.

Under the Weather

Since the dawn of medical science, people have recognized connections between a change in the weather and the appearance of epidemic disease. With today's technology, some hope that it will be possible to build models for predicting the emergence and spread of many infectious diseases based on climate and weather forecasts. However, separating the effects of climate from other effects presents a tremendous scientific challenge. Can we use climate and weather forecasts to predict infectious disease outbreaks? Can the field of public health advance from "surveillance and response" to "prediction and prevention?" And perhaps the most important question of all: Can we predict how global warming will affect the emergence and transmission of infectious disease agents around the world? Under the Weather evaluates our current understanding of the linkages among climate, ecosystems, and infectious disease; it then goes a step further and outlines the research needed to improve our understanding of these linkages. The book also examines the potential for using climate forecasts and ecological observations to help predict infectious disease outbreaks, identifies the necessary components for an epidemic early warning system, and reviews lessons learned from the use of climate forecasts in other realms of human activity.