Riverine Ecosystem Management

Riverine Ecosystem Management
Author: Stefan Schmutz
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 562
Release: 2018-05-08
Genre: Science
ISBN: 3319732501

This open access book surveys the frontier of scientific river research and provides examples to guide management towards a sustainable future of riverine ecosystems. Principal structures and functions of the biogeosphere of rivers are explained; key threats are identified, and effective solutions for restoration and mitigation are provided. Rivers are among the most threatened ecosystems of the world. They increasingly suffer from pollution, water abstraction, river channelisation and damming. Fundamental knowledge of ecosystem structure and function is necessary to understand how human acitivities interfere with natural processes and which interventions are feasible to rectify this. Modern water legislation strives for sustainable water resource management and protection of important habitats and species. However, decision makers would benefit from more profound understanding of ecosystem degradation processes and of innovative methodologies and tools for efficient mitigation and restoration. The book provides best-practice examples of sustainable river management from on-site studies, European-wide analyses and case studies from other parts of the world. This book will be of interest to researchers in the field of aquatic ecology, river system functioning, conservation and restoration, to postgraduate students, to institutions involved in water management, and to water related industries.

Resources Use Efficiency in Agriculture

Resources Use Efficiency in Agriculture
Author: Sandeep Kumar
Publisher: Springer Nature
Total Pages: 762
Release: 2020-09-18
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 9811569533

Achieving zero hunger and food security is a top priority in the United Nations Development Goals (UNDGs). In an era characterized by high population growth and increasing pressure on agricultural systems, efficiency in the use of natural resources has become central to sustainable agricultural practices. Fundamentally speaking, eco-efficiency is about maximizing agricultural outputs, in terms of quantity and quality, using less land, water, nutrients, energy, labor, or capital. The concept of eco-efficiency involves both the ecological and economic aspects of sustainable agriculture. It is therefore essential to understand the interaction of ecosystem constituents within the extensive agricultural landscape, as well as farmers’ economic needs. This book examines the latest eco-efficient practices used in agro-systems. Drawing upon research and examples from around the world, it offers an up-to-date overview, together with insights into directly applicable approaches for poly-cropping systems and landscape-scale management to improve the stability of agricultural production systems, helping achieve food security. The book will be of interest to educators, researchers, climate change scientists, capacity builders and policymakers alike. It can also be used as additional reading material for undergraduate and graduate courses on agriculture, forestry, soil science, and the environmental sciences.

Phosphorus-Nitrogen Compounds

Phosphorus-Nitrogen Compounds
Author: H Allcock
Publisher: Elsevier
Total Pages: 513
Release: 2012-12-02
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0323147518

Phosphorus-Nitrogen Compounds: Cyclic, Linear, and High Polymeric Systems concerns itself with the chemistry of compounds containing alternating phosphorus - nitrogen atoms in the skeleton. The monograph aims to be an introduction to phosphorus-nitrogen chemistry, a review of advances in the field, and reference work. The text is divided into three parts. Part I covers the introduction, historical background, and nomenclature of phosphorus-nitrogen compounds and the theories in bonding and structure of phosphazenes and phosphazanes. Part II deals with reactions such as the synthesis of the phosphorus-nitrogen skeleton, hydrolysis of phosphazenes and phosphazanes, and the aminolysis of halophosphazenes. Part III discusses polymer chemistry and includes topics such as polymerization, depolymerization, and phosphazene polymers. The book is recommended for students and practitioners in the field of chemistry, especially those concerned with phosphorus nitrogen compounds and polymeric systems.

Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation

Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation
Author: P. Graham
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 206
Release: 2012-12-06
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9401110883

During the past three decades there has been a large amount of research on biological nitrogen fixation, in part stimulated by increasing world prices of nitrogen-containing fertilizers and environmental concerns. In the last several years, research on plant--microbe interactions, and symbiotic and asymbiotic nitrogen fixation has become truly interdisciplinary in nature, stimulated to some degree by the use of modern genetic techniques. These methodologies have allowed us to make detailed analyses of plant and bacterial genes involved in symbiotic processes and to follow the growth and persistence of the root-nodule bacteria and free-living nitrogen-fixing bacteria in soils. Through the efforts of a large number of researchers we now have a better understanding of the ecology of rhizobia, environmental parameters affecting the infection and nodulation process, the nature of specificity, the biochemistry of host plants and microsymbionts, and chemical signalling between symbiotic partners. This volume gives a summary of current research efforts and knowledge in the field of biological nitrogen fixation. Since the research field is diverse in nature, this book presents a collection of papers in the major research area of physiology and metabolism, genetics, evolution, taxonomy, ecology, and international programs.

Progress in Ecological Stoichiometry

Progress in Ecological Stoichiometry
Author: Dedmer B. Van de Waal
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Total Pages: 382
Release: 2018
Genre:
ISBN: 2889456218

Ecological stoichiometry concerns the way that the elemental composition of organisms shapes their ecology. It deals with the balance or imbalance of elemental ratios and how that affects organism growth, nutrient cycling, and the interactions with the biotic and abiotic worlds. The elemental composition of organisms is a set of constraints through which all the Earth’s biogeochemical cycles must pass. All organisms consume nutrients and acquire compounds from the environment proportional to their needs. Organismal elemental needs are determined in turn by the energy required to live and grow, the physical and chemical constraints of their environment, and their requirements for relatively large polymeric biomolecules such as RNA, DNA, lipids, and proteins, as well as for structural needs including stems, bones, shells, etc. These materials together constitute most of the biomass of living organisms. Although there may be little variability in elemental ratios of many of these biomolecules, changing the proportions of different biomolecules can have important effects on organismal elemental composition. Consequently, the variation in elemental composition both within and across organisms can be tremendous, which has important implications for Earth’s biogeochemical cycles. It has been over a decade since the publication of Sterner and Elser’s book, Ecological Stoichiometry (2002). In the intervening years, hundreds of papers on stoichiometric topics ranging from evolution and regulation of nutrient content in organisms, to the role of stoichiometry in populations, communities, ecosystems and global biogeochemical dynamics have been published. Here, we present a collection of contributions from the broad scientific community to highlight recent insights in the field of Ecological Stoichiometry.

Phosphorus and Nitrogen Removal from Municipal Wastewater

Phosphorus and Nitrogen Removal from Municipal Wastewater
Author: Richard I. Sedlak
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 258
Release: 1991-10-07
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 9780873716833

This valuable new book offers practical guidance regarding the design and operation of systems for reducing effluent nitrogen and phosphorus. The principles of nitrogen and phosphorus removal are discussed, including sources of nitrogen and phosphorus in wastewater, removal options, nitrogen and phosphorus transformations in treatment, process selection, and treatment. The book also covers the design and operation of nitrogen and phosphorus removal systems, including system options, system design, facility design, facility costs, and operation. Practical case studies are provided as examples of successful system implementations that may be able to help you decide what will work best in your plant.

The Chemistry of Phosphate and Nitrogen Compounds in Sediments

The Chemistry of Phosphate and Nitrogen Compounds in Sediments
Author: Han L. Golterman
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 270
Release: 2007-05-08
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1402025165

This book deals with the processes behind cycles of the phosphate and nitrogen compounds in sediment and the phosphate equilibria between the sediment and the overlying water. In most waters, excessive concentrations of these compounds causes eutrophication: rapid, choking growth of algae. The chapters of this book probe the chemicals involved in considerable detail, and offer the complete understanding needed to remediate or prevent pollution problems.

Animal Manure

Animal Manure
Author: Heidi M. Waldrip
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 448
Release: 2020-05-05
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 0891183701

The majority of meat, milk, and eggs consumed in the United States are produced in concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO). With concentrated animal operations, in turn comes concentrated manure accumulation, which can pose a threat of contamination of air, soil, and water if improperly managed. Animal Manure: Production, Characteristics, Environmental Concerns, and Management navigates these important environmental concerns while detailing opportunities for environmentally and economically beneficial utilization.

Clean Coastal Waters

Clean Coastal Waters
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 422
Release: 2000-08-17
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0309069483

Environmental problems in coastal ecosystems can sometimes be attributed to excess nutrients flowing from upstream watersheds into estuarine settings. This nutrient over-enrichment can result in toxic algal blooms, shellfish poisoning, coral reef destruction, and other harmful outcomes. All U.S. coasts show signs of nutrient over-enrichment, and scientists predict worsening problems in the years ahead. Clean Coastal Waters explains technical aspects of nutrient over-enrichment and proposes both immediate local action by coastal managers and a longer-term national strategy incorporating policy design, classification of affected sites, law and regulation, coordination, and communication. Highlighting the Gulf of Mexico's "Dead Zone," the Pfiesteria outbreak in a tributary of Chesapeake Bay, and other cases, the book explains how nutrients work in the environment, why nitrogen is important, how enrichment turns into over-enrichment, and why some environments are especially susceptible. Economic as well as ecological impacts are examined. In addressing abatement strategies, the committee discusses the importance of monitoring sites, developing useful models of over-enrichment, and setting water quality goals. The book also reviews voluntary programs, mandatory controls, tax incentives, and other policy options for reducing the flow of nutrients from agricultural operations and other sources.

Properties and Management of Soils in the Tropics

Properties and Management of Soils in the Tropics
Author: Pedro A. Sanchez
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 685
Release: 2019-01-10
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1107176050

Long-awaited second edition of classic textbook, brought completely up to date, for courses on tropical soils, and reference for scientists and professionals.