Ecological Systems

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Ecological Systems

Author : Rik Leemans
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
Page : 311 pages
File Size : 48,9 Mb
Release : 2012-12-12
Category : Science
ISBN : 9781461457558

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Ecological Systems by Rik Leemans Pdf

Earth is home to an estimated 8 million animal species, 600,000 fungi, 300,000 plants, and an undetermined number of microbial species. Of these animal, fungal, and plant species, an estimated 75% have yet to be identified. Moreover, the interactions between these species and their physical environment are known to an even lesser degree. At the same time, the earth’s biota faces the prospect of climate change, which may manifest slowly or extremely rapidly, as well as a human population set to grow by two billion by 2045 from the current seven billion. Given these major ecological changes, we cannot wait for a complete biota data set before assessing, planning, and acting to preserve the ecological balance of the earth. This book provides comprehensive coverage of the scientific and engineering basis of the systems ecology of the earth in 15 detailed, peer-reviewed entries written for a broad audience of undergraduate and graduate students as well as practicing professionals in government, academia, and industry. The methodology presented aims at identifying key interactions and environmental effects, and enabling a systems-level understanding even with our present state of factual knowledge.

The Routledge Handbook of Research Methods for Social-Ecological Systems

Author : Reinette Biggs,Alta de Vos,Rika Preiser,Hayley Clements,Kristine Maciejewski,Maja Schlüter
Publisher : Routledge
Page : 526 pages
File Size : 47,6 Mb
Release : 2021-07-29
Category : Nature
ISBN : 9781000401516

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The Routledge Handbook of Research Methods for Social-Ecological Systems by Reinette Biggs,Alta de Vos,Rika Preiser,Hayley Clements,Kristine Maciejewski,Maja Schlüter Pdf

The Routledge Handbook of Research Methods for Social-Ecological Systems provides a synthetic guide to the range of methods that can be employed in social-ecological systems (SES) research. The book is primarily targeted at graduate students, lecturers and researchers working on SES, and has been written in a style that is accessible to readers entering the field from a variety of different disciplinary backgrounds. Each chapter discusses the types of SES questions to which the particular methods are suited and the potential resources and skills required for their implementation, and provides practical examples of the application of the methods. In addition, the book contains a conceptual and practical introduction to SES research, a discussion of key gaps and frontiers in SES research methods, and a glossary of key terms in SES research. Contributions from 97 different authors, situated at SES research hubs in 16 countries around the world, including South Africa, Sweden, Germany and Australia, bring a wealth of expertise and experience to this book. The first book to provide a guide and introduction specifically focused on methods for studying SES, this book will be of great interest to students and scholars of sustainability science, environmental management, global environmental change studies and environmental governance. The book will also be of interest to upper-level undergraduates and professionals working at the science–policy interface in the environmental arena.

Linking Social and Ecological Systems

Author : Fikret Berkes,Carl Folke,Johan Colding
Publisher : Cambridge University Press
Page : 480 pages
File Size : 55,5 Mb
Release : 2000-04-13
Category : Business & Economics
ISBN : 0521785626

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Linking Social and Ecological Systems by Fikret Berkes,Carl Folke,Johan Colding Pdf

Investigates how management systems and their dynamics can improve stewardship of selected ecosystems.

Mycorrhizal Dynamics in Ecological Systems

Author : Michael F. Allen
Publisher : Cambridge University Press
Page : 319 pages
File Size : 43,8 Mb
Release : 2022-04-14
Category : Science
ISBN : 9780521831499

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Mycorrhizal Dynamics in Ecological Systems by Michael F. Allen Pdf

Interdisciplinary volume on dynamic interactions between plants and fungi and how they scale up to land management and global change.

Navigating Social-Ecological Systems

Author : Fikret Berkes,Johan Colding,Carl Folke
Publisher : Cambridge University Press
Page : 419 pages
File Size : 42,6 Mb
Release : 2008-04-24
Category : Nature
ISBN : 9781139434799

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Navigating Social-Ecological Systems by Fikret Berkes,Johan Colding,Carl Folke Pdf

In the effort towards sustainability, it has become increasingly important to develop conceptual frames to understand the dynamics of social and ecological systems. Drawing on complex systems theory, this book investigates how human societies deal with change in linked social-ecological systems, and build capacity to adapt to change. The concept of resilience is central in this context. Resilient social-ecological systems have the potential to sustain development by responding to and shaping change in a manner that does not lead to loss of future options. Resilient systems also provide capacity for renewal and innovation in the face of rapid transformation and crisis. The term navigating in the title is meant to capture this dynamic process. Case studies and examples from several geographic areas, cultures and resource types are included, merging forefront research from natural sciences, social sciences and the humanities into a common framework for new insights on sustainability.

Social-Ecological Systems (SES)

Author : Mohamed Behnassi,Himangana Gupta,Mahjoub El Haiba,Gopichandran Ramachandran
Publisher : Springer Nature
Page : 265 pages
File Size : 55,9 Mb
Release : 2021-07-12
Category : Science
ISBN : 9783030762476

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Social-Ecological Systems (SES) by Mohamed Behnassi,Himangana Gupta,Mahjoub El Haiba,Gopichandran Ramachandran Pdf

This book contributes to the multidisciplinary debate about social–ecological systems (SES) within the perspective of rethinking the nature of interaction between these systems, especially in the Anthropocene Era. Most chapters either deliberate on risk dynamics threatening current SES or stimulate thought processes to manage such risks and related negative implications. After analyzing the main drivers of SES vulnerability, the book highlights the shifts to be made to enhance the sustainability and resilience of these systems, mainly the integration and restructuring of governance frameworks, the reorganization of production and consumption systems far from conventional models based on consumerism, the elaboration of mitigation, adaptation, and SDGs implementation measures from a co-benefit perspective, and the consideration of appropriate approaches and paradigms while elaborating and implementing response mechanisms. This volume is relevant to researchers/experts, students, practitioners, and decision-makers from different scales and spheres.

Social-ecological Systems of Latin America: Complexities and Challenges

Author : Luisa E. Delgado,Víctor H. Marín
Publisher : Springer Nature
Page : 453 pages
File Size : 44,8 Mb
Release : 2019-10-31
Category : Science
ISBN : 9783030284527

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Social-ecological Systems of Latin America: Complexities and Challenges by Luisa E. Delgado,Víctor H. Marín Pdf

Human societies are influencing nature in such a way that their independent analysis is no longer suitable. Fortunately, social-ecological systems provide a conceptual framework for the interconnected analysis of societies and ecosystems. However, in the case of Latin America, the complexity of social-ecological processes undermined a much-needed compilation of theoretical concepts, methods and case studies. Increasing readers’ understanding of such systems using a postnormal approach, the book discusses current concepts and methods with examples of studies from eight countries. It is a useful resource for social actors, government decision makers and scholars.

Towards a Thermodynamic Theory for Ecological Systems

Author : S.E. Jorgensen
Publisher : Elsevier
Page : 388 pages
File Size : 51,8 Mb
Release : 2004-07-06
Category : Science
ISBN : 008044167X

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Towards a Thermodynamic Theory for Ecological Systems by S.E. Jorgensen Pdf

The book presents a consistent and complete ecosystem theory based on thermodynamic concepts. The first chapters are devoted to an interpretation of the first and second law of thermodynamics in ecosystem context. Then Prigogine's use of far from equilibrium thermodynamic is used on ecosystems to explain their reactions to perturbations. The introduction of the concept exergy makes it possible to give a more profound and comprehensive explanation of the ecosystem's reactions and growth-patterns. A tentative fourth law of thermodynamic is formulated and applied to facilitate these explanations. The trophic chain, the global energy and radiation balance and pattern and the reactions of ecological networks are all explained by the use of exergy. Finally, it is discussed how the presented theory can be applied more widely to explain ecological observations and rules, to assess ecosystem health and to develop ecological models.

Managing Biological and Ecological Systems

Author : Brian D. Fath,Sven Erik Jorgensen
Publisher : CRC Press
Page : 597 pages
File Size : 52,5 Mb
Release : 2020-07-29
Category : Law
ISBN : 9781000062083

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Managing Biological and Ecological Systems by Brian D. Fath,Sven Erik Jorgensen Pdf

Bringing together a wealth of knowledge, Environmental Management Handbook, Second Edition, gives a comprehensive overview of environmental problems, their sources, their assessment, and their solutions. Through in-depth entries and a topical table of contents, readers will quickly find answers to questions about environmental problems and their corresponding management issues. This six-volume set is a reimagining of the award-winning Encyclopedia of Environmental Management, published in 2013, and features insights from more than 400 contributors, all experts in their field. The experience, evidence, methods, and models used in studying environmental management are presented here in six stand-alone volumes, arranged along the major environmental systems. Features The first handbook that demonstrates the key processes and provisions for enhancing environmental management Addresses new and cutting-edge topics on ecosystem services, resilience, sustainability, food–energy–water nexus, socio-ecological systems, and more Provides an excellent basic knowledge on environmental systems, explains how these systems function, and offers strategies on how to best manage them Includes the most important problems and solutions facing environmental management today In this second volume, Managing Biological and Ecological Systems, the reader is introduced to the general concepts and processes of the biosphere and all its systems. This volume explains how these systems function and provides strategies on how to best manage them. It serves as an excellent resource for finding basic knowledge on the biosphere and ecological systems and includes important problems and solutions that environmental managers face today. This book practically demonstrates the key processes, methods, and models used in studying environmental management.

Foundations of Ecological Resilience

Author : Lance H. Gunderson,Craig Reece Allen,C. S. Holling
Publisher : Island Press
Page : 496 pages
File Size : 49,5 Mb
Release : 2012-07-16
Category : Science
ISBN : 9781610911337

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Foundations of Ecological Resilience by Lance H. Gunderson,Craig Reece Allen,C. S. Holling Pdf

Ecological resilience provides a theoretical foundation for understanding how complex systems adapt to and recover from localized disturbances like hurricanes, fires, pest outbreaks, and floods, as well as large-scale perturbations such as climate change. Ecologists have developed resilience theory over the past three decades in an effort to explain surprising and nonlinear dynamics of complex adaptive systems. Resilience theory is especially important to environmental scientists for its role in underpinning adaptive management approaches to ecosystem and resource management. Foundations of Ecological Resilience is a collection of the most important articles on the subject of ecological resilience—those writings that have defined and developed basic concepts in the field and help explain its importance and meaning for scientists and researchers. The book’s three sections cover articles that have shaped or defined the concepts and theories of resilience, including key papers that broke new conceptual ground and contributed novel ideas to the field; examples that demonstrate ecological resilience in a range of ecosystems; and articles that present practical methods for understanding and managing nonlinear ecosystem dynamics. Foundations of Ecological Resilience is an important contribution to our collective understanding of resilience and an invaluable resource for students and scholars in ecology, wildlife ecology, conservation biology, sustainability, environmental science, public policy, and related fields.

Man-Made Closed Ecological Systems

Author : J.I. Gitelson,G.M. Lisovsky
Publisher : CRC Press
Page : 418 pages
File Size : 54,6 Mb
Release : 2002-12-26
Category : Nature
ISBN : 0203222792

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Man-Made Closed Ecological Systems by J.I. Gitelson,G.M. Lisovsky Pdf

Providing a broad historical perspective, this book explores the interactions between humans, microorganisms, and plants in a closed habitat, and the life support systems necessary to maintain habitability over long periods of time. Topics include the cultivation of bacteria, microalgae and higher plants; the use of biotechnology to support life outside the Earth's biosphere; methods for recycling air, water and food for human consumption; interactions between humans and other organisms in CMESs; and methods for intensifying the level of photosynthesis. In addition to space the authors investigate problems associated with living conditions in dangerous or difficult environmental areas on Earth such as the Arctic and Antarctica, deserts and mountains.

Spatial Resilience in Social-Ecological Systems

Author : Graeme S. Cumming
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
Page : 254 pages
File Size : 43,8 Mb
Release : 2011-02-09
Category : Science
ISBN : 9789400703070

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Spatial Resilience in Social-Ecological Systems by Graeme S. Cumming Pdf

Spatial Resilience is a new and exciting area of interdisciplinary research. It focuses on the influence of spatial variation – including such things as spatial location, context, connectivity, and dispersal – on the resilience of complex systems, and on the roles that resilience and self-organization play in generating spatial variation. Prof. Cumming provides a readable introduction and a first comprehensive synthesis covering the core concepts and applications of spatial resilience to the study of social-ecological systems. The book follows a trajectory from concepts through models, methods, and case study analysis before revisiting the central problems in the further conceptual development of the field. In the process, the author ranges from the movements of lions in northern Zimbabwe to the urban jungles of Europe, and from the collapse of past societies to the social impacts of modern conflict. The many case studies and examples discussed in the book show how the concept of spatial resilience can generate valuable insights into the spatial dynamics of social-ecological systems and contribute to solving some of the most pressing problems of our time. Although it has been written primarily for students, this book will provide fascinating reading for interdisciplinary scientists at all career stages as well as for the interested public. "Graeme Cumming, central in the development of resilience thinking and theory, has produced a wonderful book on spatial resilience, the first ever on this topic. The book will become a shining star, a classic in the explosion of new ideas and approaches to studying and understanding social-ecological systems." Carl Folke, Stockholm Resilience Centre, Sweden

Social-Ecological Systems in Transition

Author : Shoko Sakai,Chieko Umetsu
Publisher : Springer
Page : 198 pages
File Size : 46,9 Mb
Release : 2014-08-12
Category : Science
ISBN : 9784431549109

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Social-Ecological Systems in Transition by Shoko Sakai,Chieko Umetsu Pdf

This book presents an overview of current knowledge about social–ecological systems (SESs), a productive new field dedicated to understanding the relationships between human society and nature. To make the reader aware of how SESs are necessary to maintain our society, the book begins with a broad perspective about what social–ecological systems are and what the related research issues in this field are as well. The second part discusses how human activities have changed ecosystems from temperate grasslands to tropical areas. The third part focuses on the adaptability of societies to unpredictable fluctuation in ecosystems, while the last part summarizes factors for the resilience of society against social and ecological shocks. Human activities have severely degraded most natural ecosystems, which are now in critical condition. Various approaches have been developed to improve the SESs, to understand environmental problems and explore better ways to increase the sustainability both of ecosystems and of human societies. However, a clear perspective on how to address such problems is still lacking. Part of the difficulty arises because of the diversity and complexity of ecosystems and human societies. Another important factor is the effect of extremely rapid changes in the social and economic characteristics of social–ecological systems. Consequently, adaptability and resilience clearly are essential for the sustainability of SESs. Although there is no one, direct method to achieve high adaptability and resilience, a possible way is to compare and understand the diverse problems associated with differing social–ecological systems. This published work makes a useful contribution to a greater understanding of the way that essential social responses linked to changes in ecosystems can potentially stimulate further research on this important and interesting subject. The book will attract the attention of scholars in environmental sciences, ecology, and sociology, and indeed of anyone interested in the concept of social–ecological systems.

Adaptive Management of Social-Ecological Systems

Author : Craig R. Allen,Ahjond S. Garmestani
Publisher : Springer
Page : 264 pages
File Size : 43,8 Mb
Release : 2015-04-25
Category : Science
ISBN : 9789401796828

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Adaptive Management of Social-Ecological Systems by Craig R. Allen,Ahjond S. Garmestani Pdf

Adaptive management is an approach to managing social-ecological systems that fosters learning about the systems being managed and remains at the forefront of environmental management nearly 40 years after its original conception. Adaptive management persists because it allows action despite uncertainty, and uncertainty is reduced when learning occurs during the management process. Often termed “learning by doing”, the allure of this management approach has entrenched the concept widely in agency direction and statutory mandates across the globe. This exceptional volume is a collection of essays on the past, present and future of adaptive management written by prominent authors with long experience in developing, implementing, and assessing adaptive management. Moving forward, the book provides policymakers, managers and scientists a powerful tool for managing for resilience in the face of uncertainty.

Social and Ecological System Dynamics

Author : Krystyna Stave,Goraw Goshu,Shimelis Aynalem
Publisher : Springer
Page : 652 pages
File Size : 48,9 Mb
Release : 2017-04-06
Category : Technology & Engineering
ISBN : 9783319457550

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Social and Ecological System Dynamics by Krystyna Stave,Goraw Goshu,Shimelis Aynalem Pdf

This book is a social—ecological system description and feedback analysis of the Lake Tana Basin, the headwater catchment of the Upper Blue Nile River. This basin is an important local, national, and international resource, and concern about its sustainable development is growing at many levels. Lake Tana Basin outflows of water, sediments, nutrients, and contaminants affect water that flows downstream in the Blue Nile across international boundaries into the Nile River; the lake and surrounding land have recently been proposed as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve; the basin has been designated as a key national economic growth corridor in the Ethiopian Growth and Transformation Plan. In spite of the Lake Tana Basin’s importance, there is no comprehensive, integrated, system-wide description of its characteristics and dynamics that can serve as a basis for its sustainable development. This book presents both the social and ecological characteristics of the region and an integrated, system-wide perspective of the feedback links that shape social and ecological change in the basin. Finally, it summarizes key research needs for sustainable development.