While many "alien" plant and animal species are purposefully introduced into new areas as ornamentals, livestock, crops, and even pets, these species can escape into other areas and threaten agricultural and native ecosystems causing economic and environmental harm, or harm to human health. Increasingly, scientists are using Geographic Information

Under ongoing climate change, natural and cultivated habitats of major food crops are being continuously disturbed. Such condition accelerates to impose stress effects like abiotic and biotic stressors. Drought, salinity, flood, cold, heat, heavy metals, metalloids, oxidants, irradiation etc. are important abiotic stresses; and diseases and infections caused by plant pathogens viz. fungal agents, bacteria and viruses are major biotic stresses. As a result, these harsh environments affect crop productivity and its biology in multiple complex paradigms. As stresses become the limiting factors for agricultural productivity and exert detrimental role on growth and yield of the crops, scientists and researchers are challenged to maintain global food security for a rising world population. This two-volume work highlights the fast-moving agricultural research on crop improvement through the stress mitigation strategies, with specific focuses on crop biology and their response to climatic instabilities. Together with "Climate Resilient Agriculture, Vol 1: Crop Responses and Agroecological Perspectives", it covers a wide range of topics under environmental challenges, agronomy and agriculture processes, and biotechnological approaches, uniquely suitable for scientists, researchers and students working in the fields of agriculture, plant science, environmental biology and biotechnology.

Biological control of weeds has been practised for over 100 years and Australia has been a leader in this weed management technique. The classical example of control of prickly pears in Australia by the cactus moth Cactoblastis cactorum, which was imported from the Americas, helped to set the future for biocontrol of weeds in many countries. Since then there have been many projects using Classical Biological Control to manage numerous weed species, many of which have been successful. Importantly, there have been no serious negative non-target impacts – the technique, when practised as it is in Australia, is safe and environmentally friendly. Economic assessments have shown that biocontrol of weeds in Australia has provided exceedingly high benefit-to-cost ratios. This book reviews biological control of weeds in Australia to 2011, covering over 90 weed species and a multitude of biological control agents and potential agents. Each chapter has been written by practising biological control of weeds researchers and provides details of the weed, the history of its biological control, exploration for agents, potential agents studied and agents released and the outcomes of those releases. Many weeds were successfully controlled, some were not, many projects are still underway, some have just begun, however all are reported in detail in this book. Biological Control of Weeds in Australia will provide invaluable information for biological control researchers in Australia and elsewhere. Agents used in Australia could be of immense value to other countries that suffer from the same weeds as Australia. The studies reported here provide direction to future research and provide examples and knowledge for researchers and students.

The present book on “Crop Protection Strategies under Climate Change Scenarios” provides the information on i) effects of climate variables [increased temperatures, elevated carbon dioxide levels, varying precipitation patterns and frequency and magnitude of extreme weather events (drought, cyclones, floods, etc.), and elevated levels of atmospheric pollutants (ozone, acid rain, and elevated ultraviolet B) on crop pests; ii) Impacts of climate change induced consequences (expansion of geographical distribution, increase in number of generations, increased overwintering survival, pest population dynamics and outbreaks, risk of introducing invasive alien species, crop-pest interactions, loss of ecological biodiversity, changes in phenology, increased incidence of insect vectored plant diseases, disruption of plant-pollinator interactions, reduced effectiveness of pest management strategies) on crop pests; iii) Development of modelling approaches to predict future pest change scenarios; and iv) Formulation of sustainable adaptation and mitigation pest management strategies including physical, cultural, chemical, biological, host resistance, and integrated methods under climate change scenarios. This book will be of immense value to scientific community involved in teaching, research and extension activities pertaining to pest management under climate change scenarios. The material in the book can be used for teaching post-graduate courses. The book can also serve as a very useful reference to policy makers and practicing farmers.

A new, practical handbook for managing natural areas. Written by Robin Buchanan, TAFE teacher and author of the classic text 'Bush Regeneration'. A lavishly illustrated 264 page colour publication covering all aspects of managing natural area restoration projects. Includes resilience, mapping, describing and assessing vegetation. Techniques for managing weeds, fire and responding to climate change.