This practical handbook describes sampling and laboratory assessment methods for the biodiversity of a number of key functional groups of soil organisms, including insects, earthworms, nematodes, fungi and bacteria. The methods have been assembled and the protocols drafted by a number of scientists associated with the UNEP-GEF funded Conservation and Sustainable Management of Below-Ground Biodiversity Project, executed by the Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility (TSBF) Institute of the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT). The methods provide a standardized basis for characterizing soil biodiversity and current land uses in terrestrial natural, semi-natural and agroecosystems in tropical forests and at forest margins. The aim is to assess soil biodiversity against current and historic land use practices both at plot and landscape scales and, further, to identify opportunities for improved sustainable land management through the introduction, management or remediation of soil biota, thus reducing the need for external inputs such as fertilizers and pesticides. The book also contains extensive advice on the handling of specimens and the allocation of organisms to strain or functional group type. Published with TSBF-CIAT, CTA, UNEP and GEF

This book presents biosystematic information on fruit flies of the world that are of economic importance, and includes host data for about 250 species, as well as illustrated keys to adults, distribution data and recent references for over 100 of these species. In addition there is extensive coverage of larval stages, with the inclusion of keys separating the final instar larvae of over 60 species and detailed new descriptions of 34 of these species. As a whole, the book is a comprehensive identification guide to fruit fly pests across many temperate regions and will be invaluable to entomologists and pest control specialists.

As global warming and species migration become more prevalent issues, there is an urgent need for a text that provides comprehensive taxonomic details and geographic distributions of Dacinae fruit flies within south-east Asia. In particular, some of the major pest species of this region are being introduced on a regular basis to new geographical areas, causing widespread food security issues and economic hardship. Quarantine and horticultural organizations require detailed information on these fruit fly species in order to detect and eradicate any new incursions. This major new reference work details the taxonomic research into the subfamily Dacinae, which contains the tropical fruit flies of south-east Asia, as well as many other regions of the world. While focusing on south-east Asian fauna, all known species are included, through a study of the type material available in museums around the world. Specimens collected in major surveys conducted across Asia from 1983 to present have also been used to ensure a complete, in-depth review of this subfamily. Providing complete descriptions and artwork of all species of Dacinae recorded from the south-east Asian region for the first time, this book is written and illustrated by experts with over 80 years' combined research experience. Areas covered include: India, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, China, Taiwan, Japan, the Philippines, Palau, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. It is an essential reference for departments of agriculture, researchers and students of entomology and quarantine, horticultural and chemical industry personnel worldwide. Key features: - 120 recently discovered species - 500 detailed drawings - Revision of all known species - Updated geographical distributions and host records - Accurate list and detailed information of all known pest species This book will be followed by Keys to Fruit Flies of South-East Asia.

Details multimodal biometrics and its exceptional utility for increasingly reliable human recognition systems. Reveals the substantial advantages of multimodal systems over conventional identification methods.

Written by noted experts in the field, Handbook of Mango Fruit: Production, Postharvest Science, Processing Technology and Nutrition offers a comprehensive resource regarding the production, trade, and consumption of this popular tropical fruit. The authors review the geographic areas where the fruit is grown and harvested, including information on the ever-expanding global marketplace that highlights United States production, imports and exports, and consumption, as well as data on the outlook for the European market. Handbook of Mango Fruit outlines the postharvest handling and packaging techniques and reviews the fruit’s processed products and byproducts that are gleaned from the processing of waste. The authors include information on the nutritional profile of the mango and review the food safety considerations for processing and transport of mangoes. This comprehensive resource: Reviews global mango production trends and countries that are the major exporters and importers of mangoes Explores the burgeoning marketplace for mangoes with special emphasis on the US and European marketplace Assesses latest trends in packaging of and shipping of mangoes Provides in depth coverage on value-added processing and by-products utilization Offers vital information on the innovative processing technologies and nutritional profile of popular tropical fruit Written for anyone involved in the production, marketing, postharvest handling, processing and by-products of mangoes, Handbook of Mango Fruit is a vital resource offering the most current information and guidelines on the burgeoning marketplace as well as the safe handling, production, and distribution of mangoes.