Shorebirds are the most visible inhabitants of coastal wetlands worldwide. Many undertake spectacularly long flights between their wintering and breeding grounds, embodying the miracle of long-distance migration in a profound way. In this illustrated behavioural ecology the migration, feeding and breeding of these birds are explained in a comprehensive but simple and visually stunning form. The core of the book is based on studies of shorebirds and other waterbirds (such as ducks, geese and gulls) that migrate along the East Atlantic Flyway. The emphasis is on those using the Dutch, German and Danish Wadden Sea; examples from the rest of the world are also included. The authors are experts in the fields of bird migration, shorebird behaviour and intertidal ecology, and have contributed much to our current understanding of these subjects. The 300 magnificent portraits of waterbirds in action were taken by Jan van de Kam, one of The Netherlands' foremost wildlife photographers.

Estuarine and coastal waters are acknowledged centres for anthropogenic impacts. Superimposed on the complex natural interactions between land, rivers and sea are the myriad consequences of human activity – a spectrum ranging from locally polluting effluents to some of the severest consequences of global climate change. For practitioners, academics and students in the field of coastal science and policy, this timely book examines and exemplifies current and future challenges: from upper estuaries to open coasts and adjacent seas; from tropical to temperate latitudes; from Europe to Australia. This authoritative volume marks the 50th anniversary of the Estuarine and Coastal Sciences Association. Drawing on the expertise of more than 60 specialist contributors, individual chapters address coastal erosion and deposition; open shores to estuaries and deltas; marine plastics; coastal squeeze and habitat loss; tidal freshwaters – saline incursion and estuarine squeeze; restoration management using remote data collection; carbon storage; species distribution and non-natives; shorebirds; Modelling environmental change; physical processes such as sediments and modelling; sea level rise and estuarine tidal dynamics; estuaries as fish nurseries; policy versus reality in coastal conservation; developments in estuarine, coastal and marine management. In addition to providing an overview of current scientific understanding, the material gathered here offers a clear-eyed perspective on what needs to be done to protect these fragile – and vital – ecosystems.

A comprehensive monograph on waders. All of the Nethersole-Thompson family contribute in some measure to this book but it is Dr Desmond Nethersole-Thompson's life-long interest in waders which gives the work its exceptional quality and authority. For well over fifty years the study of waders and their behaviour has been his passion, and his great knowledge and experience are internationally recognised. There is a bonus, too, for the reader in the particular freshness and style of his writing which conveys not only his closely observed, patient study but also the joy and satisfaction he has known in watching such intriguing and beautiful birds, mainly in their Scottish habitats. The core of the book is the comprehensive accounts of the biology and behaviour of 18 species of waders in their breeding haunts. In addition there are chapters on waders generally, wader spacing and dispersion, the wader watchers of past and recent times, and two final chapters on new or returning waders and those pipe-dream species that, not too fancifully, may yet breed one day in these islands. Voice is one of the headings within the species accounts but there is also an appendix of sonagrams of wader songs and calls; there are tables of data and an extensive, selected bibliography. Donald Watson has provided more than a hundred drawings to complement and embellish the text and there are 32 photographs. Jacket paintings are also by Donald Watson.

For the inhabitants of many of the world's major towns and cities, estuaries provide their first and nearest glimpse of a natural habitat. Despite the attempts of man to pollute or reclaim it, the estuarine ecosystem continues to provide a fascinating insight into a natural world where energy is transformed from sunlight into plant material, and then through the steps of a food chain is converted into a rich food supply for birds and fish. The book provides a concise readable introduction to estuarine ecology. First published in 1981, it soon established itself as the principle textbook of choice in the UK & NW Europe. This new edition builds upon the strengths of the earlier editions but has been thoroughly revised throughout. The new co-author brings a human impact dimension to the revised book. It is written for advanced undergraduate and graduate students (particularly taught masters) who have had a general ecology course, but no further training in estuarine science. It will be useful to both professional researchers and practical managers in marine ecology and environmental science who seek a compact but comprehensive introduction to estuarine ecology.

This book is the result of three symposia of the Dutch Society for Landscape Ecology (Werkgemeenschap voor Landschapsecologisch Onderzoek) about • the Dutch National Ecological Network • urban ecology • and civil infrastructure. The three topics - among others - show important contexts in which landscape ecologists do their research and apply their knowledge and skills. The book focuses on urbanisation, intensive land use and water management as characteristic features of the Netherlands and therefore presents an important view on landscape ecology in the Dutch context.