Biological Environmental Science is an introductory textbook for undergraduate students who desire a one semester course or, alternatively, a springboard course for advanced environmental offerings. This book features timely issues such as global warming, air, ground and water pollutions, population growth, species extinction and environmental poli

Environmental Biology offers an accessible introduction to the core elements of biology and the biosphere. With balanced coverage of acquatic and terrestrial examples throughout, the text builds logically to present a clear understanding of the fundamental processes of life before examining its more complex components, namely individuals, populations, communities and ecosystems. A knowledge of environmental biology and its practical applications is essential for a deeper understanding of the environment. Environmental Biology offers an invaluable introduction to the living environment for all areas of study, from environmental history, agriculture and forestry, to impact assessment, climate change, ecology and conservation.

All students and researchers in environmental and biological sciences require statistical methods at some stage of their work. Many have a preconception that statistics are difficult and unpleasant and find that the textbooks available are difficult to understand. Practical Statistics for Environmental and Biological Scientists provides a concise, user-friendly, non-technical introduction to statistics. The book covers planning and designing an experiment, how to analyse and present data, and the limitations and assumptions of each statistical method. The text does not refer to a specific computer package but descriptions of how to carry out the tests and interpret the results are based on the approaches used by most of the commonly used packages, e.g. Excel, MINITAB and SPSS. Formulae are kept to a minimum and relevant examples are included throughout the text.

The growth of the environmental sciences has greatly expanded thescope of biological disciplines today's engineers have to dealwith. Yet, despite its fundamental importance, the full breadth ofbiology has been given short shrift in most environmentalengineering and science courses. Filling this gap in the professional literature, EnvironmentalBiology for Engineers and Scientists introduces students ofchemistry, physics, geology, and environmental engineering to abroad range of biological concepts they may not otherwise beexposed to in their training. Based on a graduate-level coursedesigned to teach engineers to be literate in biological conceptsand terminology, the text covers a wide range of biology withoutmaking it tedious for non-biology majors. Teaching aids include: * Notes, problems, and solutions * Problem sets at the end of each chapter * PowerPoints(r) of many figures A valuable addition to any civil engineering and environmentalstudies curriculum, this book also serves as an importantprofessional reference for practicing environmental professionalswho need to understand the biological impacts of pollution.

A leading expert in the emerging field of fire ecology, James Agee analyzes the ecological role of fire in the creation and maintenance of the natural forests common to most of the western U.S. In addition to examining fire from an ecological perspective, he provides insight into its historical and cultural aspects, and also touches on some of the political issues that influence the use of fire. Although the focus of chapters on the ecology of specific forest zones is on the Pacific Northwest, much of the book addresses issues that are applicable to other regions. Illustrations, tables, index.

Scientists have long sought to unravel the fundamental mysteries of the land, life, water, and air that surround us. But as the consequences of humanity's impact on the planet become increasingly evident, governments are realizing the critical importance of understanding these environmental systemsâ€"and investing billions of dollars in research to do so. To identify high-priority environmental science projects, Grand Challenges in Environmental Sciences explores the most important areas of research for the next generation. The book's goal is not to list the world's biggest environmental problems. Rather it is to determine areas of opportunity thatâ€"with a concerted investmentâ€"could yield significant new findings. Nominations for environmental science's "grand" challenges were solicited from thousands of scientists worldwide. Based on their responses, eight major areas of focus were identifiedâ€"areas that offer the potential for a major scientific breakthrough of practical importance to humankind, and that are feasible if given major new funding. The book further pinpoints four areas for immediate action and investment.

Molecular Environmental Biology is the first book to illustrate molecular biological approaches to major issues in environmental biology. International experts have contributed representative chapters that cover how molecular methods and concepts apply to wildlife management, ecology, pollution control and remediation, and environmental health. Specific topics discussed include the use of molecular techniques in the population biology of wild animals and in the management of fisheries, bioremediation, cloning and characterization of the genes responsible for degradation of PCBs and related environmental pollutants, molecular analysis of aromatic hydrocarbon degradation by soil bacteria, and molecular biological techniques in assessing environmental damage to natural habitats. The book also explores how new molecular approaches can be applied to human disease etiology and epidemiology. Topics discussed in this area include an introduction to molecular epidemiology, the uses of molecular biological markers in cancer risk assessment, specific environmental carcinogens found in foods, measuring DNA adducts and mutation frequencies to assess environmental toxic exposures and effect, and using the extent of gene inducibility as a dosimeter of toxic exposure. This book will interest researchers and students in all fields of environmental biology and environmental medicine. Readers will find information on new techniques and applications of established molecular methodology that will stimulate new research ideas, collaborations, and progress. Researchers will now have a chance to make rapid progress on environmental questions that were previously not even open for exploration.