Product Description
Maps of species' distributions or habitat suitability are required for many aspects of environmental research, resource management and conservation planning. These include biodiversity assessment, reserve design, habitat management and restoration, species and habitat conservation plans and predicting the effects of environmental change on species and ecosystems. The proliferation of methods and uncertainty regarding their effectiveness can be daunting to researchers, resource managers and conservation planners alike. Franklin summarises the methods used in species distribution modeling (also called niche modeling) and presents a framework for spatial prediction of species distributions based on the attributes (space, time, scale) of the data and questions being asked. The framework links theoretical ecological models of species distributions to spatial data on species and environment, and statistical models used for spatial prediction. Providing practical guidelines to students, researchers and practitioners in a broad range of environmental sciences including ecology, geography, conservation biology, and natural resources management. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

worth the price
This is a good introduction to methods and theoretical issues related to mapping species distributions. From Maxent to GARP AND Biomapper.

excellent for teaching as well as reference
We adopted Janet Franklin's book in a specialized graduate course for ecology students at the University of Amsterdam, and it turned out to be very well suited for our purposes.

The book covers all relevant aspects of species distribution modeling (SDM) in a balanced and accessible way for ecologists that want to understand or apply SDM. In my view the right choices were made in covering the all different aspects of SDM (species data, environmental data, methods, methodological background, case studies) while reaching sufficient depth at the critical points.
The book does not contain exercises, so when using it as study material, it should be complemented by exercises and examples (both data sets and computer-code implementing models). But in fact, I consider it a (wise) choice rather than an omission not to include that kind of material in the book. The appropriate type of exercises and model-implementations depend a lot on the specific interests of a target group as well as the modeling and/or computer skills. So one would for that purpose rather design tailored material, complementing the book.

The book provides a very complete bibliography (and 'model-ography') on species distribution modeling until 2010. The discussion of this literature (including it's structuring in several tables) is thoughtful and well done.

My only criticism on the book is not about content but about layout: a) some illustrations could have been made much better (e.g. those picturing regression trees, figs. 7.1 & 7.2) or more information-rich (e.g. the explanation of an ensemble model, fig. 7.5); b) an author-index would have been nice (since the book gives a very good introduction to - and overview of the SDM-literature).

The best solid foundation in species distribution modeling available
Whether you are a student, professor, or experienced species distribution modeler, this book will have something to teach you.As far as I know, this is the only book that truly provides a comprehensive foundation in species distribution modeling. It starts with the history and applications of SDM and the ecological concepts that drive the modeling; then discusses data requirements and issues; covers modeling methods and considerations; and ends with a discussion of model evaluation and implementation.The writing style is casual and very digestible, but the text is also rich with citations to the most recent literature on the topic.Indeed, there are more than 50 pages of references! I've learned a ton from reading this book, and I highly recommend it.

Very useful book for everyone working with species distribution models (sdm)
I used this book for my MSc thesis and found very helpful. The first chapters focus on the data for species and environmental variables. Consequently an overview of different modelling techniques is given (statistical and machine learning). Finally evaluation statistics are discussed. All these chapters are backed up with ample references to the primary literature.

My conclusion is, that the whole task of modelling species distributions is set into a very nice framework in this book.
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This book describes the natural processes that must be understood in order to manage and protect the Earth's biological diversity.The author begins with a clear definition of biological diversity and a summary of the types of diversity patterns found on Earth.Next he lays out a scientific framework for understanding the complex array of diversity patterns, including the distribution of rare species to landscape patterns visible from space.Many fascinating case studies of coral reefs, fire-maintained shrublands, prairies, and tropical rain forests illustrate the theories and models described in this book, including such fundamental issues as endemism, invasions, and extinction in temperate, tropical, and marine ecosystems. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Highly Recommend
I highly recommend this book for anyone who is interested inunderstanding better the complexity of diversity and successional patterns on the landscape.This book offers a wonderful overview to the history of many commonly accepted theories in plant ecology and also presents new ideas and theories with examples from case studies.This book is a refreshing alternative to normal scientific textbooks and provokes the evaluation of many commonly held beliefs in the field of plant ecology.I also thoroughly enjoyed reading the update from the author regarding new experimental studies that support the dynamic equilibrium model and look forward to his 2nd edition. ... Read more

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The fastest mass extinction of species in Earth's history, intriguingly explored in an illustrated companion to the American Museum of Natural History's permanent exhibit. The Biodiversity Crisis offers general audiences a clear understanding of the current threat to life on Earth posed by the fastest mass extinction in Earth's history, which has taken place over the last five hundred years. Unlike prior extinctions, this one is clearly a direct result of human activity, not of natural phenomena. Yet the public remains unaware of the crisis in sustaining biodiversity—the variety and interdependence of all living things on Earth. Published in conjunction with the American Museum of Natural History, whose major Hall of Biodiversity recently opened to great acclaim, the book defines biodiversity, demonstrates its importance to life as we know it, and presents strategies and solutions, including what we can do in our own homes and communities, for stopping the escalating rate of species' extinction. It combines essays by experts including E. O. Wilson, Niles Eldredge, and Peter Raven; profiles of naturalists such as Jane Goodall; and case studies. Engaging and accessible, The Biodiversity Crisis presents the best scientific thinking in language and images that we can all understand, and is illustrated with photographs and drawings and supplemented with a resource section and a glossary of key terms. Black-and-white photographs and illustrations throughout.

The New Press is pleased to announce the publication of this new title with the American Museum of Natural History, a collaboration that began with the publication of Epidemic! in 2000.

Founded in 1869, the American Museum of Natural History in New York City is one of the world's preeminent institutions for scientific research and education, visited by more than four million people annually. Three new titles, Earth, The Biodiversity Crisis, and Cosmic Horizons, are companion volumes to three major new permanent exhibitions at the museum: the David S. and Ruth L. Gottesman Hall of Planet Earth, the Hall of Biodiversity, and the Frederick Phineas and Sandra Priest Rose Center for Earth and Space. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A Solid Summary of the Biodiversity Crises
In recent years there have been a number of books written on the ongoing crisis in biodiversity.Most are rather complex and may be little understood by the general public. This short book, published by the American Museum of Natural History and edited by Michael Novacek, is an easy to read summary of many (but not all) of the issues involved."The Biodiversity Crisis" was compiled as a companion volume for the AMNH's Hall of Biodiversity and contains short chapters by some of the most important scientists involved in the study of biodiversity such as E. O. Wilson, Paul Ehrlich, David Ehrenfeld, Peter Raven, Niles Eldrege and Dan Janzen. That said I dropped it a star for the lack of discussions on human population, certainly a major component (along with human consumption) of the whole issue!

It is my opinion (for what it is worth) that this crisis, in part driven by another serious problem- global climate change, is much more important than is generally believed (as evidenced by numerous poll results.)The biodiversity hall at the AMNH and the publication of this short book I hope has and will educate enough people in the perils that lie ahead.We do not need panic, but we do need appreciation of the problem so that we may act responsibly to mitigate the decline of biodiversity as much as possible.Any other actions (or inactions) would be immensely irresponsible. It is in our hands to at least try to construct a sustainable society and thus a stable biosphere.Reading this book (or visiting the AMNH Hall of Biodiversity) is a start.I would, however, read other books, including some that tackle that elephant in the room, the human population problem.

World-Class in Every Way

This is very much an edited work, with most of the entries being but two or three pages in length.All of the authors are world-class proven naturalists and related professionals, and the photography that accompanies each work is top of the line.Of all the bio-diversity books available, this one appears to be both the easiest to digest and the most pleasing to the eye.

Biodiversity is an option-generator.More diversity, more options for the future.See also Howard Bloom, World Brain.

Hyperdisease happens more often than we might think, and is very relevant to concerns today about the collapse of public health.See also Laurrie Garrett, Betrayal of Trust.

Biological elements are being inserted into commercial off the shelf products with unanticipated effects, some of which are damaging to humans.One noteworthy example: Corning added an ingredient to its tubes to make them less brittle, and scientists were finding their experiments infected and contaminated.Corning would not reveal what had changed, claiming it was a trade secret.Independent investigation finally determined that there was a synthetic chemical mimicking estrogen and having the effect of an estrogen injection on the cells exposed to the Corning tubes.Buyers beware--there would appear to be some disclosure standards required!

Mass catastrophes have occurred many times over history, eliminating up to 75% of all living things, with varied outcomes in the millions of years thereafter.See also David Keys, Catastrophe, on the most recent, the Dark Ages, circa 535 A.D.

Naturalists and natural science--the study of nature in its own environment, are endangered.Most universities are failing to support this vital area of study, with a result that our understanding of nature stems largely from lab work and computer models that are far removed from reality.See also John Paul Ralston, Voltaire's Bastards.

I highly recommend this book.It is both discouraging (so much yet to be done to stabilize the world) and encouraging (many good things being done by many small groups).

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Product Description
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD ARTWORK

This concise introductory text provides a complete overview of biodiversity - what it is, how it arose, its distribution, why it is important, human impact upon it, and what should be done to maintain it.

• Timely overview of the serious attempts made to quantify and describe biodiversity in a scientific way
  
• Acts as an easy entry point into the primary literature
  
• Provides real-world examples of key issues, including illustrations of major temporal and spatial patterns in biodiversity
  
• Designed primarily with undergraduate students and course lecturers in mind, it will also be of interest to anyone who requires an overview of, and entry to, the vast literature on these topics.
  
• All the figures included in the book are downloadable from the Blackwell Publishing website

Customer Reviews (1)

Tries to do too much..
This is a very terse book.The stated purpose, according to the authors (Kevin Gaston and John Spicer at the University of Sheffield, UK) is to "cover as much ground in as few pages as possible."It succeeds,to a limited extent, by providing an outline to key issues associated withbiodiversity research.It supplements this skeletal approach with numerousreferences for additional reading, and a few URLs.While there is a clearneed for a succinct reader on biodiversity, I cannot recommend this book asa good introductory text.It tries to be too broad (including, e.g.,biodiversity below the earth's surface) rather than being more informativeon a focused range of topics.As a result the coverage on many of thetopics is maddeningly shallow - for example, 1 page on species-arearelationships, 1/3rd of a page on local versus regional diversity (withoutreference to alpha, beta, gamma diversity), a short paragraph on patternsof diversity with productivity, and a discussion of endemism withoutreference to historical or spatial isolation.One way the 113-page bookmight have been better executed in comparable length is by omitting themarginally informative 5th chapter on "maintaining biodiversity,"which uses 1/6th of the book's length to outline the UN Convention onBiological Diversity.Despite these crippling problems the book doesconvey many of the critical issues facing scientists, environmentalists andpolicy makers in this poorly understood (and frequently misrepresented)subject. The first 3 chapters provide a useful overview of the elements andsurrogates for biodiversity, historical diversification, and some of thechallenges to mapping biodiversity at a range of spatial scales. ... Read more

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This book brings together a selection of original studies submitted to Biodiversity and Conservation that address the conservation and biodiversity of vertebrates - particularly those in terrestrial habitats. Vertebrates are, along with plants, the best-known and most intensively studied components of biological diversity on Earth. While studies on vertebrates can be expected to provide models for other groups, they can also pose their own particular problems due to their relative mobility as in some migratory birds. In addition, many mammals and fish are also subject to extensive human exploitation for food or sport.

The contributions in this volume are drawn from a wide range of countries – from Australasia, East Africa, Europe, and North, Central and South America. Collectively they provide a snap-shot of the types of studies and actions being taken in vertebrate conservation – topical examples that will make the volume especially valuable for use in conservation biology courses.

Product Description
This book is the study of microorganisms from extremeenvironments, and it provides a much-needed synthesis of the recentadvances in the biology, biotechnology, and management of thermophilicorganisms, with specific examples drawn largely from thermal springsin Yellowstone National Park. The work addresses the issues ofintellectual property rights with regard to the search for novelmicroorganisms as sources for pharmaceuticals, and the molecular toolscurrently used to address microbial diversity, containing how-tosections for all professionals in ecology and conservation. ... Read more

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During the past century, tropical rain forests have been reduced to about half of their original area, with a consequent loss of biodiversity.This book takes a close look at how this has happened and what the consequences may be, with am emphasis on those strategies that have proven successful in stemming the loss of plant and animal inhabitants.It describes the use of protected areas such as sacred groves, royal preserves, and today's national parks, which have long served to shield the delicate forest habitats for countless species. Although programs for protecting habitats are under increasing attack, this book argues that a system of protected areas must in fact be the cornerstone of all conservation strategies aimed at limiting the inevitable reduction of our planet's biodiversity.Written by leading experts with years of experience, the book integrates ecological, economic and political perspectives on how best to manage tropical forests and their inhabitants, throughout the world.In addition to conservationists, policy makers, and ecologists, the book will serve as a useful text in courses on tropical conservation. ... Read more

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This book presents a wide range of contributions addressing diverse aspects of biodiversity exploitation and conservation. These collectively provide a snapshot of ongoing action and state-of-the-art research, rather than a series of necessarily more superficial overviews. Examples presented here derive from studies in 17 countries including Africa, Asia, Europe, and North and South America. These reports will stimulate future work toward attaining a sustainable balance between the conservation and exploitation of biodiversity.

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Invasive species have come to dominate 3% of the Earth’s ice-free surface, constituting one of the most serious ecological and economic threats of the new millennium, and freshwater systems are particularly vulnerable. This book examines the identity, distribution, and impact of freshwater non-indigenous species and the dynamics of their invasion. It focuses on old and new invaders and provides a starting point for further research.

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Global Biodiversity is the most comprehensive compendium ofconservation information ever published.It provides the firstsystematic report on the status, distribution, management, andutilisation of the planet's biological wealth. ... Read more

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Central Amazonian floodplain forests are an unique and endangered ecosystem. The forests grow in areas that are annually flooded by large rivers during mean periods of up to 8 months and at depths of up to 10 m. Despite this severe stress, these forests consist of over 1,000 species and are by far the most species-rich floodplain forests worldwide. The trees show a broad range of morphological, anatomical, physiological, and phenological adaptations that enable them not only to survive the adverse environmental conditions, but also to produce large amounts of biomass when the nutrient levels in water and soils are sufficiently high. This is the case in the floodplains of white-water rivers, which are used for fisheries, agriculture, and cattle-ranching but which also have a high potential for the production of timber and non-timber products, when adequately managed. Latest research on ecophysiology gives insight how tree species adapt to the oscillating flood-pulse focusing on their photosynthesis, respiration, sap flow, biochemistry, phenology, wood and leave anatomy, root morphology and functioning, fruit chemistry, seed germination, seedling establishment, nitrogen fixation and genetic variability. Based on tree ages, lifetime growth rates and net primary production, new concepts are developed to improve the sustainability of traditional forest managements in the background of an integrated natural resource management. This is the first integrative book on the functioning and ecologically oriented use of floodplain forests in the tropics and sub-tropics.It provides fundamental knowledge for scientist, students, foresters and other professionals on their distribution, evolution and phytogeography. “This book is an excellent testimony to the interdisciplinary collaboration of a group of very dedicated scientists to unravel the functioning of the Amazonian Floodplain forests. They have brought together a highly valuable contribution on the distribution, ecology, primary production, ecophysiology, typology, biodiversity, and human use of these forests offering recommendations for sustainable management and future projects in science and development of these unique wetland ecosystems. It lays a solid scientific foundation for wetland ecologists, foresters, environmentalists, wetland managers, and all those interested in sustainable management in the tropics and subtropics.” Brij Gopal, Executive Vice President International Society for Limnology (SIL). ... Read more

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The invasive species problem will become increasingly importantin the years to come. Trade, travel and tourism are rapidlyglobalized, and border controls are reduced. This affects naturalecosystems in which aggressive invaders may have disastrous effects.`New' diseases affect human, animal and crop health. The Convention onBiological Diversity presents national authorities with a tall orderin coping with this problem. For the first time in one volume, thisbook presents both ecological, biological and epidemiological aspectsof invasive species, as well as the problem of disease organisms foragriculture and human health. The book constitutes a comprehensivebackground to the global strategy for managing invasive alien specieswhich now is being developed by SCOPE and UNEP.

The book is well suited for management staff in various environmental,economic and social sectors. It is essential for university andcollege teachers, researchers in ecology, natural resourcesmanagement, and social sciences, as well as M.Sc. and Ph.D. students. ... Read more

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The Great Indian or Thar Desert is characterized by extremely harsh climatic conditions. Nevertheless, this unique region, consisting of very different habitats ranging from grassland, sand dunes and rocky expanses to hilly wooded terrains, but also crop fields and abandoned human habitations, features a spectacular biodiversity. In 16 chapters, reputed experts in their fields describe the regional climate and microclimatic regime of this hot, arid desert, and its diverse faunal inhabitants. These range from dung beetles, ants and spiders to lizards and snakes, vultures, doves and other birds, bats, gerbils and mice, and mammals including the gazelle and langur, some appearing in the IUCN Red List of threatened species. Key aspects of the ecology and conservation of this endangered ecosystem are discussed, notably pest control and the protective role of local religious communities, as well as the impacts of large-scale irrigation schemes, changing land-use patterns and climate change.

Product Description
When the 1998 International Prize for Biology was awarded for outstanding research in the biology of biodiversity, the honor went to Harvard University Professor Otto T. Solbrig, one of the authors of this volume. As the world becomes increasingly aware of the crisis and urgency of conservation in biodiversity, this book could not be more timely. Understanding of the biodiversity of plants, animals, and humans remains incomplete, but new multidisciplinary approaches - phylogenetic, ecological, molecular developmental, and genetic - have revealed essential underlying aspects of the science. These and other breakthroughs are presented in the papers collected here from scientists at the forefront of biodiversity research. While the focus of their work is on the evolutionary and ecological implications of biodiversity, basic concepts and data also are provided. The book is thus a valuable source both in research and in the utilization and conservation of biodiversity. ... Read more

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In the last few decades more and more yeast habitats that were not investigated earlier, spanning cold climates to tropical regions and dry deserts to rainforests, have been explored. As a result, a large body of ecological data has been accumulated and the number of known yeast species has increased rapidly. This book provides an overview of the biodiversity of yeasts in different habitats. The recent advances achieved by the application of molecular biological methods in the field of yeast taxonomy and ecology are also incorporated in the book. Wherever possible, the interaction between yeasts and the surrounding environment is discussed ... Read more

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This work explains how to undertake field studies to guide conservation work. It is aimed at anyone working in conservation regardless of their professional or scientific background. The methods and procedures of scientific inquiry are explained in a step-by-step manner. The author wants to make the process of doing science accessible and effective. The purpose of this book is not only to offer information, but primarily to catalyze the process of good thinking, so that readers can learn how to think and understand the importance of broad inquiry, no matter what the conservation project. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Good study guide for real world research
I had to use this book in my Environmental Studies class at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Now that I live in North Carolina and study at the University of Maryland (online), I still do find it helpful when I'm in the field. A little hard to understand if you've never done field work, but once you work in the field, it falls into place. Not really for novices.

good read
plenty of good information, presented in an easy-to-read and even entertaining manner - good choice for anyone considering conservation research! ... Read more

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Biodiversity in Drylands, the first internationally based synthesis volume in the Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) Network Series, unifies the concepts of species and landscape diversity with respect to deserts. Within this framework, the book treats several emerging themes, among them:

· how animal biodiversity can be supported in deserts
· diversity's relation to habitat structure, environmental variability, and species interactions
· the relation between spatial scale and diversity
· how to use a landscape simulation model to understand diversity
· microbial contributions to biodiversity in deserts
· species diversity and ecosystem processes
· resource partitioning and biodiversity in fractal environments
· effects of grazing on biodiversity
· reconciliation ecology and the future of conservation management

In the face of global change, integration is crucial for dealing with the problem of sustaining biodiversity. This book promises to be a vital resource for students, researchers, and managers interested in integrative species, resource, and landscape diversities. ... Read more

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Freshwater is a valuable resource for human populations, and has many uses such as water for drinking, hydroelectric power and recreation. This creates conflict between conservation and exploitation. This book explores various aspects of conservation evaluation, including the selection of important areas for protection, responding to threats from catchment development, and determining the restoration potential of degraded water bodies. Aimed at academic researchers, graduate students and professionals, chapters are written by pairs of UK and US authors, who compare methods used for evaluating rivers and lakes for conservation in these countries who share a long history of freshwater science, but approach nature conservation very differently. Sweden, Australia and South Africa are also examined, and there is a chapter on developing countries, allowing examination of the role of social and economic conditions in conservation ethics. ... Read more

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Kentucky's abundance of plant and animal life, from the bottomland swamps in the west to the rich Appalachian forests in the east, is extraordinary as well as beautiful. Glades, prairies, forests, wetlands, rivers, and caves form a biologically diverse patchwork that is unique to the state. Kentucky's Natural Heritage: An Illustrated Guide to Biodiversity provides an essential reference to the remarkable natural history of the commonwealth and is a rallying call for the conservation of this priceless legacy.

Kentucky's ecosystems teem with diverse native species, some of which are found nowhere else in the world. Kentucky's Natural Heritage brings these sometimes elusive creatures into close view, from black-throated green warblers to lizard skin liverworts. The aquatic systems of the state are home to rainbow darters, ghost crayfish, salamander mussels, and an impressive array of other species that constitute some of the greatest levels of freshwater diversity on the planet.

Kentucky's Natural Heritage presents a persuasive argument for conservation of the state's biodiversity. Organized by a team from the Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission, the book is an outgrowth of the agency's focus on biodiversity protection.

Richly detailed and lavishly illustrated with more than 250 color photos, maps, and charts, Kentucky's Natural Heritage is the definitive compendium of the commonwealth's amazing diversity. It celebrates the natural beauty of some of the most important ecosystems in the nation and presents a compelling case for the necessity of conservation.

Customer Reviews (1)

I love KY Biodiversity Guide!
Not since Wharton and Barbour have Kentuckians been given as much information about our natural world as with the publication of Kentucky's Natural Heritage: An Illustrated Guide to Biodiversity.While not overly technical, the easy-to-read text and great graphics are simple science.Plus, the hundreds of photographs of flora and fauna are outstanding.This book presents the status of biodiversity within the Commonwealth of Kentucky and relates to the region and the entire world with its relevance.

The foreword by Mr. Wendell Berry is both beautifully insightful and alarming.Mr. Berry gives a testament to the importance of biodiversity and the tragedy of losing it.

I ordered several "KY Biodiversity Guides" - one for myself and others to give as perfect gifts to "naturalists" I love.I highly recommend that everyone share the love of nature and of Kentucky by buying Kentucky's Natural Heritage: An Illustrated Guide to Biodiversity.
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