Advertisement
# Raven Biology: Unraveling the Mysteries of the All-Black Bird
The raven, with its striking all-black plumage, intelligent eyes, and haunting call, has captivated human imagination for centuries. From folklore and mythology to modern-day observations, this magnificent corvid has earned its place as a symbol of both mystery and intelligence. But beyond the mystique, lies a fascinating world of raven biology, ripe for exploration. This comprehensive guide delves into the intricate details of raven life, encompassing their physical attributes, complex social structures, remarkable intelligence, and crucial ecological roles. Prepare to be amazed by the depth and breadth of raven biology.
Physical Characteristics: A Closer Look at the Raven's Anatomy
The raven ( Corvus corax) is one of the largest passerine birds, boasting a wingspan that can reach over 5 feet. Their plumage is uniformly black, often with an iridescent sheen that shifts from purple to green depending on the light. This dark coloration serves as excellent camouflage in their diverse habitats, ranging from mountainous regions to coastal areas. Their robust bodies are well-suited for a varied diet, and their powerful beaks are adept at tearing flesh and cracking tough nuts. Their strong legs and sharp talons allow them to efficiently navigate varied terrains and capture prey. Furthermore, their remarkable eyesight and keen hearing are vital for detecting food sources and potential threats from afar. The detailed structure of their feathers, specifically the flight feathers, plays a crucial role in their impressive flight capabilities, enabling them to soar effortlessly over vast distances.
Raven Social Structure and Communication: A Complex Society
Ravens are highly social birds, exhibiting complex social structures and sophisticated communication systems. They live in a variety of social groups, ranging from solitary individuals to large flocks, depending on the availability of resources and the time of year. Their communication relies heavily on vocalizations – a diverse repertoire of caws, croaks, and clicks – each conveying different messages, from alarm calls to courtship displays. Body language also plays a significant role, with postures, wing movements, and even head-bobbing conveying subtle nuances in their interactions. Interestingly, ravens have demonstrated a remarkable ability to recognize individual members within their flocks, fostering strong social bonds and complex relationships. The intricate social dynamics within raven communities are a testament to their high intelligence and cognitive abilities.
Raven Intelligence and Problem-Solving: A Mastermind of the Avian World
Ravens consistently rank among the most intelligent birds, showcasing exceptional problem-solving skills and cognitive abilities. Numerous studies have documented their capacity for innovative tool use, memory retention, and even planning for future events – abilities rarely observed in other avian species. For example, ravens have been observed using tools to retrieve food that is otherwise inaccessible, demonstrating a level of foresight and planning that challenges our understanding of avian intelligence. Their advanced cognitive abilities are likely an adaptation to their diverse and often challenging environments, requiring them to solve complex problems to survive and thrive. Further research continues to unravel the intricacies of their cognitive processes and the neural mechanisms that underpin their remarkable intellectual prowess.
Raven Diet and Foraging Strategies: Adaptability and Resourcefulness
Ravens are omnivorous scavengers, exhibiting remarkable adaptability in their dietary habits. Their diet is highly variable, ranging from carrion and insects to fruits, seeds, and even small vertebrates. Their foraging strategies are equally diverse, employing a range of techniques depending on the availability of food sources. They are known to cache food, storing it for later consumption – a sophisticated behavior indicative of advanced cognitive planning. This caching behavior also plays a significant role in seed dispersal, indirectly contributing to the biodiversity of their habitats. Their ability to exploit various food sources and adapt to changing environmental conditions highlights their resilience and ecological importance.
Raven Reproduction and Life Cycle: From Egg to Adult
Raven breeding typically occurs once a year, with pair-bonding often lasting for life. They build large nests, usually high in trees or on cliffs, providing protection for their offspring. The female typically lays between 3 to 6 eggs, which are incubated by both parents. The young ravens are altricial, meaning they are born helpless and reliant on their parents for food and protection. The chicks remain in the nest for several weeks before fledging, continuing to rely on their parents for an extended period afterward. The lengthy parental care reflects the high investment required to raise these intelligent and demanding offspring. The entire life cycle of the raven underscores their commitment to reproduction and the survival of their young.
Raven Conservation Status and Threats: Protecting the Future
While ravens are widely distributed across the Northern Hemisphere, they face various threats in certain regions. Habitat loss due to deforestation and urbanization is a significant concern, reducing their access to suitable nesting sites and foraging areas. Pesticide use and other human activities can also indirectly impact raven populations, affecting their food sources and overall health. Furthermore, persecution by humans due to misconceptions about their behavior continues to pose a threat in some areas. Conservation efforts focus on protecting and restoring their habitats, raising awareness about their ecological importance, and mitigating threats posed by human activities. The future of raven populations depends on continued efforts to ensure their survival and long-term conservation.
Ebook Outline: "Unlocking the Secrets of Raven Biology"
I. Introduction:
Hook: Captivating opening about ravens' mystique and intelligence.
Overview: What the ebook covers (physical characteristics, social structures, intelligence, diet, reproduction, conservation).
II. Physical Characteristics:
Size and plumage details.
Adaptations for flight and foraging.
Sensory capabilities (sight, hearing).
III. Social Structure and Communication:
Types of social groups.
Vocalizations and body language.
Social intelligence and individual recognition.
IV. Intelligence and Problem-Solving:
Evidence of tool use.
Memory and cognitive abilities.
Planning for future events.
V. Diet and Foraging Strategies:
Omnivorous diet and food sources.
Caching behavior and seed dispersal.
Adaptability to different environments.
VI. Reproduction and Life Cycle:
Mating systems and nest building.
Egg laying, incubation, and chick rearing.
Parental care and offspring development.
VII. Conservation Status and Threats:
Habitat loss and fragmentation.
Threats from human activities.
Conservation strategies and future outlook.
VIII. Conclusion:
Summary of key findings and insights.
Emphasis on the fascinating aspects of raven biology.
Call to action for further research and conservation.
Detailed Article Explanations for Ebook Chapters
Each chapter outlined above would be expanded upon significantly, creating a detailed and in-depth exploration of the relevant aspects of raven biology. This expansion would include scientific evidence, research findings, captivating anecdotes, and high-quality images to enhance reader engagement and comprehension. For instance, the chapter on "Intelligence and Problem-Solving" would delve into specific examples of raven tool use, referencing published research papers and studies demonstrating their sophisticated problem-solving abilities. Similarly, the chapter on "Conservation Status and Threats" would detail specific conservation efforts, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between scientists, conservationists, and policymakers to protect raven populations. The overall goal is to create a comprehensive and engaging resource that leaves the reader with a profound appreciation for the complexity and wonder of raven biology.
FAQs:
1. What is the lifespan of a raven? Ravens can live for up to 20 years in the wild, and even longer in captivity.
2. Are ravens aggressive? While generally not aggressive towards humans, ravens can be territorial, especially during breeding season.
3. What is the difference between a raven and a crow? Ravens are significantly larger than crows, with a longer tail and a more robust build. Their calls also differ distinctly.
4. Do ravens migrate? Raven migration patterns vary depending on their location and food availability. Some populations are migratory, while others are resident.
5. How intelligent are ravens compared to other birds? Ravens are considered among the most intelligent bird species, demonstrating advanced cognitive abilities.
6. What role do ravens play in their ecosystem? Ravens are important scavengers, helping to control carrion and contribute to nutrient cycling.
7. Are ravens endangered? Ravens are not currently considered endangered, but their populations face threats from habitat loss and human activities.
8. Can ravens be kept as pets? While possible, keeping ravens as pets is challenging and requires extensive knowledge and permits. It's generally not recommended.
9. Where can I find more information about ravens? Numerous resources are available online, including scientific journals, nature documentaries, and conservation organizations' websites.
Related Articles:
1. Raven Communication: A Deeper Dive into Vocalizations and Body Language: Explores the complexities of raven communication, detailing specific calls and their meanings.
2. Raven Tool Use: Innovation and Problem-Solving in the Avian World: Focuses on documented cases of raven tool use and the cognitive abilities behind them.
3. Raven Social Dynamics: Hierarchy, Cooperation, and Conflict: Delves into the intricate social structures within raven communities.
4. Raven Foraging Strategies: Adaptability and Resourcefulness in a Changing Environment: Examines the varied foraging techniques employed by ravens.
5. Raven Reproduction and Parental Care: A Detailed Look at the Life Cycle: Provides a comprehensive overview of the raven breeding cycle.
6. Raven Conservation: Challenges and Opportunities in Protecting this Iconic Species: Discusses current conservation efforts and future challenges.
7. Comparing Raven Intelligence to Other Corvids: Compares the cognitive abilities of ravens to other members of the crow family.
8. The Cultural Significance of Ravens: Mythology, Folklore, and Symbolism: Explores the rich cultural history and symbolism associated with ravens.
9. The Role of Ravens in Seed Dispersal and Ecosystem Health: Examines the ecological contributions of ravens to plant communities and overall biodiversity.
raven biology: Biology Peter H. Raven, 1999 2000-2005 State Textbook Adoption - Rowan/Salisbury. |
raven biology: Raven Biology of Plants Peter H. Raven, Ray Franklin Evert, Susan E. Eichhorn, 2013 The eighth edition of this bestselling botany textbook has been updated throughout with the most recent primary literature, eight new ecology-oriented essays, and 175 new illustrations and photographs to keep the presentation as well as the content fresh and engaging. It is an invaluable resource for both students and professionals |
raven biology: Raven, Biology © 2011, 9e, Student Edition (Reinforced Binding) Glencoe, Peter Raven, 2010-01-13 Biology, an authoritative text with a diverse author team, focuses on the process of evolution to explain biodiversity. The book emphasizes problem-solving and the scientific method in its approach to cutting-edge content. The use of historical and experimental approaches offers students not only a current view of the field, but more importantly, how it evolved. The authors have tried to keep as much historical context as possible and provide information within an experimental framework throughout the text. |
raven biology: Biology Peter H. Raven, George B. Johnson, 2002 This laboratory manual is designed for an introductory biology course with a broad survey of basic laboratory techniques. The experiments and procedures are simple, safe, easy to perform and especially appropriate for large classes. Few experiments require a second class-meeting to complete the procedure. Each exercise includes many photographs, traditional topics and experiments that help students learn about life. Procedures within each exercise are numerous and discrete so that any exercise can be tailored to the needs of the students, the style of the instructor and the facilities available. New to this edition is a website. Each lab in the manual will have icons indicating which types of activities students will find on the Website. There will be icons for: Essential Study Partner modules, Animations, Activities, Readings, Maths Helps, BioCourse.Com, and a special password protected section for instructors that will house the Lab Resource Guide, alternative recipes for lab solutions and more. |
raven biology: Raven, Biology, © 2008 8e, Student Edition (Reinforced Binding) Peter Raven, 2007-01-19 Biology focuses on evolution as a unifying theme. In revising the text, McGraw-Hill consulted with numerous users, noted experts and professors in the field. Biology is distinguished from other texts by its strong emphasis on natural selection and the evolutionary process that explains biodiversity. The new 8th edition continues that tradition and advances into modern biology by featuring the latest in cutting edge content reflective of the rapid advances in biology. That same modern perspective was brought into the completely new art program offering readers a dynamic, realistic, and accurate, visual program. Entirely NEW Visual Program! The entire art program was redone involving a variety of specialists, artists, and medical illustrators who worked very closely with the author team to provide a phenomenal visual program for readers. This new art program focuses on providing images that focus on difficult concepts and provide a clear, consistent, accurate and easy-to-follow visual explanation. Experimental Focus -- Another theme of Biology is that knowledge arises from experimental work that moves us forward. The use of historical and experimental approaches throughout allow the student to not only see where the field is now, but more importantly, how we arrived there. The authors have tried to keep as much historical context as possible and provide information within an experimental framework throughout the text. Strengthened Evolutionary Emphasis -- From the inception of Biology, evolution has been the underlying theme of the text. The Eighth edition has been written with an even greater focus on evolution, with a significant increase of coverage at the molecular level, a good example is the two new chapters dedicated to molecular evolution. This emphasis creates more depth, balancing the amount of evolutionary coverage throughout. Includes print student edition |
raven biology: A Shadow Above Joe Shute, 2018-02-08 For millennia, we have tried to explain ourselves using the raven as a symbol. It occupies a unique place in British history and has left an indelible mark on our cultural landscape. The raven's hulking black shape has come to represent many things: death, all-seeing power, the underworld, and a wildness that remains deep within us. Legend has it that the fate of the nation rests upon the raven, and should the resident birds ever leave the Tower of London then the entire kingdom will fall. While so much of our wildlife is vanishing, ravens are returning to their former habitats after centuries of exile, moving back from their outposts at the very edge of the country, to the city streets from which they once scavenged the bodies of the dead. In A Shadow Above, Joe Shute follows ravens across their new hunting grounds, examining our complicated and challenging relationship with these birds. He meets people who live alongside the raven in conflict and peace, unpicks their fierce intelligence, and ponders what the raven's successful return might come to symbolise for humans in the dark times we now inhabit. |
raven biology: The Raven Derek Ratcliffe, 2010-11-30 feeding habits, association with other animals, and breeding. The Raven is one of the most spectacular and romantic of British birds, but relatively neglected in the modern literature of ornithology. Derek Ratcliffe here presents a thorough summary of our knowledge of its natural history, emphasizing the long association of the bird with humankind. The place of the Raven in myth, legend and history is long established, and this book describes the bird's fall from grace as a valued scavenger in medieval cities to a persecuted outcast in the modern wilds. The previous wide occurrence of Ravens is reviewed against the relationships between their present distribution, status and habitat requirements, as both a nesting and a non-breeding resident. The dependence of Ravens on carrion (especially sheep) within an omnivorous diet is the key to the species' ecology, and its social behaviour has evolved in close relation to this lifestyle. The flocking and communal roosting of non-breeders are major features of Raven behaviour, while their nesting habits emphasise the territorial nature of breeding birds and their adaptation to secure but harsh environments. Raven numbers vary in relation to their food supply, local populations adjusting accordingly, although the precise mechanism involved is still obscure. Ravens have a considerable capacity for recolonising old haunts when suitable conditions are restored, as well as exploiting new areas where the habitat becomes favourable, and there are local success stories to tell. Nationwide, however, the species' position is delicately balanced and depends on both sympathetic land management practices and improving attitudes to Ravens as friends not foe. Worldwide, Ravens are one of the most successful of all bird groups, occurring over a large part of the northern hemisphere, and replaced in some southern and tropical regions by other raven species which exploit the familiar raven niche in their own environments. The discussion of the northern hemisphere species is enlivened by reference to other species where useful. Finally, the Raven's age-old reputation for high intelligence is weighed critically against the available evidence. Today, Ravens carry a new omen in the modern world, as a barometer of goodwill to wildlife. Like those in the Tower of London, the continued existence of Ravens in our wild countryside will reveal something about both our current situation and our prospects for the future. The text is brought to life through wonderful illustrations by Chris Rose. |
raven biology: Handbook of Bird Biology Irby J. Lovette, John W. Fitzpatrick, 2016-06-27 Selected by Forbes.com as one of the 12 best books about birds and birding in 2016 This much-anticipated third edition of the Handbook of Bird Biology is an essential and comprehensive resource for everyone interested in learning more about birds, from casual bird watchers to formal students of ornithology. Wherever you study birds your enjoyment will be enhanced by a better understanding of the incredible diversity of avian lifestyles. Arising from the renowned Cornell Lab of Ornithology and authored by a team of experts from around the world, the Handbook covers all aspects of avian diversity, behaviour, ecology, evolution, physiology, and conservation. Using examples drawn from birds found in every corner of the globe, it explores and distills the many scientific discoveries that have made birds one of our best known - and best loved - parts of the natural world. This edition has been completely revised and is presented with more than 800 full color images. It provides readers with a tool for life-long learning about birds and is suitable for bird watchers and ornithology students, as well as for ecologists, conservationists, and resource managers who work with birds. The Handbook of Bird Biology is the companion volume to the Cornell Lab's renowned distance learning course, www.birds.cornell.edu/courses/home/homestudy/. |
raven biology: Conservation Biology Navjot S. Sodhi, Luke Gibson, Peter H. Raven, 2013-07-03 The late Navjot Sodhi conceived this book as a way of bringing to the forefront of our conservation planning for the tropics the views of people who were actually working and living there. In its 31 chapters, 55 authors present their views on the conservation problems they face and how they deal with them. Effective long term conservation in the tropics requires the full participation of local people, organizations and governments. The human population of tropical countries is expected to grow by more than 2.5 billion people over the next several decades, with expectations of increased consumption levels growing even more rapidly than population levels; clearly there will be a need for more trained conservationists and biologists. Significant levels of local involvement are essential to conservation success, with the rights of local people fully recognized, protected and fostered by governmental and international assistance. Overarching conservation plans are necessary, but cannot in themselves lead to success. The individual experiences presented in the pages of this book will provide useful models that may serve to build better and more sustainable lives for the people who live in the tropics and lead to the continued survival of as many species and functioning ecosystems as possible. |
raven biology: Fox and I Catherine Raven, 2022-06-28 After receiving her PhD in biology, Raven lived in an isolated cottage in Montana, teaching remotely and leading field classes in Yellowstone National Park. Her only regular visitor was a fox, with whom she developed a friendship and from whom she learned about growth, loss, and belonging. |
raven biology: In the Company of Crows and Ravens John M. Marzluff, Tony Angell, 2008-10-01 “Crows and people share similar traits and social strategies. To a surprising extent, to know the crow is to know ourselves.”—from the Preface From the cave walls at Lascaux to the last painting by Van Gogh, from the works of Shakespeare to those of Mark Twain, there is clear evidence that crows and ravens influence human culture. Yet this influence is not unidirectional, say the authors of this fascinating book: people profoundly influence crow culture, ecology, and evolution as well. John Marzluff and Tony Angell examine the often surprising ways that crows and humans interact. The authors contend that those interactions reflect a process of “cultural coevolution.” They offer a challenging new view of the human-crow dynamic—a view that may change our thinking not only about crows but also about ourselves. Featuring more than 100 original drawings, the book takes a close look at the influences people have had on the lives of crows throughout history and at the significant ways crows have altered human lives. In the Company of Crows and Ravens illuminates the entwined histories of crows and people and concludes with an intriguing discussion of the crow-human relationship and how our attitudes toward crows may affect our cultural trajectory. |
raven biology: The Common Raven Richard L. Knight, Mayo W. Call, 1980 Paper describing the comon raven (three subspecies: Corvus corax principalis, Corvus corax sinuatus, and Corvus corax clarionensis), its life history, habitat requirements, relationships with other raptors, other wildlife and man, its beneficial and adverse influences, and place in myth and Indian lore. |
raven biology: Driven by Nature Peter H. Raven, 2021-04-15 It's safe to say that few people have lived lives as thoroughly devoted to plants as Peter H. Raven has. The longtime director--now president emeritus--of the Missouri Botanical Garden, author of numerous leading textbooks and several hundred scholarly articles, Raven has been a tireless champion of sustainability and biodiversity, earning him the plaudit of Hero for the Planet from Time. Driven by Nature is the first chronicle of this prominent scientist and conservationist's life. Moving from his idyllic childhood in the San Francisco of the 1940s to his four decades leading the Missouri Botanical Garden, Raven's autobiography take readers across multiple continents and decades. Driven by Nature follows the globetrotting botanist from China to the American Midwest as he works to foster concern for a changing planet, further the cause of biological education, and build the Missouri Botanical Garden into the world-renowned haven for plant life it is today. Raven brings his story into the twenty-first century with a timely epilogue that reinforces the crucial importance of scientific learning, active conservation, and committed activism in the face of a rapidly changing natural world. Featuring an introduction by the Pulitzer Prize-winning naturalist E. O. Wilson, this beautifully illustrated book should thrill nature lovers, plant enthusiasts, and environmentally-conscious readers looking to take action to preserve our planet's biodiversity. |
raven biology: Dog Days, Raven Nights John M. Marzluff, Colleen Marzluff, 2011-03-29 The coauthor of the award-winning In the Company of Crows and Ravens and his wife, an animal-behavior expert, offer an engaging account of their days as young field biologists in Maine Twenty years ago, fresh out of graduate school and recently married, John and Colleen Marzluff left Arizona for a small cabin in the mountains of western Maine. Their mission: to conduct the first-ever extensive study of the winter ecology of the Common Raven under the tutelage of biologist Bernd Heinrich.Drawing on field notes and personal diaries, they vividly and eloquently chronicle their three-year endeavor to research a mysterious and often misunderstood bird—assembling a gigantic aviary, climbing sentry trees, building bird blinds in the forest, capturing and sustaining 300 ravens as study subjects, and enduring harsh Maine winters in pursuit of their goal. They also shared the unique challenges and joys of raising, training, and racing the sled dogs that assisted them in their work.Accompanied by Evon Zerbetz's lovely linocut illustrations, Dog Days, Raven Nights is a fascinating, behind-the-scenes look at the adventures of field science and an insightful exploration of the nature of relationships, both animal and human. |
raven biology: The Retinoids Michael B. Sporn, 2012-12-02 The Retinoids, Volume 1 covers the chemistry and biology of retinoids, with an emphasis on the role of retinoids in nutrition and in vision. After briefly discussing the discovery and nomenclature of retinoids, this six-chapter volume describes the chemical and physical properties of natural and synthetic retinoids, as well as the retinoidal benzoic acid derivatives. The book goes on describing various reactions with radioisotopes for the synthesis of retinoids and related compounds. Considerable chapters explain the chemical, physical, and biological methodologies for separating and measuring retinoids. A discussion on the relationships between structure and activity of retinoids is included. The last chapter addresses the role of vitamin A in animal and human nutrition. This volume also discusses the metabolism of vitamin A in normal and disease states, as well as its interaction with hormones, micronutrients, drugs, and alcohol. This volume is an ideal source for nutritionists, clinicians, and researchers who are interested in the progressing field of retinoid research. |
raven biology: The Vast Wonder of World Mélina Mangal, 2018-11-01 A must-purchase picture book biography of a figure sure to inspire awe and admiration among readers.—School Library Journal (starred review) Extraordinary illustrations and lyrical text present pioneering African American scientist Ernest Everett Just. Ernest Everett Just was not like other scientists of his time. He saw the whole, where others saw only parts. He noticed details others failed to see. He persisted in his research despite the discrimination and limitations imposed on him as an African American. His keen observations of sea creatures revealed new insights about egg cells and the origins of life. Through stunning illustrations and lyrical prose, this picture book presents the life and accomplishments of this long overlooked scientific pioneer. |
raven biology: The Respiratory System Joseph Midthun, 2014 |
raven biology: Noah's Ravens James O. Farlow, 2018-10-08 How can the tracks of dinosaurs best be interpreted and used to reconstruct them? In many Mesozoic sedimentary rock formations, fossilized footprints of bipedal, three-toed (tridactyl) dinosaurs are preserved in huge numbers, often with few or no skeletons. Such tracks sometimes provide the only clues to the former presence of dinosaurs, but their interpretation can be challenging: How different in size and shape can footprints be and yet have been made by the same kind of dinosaur? How similar can they be and yet have been made by different kinds of dinosaurs? To what extent can tridactyl dinosaur footprints serve as proxies for the biodiversity of their makers? Profusely illustrated and meticulously researched, Noah's Ravens quantitatively explores a variety of approaches to interpreting the tracks, carefully examining within-species and across-species variability in foot and footprint shape in nonavian dinosaurs and their close living relatives. The results help decipher one of the world's most important assemblages of fossil dinosaur tracks, found in sedimentary rocks deposited in ancient rift valleys of eastern North America. Those often beautifully preserved tracks were among the first studied by paleontologists, and they were initially interpreted as having been made by big birds—one of which was jokingly identified as Noah's legendary raven. |
raven biology: The Quiet Extinction Kara Rogers, 2015-10-22 In the United States and Canada, thousands of species of native plants are edging toward the brink of extinction, and they are doing so quietly. They are slipping away inconspicuously from settings as diverse as backyards and protected lands. The factors that have contributed to their disappearance are varied and complex, but the consequences of their loss are immeasurable. With extensive histories of a cast of familiar and rare North American plants, The Quiet Extinction explores the reasons why many of our native plants are disappearing. Curious minds will find a desperate struggle for existence waged by these plants and discover the great environmental impacts that could come if the struggle continues. Kara Rogers relates the stories of some of North America’s most inspiring rare and threatened plants. She explores, as never before, their significance to the continent’s natural heritage, capturing the excitement of their discovery, the tragedy that has come to define their existence, and the remarkable efforts underway to save them. Accompanied by illustrations created by the author and packed with absorbing detail, The Quiet Extinction offers a compelling and refreshing perspective of rare and threatened plants and their relationship with the land and its people. |
raven biology: The Physiology of Microalgae Michael A. Borowitzka, John Beardall, John A. Raven, 2016-03-21 This book covers the state-of-the-art of microalgae physiology and biochemistry (and the several –omics). It serves as a key reference work for those working with microalgae, whether in the lab, the field, or for commercial applications. It is aimed at new entrants into the field (i.e. PhD students) as well as experienced practitioners. It has been over 40 years since the publication of a book on algal physiology. Apart from reviews and chapters no other comprehensive book on this topic has been published. Research on microalgae has expanded enormously since then, as has the commercial exploitation of microalgae. This volume thoroughly deals with the most critical physiological and biochemical processes governing algal growth and production. |
raven biology: ISE Biology Peter Raven, George Johnson, Kenneth Mason, Jonathan Losos, Tod Duncan, 2022-03 |
raven biology: Crows Candace Savage, 2015-04-20 A treasure trove of stories, poems, and information on the brainy, black-feathered bird that’s rich in insight and humor. This revised and expanded edition of Candace Savage’s best-selling book about ravens and crows is enhanced by additional paintings, drawings, and photos, as well as a fascinating selection of first-person stories and poems about remarkable encounters with crows. In one story, a pack of crows brilliantly thwarts an attack by a Golden Eagle; in another, a mischievous crow rescues the author from grief. And in a third piece, after nursing a battered baby crow back to health until it flies off with other crows, Louise Erdrich hauntingly describes her altered awareness as she listens for the “dark laugh” of crows while she works. Based on two decades of audacious research by scientists around the world, the book also provides an unprecedented, evidence-based glimpse into corvids’ intellectual, social, and emotional lives. But whether viewed through the lens of science, myth, or everyday experience, the result is always the same. These birds are so smart—and so mysterious—they take your breath away. Published in Partnership with the David Suzuki Institute. Praise for Crows “A beautifully crafted celebration of these birds.” —Nature “A deft juxtaposition of interesting anecdotes and firsthand accounts of scientific discoveries.” —Canadian Literature “Surprising avian revelations are contained within the pages of Savage’s glorious festival of crow arcana.” —Alberta Views |
raven biology: Biology 2e Mary Ann Clark, Jung Ho Choi, Matthew M. Douglas, 2018-03-28 Biology 2e is designed to cover the scope and sequence requirements of a typical two-semester biology course for science majors. The text provides comprehensive coverage of foundational research and core biology concepts through an evolutionary lens. Biology includes rich features that engage students in scientific inquiry, highlight careers in the biological sciences, and offer everyday applications. The book also includes various types of practice and homework questions that help students understand-and apply-key concepts. |
raven biology: Raven and River Nancy White Carlstrom, 2011 Raven and the other animals try to awaken the frozen river to the coming Alaskan springtime. |
raven biology: Topics in Plant Population Biology Otto Thomas Solbrig, George Ledyard Stebbins, 1979 |
raven biology: Molecular Biology of the Cell , 2002 |
raven biology: The Snoring Bird Bernd Heinrich, 2009-10-06 Although Gerd Heinrich, a devoted naturalist, specialized in wasps, Bernd Heinrich tried to distance himself from his old-fashioned father, becoming a hybrid: a modern, experimental biologist with a naturalist's sensibilities. In this extraordinary memoir, the award-winning author shares the ways in which his relationship with his father, combined with his unique childhood, molded him into the scientist, and man, he is today. From Gerd's days as a soldier in Europe and the family's daring escape from the Red Army in 1945 to the rustic Maine farm they came to call home, Heinrich relates it all in his trademark style, making science accessible and awe-inspiring. |
raven biology: Plant Physiology Lincoln Taiz, Eduardo Zeiger, 2010 Plant Physiology, Fifth Edition continues to set the standard for textbooks in the field, making plant physiology accessible to virtually every student. Authors Lincoln Taiz and Eduardo Zeiger have again collaborated with a stellar group of contributing plant biologists to produce a current and authoritative volume that incorporates all the latest findings. Changes for the new edition include: A newly updated chapter (Chapter 1) on Plant Cells, including new information on the endomembrane system, the cytoskeleton, and the cell cycle, A new chapter (Chapter 2) on Genome Structure and Gene Expression, A new chapter (Chapter 14) on Signal Transduction. Updates on recent developments in the light reactions and the biochemistry of photosynthesis, respiration, ion transport, and water relations. In the phytochrome, blue-light, hormone and development chapters, new information about signaling pathways, regulatory mechanisms, and agricultural applications. Coverage of recent breakthroughs on the control of flowering. Three new Appendices on Concepts of Bioenergetics, Plant Kinematics, and Hormone Biosynthetic Pathways As with prior editions, the Fifth Edition is accompanied by a robust Companion Website. New material has been added here as well, including new Web Topics and Web Essays.--P. 4 de la couv. |
raven biology: The Biology of Plants Terri Grodzicker, 2012 Plants are integral to human wellbeing, and many species have been domesticated for over ten thousand years. Evidence of plant scientific investigation and classification can be found in ancient texts from cultures around the world (Chinese, Indian, Greco-Roman, Muslim etc.), while early modern botany can be traced to the late 15th and early 16th centuries in Europe. During the past several decades plant biology has been revolutionized first by molecular biology and then by the genomic era. The model organism Arabidopsis thaliana has proved an invaluable tool for investigation into fundamental processes in plant biology, many of which share commonalities with animal biology. Plant-specific processes from reproduction to immunity and second messengers have also yielded to extensive investigation. With the genomes of more than thirty plant species now available and many more planned in the near future, the impact on our understanding of plant evolution and biology continues to grow. Our increased ability to engineer plant species to a variety of ends may provide novel solutions to ensure adequate and reliable food production and renewable energy even as climate change impacts our environment. The decision to focus the 2012 Symposium on plant science reflects the enormous research progress achieved in recent years, and is intended to provide a broad synthesis of the current state of the field, setting the stage for future discoveries and application. This is the first Symposium in this historic series focused exclusively on the botanical sciences. Plants are integral to human wellbeing, and many species have been domesticated for over ten thousand years. Evidence of plant scientific investigation and classification can be found in ancient texts from cultures around the world (Chinese, Indian, Greco-Roman, Muslim etc.), while early modern botany can be traced to the late 15th and early 16th centuries in Europe. During the past several decades plant biology has been revolutionized first by molecular biology and then by the genomic era. The model organism Arabidopsis thaliana has proved an invaluable tool for investigation into fundamental processes in plant biology, many of which share commonalities with animal biology. Plant-specific processes from reproduction to immunity and second messengers have also yielded to extensive investigation. With the genomes of more than thirty plant species now available and many more planned in the near future, the impact on our understanding of plant evolution and biology continues to grow. Our increased ability to engineer plant species to a variety of ends may provide novel solutions to ensure adequate and reliable food production and renewable energy even as climate change impacts our environment. The decision to focus the 2012 Symposium on plant science reflects the enormous research progress achieved in recent years, and is intended to provide a broad synthesis of the current state of the field, setting the stage for future discoveries and application. This is the first Symposium in this historic series focused exclusively on the botanical sciences. |
raven biology: Technical Note , 1980 |
raven biology: Biology of the Red Algae Kathleen M. Cole, Robert G. Sheath, 1990-11-30 When Biology of the Red Algae was first published in 1990, it was the first comprehensive monograph to be written on the Rhodophyta in over fifteen years. This book presents an authoritative review on the state of knowledge on the biology of the red algae. Written by a group of 26 internationally renowned experts, the eighteen chapters of Biology of the Red Algae range from molecular and cellular to biochemical, physiological, organismal, and ecological aspects of this important group of algae. Together they will be of interest for students of oceanography and plant evolution. |
raven biology: The Biology of mental disorders. , |
raven biology: Seaweed Biology Christian Wiencke, Kai Bischof, 2012-06-06 Seaweeds, also known as macroalgae, are among the most important primary producers and act as ecological engineers on rocky coasts of the world’s oceans. In addition to their extreme ecological importance they are also of high economic relevance. Complementing available textbooks with its more research-oriented approach, this volume contains 22 chapters by renowned experts, grouped in five parts. In Part I fundamental processes and acclimation strategies of seaweeds towards the abiotic environment are covered. Part II focuses on the multitude of biotic interactions in seaweed communities, and in Part III the reader is introduced to the structure and function of the main seaweed systems of the world. The chapters of Part IV highlight and discuss the effects of global and local environmental changes on seaweeds and their communities. In the final Part V a comprehensive overview of developments in seaweed aquaculture, industrial applications and the overall economic importance of seaweeds is provided. Summarizing the advances in seaweed biology achieved within the last few decades, this book also identifies gaps in the present knowledge and needs for future research. |
raven biology: Raven Biology of Plants (Loose-Leaf) Ray F. Evert, Susan E. Eichhorn, 2012-03-09 The eighth edition of this bestselling botany textbook has been updated throughout with the most recent primary literature, eight new ecology-oriented essays, and 175 new illustrations and photographs to keep the presentation as well as the content fresh and engaging. It is an invaluable resource for both students and professionals. |
raven biology: Mind of the Raven Bernd Heinrich, 2007-05-29 Heinrich involves us in his quest to get inside the mind of the raven. But as animals can only be spied on by getting quite close, Heinrich adopts ravens, thereby becoming a raven father, as well as observing them in their natural habitat. He studies their daily routines, and in the process, paints a vivid picture of the ravens' world. At the heart of this book are Heinrich's love and respect for these complex and engaging creatures, and through his keen observation and analysis, we become their intimates too. Heinrich's passion for ravens has led him around the world in his research. Mind of the Raven follows an exotic journey—from New England to Germany, and from Montana to Baffin Island in the high Arctic—offering dazzling accounts of how science works in the field, filtered through the eyes of a passionate observer of nature. Each new discovery and insight into raven behavior is thrilling to read, at once lyrical and scientific. |
raven biology: Van de Graaff's Photographic Atlas for the Biology Laboratory Kent Marshall Van De Graaff, Bryon J. Adams, John L. Crawley, 2013 A Photographic Atlas for the Biology Laboratory, Seventh Edition by Byron J. Adams and John L. Crawley is a full-color photographic atlas that provides a balanced visual representation of the diversity of biological organisms. It is designed to accompany any biology textbook or laboratory manual. |
raven biology: Biology of Plants Peter H. Raven, Ray Franklin Evert, Susan E. Eichhorn, 2005 The seventh edition of this book includes chapter overviews, checkpoints, detailed summaries, summary tables, a list of key terms and end-of-chapter questions. There is also a new chapter on recombinant DNA technology, plant biotechnology, and genomics. |
raven biology: Invasion Biology David I. Theodoropoulos, 2003-01-01 Case studies of the effects of human dispersal of organisms on other organisms and the attitudes of individuals, groups and agencies toward the phenomina. The auther investigates whether introductions of species into new regions actually cause harm, and that damage blamed on excotics may be a result of industrialisation. This and the psycology of racism and xenophobia that prevail in nativism are also explored. |
raven biology: Plants and People Christopher Cumo, 2015-10-05 An exploration of the relationship between plants and people from early agriculture to modern-day applications of biotechnology in crop production, Plants and People: Origin and Development of Human-Plant Science Relationships covers the development of agricultural sciences from Roman times through the development of agricultural experiment station |
raven biology: The Molecular Biology of Plant Development Harry Smith, Donald Grierson, 1982-01-01 |