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spp Biology: Unraveling the Secrets of Species and Populations
Introduction:
Have you ever wondered about the intricate dance of life on Earth? How countless species interact, compete, and coexist? The field of spp biology, short for species and population biology, delves into these fascinating questions, providing a crucial understanding of the natural world and our place within it. This comprehensive guide offers a deep dive into the core principles of spp biology, exploring key concepts like species interactions, population dynamics, conservation efforts, and the impact of human activities. Prepare to embark on a journey of discovery, uncovering the complexities and wonders of the living world. We will examine how species are defined, how populations grow and shrink, and the vital role of biodiversity in maintaining the planet's health. Whether you're a student, researcher, or simply a nature enthusiast, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and understanding needed to appreciate the remarkable field of spp biology.
1. Defining Species: A Complex Concept
The seemingly straightforward question, "What is a species?" surprisingly lacks a single, universally accepted answer. While the biological species concept, defining species based on reproductive isolation, remains influential, it falls short when applied to asexual organisms or those with extensive hybridization. Other concepts, such as the phylogenetic species concept (based on evolutionary history) and the morphological species concept (based on physical characteristics), offer alternative perspectives, highlighting the inherent complexity in species delimitation. The challenges of defining species underscore the ongoing research and debate within the field, leading to continuous refinement and development of new approaches. Understanding these different concepts is fundamental to grasping the complexities of species diversity and the challenges in biodiversity assessment.
2. Population Dynamics: Growth, Regulation, and Fluctuation
Population dynamics explores the factors influencing population size and distribution over time. Key concepts include natality (birth rate), mortality (death rate), immigration, and emigration. The exponential growth model provides a simplified representation of population growth under ideal conditions, while the logistic growth model incorporates environmental limitations, illustrating the carrying capacity of an environment. Factors regulating population size are diverse, including density-dependent factors (e.g., competition, predation, disease) and density-independent factors (e.g., natural disasters, climate change). Understanding these dynamic interactions is crucial for effective wildlife management and conservation. The study of population fluctuations reveals insights into species resilience, vulnerability to environmental changes, and the importance of habitat preservation.
3. Species Interactions: A Web of Life
The intricate relationships between species form the foundation of ecological communities. Predation, competition, mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism represent fundamental interaction types, each shaping species evolution and community structure. Predation exerts strong selective pressures, driving adaptations in both predator and prey. Competition for limited resources can lead to resource partitioning, niche differentiation, or competitive exclusion. Mutualistic relationships, like those between plants and pollinators, highlight the interconnectedness of life. Understanding these interactions is critical for comprehending community dynamics, ecosystem stability, and the cascading effects of species loss.
4. Conservation Biology: Protecting Biodiversity
The alarming rate of biodiversity loss underscores the critical importance of conservation biology. This discipline applies ecological and evolutionary principles to protect endangered species and maintain ecosystem integrity. Key areas of focus include habitat preservation, population management, species reintroduction, and combating threats like habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change. Effective conservation strategies require a deep understanding of species biology, population dynamics, and the intricate web of ecological interactions. Conservation biology's ultimate goal is to ensure the long-term survival of species and the maintenance of biodiversity, crucial for the health of the planet and human well-being.
5. The Impact of Human Activities on spp Biology
Human activities profoundly influence species and populations worldwide. Habitat fragmentation, pollution, overexploitation of resources, and climate change pose significant threats to biodiversity. These activities alter species distributions, disrupt ecological interactions, and drive species extinctions. Understanding the specific impacts of human actions is crucial for developing effective mitigation strategies and promoting sustainable practices. This involves integrating ecological knowledge into policy decisions, promoting responsible resource management, and fostering awareness of the importance of biodiversity conservation.
Ebook Outline: "Understanding spp Biology: A Comprehensive Guide"
Author: Dr. Evelyn Reed
Introduction: Defining spp biology and its significance.
Chapter 1: Species Concepts and Biodiversity
Chapter 2: Population Dynamics and Growth Models
Chapter 3: Inter-species Interactions and Community Ecology
Chapter 4: Conservation Biology and Endangered Species
Chapter 5: Human Impact and Sustainable Practices
Conclusion: The future of spp biology and its importance for global sustainability.
Chapter Explanations:
Chapter 1: Species Concepts and Biodiversity: This chapter would thoroughly explain the various concepts used to define species, including biological, phylogenetic, and morphological species concepts. It would delve into the challenges of species delimitation and discuss the importance of biodiversity for ecosystem function and stability. Examples of diverse species and their unique adaptations would be included.
Chapter 2: Population Dynamics and Growth Models: This chapter would cover exponential and logistic growth models, explaining the factors affecting population size, such as birth and death rates, immigration, and emigration. It would explore density-dependent and density-independent factors regulating populations and discuss real-world examples illustrating population fluctuations.
Chapter 3: Inter-species Interactions and Community Ecology: This chapter would describe various types of species interactions, such as predation, competition, mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism, providing examples and explaining their consequences for species evolution and community structure. The concept of ecological niches and resource partitioning would be explained.
Chapter 4: Conservation Biology and Endangered Species: This chapter would address the importance of conservation biology in mitigating biodiversity loss. It would discuss strategies for protecting endangered species and preserving habitats, along with the challenges involved in conservation efforts. Case studies of successful and unsuccessful conservation initiatives would be included.
Chapter 5: Human Impact and Sustainable Practices: This chapter would analyze the impact of human activities (habitat loss, pollution, climate change) on species and populations. It would also explore ways to minimize human impacts through sustainable practices, responsible resource management, and policy changes.
FAQs:
1. What is the difference between a species and a population? A species is a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring, while a population is a group of individuals of the same species living in the same area.
2. What are some common threats to biodiversity? Habitat loss, pollution, climate change, invasive species, and overexploitation are major threats.
3. How does predation influence species evolution? Predation exerts selective pressure, favoring adaptations in prey that improve survival (e.g., camouflage, speed) and adaptations in predators that enhance hunting success.
4. What is the carrying capacity of an environment? It's the maximum population size that a given environment can sustainably support.
5. What are some examples of mutualistic relationships? Bees pollinating flowers, cleaner fish removing parasites from larger fish, and mycorrhizal fungi providing nutrients to plants are examples.
6. What is habitat fragmentation? It's the breaking up of continuous habitats into smaller, isolated patches, often reducing biodiversity.
7. How does climate change impact species and populations? Changes in temperature, precipitation, and sea levels can alter species distributions, disrupt ecological interactions, and increase extinction risk.
8. What is the role of conservation biology? To protect endangered species, maintain biodiversity, and restore degraded ecosystems.
9. What are some sustainable practices that help protect biodiversity? Reducing carbon emissions, protecting habitats, promoting sustainable agriculture, and managing resources responsibly are crucial.
Related Articles:
1. Species Interactions and Ecosystem Stability: Explores the complex web of relationships between species and how these interactions maintain ecosystem balance.
2. Population Ecology Models and Applications: Delves deeper into mathematical models used to predict population growth and decline.
3. Endangered Species Conservation Strategies: Focuses on specific techniques and approaches used to conserve threatened species.
4. The Impact of Climate Change on Biodiversity: A detailed analysis of how climate change is affecting species distributions and extinction rates.
5. Habitat Restoration and Ecosystem Recovery: Discusses methods used to restore degraded habitats and recover ecosystem function.
6. Sustainable Agriculture and Biodiversity Conservation: Examines the relationship between agriculture and biodiversity, and ways to integrate sustainable practices.
7. The Role of Protected Areas in Biodiversity Conservation: Explores the importance of national parks and reserves in protecting biodiversity.
8. Invasive Species and their Ecological Impacts: Discusses the negative impacts of invasive species on native species and ecosystems.
9. Genetic Diversity and Species Survival: Explains the importance of genetic diversity in species' ability to adapt to environmental changes.
| spp biology: Trichoderma Prasun K. Mukherjee, B.A. Horwitz, U.S. Singh, Mala Mukherjee, Monika Schmoll, 2013-09-16 Trichoderma spp. are biotechnologically significant fungi, being widely used both in agriculture and industry. These microbes are also a potential drug source of clinical importance. In recent years, driven by advances in genetics and genomics, research on these fungi have opened new avenues for its varied applications. Divided into three sections, covering taxonomy and physiology, interactions with plants and applications and significance, this book also discusses topics that have seen rapid developments in the recent years. Various aspects of Trichoderma like molecular taxonomy, sexual and asexual developments, secondary metabolism, beneficial interactions with plants, applications as cell factories and harmful interactions with humans are discussed. This book, thus, hopes to be an essential ready reference for researchers, students and people form industry as well. |
| spp biology: The Biology and Identification of the Coccidia (Apicomplexa) of Turtles of the World Donald W. Duszynski, Johnica J. Morrow, 2014-08-04 The Biology and Identification of the Coccidia (Apicomplexa) of Turtles of the World is an invaluable resource for researchers in protozoology, coccidia, and parasitology, veterinary sciences, animal sciences, zoology, and biology. This first-of-its-kind work offers a taxonomic guide to apicomplexan parasites of turtles that enables easy parasite identification, with a summary of virtually everything known about the biology of each known parasite species. It is an important documentation of this specific area, useful to a broad base of readers, including researchers in biology, parasitology, animal husbandry, diseases of wild and domestic animals, veterinary medicine, and faculty members in universities with graduate programs in these areas. There are about 330 turtle species on Earth; many are endangered, a growing number of species are kept as pets, and some are still used as food by humans. Turtles, like other vertebrate animals have many different kinds of parasites (viruses, bacteria, protozoa, worms, arthropods, and others). Coccidiosis in turtles has prevented large-scale turtle breeding, and represents a serious problem in need of control. This succinct and highly focused book will aid in that effort. - Offers line drawings and photomicrographs of each parasite from each hosts species - Provides methods of identification and treatment - Presents a complete historical rendition of all known publications on coccidia (and their closest relatives) from all turtle species on Earth, and evaluates the scientific and scholarly merit of each - Provides a complete species analysis of the known biology of every coccidian described from turtles - Reviews the most current taxonomy of turtles and their phylogenetic relationships needed to help assess host-specificity and evaluate what little cross-transmission work is available |
| spp biology: Pratylenchus (Nematoda: Pratylenchidae): Diagnosis, Biology, Pathogenicity and Management Pablo Castillo, Nicola Vovlas, 2007-10-30 Root-lesion nematodes of the genus Pratylenchus are recognised worldwide as one of the major constraints of crops of primary economic importance. Pratylenchus spp. comprises around 70 nominal species of worldwide distribution which parasitize a wide variety of plants. The book consists of ten chapters and presents summarised and specialised information concerning the importance of the Pratylenchus species in: agricultural crops, and their world distribution (chapter 1); taxonomy, systematic, general morphology and diagnostic traits of Pratylenchus spp. including new technologies based on biochemical and molecular analyses (chapters 2-6); biology, epidemiology, ecology, host-parasite relationships, and pathogenicity (chapters 7-9). Finally, it illustrates different management strategies for Pratylenchus species, including, crop rotation, host-plant resistance, chemical control, soil solarisation, and biological control (chapter 10). |
| spp biology: Rhizoctonia Species: Taxonomy, Molecular Biology, Ecology, Pathology and Disease Control B. Sneh, S. Jabaji-Hare, S.M. Neate, G. Dijst, 2013-06-29 Rhizoctonia Species: Taxonomy, Molecular Biology, Ecology, Pathology and Control, written by the world's most reputable experts in their respective fields of Rhizoctonia research, summarizes years of research in the various aspects of the ubiquitous complex group of soil-borne fungi belonging to the anamorph genus Rhizoctonia. Species of Rhizoctonia worldwide cause economically important diseases on most of the world's important plants such as cereals, potato, cotton, sugarbeet, vegetables, ornamentals and trees in nurseries. The subject reviews covered in the book include classic as well as modern approaches to Rhizoctonia research in: Taxonomy and Evolution, Genetics and Pathogenicity, Plant-Rhizoctonia Interactions, Ecology, Population and Disease Dynamics, Disease Occurrence and Management in Various Crops, Cultural Control, Biological Control, Germplasm for Resistance, Chemical and Integrated Control Strategies. It aims to be the standard reference source book on Rhizoctonia for the next decade or more, just as Parmeter et al. (1970) has been in the past. It will be an important publication for Rhizoctonia investigators, plant pathologists, students, extension specialists, crop producers and companies dealing with plant disease control. |
| spp biology: Biology and Management of Problematic Crop Weed Species Bhagirath Chauhan, 2021-09-04 Weeds are the main biological constraint to crop production throughout the year. Uncontrolled weeds could cause 100% yield loss. In Australia, the overall cost of weeds to Australian grain growers was estimated at AU$ 3.3 billion annually. In terms of yield losses, weeds amounted to 2.7 million tonnes of grains at a national level. In the USA, weeds cost US$ 33 billion in lost crop production annually. In India, these costs were estimated to be much higher (US$ 11 billion). These studies from different economies suggest that weeds cause substantial yield and economic loss. Biology and Management of Problematic Weed Species details the biology of key weed species, providing vital information on seed germination and production, as well as factors affecting weed growth. These species include Chenopodium album, Chloris truncata and C. virgate, Conyza bonariensis and C. canadensis, Cyperus rotundus, and many more. This information is crucial for researchers and growers to develop integrated weed management (IWM) strategies. Written by leading experts across the globe, this book is an essential read to plant biologists and ecologists, crop scientists, and students and researchers interested in weed science. - Provides detailed information on the biology of different key weed species - Covers weed seed germination and emergence - Presents the factors affecting weed growth and seed production |
| spp biology: The Biology of Vibrios Fabiano Lopes Thompson, Brian Austin, J. G. Swings, 2006 |
| spp biology: Biology and Biological Control of Leafy Spurge , 2006 |
| spp biology: Reproductive Biology Rickey Cothran, Martin Thiel, 2020-06-18 This is the sixth volume of a ten-volume series on The Natural History of the Crustacea. The volume synthesizes in nineteen chapters our current understanding of diverse topics in crustacean reproductive biology. In the first part of this book, the chapters address allocation strategies to reproduction, gamete production, brooding behavior, and other components of parental care in crustaceans. The second part of the volume centers on sexual systems in crustaceans. The third section of the volume covers crustacean mating systems and sexual selection. Reproductive Biology ends with three chapters covering diverse topics including reproductive rhythms, crustacean personality research, and record breaking crustaceans with respect to reproductive characters. |
| spp biology: Reproductive Biology Martin Thiel, 2013 Rickey Cothran and Martin Thiel explore the reproductive biology of crustaceans from allocation strategies at the individual level to the ecology of mating systems. |
| spp biology: Deep-Sea Biology John D. Gage, Paul A. Tyler, 1991-04-18 This timely volume provides a comprehensive account of the natural history of the organisms associated with the deep-sea floor and examines their relationship with this inhospitable environment--perhaps the most remote and least accessible location on the planet. The authors begin by describing the physical and chemical nature of the deep-sea floor and the methods used to collect and study its fauna. Then they discuss the ecology of the deep sea by exploring spatial patterns, diversity, biomass, vertical zonation, and large-scale distribution of organisms. Subsequent chapters review current knowledge of feeding, respiration, reproduction, and growth processes in these communities. The unique fauna of hypothermal vents and seeps are considered separately. Finally, there is a pertinent discussion of human exploitation of deep-sea resources and potential use of this environment for waste disposal. |
| spp biology: Biological Control in Plant Protection Neil Helyer, Nigel D. Cattlin, Kevin C. Brown, 2014-04-30 There has been a large increase in the commercial use of integrated crop/pest management methods for pest and disease control on a wide range of crops throughout the world since the first edition of this book. The completely revised second edition of the bestselling Biological Control in Plant Protection: A Color Handbook continues the objective of |
| spp biology: Handbook of Biological Control T. W. Fisher, Thomas S. Bellows, L. E. Caltagirone, D. L. Dahlsten, Carl B. Huffaker, G. Gordh, 1999-09-20 For many years the use of chemical agents such as pesticides and herbicides has been effective in controlling the many varieties of pests that infest both agricultural crops and backyard gardens. However, these pests are gradually becoming resistant to these agents, because the agents themselves are acting as selective factors making the pests better and better able to resist and persist. As a result, the use of biological controlling agents is increasing. This book is a comprehensive and authoritative handbook of biological control. |
| spp biology: The Biology of the Guinea Pig Joseph E. Wagner, 2014-04-25 Approx.317 pages |
| spp biology: Nematode Parasites of Vertebrates Roy C. Anderson, 2000-02-08 This well illustrated book provides an historical and unified overview of a century and a half of research on the development, life cycles, transmission and evolution of the nematodes found in vertebrates throughout the world. This second, expanded edition includes relevant data from some 450 new references that have appeared from 1989 to 1999. The volume includes nematode parasites of humans, domestic animals and wildlife including fish. After an introductory chapter outlining general principles, the author systematically describes the biological characteristics of the 27 superfamilies of nematodes, followed by families, subfamilies, genera and species. |
| spp biology: Handbook of Helminthiasis for Public Health D. W. T. Crompton, Lorenzo Savioli, 2006-08-18 Written by internationally respected experts, Handbook of Human Helminthiasis provides information essential in the development of an integrated approach to the prevention, control and treatment of disease caused by endoparasitic helminths. The text is divided into sections dealing with the main groups of helminth infections and the diseases they i |
| spp biology: Biological Control in the Western United States J. R. Nechols, 1995-01-01 |
| spp biology: Code International de Nomenclature Zoologique International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature, W. D. L. Ride, International Union of Biological Sciences. General Assembly, 1985 |
| spp biology: Applications of Genetics to Arthropods of Biological Control Significance Sudhir Karl Narang, 2018-01-10 Written by experts in the fields of insect pest genetics, the genetics of biological control organisms, and the application of biological control, this book provides the first up-to-date summary of the genetic literature on the genetics of arthropod biological control agents. It identifies successful programs and also gaps and needs in research, research constraints, and possible research approaches in this important field of pest control. The power and applicability of new genetic and molecular biology methods have created new and exciting possibilities to greatly improve the effectiveness of traditional biological control programs. This book provides essential information about the state-of-the-art application of these new methods. It explains how biological control procedures can be improved, covers methods for selecting pesticide-resistant strains of natural enemies, and looks at methods for maintaining genetic diversity and quality control during the rearing of biological control agents in the laboratory. The book also provides information regarding the application of powerful PCR methods for taxonomic identification of strains and species of biocontrol agents. |
| spp biology: Hymenoptera of America North of Mexico United States. Entomology Research Division, 1958 |
| spp biology: Hymenoptera of America North of Mexico , 1951 |
| spp biology: Experiment Station Record United States. Office of Experiment Stations, 1934 |
| spp biology: Experiment Station Record United States. Agricultural Research Service, United States. Office of Experiment Stations, 1934 |
| spp biology: Pamphlets on Biology , 1876 |
| spp biology: Index-catalogue of Medical and Veterinary Zoology , 1981 |
| spp biology: A Guide to the Breeding Habits and Immature Stages of Diptera Cyclorrhapha Ferrar, 2024-01-15 The print edition is available as a set of two volumes (9789004085398). |
| spp biology: Arco Coal Oil Point Project, Proposed , 1987 |
| spp biology: Biological Control Programmes in Canada 2001-2012 Peter G Mason, David R Gillespie, 2013-10-21 Canada is a world leader in biological control research. Reporting the status of biocontrol agents released in Canada over the last decade, this book presents case studies by target pest that evaluate the impact of biocontrol and recommend future priorities. In addition to a new chapter on future targets and an appendix listing established agents, this edition contains information of interest to a global audience, and chapters that address effects of invasive species and climate change. |
| spp biology: Hymenoptera of America North of Mexico Karl V. Krombein, 1958 |
| spp biology: Agriculture Monograph , 1958 |
| spp biology: The Oestrid Flies Douglas D. Colwell, Martin J. R. Hall, Philip J. Scholl, 2006 This book provides an in-depth review and analysis of the biology of adults and larvae of the Family Oestridae (commonly known as botflies, or warble flies). Oestrid flies cause myiasis (invasion of living tissue by the larvae), and are a major pest of both domestic and wild animals worldwide. The book presents a comparative investigation of the life histories and adaptation to parasitism exhibited by this unique family of flies. It also gives a detailed survey of each genus and provides a synopsis of the taxonomy of the family. It contains chapters on morphology, life history, host-parasite relationships, taxonomy and behaviour. |
| spp biology: Aflatoxin in Maize M. S. Zuber, 1987 |
| spp biology: Aromatic and Medicinal Plants of Drylands and Deserts David Ramiro Aguillón-Gutiérrez, Cristian Torres-León, Jorge Alejandro Aguirre-Joya, 2023-05-09 The description and analysis of the Mexican and other countries desertic plants from the point of view of their use in traditional medicine and their potential use in integrative medicine is the overall theme of this book. Aromatic and Medicinal Plants of Drylands and Deserts: Ecology, Ethnobiology and Potential Uses describes the historic use of drylands plants, botanical and geological classification, also describes the endemic plants used in traditional medicine, going through the most relevant aspects of biomedicine and integrative medicine. The chemical and bioactive compounds from desertic medicinal and aromatic plants and the analytic techniques to determine chemical and bioactive compounds from the medicinal and aromatic plants are reviewed. Ethnobiology is detailed in the present book as well as the importance of the integrative medicine for the ancient and actual cultures. The book represents an effort to keep the ethnobiological knowledge of communities for the use of traditional desertic plants with the actual analytical techniques to unveil the chemical molecules responsible of the biological or biomedical applications. Features: • Describes the endemic plants used in traditional medicine • Includes the chemical and bioactive compounds from desertic medicinal plants • Addresses the analytic techniques to determine chemical and bioactive compounds • Represents an effort to keep the ethnobiological knowledge of communities To execute this book, there are collaborations by authors from different institutions in northern Mexico, which is where the arid and semi-arid ecosystems of the country are found. Although the subject of medicinal plants has been treated from different angles, this book offers a holistic and comprehensive vision of these important organisms of the Mexican desert, thus resulting in an updated work for specialized readers and for those who are beginning in this exciting theme. |
| spp biology: Proceedings of the XII International Symposium on Biological Control of Weeds R. Sforza, M. C. Bon, 2008 Covering the research findings in various aspects of weed biocontrol, this volume explores weed biology and ecology and the economic impacts, effectiveness and practical implications of weed management strategies. It is of interest to researchers and students in plant and environmental sciences. |
| spp biology: Biological Control of Weeds in Australia Jim Cullen, Mic Julien, Rachel McFadyen, 2012-03-05 Biological control of weeds has been practised for over 100 years and Australia has been a leader in this weed management technique. The classical example of control of prickly pears in Australia by the cactus moth Cactoblastis cactorum, which was imported from the Americas, helped to set the future for biocontrol of weeds in many countries. Since then there have been many projects using Classical Biological Control to manage numerous weed species, many of which have been successful. Importantly, there have been no serious negative non-target impacts – the technique, when practised as it is in Australia, is safe and environmentally friendly. Economic assessments have shown that biocontrol of weeds in Australia has provided exceedingly high benefit-to-cost ratios. This book reviews biological control of weeds in Australia to 2011, covering over 90 weed species and a multitude of biological control agents and potential agents. Each chapter has been written by practising biological control of weeds researchers and provides details of the weed, the history of its biological control, exploration for agents, potential agents studied and agents released and the outcomes of those releases. Many weeds were successfully controlled, some were not, many projects are still underway, some have just begun, however all are reported in detail in this book. Biological Control of Weeds in Australia will provide invaluable information for biological control researchers in Australia and elsewhere. Agents used in Australia could be of immense value to other countries that suffer from the same weeds as Australia. The studies reported here provide direction to future research and provide examples and knowledge for researchers and students. |
| spp biology: Biological Control in Latin America and the Caribbean Joop C. van Lenteren, Vanda H.P. Bueno, Maria Gabriela Luna, Yelitza Colmenarez, 2019-12-21 The book summarizes the history of biological control in Latin America and the Caribbean. Few publications provide historical detail and the records are, therefore, fragmented until now. By bringing information together in this book, we offer a more complete picture of important developments in biological control on this continent. There are a wealth of text, tables and references about the history of such projects, and which were succesful and which failed. This will help plan future biocontrol projects. An overview is provided of the current situation in biological control for many Latin American and Caribbean countries, revealing an astonishing level of practical biological control applied in the regio, making it the largest area under biological control worldwide. The final part describes new developments and speculates about the future of biological control in Latin America and the Caribbean. |
| spp biology: Indian Journal of Experimental Biology , 1999 |
| spp biology: Pesticides Documentation Bulletin , 1969 |
| spp biology: True Truffle (Tuber spp.) in the World Alessandra Zambonelli, Mirco Iotti, Claude Murat, 2016-07-26 This book focuses on the taxonomic diversity of the genus Tuber as economically important truffles. In contributions by internationally respected scientists, it examines truffle systematics, interactions with abiotic and biotic environments, strategies for spore dispersal, and molecular processes in truffles. Topics discussed include: evolutionary theories and phylogeny of Tuber species from Asia, Europe and North-America; the influence of climate on the natural distribution of Tuber species and fruiting body production, soil characteristics and vegetation in natural habitats; tools for tracing truffles in soil, host diversity, truffle inhabiting fungi and truffle-associated bacteria; and the relationships of small mammals and wild boars with truffles, as well as the smell of truffles.This book offers a valuable reference guide for all researchers working in the fields of mycology, ecology and the soil sciences, and will also be useful for farmers and foresters interested in truffle cultivation worldwide. |
| spp biology: Acanthaster Planci Charles Birkeland, John Lucas, 1990-09-24 The purpose of this book is to provide an organized compilation of information and techniques for all aspects of the biology and management of the Acanthaster planci species. This extraordinary coral predator has greater effects on coral reef communities than any other animal species. It can cause mortality of hard corals over large areas and have indirect effects that extend through the trophic levels of the reef community. This volume features A planci as an animal with a unique combination of morphological, physiological, and life history characteristics that contribute to its potential for major ecological impacts. It provides detailed techniques for disparate aspects of research and management (e.g., raising the animal through all life history stages, calculating growth curves, and treating victims of spinings). Chapters cover methods for surveys, tagging, and control of A. planci, in addition to an assessment of the advantages and disadvantages of each method. The extensive subject index includes more than 1,000 references to A. planci and a BASIC program for estimating coral recovery after predation by the starfish. Acanthaster planci: Major Management Problem of Coral Reefs is an essential reference for all coral reef managers and researchers. |
| spp biology: Biological Control of Tropical Weeds Using Arthropods Rangaswamy Muniappan, Gadi V. P. Reddy, Anantanarayanan Raman, 2009-03-05 This book discusses the biological control of weeds using arthropods, providing ecological management models for use across the tropical world. |
