Author: Nigel

Do you need to use research methods to understand and assess forests?

Forest Ecology and Conservation: A Handbook of Techniques, the latest title in the Techniques in Ecology & Conservation Series will help you do just that. Includes comprehensive coverage of: the framework for constructing a study to achieve accuracy, relevance and value; assessing forest extent and cover using GIS & mapping; measuring forest structure and composition by various sampling methodologies such as species diversity, floristic diversity, and stand structure; understanding and modelling forest dynamics such as disturbance, light and population dynamics; reproductive ecology and genetic variation including seed ecology and relevant markers for molecular studies and; progress towards effective forest conservation.

The approach that this series takes is one of pure practicality – this is the manual you need to plan and carry out your forest conservation fieldwork.

Copies in stock now at NHBS Environment Bookstore

This isn’t a new book, in fact, it isn’t even a book – Whose Tadpole: The Waterproof Field Guide to Central European Amphibians is a selection of laminated cards that enable the reader to identify 20 species of European amphibians from both adults, larvae and all intermediate life stages – but it is the first time I’ve seen a copy. There are numerous colour photos for each species including key diagnostic features and larvae at different sizes. Keys to both adults and larvae are clearly constructed and a table lists species common names in 11 European languages. The format is pocket-sized and a useful ruler on the edge of every page aids identification.

The species information includes distribution data, general behavioural notes and an excellent description of calls e.g. The Yellow Bellied Toad Bombina variegata: “bright, musical ‘poop…poop…poop’, separated by less than 1sec”.

Highly Recommended! Order now from NHBS Environment Bookstore

A colleague and I watched bats feeding from the 23rd floor of a Barcelona hotel last week. Lit up blue by the neon roof advertising lights they were a magical sight in the centre of the city. Bats are typically considered roosting in caves or old buildings – Bats in Forests: Conservation and Management highlights in-depth the less well known but hugely important interaction between bats and forested areas at a time of alarming decline in the populations of many species.

You may also be interested in Bat Ecology – the classic reference work on bats; the new research on bat migrations in Bat Migrations in Europe; for ecologists and land managers The Bat Workers Manual, Habitat Management for Bats, and The Bat Builder’s Handbook.

Trace Fossils: Concepts, Problems, Prospects delivers both a historical perspective to ichnology and a comprehensive manual for the method and application of trace fossil analysis.

Particularly impressive is Stephen T. Hasiotis’ chapter on the distribution of trace fossils – including a wonderfully detailed diagram on p.271 identifying groundwater profiles and associated distribution of trace fossils in time and space, as well as the brilliant figure on p.277 linking organism size, life-cycle presence in substratum with activity.

On the same subject – Trace Fossil Analysis is to be published in March.

A quick look at the BBC News website this lunchtime reveals two interesting articles about our fellow Homo sapiens.

Firstly, the population of the USA reached 300 million as of 11:46GMT today. Just one big number among many big numbers which emerge when discussing how population sizes are growing rapidly in many parts of the world. When do we collectively accept a shared responsibility to consider a global population size based on replacement? Jared Diamond builds towards this point in Collapse (now in paperback). How do we manage our resources and the (inevitable) impact we have on the planet? A number of noteworthy new titles investigate e.g. An Introduction to Sustainable Development, and, focusing on the direct consequence of growing populations and (welcome) development the Earthscan Reader in Sustainable Consumption. In the midst of our consumption, and even in spite of our efforts, what lengths must we take to protect biodiversity? Gaining Ground: In Pursuit of Ecological Sustainability makes a powerful case for the protection of wildlife. How do we balance the high standard of living some of us are lucky enough to enjoy, and that we hope will soon extend to all, with the responsibilty to manage the planet. How are our societies to make these choices, and how are the issues being presented to the public? Environmental Sociology investigates our response to the facts.

Secondly, Oliver Curry of the London School of Economics predicts that the human species will split in two over the next 100,000 years. Curry bases this on likely mating preferences between socio-economic classes – read Mating Systems and Strategies to find out more about the implications of mate choice, or The Complete World of Human Evolution for a broad introduction to humankind.

In Bioethics: An Introduction for the Biosciences, Ben Mepham covers topics such as genetic modification, cloning and designer babies. Seeking not to provide simple answers, the book aims to inform and enthuse the next generation of descision makers.

So go ahead: read, think, and then make up your own mind!

No less than 25 years after the first edition was published, The Wild Flower Key is back! Firmly established as the classic guide to identifying wild flowers, trees and shrubs in Britain and Ireland, this book covers over 1600 of the flowering plants you are most likely to find.

Francis Rose’s original has been revised and updated by Clare O’Reilly: the illustrations are excellent, the keys uncluttered and simple to follow, and the glossary comprehensive. The amount of information in this highly portable guide is staggering, its 576 pages will easily fit in a jacket pocket and are protected by a plastic cover for those muddy fieldtrips.