Preface to the Princeton Landmarks in Biology Edition vii Preface xi Symbols Used xiii 1. The Importance of Islands 3 2. Area and Number of Speicies 8 3. Further Explanations of the Area-Diversity Pattern 19 4. The Strategy of Colonization 68 5. Invasibility and the Variable Niche 94 6. Stepping Stones and Biotic Exchange 123 7. Evolutionary Changes Following Colonization 145 8. Prospect 181 Glossary 185 References 193 Index 201

The Theory of Island Biogeography

Freshwater biodiversity is the over-riding conservation priority during the International Decade for Action - 'Water for Life' - 2005 to 2015. Fresh water makes up only 0.01% of the World's water and approximately 0.8% of the Earth's surface, yet this tiny fraction of global water supports at least 100000 species out of approximately 1.8 million - almost 6% of all described species. Inland waters and freshwater biodiversity constitute a valuable natural resource, in economic, cultural, aesthetic, scientific and educational terms. Their conservation and management are critical to the interests of all humans, nations and governments. Yet this precious heritage is in crisis. Fresh waters are experiencing declines in biodiversity far greater than those in the most affected terrestrial ecosystems, and if trends in human demands for water remain unaltered and species losses continue at current rates, the opportunity to conserve much of the remaining biodiversity in fresh water will vanish before the 'Water for Life' decade ends in 2015. Why is this so, and what is being done about it? This article explores the special features of freshwater habitats and the biodiversity they support that makes them especially vulnerable to human activities. We document threats to global freshwater biodiversity under five headings: overexploitation; water pollution; flow modification; destruction or degradation of habitat; and invasion by exotic species. Their combined and interacting influences have resulted in population declines and range reduction of freshwater biodiversity worldwide. Conservation of biodiversity is complicated by the landscape position of rivers and wetlands as 'receivers' of land-use effluents, and the problems posed by endemism and thus non-substitutability. In addition, in many parts of the world, fresh water is subject to severe competition among multiple human stakeholders. Protection of freshwater biodiversity is perhaps the ultimate conservation challenge because it is influenced by the upstream drainage network, the surrounding land, the riparian zone, and - in the case of migrating aquatic fauna - downstream reaches. Such prerequisites are hardly ever met. Immediate action is needed where opportunities exist to set aside intact lake and river ecosystems within large protected areas. For most of the global land surface, trade-offs between conservation of freshwater biodiversity and human use of ecosystem goods and services are necessary. We advocate continuing attempts to check species loss but, in many situations, urge adoption of a compromise position of management for biodiversity conservation, ecosystem functioning and resilience, and human livelihoods in order to provide a viable long-term basis for freshwater conservation. Recognition of this need will require adoption of a new paradigm for biodiversity protection and freshwater ecosystem management - one that has been appropriately termed 'reconciliation ecology'.

https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/96AA265E3D88C95FB802E7A73CCB4332/S1464793105006950a.pdf/div-class-title-freshwater-biodiversity-importance-threats-status-and-conservation-challenges-div.pdf

Freshwater biodiversity: importance, threats, status and conservation challenges

Humans continue to transform the global nitrogen cycle at a record pace, reflecting an increased combustion of fossil fuels, growing demand for nitrogen in agriculture and industry, and pervasive inefficiencies in its use. Much anthropogenic nitrogen is lost to air, water, and land to cause a cascade of environmental and human health problems. Simultaneously, food production in some parts of the world is nitrogen-deficient, highlighting inequities in the distribution of nitrogen-containing fertilizers. Optimizing the need for a key human resource while minimizing its negative consequences requires an integrated interdisciplinary approach and the development of strategies to decrease nitrogen-containing waste.

/pdf/transformation-of-the-nitrogen-cycle-recent-trends-questions-3hakfwkgng.pdf

Transformation of the Nitrogen Cycle: Recent Trends, Questions, and Potential Solutions

On 13 October 1908, Fritz Haber filed his patent on the "synthesis of ammonia from its elements" for which he was later awarded the 1918 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. A hundred years on we live in a world transformed by and highly dependent upon Haber–Bosch nitrogen.

How a century of ammonia synthesis changed the world

With humans having an increasing impact on the planet, the interactions between the nitrogen cycle, the carbon cycle and climate are expected to become an increasingly important determinant of the Earth system.

/pdf/an-earth-system-perspective-of-the-global-nitrogen-cycle-51ivqz6w55.pdf

An Earth-system perspective of the global nitrogen cycle.

Objective Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is a significant cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. The most common cause is an inability of the uterus to contract adequately after childbirth. In bimanual compression (BMC), one hand is placed within the vagina and the other hand is on the abdominal wall to compress the uterus. It is effective, but very uncomfortable for the woman. We designed a device that could replicate BMC without inserting a hand vaginally, therefore being less invasive. It could also help in diagnosing the source of the bleeding. Design Mixed methods, combining an iterative design process with input from clinicians in simulations, and focus groups of clinicians and consumers. Setting Department of Women9s and Children9s Health and Department of Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering, University of Liverpool, UK. Methods A multidisciplinary team developed the design, using an obstetric manikin. Clinician and consumer groups also gave input on the concept and design. A healthcare product company and prototype manufacturer provided input into strategy, design and manufacture. Results The PPH Butterfly is a single piece, plastic medical device that replicates BMC. It is designed to be easy to use and low-cost and allows for smooth insertion and removal. It is acceptable to clinicians and consumers and performs well in tests. Conclusions This is the first device designed to replicate BMC while being less invasive. It could potentially be an effective form of PPH management, while also diagnosing the source of the bleeding. The device will now be tested in humans.

https://innovations.bmj.com/content/bmjinnov/3/1/45.full.pdf

PPH Butterfly: a novel device to treat postpartum haemorrhage through uterine compression

To test predictions that young males should grow more slowly in populations with many large adult males and that young males should attain sexual maturity at a lower weight in populations with few or no large males, 12 enclosed populations of meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) were manipulated in three treatments: (1) all males equal to or exceeding 38 g (the median weight at sexual maturity in unmanipulated populations) were removed; (2) large males (238 g) were added; (3) a control in which no large males were added or removed. Each treatment consisted of four replicate grids, each in a 30 by 50 m field enclosure. Body growth rates for small males did not differ between treatments, nor were there differences in weight at sexual maturity or survival. There was no evidence that small males were significantly affected by the density of large males. The enclosed populations were at densities comparable to those of unenclosed populations, suggesting that suppression of small males occurs infrequently or not at all in natural populations. The implications of these results for current theories on the evolution of suppression are discussed.

A Test for Suppression of Body Growth and Sexual Maturity in Small Male Meadow Voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) in Field Enclosures

Wireless sensor networks have been in use by ecologists for more than a decade. Many of these networks are hybrid networks, incorporating diverse network technologies to bridge the gap from the sensor in the field and the database in the office or laboratory. We briefly review sensor and available wireless network technologies and then examine, in some detail, several examples of field networks from Taiwan and Virginia (USA). The examples include networks which monitor meteorological variables, lake physical and chemical characteristics, water levels, butterfly habitat, and forest dynamics, including sound and images. We discuss the advantages of using hybrid sensor networks and areas where additional improvements are still needed.

Hybrid Networks and Ecological Sensing

A device (100) for monitoring movement of a baby during labour is provided, comprising a movement sensing unit (210) for determining movement of a fetal scalp electrode relative to the device, and an output unit (220) arranged to output movement information indicative of the movement of the fetal scalp electrode The movement sensing unit may comprise a rotatable member such as a wheel (410) for contacting the fetal scalp electrode (FSE) and rotating in response to linear movement thereof In some embodiments, the device includes an optical movement sensing device for optically sensing linear movement of the FSE and outputting an electrical signal in response thereto Preferably, the output unit (220) is arranged to wirelessly output the movement information

John H. Porter

Papers

PPH Butterfly: a novel device to treat postpartum haemorrhage through uterine compression

A Test for Suppression of Body Growth and Sexual Maturity in Small Male Meadow Voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) in Field Enclosures

Hybrid Networks and Ecological Sensing

Device and method for determining fetal movement

Evaluating a thesaurus for discovery of ecological data