Anvendt økologi

Din have myldrer af liv. Travle jordhumler, flaksende citronsommerfugle og vimsende gærdesmutter genskaber naturens magi for øjnene af os. Uden at spørge om lov gror græsset. Vedbenden vokser. Og skvalderkålen skyder mellem stauderne. Naturen indtager haven, og vi kan stritte imod eller læne os tilbage og nyde livet. Vi kan også lege med. Vi kan lægge den sirlige haveplan væk og dyrke havens mange muligheder for at vokse sig vild med vilje. Lave en kvasbunke og lade plænen blomstre med kodrivere og violer. Finde et område, hvor merian og hvidtjørn kan stå i fred, og lade den gamle træstamme stå. I Den uendelige have klæder Rasmus Ejrnæs, biolog og forsker fra Aarhus Universitet, os på til at fremme naturen lige uden for døren. Med haven som træningslejr forklarer han de økologiske principper for biodiversitet og kommer med gode råd og tips til, hvad vi helt konkret kan gøre for at hjælpe os selv og naturen på vej i vores egne haver. Så skal det nok komme til at myldre med snøftende pindsvin og glade haveejere. Bogen er illustreret med 140 farvefotos af naturfotografen Bert Wiklund.

Bierne er vigtige bestøvere af både vilde og dyrkede planter, men de vilde bier er gået voldsomt tilbage i antal. For at hjælpe bierne må vi beskytte vores vilde natur og tilbyde bierne gode levesteder. Det gør vi bl.a. ved at indrette haven bi-venligt og undlade at sprøjte med giftstoffer. Susanne Harding, der er entomolog, beskriver en række vilde biers levevis og de planter, der året igennem kan hjælpe bierne med at overleve. Illustreret med fotos og tegninger af adskillige kunstnere.

Charles Darwins banebrydende værk som ligger til grund for al biologisk evolutionsteori. Når man læser Darwins bog, forbavses man over hans alsidighed, viden og kombinationsevne. Han er naturhistoriker af det helt store format og så kendte han store dele af jorden". Få andre bøger har skabt en sådan storm af kontroverser som Arternes Oprindelse. Darwins teori om, at arter stammer fra andre arter ved en gradvis evolutionær proces – og at gennemsnitsniveauet for hver art øges ud fra grundtanken om at – kun den bedst egnede overlever (”the survival of the fittest”), hvilket fik debatten til at tage nye højder. Den senere accept af Darwins teorier, revolutionerede det videnskabens forløb. Darwins bidrag til den moderne videnskab, er altafgørende for, hvordan vi ser verden i dag - og næsten umulig at evaluere. Arternes oprindelse bør læses af alle med interesse indenfor biologi og for verdens evolution. Ligesom bogen har bidraget til heftig debat og fortolkning indenfor områder som filosofi og teologi. Bogen regnes for det vigtigste bidrag til biologien i videnskabens historie.Den originale version af Darwins "Arternes Oprindelse" udgives af Paludans Forlag, hvor bogen indgår i serien blandt klassiske historiske værker.

Regenesis is a captivating book penned by the acclaimed author, George Monbiot. Published in 2023 by Penguin Books Ltd (UK), this masterpiece is a must-read for those who are intrigued by innovative thoughts and ideas. The genre of the book is not specifically mentioned, but Monbiot's works usually revolve around environmental and political themes. Regenesis, like his other works, is likely to challenge your perspectives and provoke thought. It's a book that promises to take you on a journey, exploring new dimensions of understanding. So, if you are looking for a book that is compelling and intellectually stimulating, Regenesis by George Monbiot is the one for you.

De danske heder er skabt af menneskets brug og misbrug. Og de fleste former for påvirkninger kan følges tusinder af år tilbage. Men konsekvenserne af menneskers påvirkning af hederne er langt sværere at forudsige. Gennem et langt arbejdsliv har biologen Hans Jørgen Degn betragtet og undersøgt de danske heder. Det har ført til en omfattende viden om hedernes udvikling og tilstand, som her præsenteres i en samlet fortælling om deres fremtid. Bogen fortæller en nøgtern og alligevel passioneret historie om et stykke dansk natur- og kulturarv, der er i fare for at forsvinde. For blot 100 år siden var hederne vidtstrakte og mangfoldige, og forfatteren følger hedernes forandring op til i dag og ser på de danske heders nuværende tilstand, deres beskyttelse, naturpleje og fremtid. Naturligvis dokumenteret med et væld af inspirerende fotografier af naturen og landskabet.

Se, oplev og forstå, hvordan naturen udfolder sig – både den lille nære og den store vilde. Det er fugle og dyr, fisk, insekter og planter, der tilsammen skaber den biodiversitet, vi møder hjemme i haven og ude i det åbne land, i skovens dybe stille ro, ved åens bredder og langs stranden ud til havet. Og det er denne brogede variation af levesteder og frodige mangfoldighed af arter i forskellige former, farver og adfærd, som Danmarks biodiversitet handler om. For rig er den danske natur stadig, selvom det går den forkerte vej.Bogens forfattere fortæller om udviklingen gennem de seneste 200 år, hvor biodiversiteten er havnet i en alvorlig krise, fordi vi ikke levner den plads i naturen. Men bogen giver også sit bud på, hvad der skal til for at skabe fremgang for alle Danmarks arter og dermed mulighed for enestående naturoplevelser – også i fremtiden. Bogen er rigt illustreret.

I denne bog tager Capra og Luisi et opgør med en af videnskabens grundantagelser – at verden er som én stor maskine, vi kan splitte i stumper og stykker. Siden den videnskabelige revolution, hvor denne mekanistiske verdens- og livsforståelse blev grundlagt, har vi forsømt at erkende livet på kloden som ét sammenvævet system. Med det systemiske syn på liv følger en dyb økologisk bevidsthed og en sans for den fundamentale gensidige afhængighed, der er mellem alle fænomener i verden. Det gamle adskillelsesparadigme er ved at falde fra hinanden, og det giver håb om en ny og bedre fremtid. Selvom bogen primært er skrevet til studerende, henvender den sig også til alle, der er interesseret i en forståelse af den nye systemiske livsopfattelse og dennes betydning for en bred række fagligheder – fra politik og filosofi til medicin, psykologi og biologi. FRITJOF CAPRA er stifter af Center for Ecoliteracy i Berkeley, Californien. Han er fysiker og systemteoretiker og har beskæftiget sig med en systematisk undersøgelse af videnskabens filosofiske og sociale implikationer i de sidste 35 år. PIER LUIGI LUISI er professor i biokemi ved universitetet i Rom. Han er kemiker og stod bag de interdisciplinære Cortona-uger, og han beskæftiger sig med eksperimentelle og filosofiske aspekter ved livets oprindelse.

Kom skridtet videre fra den simple frøblanding med denne bog, der har alt, hvad man skal vide, når man vil have mere biodiversitet i sin have og naturen helt tæt på.Både blandt dyr og planter oplever vi i disse år en artsmæssig tilbagegang, og der er en stigende bevidsthed om, at vi skal give mere plads til den vilde natur. Et godt sted at starte er i sin egen have. I Vildskab i haven har tre eksperter samlet den nyeste viden om biodiversitet i haven og deler ud af deres erfaringer med anlægning og pleje af vilde haver og natur i byen. De gennemgår emner som planter, levesteder, indretning og pleje og viser forskellige haver og konkrete løsninger med fokus på liv og biodiversitet og større mangfoldighed i haven. Følger man bogens enkle principper, kan man selv sætte rammen for, hvordan biodiversiteten kan folde sig helt ud i ens egen have. Bogen er fuld af konkret inspiration, råd og tips, der kan bruges, hvad enten man har en altankasse, en klassisk villahave, en stor naturgrund eller blot gerne vil vide noget om bynatur. Med den kommer man hurtigt i gang med at skabe sit eget lille paradis for biodiversiteten – og for sig selv.

New from the author of acclaimed bestseller The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs ("A masterpiece of science writing" ?Washington Post) and ?one of the stars of modern paleontology? (National Geographic), a sweeping and revelatory history of mammals, illuminating the lost story of the extraordinary family tree that led to us We humans are the inheritors of a dynasty that has reigned over the planet for nearly 66 million years, through fiery cataclysm and ice ages: the mammals. Our lineage includes saber-toothed tigers, woolly mammoths, armadillos the size of a car, cave bears three times the weight of a grizzly, clever scurriers that outlasted Tyrannosaurus rex, and even other types of humans, like Neanderthals. Indeed humankind and many of the beloved fellow mammals we share the planet with today?lions, whales, dogs?represent only the few survivors of a sprawling and astonishing family tree that has been pruned by time and mass extinctions. How did we get here?In his acclaimed bestseller The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs?hailed as ?the ultimate dinosaur biography? by Scientific American?American paleontologist Steve Brusatte enchanted readers with his definitive his - tory of the dinosaurs. Now, picking up the narrative in the ashes of the extinction event that doomed T-rex and its kind, Brusatte explores the remarkable story of the family of animals that inherited the Earth?mammals? and brilliantly reveals that their story is every bit as fascinating and complex as that of the dinosaurs.Beginning with the earliest days of our lineage some 325 million years ago, Brusatte charts how mammals survived the asteroid that claimed the dinosaurs and made the world their own, becoming the astonishingly diverse range of animals that dominate today's Earth. Brusatte also brings alive the lost worlds mammals inhabited through time, from ice ages to volcanic catastrophes. Entwined in this story is the detective work he and other scientists have done to piece together our understanding using fossil clues and cutting-edge technology.A sterling example of scientific storytelling by one of our finest young researchers, The Rise and Reign of the Mammals illustrates how this incredible history laid the foundation for today's world, for us, and our future.

'An original, wide-ranging and carefully researched book ... contains important lessons for humanity.' Mark Cocker, The SpectatorA fascinating insight into climate change biology around the globe, as well as in our own backyards.Hurricane Lizards and Plastic Squid is the first major book by a biologist to focus on the fascinating story of how the natural world is adjusting, adapting, and sometimes measurably evolving in response to climate change. Lyrical and thought-provoking, this book broadens the climate focus from humans to the wider lattice of life.Bestselling nature writer Thor Hanson - author of Buzz (a Radio 4 'Book of the Week') - shows us how Caribbean lizards have grown larger toe pads to grip trees more tightly during frequent hurricanes; and how the 'plasticity' of squid has allowed them to change their body size and breeding habits to cope with altered sea temperatures.Plants and animals have a great deal to teach us about the nature of what comes next, because for many of them, and also for many of us, that world is already here.

The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs: A New History of Their Lost World is a captivating book by renowned paleontologist Steve Brusatte. Published in 2019 by WILLIAM MORROW, this book provides a fresh perspective on the fascinating world of dinosaurs. The book is a unique blend of history and science, diving deep into the rise and fall of the most dominant creatures that ever lived on Earth. The author, Steve Brusatte, brilliantly narrates the evolutionary journey of these magnificent creatures, their rise to dominance, and their eventual downfall. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of the Earth and the life that once roamed it. It's a thrilling journey back in time, brought to life by one of the most respected voices in the field. A masterpiece in the genre of paleontology, this book is sure to captivate readers from start to finish.

En veloplagt og populær pave med et stærkt og aktuelt budskab til verdens ledere, til kristne og ikke-kristne; til en planet, der har brug for at blive rusket op til en radikal ”økologisk omvendelse”. Pave Frans’ budskab er mere end bare en økologisk dagsorden. Det er en vision for menneskeheden, for den fremtid, vi alle skal dele. ”Det påtrængende behov for at beskytte vort fælles hjem indebærer, at menneskefamilien skal samles om at søge en bæredygtig og integreret udvikling, for vi ved, at der kan ske ændringer. Jeg opfordrer derfor indtrængende til en ny dialog om, hvordan vi skal forme fremtiden for vor planet. Vi har brug for en diskussion, som inddrager alle, for miljøproblemerne og deres menneskelige årsager vedrører og påvirker os alle. Vi har brug for en ny og universel solidaritet. Vi kan alle som Guds redskaber arbejde sammen om at værne om skaberværket, hver enkelt ud fra sin kulturelle baggrund og sine evner og erfaringer.” (Pave Frans)

Velkommen til det moderne landbrugskursus og en indføring i Rudolf Steiners tanker, som stadig er lige aktuelle. Den filosofi, der ligger bag den biodynamiske dyrkningsmetode, blev udviklet af Rudolf Steiner. Steiners landbrugskursus fra 1924 består af otte foredrag om biodynamisk jordbrug, og netop det kursus har dannet grundlag for al snak om biodynamik i jordbrug lige siden. I denne bog bliver principperne gjort tilgængelige og forståelige for alle med interesse for den biodynamiske jordbrugs oprindelige principper. Steiner er evig aktuel, og aldrig har der været et større behov for, at vi tager vare på naturen, end der er nu. Hvorfor graver man kohorn ned i jorden, og hvilken indflydelse har planeterne på planternes vækst? Her får du masser af inspiration og svar på de store spørgsmål. Læs også om naturens fascinerende rytmer, det evige kredsløb og de mest intime sammenhænge. Bogen er relevant uanset om du blot har en lille have, er selvforsynende eller ligefrem landmand. Faktisk behøver du slet ikke selv at have fingrene i mulden for at interessere dig for naturen og dens dybere sammenhænge.

'A rich and subtle exploration of the sacredness of nature, filled with a timeless wisdom and deep humanity' Guardian In this hugely powerful book, Karen Armstrong argues that it isn't enough to change our behaviour to avert environmental catastrophe - we must rekindle our spiritual bond with the natural world. From gratitude and compassion to sacrifice and non-violence, Armstrong draws themes from the world's religious traditions to offer practical steps to reconnect you with nature.Speaking to anyone interested in our relationship with nature, worried about environmental destruction, or searching for new actions to save our planet, Sacred Nature will uncover the most profound connections between humans and the natural world.'A lamentation in the key of Greta Thunberg, with undertones of Carl Jung' Wall Street Journal'Warm and witty... a challenge to think differently in the face of climate change' Tablet'Karen Armstrong is one of the handful of wise and supremely commentators on religion' Alain de Botton

¿I give daily thanks for Robin Wall Kimmerer for being a font of endless knowledge, both mental and spiritual.¿ ¿RICHARD POWERS, NEW YORK TIMES

En skelsættende og central bog om verdens fremtid og masseudryddelsen af planetens artsrigdom, der udspiller sig for øjnene af os. I løbet af den sidste halve milliard år har der været fem masseudryddelser, hvor mangfoldigheden af liv på jorden er faldet pludseligt og dramatisk. Forskere verden over registrerer i øjeblikket en sjette udryddelse af arter, der spås til at blive den mest omfattende siden asteroide-nedslaget på Yucatanhalvøen i Mexico for 66 millioner år siden, da dinosaurerne blev udslettet. Men denne gang kommer katastrofen ikke udefra. Det er os, der skaber den: menneskeheden.I Den sjette masseuddøen formidler videnskabsjournalist og forfatter Elizabeth Kolbert feltarbejdet i biodiversitetens frontlinje, som snesevis af forskere inden for et halvt dusin discipliner har foretaget gennem de seneste årtier. Hun tager almindelige læsere med derud, hvor masseudryddelsen er i fuld gang: til bunden af dybhavet, hvor geologerne studerer borekerner og dokumenterer krisen i oceanerne; til trægrænsen, der klatrer højere og højere op ad Andesbjergene til stor bekymring for botanikerne; til Great Barrier Reef, hvor havbiologerne ser livet rinde ud i korallerne. På levende og øjenåbnende vis introducerer Elizabeth Kolbert også læseren til et dusin utrolige arter, som for nogles vedkommende allerede er væk, mens andre står over for udryddelse og kun holdes i live i unaturlige omgivelser, for eksempel den panamanske gyldne tudse, alkefuglen og sumatranæsehornet.Gennem sine beretninger fra felten leverer Kolbert en bevægende beretning om udryddelsen af arter, der finder sted overalt omkring os, og samtidig undersøger hun artsudryddelsens begrebshistorie, fra pioneren Georges Cuvier i Paris i 1800-tallet og frem til i dag, hvor det snart står klart for enhver, at udryddelsen er et faktum, og at menneskeheden bærer et hovedansvar. Det bliver næppe de syv vidundere, månelandingen og internettet, som vil stå tilbage som menneskehedens verdensarv, men den sjette udryddelse. Som Kolbert skriver, tvinger det os til at genoverveje det grundlæggende spørgsmål om, hvad det vil sige at være menneske.Elizabeth Kolbert vandt en Pulitzer Prize for Den sjette masseuddøen, og den er nr. 1 på The Guardians "100 Best Nonfiction Books of All Time".

Hvordan opstod plantelivet på Jorden? Hvad er en plante overhovedet? Og har vi virkelig brug for alle blomsterne? Plantelivets fotosyntese leverer stof, energi og ilt til alt liv på Jorden. Så ja, det har vi. Det begyndte for 3,5 mia. år siden med cyanobakterier i urtiden. De udviklede sig til alger, gik på land, og så tog udviklingen fart med mosser, bregner og padderokker i Kultidens skove og endte med de utallige blomsterplanter og den flora, vi har i dag. Blomsterplanterne repræsenterer en artsrigdom, som mennesker siden har efterstræbt og udnyttet uhæmmet, mest intensivt i de seneste par hundrede år. Resultatet er nutidens kriser for natur og klima. Historien viser, at planternes livskraft med stor artsrigdom og tilpasningsevne før har bragt dem gennem globale kriser. Så måske kommer plantelivet til at blomstre igen efter biodiversitetskrise og masseuddøen – men det vil være uigenkaldeligt forandret.

Betagende og tankevækkende bog om George Orwell og om at plante roser. Rebecca Solnit, en af USA’s bedste og mest markante essayister, går bag om mennesket George Orwell. På en gang en personlig biografi om forfatteren George Orwell, et kulturhistorisk essay om roser og en smuk og tankevækkende meditation over forholdet mellem natur og politik. Bogen bringer os vidt omkring, fra Orwells reportager fra kulminerne i England og Den Spanske Borgerkrig over Stalins besættelse af at gro citroner til nutidens sydamerikanske rosenfarme og cellofanindpakkede roser. Bogen slutter med en genlæsning af 1984, der fuldender portrættet af en mere håbefuld Orwell - og med en refleksion over hvordan nydelse, skønhed og glæde også kan være en modstandshandling. »En vidunderlig meditation over naturens glæde og skønhed.« The Times »Ny bog argumenterer overbevisende for det politiske potentiale i at plante roser … bør læses af alle, der interesserer sig for forholdet mellem natur og politik.« Information

This book is dedicated to the world of edible wild plants and the easiest ways to find them in the wild. You'll use it as a comprehensive guide to making the best use of these plants, whether you find them in the wild or growing in your backyard. After reading this book, you will know how to get started with foraging and growing your own vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds. You will learn:How to identify safe edible plants in the wildHow to identify poisonous plantsHow to gather fruits and nutsHow to avoid poisonous plantsHow to harvest wild plantsNature has always been an abundant treasure trove of resources. But with the arrival of science and technology, society has steered away from natural methods and preferred to live within industrial comfort.This guidebook on foraging will teach you exactly what you need to know to prepare yourself on the path to resilience and sustainability. The author blends real world stories with humor and information in a way that no one has before!

A compelling call to action to focus on what connects us in nature to solve today's problems.In nature, everything is connected: from microscopic bacteria and soaring trees to animals struggling for survival amid thriving humanity. Yet many of today's toughest problems, from environmental destruction to divisive politics, stem from fundamental disconnection. In Intertwined, science writer Michael Gross explains how the natural world can act as a powerful reminder of the core truth of our interdependence.Using examples based on recent scientific discoveries across a broad range of ecosystems and species, Gross shares important--and often surprising--stories about the sophisticated web of connections in nature. From plant cooperation to turtle conversation, he highlights crucial lessons we can apply to solve complex problems caused by human disturbances to these connections. Gross provides ample evidence of the far-reaching impacts of both natural and anthropogenic phenomena, from coevolution and nutrient cycles to species domestication and extinction.We live in a complex world endangered by simplistic thinking, as the escalating climate crisis and loss of biodiversity demonstrate. To address these issues, we must recognize the wonder and ubiquity of the self-regulating network that enables life on Earth, as well as the threats that endanger its functioning. These thought-provoking stories from nature prove why it is so important to remember the connections that tie us to each other and our world.

Legendary conservationists show us that we still have the power to prevent critical consequences of the sixth extinction in this game-changing book.Can we save threatened animals and ecosystems in the midst of a mass extinction? The answer is a resounding yes, and Before They Vanish shows us how. In their ambitious, impassioned, and wise new book, conservation scientists Paul R. Ehrlich, Gerardo Ceballos, and Rodolfo Dirzo urge us to shift our thinking rather than bow our heads, grieving over the losses that humanity faces. This comprehensive look at a crucial but often overlooked aspect of conservation--population extinction--urges us toward a new, hopeful path. While the extinction of species describes the global disappearance of entire kinds of organisms, population extinction represents the loss of fundamental geographic elements of species. The authors argue that conservationists have placed too much emphasis on the extinction of entire species, which occurs gradually enough that we only detect it in the direst of cases, by which time meaningful action may be impossible. By shifting the focus to identifying extinction threats at the more localized population level, we can intervene more rapidly and effectively to prevent broader declines--and the eventual extinction of entire species themselves. This shift represents a critical step in saving these vanishing species; early detection and intervention may be our last, best hope for stemming the tide of this global crisis. Using examples from the worlds of vertebrates, invertebrates, plants, fungi, and microorganisms, the authors explain the concept of population extinction, its causes and consequences, and how to prevent the mass destruction of the amazing and unique creatures with whom we share our planet. This call to action is a must-read for anyone concerned with saving endangered and threatened species, our natural world--and ourselves.

Now is a critical time in human evolution; cycles of conflict, environmental degradation and systems of inequity threaten to irrevocably change life on Earth. As everyday people, we feel overwhelmed and hopeless in the face of seemingly unstoppable power structures perpetuating damage. One Heart Justice places the focus of transformation on practicing heart-based awareness and cultivating the potential of our own hearts as the "technology" we have been searching for to heal ourselves and the planet.Developed by an Expressive Arts Therapist, One Heart Justice, integrates transpersonal psychology, meditation and ecological consciousness through creative exploration designed to empower readers to deeply connect with the fundamental elements of life. Engaging with contemplative dialogue to demonstrate the power of attuning to the natural world, readers are called to experience this process for themselves providing wisdom and creativity to initiate radical change from the inside out.

In "Leadership for a Living Planet," Linda V. Scott challenges traditional notions of corporate success, arguing for a profound integration of sustainability and profitability within business leadership. This enlightening guide provides a roadmap for leaders who seek to harmonize business objectives with environmental stewardship. Through compelling narratives, practical strategies, and real-world examples, Scott illustrates how sustainable practices can drive innovation, foster resilience, and create lasting value.Structured around the core principles of sustainable leadership, the book delves into:The Imperative of Sustainability: Exploring the urgency and necessity of embedding sustainability at the heart of business models.Strategies for Integration: Offering actionable insights on how to intertwine sustainability with profit, enhancing both organizational growth and environmental conservation.Leadership in Action: Showcasing leaders who have successfully navigated the path toward sustainability, providing inspiration and guidance for others to follow.Scott's vision extends beyond mere theory, presenting a practical approach that empowers leaders to act decisively and responsibly. "Leadership for a Living Planet" is not just a book; it's a manifesto for a new era of leadership where profit and planet are inextricably linked. It's an essential read for anyone committed to forging a sustainable future, proving that business success and environmental sustainability can, and indeed must, go hand in hand.

One of today's most accomplished biologists and gifted storytellers reveals the rules that regulate all lifeHow does life work? How does nature produce the right numbers of zebras and lions on the African savanna, or fish in the ocean? How do our bodies produce the right numbers of cells in our organs and bloodstream? In The Serengeti Rules, award-winning biologist and author Sean Carroll tells the stories of the pioneering scientists who sought the answers to such simple yet profoundly important questions, and shows how their discoveries matter for our health and the health of the planet we depend upon.One of the most important revelations about the natural world is that everything is regulated—there are rules that regulate the amount of every molecule in our bodies and rules that govern the numbers of every animal and plant in the wild. And the most surprising revelation about the rules that regulate life at such different scales is that they are remarkably similar—there is a common underlying logic of life. Carroll recounts how our deep knowledge of the rules and logic of the human body has spurred the advent of revolutionary life-saving medicines, and makes the compelling case that it is now time to use the Serengeti Rules to heal our ailing planet.Bold and inspiring, The Serengeti Rules illuminates how life works at vastly different scales. Read it and you will never look at the world the same way again.

?A book that draws us in to the strange beauty of what we so often run away from.? ? Robin Ince, author of The Importance of Being InterestedIn this eye-opening and entertaining work of popular science in the spirit of The Mosquito, Entangled Life, and The Book of Eels, a leading behavioural ecologist transforms our understanding of wasps, exploring these much-maligned insects' secret world, their incredible diversity and complex social lives, and revealing how they hold our fragile ecosystem in balance.Everyone worries about the collapse of bee populations. But what about wasps? Deemed the gangsters of the insect world, wasps are winged assassins with formidable stings. Conduits of Biblical punishment, provokers of fear and loathing, inspiration for horror movies: wasps are perhaps the most maligned insect on our planet. But do wasps deserve this reputation?Endless Forms opens our eyes to the highly complex and diverse world of wasps. Wasps are 100 million years older than bees; there are ten times more wasp species than there are bees. There are wasps that spend their entire lives sealed inside a fig; wasps that turn cockroaches into living zombies; wasps that live inside other wasps. There are wasps that build citadels that put our own societies to shame, marked by division of labor, rebellions and policing, monarchies, leadership contests, undertakers, police, negotiators, and social parasites. Wasps are nature's most misunderstood insect: as predators and pollinators, they keep the planet's ecological balance in check. Wasps are nature's pest controllers; a world without wasps would be just as ecologically devastating as losing the bees, or beetles, or butterflies.Wasps are diverse and beautiful by every measure, and they are invaluable to planetary health, Professor Sumner reminds us; we'd do well to appreciate them as much as their cuter cousins, the bees.

This book aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current challenges in one of the most biodiverse regions in the world. Environmental sustainability and climate change implications in the mountain ecosystems in general and mountainous regions of the Global South in particular are key concerns of the present-day world. In particular, the mountainous regions in the Global South are excessively being subjected to haphazard developmental activities making them vulnerable to all possible aspects of climate change. Ecologically fragile and biodiversity-rich (considered ¿hotspot¿ of biodiversity) Himalayan Region (HR) is subjected to high vulnerability due to climate change and unsustainable developmental activities. A major portion of the Indian HR, for instance, has gradually been endangered by intense environmental burden owing to rapid and haphazard urbanization, extreme weather events, etc. Unfortunately, environmental sustainability studies in many parts of the region are still inadequate. Accordingly, in this book, the authors provide a detailed account of the Himalayas in the epoch of Anthropocene¿¿the most recent period in Earth¿s history when human activity started to have a significant impact on the planet¿s climate and ecosystems" (as defined by the National Geographic Society). It is no secret that the haphazard developmental activities in the Himalayas are having tremendous impacts on the local ecosystems. Many of such impacts are irreversible over the next hundreds of years and it should ring an alarm to all of us alike. Therefore, it becomes increasingly imperative that we document the existing anthropogenic challenges in the Himalayas, analyse them and find a way where environment and development can go hand in hand. This book is an attempt in that direction. The authors aim to address issues ranging from unorganized tourism practices to the big dams in the Himalayas and from mining and quarrying activities to climate change implications and sustainable development goals (SDGs).