Handbook of Ecological and Ecosystem Engineering

Learn from this integrated approach to the management and restoration of ecosystems edited by an international leader in the field
 
The Handbook of Ecological and Ecosystem Engineering delivers a comprehensive overview of the latest research and practical developments in the rapidly evolving fields of ecological and ecosystem engineering. Beginning with an introduction to the theory and practice of ecological engineering and ecosystem services, the book addresses a wide variety of issues central to the restoration and remediation of ecological environments.
 
The book contains fulsome analyses of the restoration, rehabilitation, conservation, sustainability, reconstruction, remediation, and reclamation of ecosystems using ecological engineering techniques. Case studies are used to highlight practical applications of the theory discussed within.
 
The material in the Handbook of Ecological and Ecosystem Engineering is particularly relevant at a time when the human population is dramatically rising, and the exploitation of natural resources is putting increasing pressure on planetary ecosystems. The book demonstrates how modern scientific ecology can contribute to the greening of the environment through the inclusion of concrete examples of successful applied management. The book also includes:
* A thorough discussion of ecological engineering and ecosystem services theory and practice
* An exploration of ecological and ecosystem engineering economic and environmental revitalization
* An examination of the role of soil meso and macrofauna indicators for restoration assessment success in a rehabilitated mine site
* A treatment of the mitigation of urban environmental issues by applying ecological and ecosystem engineering
* A discussion of soil fertility restoration theory and practice
 
Perfect for academic researchers, industry scientists, and environmental engineers working in the fields of ecological engineering, environmental science, and biotechnology, the Handbook of Ecological and Ecosystem Engineering also belongs on the bookshelves of environmental regulators and consultants, policy makers, and employees of non-governmental organizations working on sustainable development.

List of contents

List of Contributors xvii
 
Preface xxi
 
1 Ecological Engineering and Ecosystem Services - Theory and Practice 1
Fábio Carvalho Nunes, Thaís de Marchi Soares, Lander de Jesus Alves, José Rodrigues de Souza Filho, Cláudia Cseko Nolasco de Carvalho, and Majeti Narasimha Vara Prasad
 
1.1 Introduction 1
 
1.2 Ecological Engineering: History and Definition 3
 
1.3 Ecosystem Services: History, Concepts, and Dimensions 7
 
1.3.1 Sizing Ecosystem Services 10
 
1.3.2 Agriculture and Ecosystem Services 15
 
1.4 Final Considerations: Challenges for the Future 19
 
Notes 20
 
References 20
 
2 Ecological and Ecosystem Engineering for Economic-Environmental Revitalization 25
Bruno Barbosa and Ana Luísa Fernando
 
2.1 Introduction 25
 
2.2 Revitalization of Physical/Environmental Factors 27
 
2.2.1 Low Temperature 27
 
2.2.2 Limited Soil Drainage and Shallow Rooting Depth 28
 
2.2.3 Unfavorable Texture and Stoniness 29
 
2.2.4 Sloping Areas 30
 
2.2.5 Dryness 30
 
2.2.6 Waterlogging 31
 
2.3 Revitalization of Chemical Factors 32
 
2.3.1 Acidity 32
 
2.3.2 Heavy Metals and Organic Contaminants 33
 
2.3.3 Salinity and Sodicity 34
 
2.4 Economic Revitalization of Degraded Soil Ecosystems 35
 
2.5 Conclusions 36
 
References 37
 
3 Environmental Issues and Priority Areas for Ecological Engineering Initiatives 47
Sanchayita Rajkhowa, Nazmun Ara Khanom, and Jyotirmoy Sarma
 
3.1 Introduction 47
 
3.2 Basic Concepts of Ecological Engineering 50
 
3.3 Practice and Implication of Ecological Engineering 53
 
3.4 Priority Areas for Ecological Engineering 54
 
3.4.1 Coastal Ecosystem Restoration 55
 
3.4.2 Mangrove Restoration 56
 
3.4.3 River and Wetland Restoration 57
 
3.4.4 Ecological Engineering in Soil Restoration and Agriculture 59
 
3.5 Conclusion 61
 
Notes 62
 
References 63
 
4 Soil Meso- and Macrofauna Indicators of Restoration Success in Rehabilitated Mine Sites 67
Sara Pelaez Sanchez, Ronan Courtney, and Olaf Schmidt
 
4.1 Introduction 67
 
4.2 Restoration to Combat Land Degradation 67
 
4.3 Mine Rehabilitation 68
 
4.3.1 Mine Tailings 68
 
4.3.2 Rehabilitation of Mine Tailings 68
 
4.3.3 The Challenge of Metal Mine Rehabilitation 68
 
4.4 Restoration Success Assessment: Monitoring Diversity, Vegetation, and Ecological Processes 69
 
4.4.1 Monitoring Diversity 70
 
4.4.2 Vegetation 70
 
4.4.3 Ecological Processes 71
 
4.5 Gaps in the Assessment of Restoration Success in Mine Sites 72
 
4.6 Increasing Restoration Success by Enhancing Soil Biodiversity and Soil Multifunctionality 73
 
4.7 Using Keystone Species and Ecosystem Engineers in Restoration 74
 
4.7.1 Earthworms 83
 
4.7.2 Ants 84
 
4.7.3 Termites 85
 
4.7.4 Collembola and Mites 85
 
4.8 Conclusions and Further Perspective for the Restoration of Metalliferous Tailings 85
 
Acknowledgements 86
 
References 86
 
5 Ecological Engineering and Green Infrastructure in Mitigating Emerging Urban Environmental Threats 95
Florin-Constantin Mihai, Petra Schneider, and Mihail Eva
 
5.1 Dimensions of Ecological Engineering in the Frame of Ecosystem Service Provision 95
 
5.2 Landfill Afteruse Practices Based on Ecological Engineering and Green Infrastructure 97
 
5.2.1 Old Landfill Closure and Rehabilitation Procedures 97
 
5.2.2 Landfill Restoration Examples Around the World 98
 

About the author

Majeti Narasimha Vara Prasad is Emeritus Professor in the School of Life Sciences at the University of Hyderabad in India. He has published over 216 papers in scholarly journals and edited 34 books. He received his doctorate in Botany from Lucknow University, India in 1979. Based on an independent study by Stanford University scientists in 2020, he figured in the top 2% of scientists from India, ranked number 1 in Environmental Sciences (116 in world).

Summary

Learn from this integrated approach to the management and restoration of ecosystems edited by an international leader in the field

The Handbook of Ecological and Ecosystem Engineering delivers a comprehensive overview of the latest research and practical developments in the rapidly evolving fields of ecological and ecosystem engineering. Beginning with an introduction to the theory and practice of ecological engineering and ecosystem services, the book addresses a wide variety of issues central to the restoration and remediation of ecological environments.

The book contains fulsome analyses of the restoration, rehabilitation, conservation, sustainability, reconstruction, remediation, and reclamation of ecosystems using ecological engineering techniques. Case studies are used to highlight practical applications of the theory discussed within.

The material in the Handbook of Ecological and Ecosystem Engineering is particularly relevant at a time when the human population is dramatically rising, and the exploitation of natural resources is putting increasing pressure on planetary ecosystems. The book demonstrates how modern scientific ecology can contribute to the greening of the environment through the inclusion of concrete examples of successful applied management. The book also includes:
* A thorough discussion of ecological engineering and ecosystem services theory and practice
* An exploration of ecological and ecosystem engineering economic and environmental revitalization
* An examination of the role of soil meso and macrofauna indicators for restoration assessment success in a rehabilitated mine site
* A treatment of the mitigation of urban environmental issues by applying ecological and ecosystem engineering
* A discussion of soil fertility restoration theory and practice

Perfect for academic researchers, industry scientists, and environmental engineers working in the fields of ecological engineering, environmental science, and biotechnology, the Handbook of Ecological and Ecosystem Engineering also belongs on the bookshelves of environmental regulators and consultants, policy makers, and employees of non-governmental organizations working on sustainable development.

Product details

• Authors: M N V Prasad, M. N. V. Prasad, Majeti N. V. Prasad, Majeti Narasimha Vara Prasad, Majeti Narasimha Vara (University of Hyder Prasad, Mnv Prasad
• Assisted by: Majet N V Prasad (Editor), Majet Narasimha Vara Prasad (Editor), Majeti Narasimha Vara Prasad (Editor), Majeti N. V. Prasad (Editor), Majeti Narasimha Vara Prasad (Editor)
• Publisher: Wiley, John and Sons Ltd
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 31.07.2021
• EAN: 9781119678533
• ISBN: 978-1-119-67853-3
• No. of pages: 528
• Subjects: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Chemistry > Organic chemistry; Chemie, Umwelttechnik, Umweltforschung, Umweltchemie, Umweltwissenschaften, Environmental Studies, chemistry, Environmental Chemistry, Environmental engineering, Environmental Science, Bauingenieur- u. Bauwesen, Civil Engineering & Construction