This book features four peer-reviewed reviews on land use change and management.The first chapter discusses the role of agricultural expansion, land cover and use change in contributing to climate change. It reviews the impacts of land-use change on climate, specifically focusing on carbon emission, surface energy fluxes and the emission of reactive gases from vegetation. The chapter also assesses how to estimate the impacts of land-use change on climate.The second chapter ...

Comprehensive review of the effectiveness of particular agroforestry practices, from riparian forest buffers and filter strips, windbreaks and contour buffers to alley cropping, silvopasture and forest farmingSummarises current research on ecosystem services delivered by agroforestry, from promoting biodiversity and soil health to water quality and managementAssesses research on best practice in tree planting and management as well as optimising agroforestry produ...

More than half the world's population now lives in cities. Creating sustainable, healthy and aesthetic urban environments is therefore a major policy goal and research agenda. This comprehensive handbook provides a global overview of the state of the art and science of urban forestry.It describes the multiple roles and benefits of urban green areas in general and the specific role of trees, including for issues such as air quality, human well-being and stormwater management. It rev...

Reviews advances in cultivation practice such as seed establishment and more efficient irrigation techniques;Summarises developments in ‘climate smart’ agriculture such as conservation tillage and organic wheat cultivation;Discusses ways of supporting smallholders improve wheat cultivation in North Africa and other regions in the developing world

Covers the theoretical framework underpinning biodiversity conservation in agriculture, as well as key developments in areas such as mapping and modelling diversityComprehensive review of the range of biodiversity conservation practices such as field margins, hedgerows, agroforestry and improved grassland managementIncludes case studies of successful biodiversity conservation programmes

Focuses on advances in understanding forest ecophysiology which underpin good management, including mechanisms of root and canopy development.Explores the key challenges in ensuring forest management is consistent with forest ecosystem services, particularly managing the transition from monocultures to complex standsHighlights ways of diversifying forest products, including novel uses of timber, biomass, non-timber products and recreational services.

Summarises current good agricultural practice in maize cultivation, from seed selection to nutrient management, conservation agriculture, rotations and intercropping;Reviews advances in understanding and managing diseases and pests such as viruses, nematodes and weeds;Discusses ways maize cultivation can be made more ‘climate smart’

Sustainable agriculture is a rapidly growing field aiming at producing food and energy in a sustainable way for our children. This discipline addresses current issues such as climate change, increasing food and fuel prices, starvation, obesity, water pollution, soil erosion, fertility loss, pest control and biodiversity depletion. Novel solutions are proposed based on integrated knowledge from agronomy, soil science, molecular biology, chemistry, toxicology, ecology, economy, philosophy an...

This specially curated collection features three reviews of current and key research on climate change, insect pests and invasive species.The first chapter reviews the impact of climate change on insect pests and how it has affected insect pest development and population dynamics, activity and abundance, diversity and geographical distribution. It also assesses insect-host plant interactions and the effectiveness of crop pest management techniques.The secon...

Summarises current research on optimising CA system practices and their ecological, economic and social benefits.Elaborates on how CA systems make efficient use of production inputs such as water, nutrients, energy and addresses challenges in such areas as weed, insect pest and disease management.Reviews the central issues of improvement in yield, profitability and ecosystem services as well as climate change adaptability and mitigation in CA systems.

It is only recently that the immense economic value of pollination to agriculture has been appreciated. At the same time, the alarming collapse in populations of bees and other pollinators has highlighted the urgency of addressing this issue. This book focuses on the specific measures and practices that the emerging science of pollination ecology is identifying to conserve and promote animal pollinators in agroecosystems.It reviews the expanding knowledge base on pollination servic...

Comprehensive review of the range of water resources, from groundwater and surface water to rainwater, floodwater and waste waterDiscusses advances in irrigation techniques, from surface irrigation to micro/drip irrigation and fertigationAssesses methods for optimising agricultural water use in rainfed and other systems