The Functioning of Ecosystems

Mahamane Ali

• Publisher: IntechOpen
• Year: 2012
• Print ISBN:
  9789535105732
• eBook ISBN:
  9789535152903
• Topic: Biological Sciences
• Subtopic: Biology
• Index: Biological Sciences

The ecosystems present a great diversity worldwide and use various functionalities according to ecologic regions. In this new context of variability and climatic changes, these ecosystems undergo notable modifications amplified by domestic uses of which it was subjected to. Indeed the ecosystems render diverse services to humanity from their composition and structure but the tolerable levels are unknown. The preservation of these ecosystemic services needs a clear understanding of their complexity. The role of the research is not only to characterise the ecosystems but also to clearly define the tolerable usage levels. Their characterisation proves to be important not only for the local populations that use it but also for the conservation of biodiversity. Hence, the measurement, management and protection of ecosystems need innovative and diverse methods. For all these reasons, the aim of this book is to bring out a general view on the biogeochemical cycles, the ecological imprints, the mathematical models and theories applicable to many situations.

Table of contents

• The Functioning of Ecosystems
• Contents
• Preface
• Chapter 1 Autonomic Management of Networked Small-Medium Factories
• Chapter 2 Land Cover/Use Dynamics and Vegetation Characteristics in the Rural District of Simiri (Tillabery Region, Niger)
• Chapter 3 Organizational Ecosystems: Interaction and Alignment Towards Innovation
• Chapter 4 The Effects of the N-Fixing Tree Pentaclethra macroloba on the Above and Below Ground Communities Within a Primary Forest in the Northern Zone of Costa Rica
• Chapter 5 Sustainable Solutions for an Environmentally and Socially Just Society
• Chapter 6 Phosphate Solubilization and Mobilization in Soil Through Microorganisms Under Arid Ecosystems
• Chapter 7 Human Impacts on a Small Island Ecosystem: Lessons from the Lucayans of San Salvador, Bahamas for This Island Earth
• Chapter 8 Tidal Wetlands Restoration
• Chapter 9 Ecological Footprint Applied in Agro-Ecosystems: Methods and Case Studies
• Chapter 10 Techniques for Assessment of Heavy Metal Toxicity Using Acanthamoeba sp, a Small, Naked and Free-Living Amoeba
• Chapter 11 Commercial Exploitation of Zooplankton in the Norwegian Sea
• Chapter 12 Evidence of Island Effects in South African Enterprise Ecosystems
• Chapter 13 Toxicity Analysis of Effluent Released During Recovery of Metals from Polymetallic Sea Nodules Using Fish Haematological Parameters
• Chapter 14 Environmental Assessment of Brick Kilns in Chihuahua State, México, Using Digital Cartography
• Chapter 15 Challenges to the Expansion of Ethanol Production in Brazil
• Chapter 16 Analysis of Hydrologic Alteration Due to River Diversion