Air Pollution And The Forests Of Developing And Rapidly Industrializing Regions

This book examines the importance of air pollution for the forests of rapidly industrialising countries and regions. Its geographical coverage includes South and Central America, Africa, and Asia, including Siberia, China and Korea. The problems presented by air pollution are placed within the more general context of sustainable development within these regions and the historical legacy that they are attempting to deal with. Attention is drawn to the very serious problems associated with poor air quality in cities such as Mexico City and Chongqing, China. Air pollution in these areas is amongst the worst in the world. Several chapters examine the importance of forest fires as a source of air pollution, with particular reference being made to the Southeast Asian fires in recent years. The available information about the effects of this pollution on the surrounding forests is reviewed, and recommendations are made for a better understanding of the impacts. A final chapter reviews the recent developments in air pollution control policies in the different regions covered by the book.

This two-volume set provides an authoritative overview of the major environmental issues of the 21st century, with a special focus on current challenges, trends, and policy choices. This set provides an up-to-date, comprehensive, and focused resource for understanding the nature and scope of environmental challenges facing the United States and the world in the 21st century, as well as options for meeting those challenges. Volume One covers environmental trends and challenges within the United States, while Volume Two illuminates environmental issues and choices around the world. Issues covered in both volumes include vital topics such as climate change, air and water pollution, natural resource and species protection, and agricultural/industrial impacts on the environment and public health. For all topics, the authors—scholars and experts hailing from a wide range of environmental and policy fields—detail a range of political, social, and economic options for the future and explain why the issue in question is important for society and people as well as the natural world.

The book contains information on geology, climate and vegetation of the Sierra Nevada with a special emphasis on air pollution effects on the mixed conifer forests. A history of the extent of air pollution effects on mixed conifer forests, especially ponderosa and Jeffrey pines is provided. The physiological basis for ozone-type injury development in ponderosa pine, a discussion of ozone uptake by plants at different levels of biological organization and the effects of air pollution and other stresses on mountain forests are discussed. A considerable portion of the book is dedicated to development of statistical models and maps of ambient ozone distribution in the Sierra Nevada based on the 1999 monitoring data with passive samplers. The implications of the methodological results, formulation and application of regional air quality models for integrated assessment of urban and wildland pollution and the need for functionally integrated models of ozone deposition to the Sierra Nevada forests are also discussed. Management and monitoring needs for improved long-term understanding air pollution effects on forest ecosystems, discussion of options for proper management of the air pollution affected forests, and comparison of monitoring and modelling of ozone and forest health status in the Sierra Nevada with similar efforts in mountains of North American and European mountain ranges are the focus of the later chapters of the book.

At present, roughly half of the world's population lives in urban centers. There are now more than 20 cities with a population of over 10 million inhabitants, compared to less than 5 about 50 years ago. This tendency toward urbanization is expected to continue, particularly in the developing world. A consequence of this growing trend is that millions of people are being exposed to harmful levels of urban air pollutants caused mainly by emissions from motor vehicles and from industrial and domestic activities involving the combustion of fossil fuels. The driving force for the design and implementation of emission control strate gies aimed at improving air quality has been the protection of the health of the population in urban centers. There are, however, other consequences of the pres ence of air pollutants besides the direct effect on human health. Reduced visibil ity, damage to monuments and buildings, and many other such consequences indirectly affect our quality of life. Another set of consequences involves damage to ecological systems. In fact, the nature of "photochemical smog" was first uncovered in the 1950s in connection with observations of its harmful effects on crops and plants in the vicinity of Los Angeles.

"Air Pollution and Plant Life" - Ein idealer Studienbegleiter zu Lehrveranstaltungen in den Bereichen Umwelt- und Pflanzenwissenschaft. Jetzt neu in der 2. Auflage. Dieser Band bietet einen umfassenden Überblick über die direkten und indirekten Auswirkungen der Luftverschmutzung auf die Pflanzenwelt und ihre Folgen für die allgemeine pflanzliche Produktivität. Untersucht werden verschiedene Schadstoffe, wie z.B. Oxidantien, Stickstoffoxide, Schwefeloxide, Fluoride und Feststoffteilchen, Schadstoffquellen sowie die Aufnahme und Speicherung einzelner Schadstoffe durch die Pflanzen. Darüber hinaus werden die aktuellen Richtlinien zur Luftqualität und deren Rolle in der Umweltpolitik umfassend erläutert. "Air Pollution and Plant Life" ist aber nicht nur ein wichtiges Lehrbuch für Studienanfänger und fortgeschrittene Studenten, sondern auch ein ideales Nachschlagewerk für Forscher in diesem Bereich.

Few people today are unaware of the far-reaching effects of global environmental change, and it is now generally accepted that human activities are the root cause of the changes in climate. Global Environmental Change provides a balanced overview of the problems associated with global warming. Commencing with a chapter on the evidence for global warming presented by Sir John Houghton, the book then goes on to discuss the many problems associated with air pollution. Subsequent chapters cover rising sea levels, the effect of climate change on human health and the role of environmental performance in industry. This readable and factually detailed book will have wide appeal but will be of particular interest to environmental scientists, industrial managers, policy-makers and students.