Nature In Focus

Rapid Ecological Assessment (REA) is a methodology developed by The Nature Conservancy to provide comprehensive and reliable information about biodiversity resources in situations where time and financial resources are limited. REAs utilize a combination of remote-sensed imagery, reconnaissance overflights, field data collection, and spatial information visualization to generate useful information for conservation planning. Nature in Focus is an in-depth guide to the theory and practice of REAs, offering a detailed approach for assessing biodiversity in a rapid and integrative manner. It provides researchers with the essential tools and techniques they need to conduct an REA, and offers valuable advice about the planning and implementation aspects. The book: presents an overview of the REA methodology and sampling framework reviews all aspects of an REA: planning and management, mapping and spatial information, information management describes surveys of vegetation and fauna presents a generalized description of threat assessments explores the manner in which large amounts of data produced by different REA teams are integrated and synthesized into a cohesive set of management recommendations explains how the REA effort is documented, published, and disseminated offers a detailed REA case studyAlso included is a set of twelve color maps that describe the sequence of mapping activities in the case-study REA, along with other map examples from a range of REAs. In addition to the case study, appendixes offer a full set of REA field forms for sampling, and a model "Scope of Work" that describes the nature of work to be conducted in an REA and outlines the roles and responsibilities of the participating organizations. Nature in Focus presents the collective experience of more than ten years of REA field-testing. Conservation practitioners and biodiversity scientists who are involved with REA initiatives, along with managers, policymakers, and others involved with conservation programs will find the book a useful and nontechnical guide to an essential element of successful conservation.

"Christmann was moved to tears by some of the moments he captured, and the love he felt for the penguins is conveyed in his touching photographs and poetic writing." - Outdoor Photography. There is only one bird species that hunts in summer and rears its young in winter: the Emperor Penguin. These extraordinary animals survive the relentless Antarctic climate, braving an average temperature of -49 degrees Celsius, thanks to their special adaptation to the cold, as well as their loving, attentive, and helpful interaction with each other and with their offspring. For this impressive penguin book, award-winning photographer and geophysicist, Stefan Christmann, accompanied a penguin colony in Antarctica for several months, capturing different stages of their lives. His sensitive images are a beautiful document of penguin behavior, as well as the rugged, hostile ice landscapes they call home. Text in English and German.

- A unique tribute to the tigers who have played a vital role as 'brand ambassadors' of Indian wildlife - Delves into the changing landscape of tiger photography in India, and contains expert opinions by leading nature photographers - Also showcased is the singular diversity of Indian wildlife through spectacular images of the myriad species that share their home with tigers - A photographer's take on the dramatic rise in the popularity of tigers in the past decade Tigers are symbolic of the Indian wilderness and the mesmerizing stripes have long captured popular imagination. A Decade with Tigers is a photographer's take on the dramatic rise in the popularity of tigers in the past decade. Powered by social media and an increasing number of photographers interested in documenting the various moods and behaviors of tigers in forests across the country, tigers have been anthropomorphized, with some of them becoming the 'tiger icons' of India. A Decade with Tigers is a unique tribute to the tigers who have played a vital role as 'brand ambassadors' of Indian wildlife. The volume chronicles legendary tiger mothers and male tigers of the past decade, as well as their tales of survival, complemented by exquisite images by wildlife photographer Shivang Mehta, who has spent thousands of hours on the field. Also showcased is the singular diversity of Indian wildlife through spectacular images of the myriad species that share their home with tigers, photographed in terrains ranging from montane forests to the plains of Central India. The book also delves into the changing landscape of tiger photography in India, and contains expert opinions by leading nature photographers on the need for creativity and innovation in the photography and portrayal of India's magnificent national animal. Contents: Foreword, Preface, Tiger mothers, Bandhavgarh, Ranthambhore, Tadoba, Pench, Corbett, Mighty males, Denizens of the tiger kingdom.

Whether having fun on vacation or at home, everyone likes to take pictures. The pictures we take are often of people and places we know. There are professional photographers, however, who specialize in photographing nature in all its beauty and power. They are nature photographers. Their work is often a form of art. Nature photographers help us learn about nature and the diversity of our planet!

The Nature of Selection is a straightforward, self-contained introduction to philosophical and biological problems in evolutionary theory. It presents a powerful analysis of the evolutionary concepts of natural selection, fitness, and adaptation and clarifies controversial issues concerning altruism, group selection, and the idea that organisms are survival machines built for the good of the genes that inhabit them. "Sober's is the answering philosophical voice, the voice of a first-rate philosopher and a knowledgeable student of contemporary evolutionary theory. His book merits broad attention among both communities. It should also inspire others to continue the conversation."-Philip Kitcher, Nature "Elliott Sober has made extraordinarily important contributions to our understanding of biological problems in evolutionary biology and causality. The Nature of Selection is a major contribution to understanding epistemological problems in evolutionary theory. I predict that it will have a long lasting place in the literature."-Richard C. Lewontin

Identifying a beautiful image in nature is easy, but capturing it is often challenging. To truly seize the essence of a photograph shot out of the studio and in the world requires an artistic eye and impeccable set of photographic techniques. John and Barbara Gerlach have been teaching photographers how to master the craft of photographing nature and the outdoors through their workshops and best-selling books for more than twenty years. Now, equipped with brand new images to share and skills to teach, this celebrated photo team is sharing their latest lessons in the second edition of Digital Nature Photography. Notable revisions in this new edition include introducing the concepts of focus stacking and HDR, as well as expanded discussions of multiple exposure, wireless flash, RGB histograms, live view, shutter priority with auto ISO, hand-held shooting techniques, and the author’s equipment selections. The inspiring imagery in this book covers a broader range of subjects than before including ghost towns, the night sky, animals, and sports, in addition to the classic nature photographs we expect from this very talented author team. This book is a comprehensive guide to one of the broadest subjects in photography, explained and dymystified by two respected masters.

From award-winning author Bijal Vachharajani, A Cloud Called Bhura is a delightful middle-grade novel that tackles climate change through an inspiring lens of friendship, trust, and community. Amni wakes up one morning to find the sky taken over by a huge brown cloud. Even as she and her friends start to discover more, their city of Mumbai starts reeling from the changes the cloud brings to the weather. Bhura Cloudus (as the media calls it) causes scalding rain to fall, makes birds flee the city, and suffocates every living thing. As chaos continues to build and the climate changes brought by Bhura become disastrous, there are several questions on everyone’s mind: What will the powerful politician, Mota Bhai, do now? Can the scientist twins Vidisha and Bidisha find a solution? What about superstar Pavan Kumar and the amazing cloud-sucking machine? Will Bhura ever be driven away—or is it already too late? Thought-provoking, funny, and inspiring, A Cloud Called Bhura is about changing global climate and the havoc it can cause—as well as the forces of friendship, trust, and community that give hope and help counter this deadly threat to humanity.