Revisiting The Biome Concept With A Functional Lens

Early biogeographers such as Alexander von Humboldt recognized the broad-scale coupling of vegetation and climate. This observation shaped the modern biome concept which organizes ecosystems by assumed relationships to environmental controls. This approach has been criticized for missing key impacts on the distribution and functioning of biomes like historical contingency, biogeographic history, disturbance ecology, and evolution. Are biomes still a convenient framework for organizing our understanding of biodiversity? What factors determine the functional differences among and within biomes, and at what spatial, temporal, and phylogenetic scales are those drivers most important? How can we better represent the functional characteristics and dynamics of ecosystems? This Research Topic highlights the latest discussions and research on biomes, drawing from a wide range of approaches spanning from macroecology and phylogeography to remote sensing and modelling ecosystem responses to global change.

In "Scientific Approach to the Meaning of Life," science and spirituality intertwine through the captivating narrative of the author's personal journey. This compact yet profound book draws upon a spectrum of scientific fields, while also charting the complex and mixed paths of religion and science through history, aiming to shed light on one of humanity's most profound questions – What is the meaning of life? Personal experiences are beautifully melded with insights from particle physics, evolutionary biology, and historical analyses, crafting an intimate yet lighthearted account of the search for life's purpose. Perfect for readers seeking a personal and intellectually stimulating exploration of life's most significant question, "Scientific Approach to the Meaning of Life" offers a compelling intersection of science, history, and personal discovery. This book promises a unique journey through the dimensions of existence, shaped by the author's scientific insight and personal journey.

Ever wonder where big, breakthrough ideas come from? How do innovators manage to spot the opportunities for industry revolution that everyone else seems to miss? Contrary to popular belief, innovation is not some mystical art that’s forbidden to mere mortals. The Four Lenses of Innovation thoroughly debunks this pervasive myth by delivering what we’ve long been hoping for: the news that innovation is systematic, it’s methodical, and we can all achieve it. By asking how the world’s top innovators—Steve Jobs, Richard Branson, Jeff Bezos, and many others—came up with their game-changing ideas, bestselling author Rowan Gibson identifies four key business perspectives that will enable you to discover groundbreaking opportunities for innovation and growth: Challenging Orthodoxies—What if the dominant conventions in your field, market, or industry are outdated, unnecessary, or just plain wrong? Harnessing Trends—Where are the shifts and discontinuities that will, now and in the future, provide the energy you need for a major leap forward? Leveraging Resources—How can you arrange existing skills and assets into new combinations that add up to more than the sum of their parts? Understanding Needs—What are the unmet needs and frustrations that everyone else is simply ignoring? Other books promise the keys to innovation—this one delivers them. With a unique full-color design, thought-provoking examples, and features like the 8-Step Model for Building a Breakthrough, The Four Lenses of Innovation will teach you how to reverse-engineer creative genius and make radical business innovation an everyday reality inside your organization. “Rowan Gibson has done a superb job of ‘unpacking’ what it takes to innovate.” —Philip Kotler, S. C. Johnson Distinguished Professor of International Marketing at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University “Can you develop an innovative mind? Yes, you can. And this book is the manual.” —John and Doris Naisbitt, authors of China’s Megatrends and The Global Game Change “An excellent piece of work for practitioners and organizations who seek to have innovation as part of their DNA.” —Camille Mirshokrai, Managing Director of Leadership Development, and Partner at Accenture “Rowan Gibson’s The Four Lenses of Innovation will inspire you to think big, look afresh at the challenges you face, and take bold action to change the world.” —Robert B. Tucker, author of Driving Growth Through Innovation

Advances in Ecological Research is one of the most successful series in the highly competitive field of ecology. Each volume publishes topical and important reviews, interpreting ecology as widely as in the past, to include all material that contributes to our understanding of the field. Topics in this invaluable series include the physiology, populations, and communities of plants and animals, as well as landscape and ecosystem ecology. Presents the most updated information on the field of ecology, publishing topical and important reviews Provides all information that relates to a thorough understanding of the field Includes data on physiology, populations, and communities of plants and animals New ideas on ES Integrative approach working across a variety of levels of biological organization and spatial and temporal scales Diversity of relevant subjects covered

Ecosystem ecology is the integrated study of biotic and abiotic components of ecosystems and their interactions within an ecosystem framework. This science examines how ecosystems work and relates this to their components such as chemicals, bedrock, soil, plants, and animals. A major focus of ecosystem ecology is on functional processes, ecological mechanisms that maintain the structure and services produced by ecosystems. These include primary productivity (production of biomass), decomposition, and trophic interactions. Studies of ecosystem function have greatly improved human understanding of sustainable production of forage, fibre, fuel, and provision of water. Functional processes are mediated by regional-to-local level climate, disturbance, and management thus ecosystem ecology provides a powerful framework for identifying ecological mechanisms that interact with global environmental problems, especially global warming and degradation of surface water. This book presents the latest developments in the field from around the world.

This book constitutes the refereed post-conference proceedings of the 17th IFIP WG 5.1 International Conference on Product Lifecycle Management, PLM 2020, held in Rapperswil, Switzerland, in July 2020. The conference was held virtually due to the COVID-19 crisis. The 60 revised full papers presented together with 2 technical industrial papers were carefully reviewed and selected from 80 submissions. The papers are organized in the following topical sections: smart factory; digital twins; Internet of Things (IoT, IIoT); analytics in the order fulfillment process; ontologies for interoperability; tools to support early design phases; new product development; business models; circular economy; maturity implementation and adoption; model based systems engineering; artificial intelligence in CAx, MBE, and PLM; building information modelling; and industrial technical contributions.

Stream Ecology: Structure and Function of Running Waters is designed to serve as a textbook for advanced undergraduate and graduate students, and as a reference source for specialists in stream ecology and related fields. This Third Edition is thoroughly updated and expanded to incorporate significant advances in our understanding of environmental factors, biological interactions, and ecosystem processes, and how these vary with hydrological, geomorphological, and landscape setting. The broad diversity of running waters – from torrential mountain brooks, to large, lowland rivers, to great river systems whose basins occupy sub-continents – makes river ecosystems appear overwhelming complex. A central theme of this book is that although the settings are often unique, the processes at work in running waters are general and increasingly well understood. Even as our scientific understanding of stream ecosystems rapidly advances, the pressures arising from diverse human activities continue to threaten the health of rivers worldwide. This book presents vital new findings concerning human impacts, and the advances in pollution control, flow management, restoration, and conservation planning that point to practical solutions. Reviews of the first edition: ".. an unusually lucid and judicious reassessment of the state of stream ecology" Science Magazine "..provides an excellent introduction to the area for advanced undergraduates and graduate students..." Limnology & Oceanography "... a valuable reference for all those interested in the ecology of running waters." Transactions of the American Fisheries Society Reviews of the second edition: "Overall, a must for the field centre and a good starter text in stream ecology." (TEN News, October, 2007) "Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty." (P. R. Pinet, CHOICE, Vol. 45 (7), 2008) "... a very good, fluidly readable book which contains the latest key scientific knowledge of the ecology of running waters." (Daniel Graeber, International Review of Hydrobiology, Vol. 94 (2), 2009)

Deception in the Digital Age: Exploiting and Defending Human Targets Through Computer-Mediated Communication guides readers through the fascinating history and principles of deception—and how these techniques and stratagems are now being effectively used by cyber attackers. Users will find an in-depth guide that provides valuable insights into the cognitive, sensory and narrative bases of misdirection, used to shape the targeted audience’s perceptions and beliefs. The text provides a detailed analysis of the psychological, sensory, sociological, and technical precepts that reveal predictors of attacks—and conversely postmortem insight about attackers—presenting a unique resource that empowers readers to observe, understand and protect against cyber deception tactics. Written by information security experts with real-world investigative experience, the text is the most instructional book available on the subject, providing practical guidance to readers with rich literature references, diagrams and examples that enhance the learning process. Deeply examines the psychology of deception through the lens of misdirection and other techniques used by master magicians Explores cognitive vulnerabilities that cyber attackers use to exploit human targets Dissects the underpinnings and elements of deception narratives Examines group dynamics and deception factors in cyber attacker underground markets Provides deep coverage on how cyber attackers leverage psychological influence techniques in the trajectory of deception strategies Explores the deception strategies used in today’s threat landscape—phishing, watering hole, scareware and ransomware attacks Gives unprecedented insight into deceptive Internet video communications Delves into the history and deception pathways of nation-state and cyber terrorism attackers Provides unique insight into honeypot technologies and strategies Explores the future of cyber deception