Synopses & Reviews
Examining both the rich biological heritage of the world's second largest continent and the very serious human threats to it,
Africa and the Middle East explores the impact global pollution and a burgeoning population are having on landscape and wildlife alike. How is global warming responsible for the rapidly expanding Sahara Desert? Can local populations be recruited to preserve threatened species?
Over 80 percent of Madagascar's species are endemic, the highest percentage of any major ecological region in the world, such as the highly endangered aye-aye which resembles a cross between a monkey, a bat, and a woodpecker, and the giraffe-necked weevil, a red rainforest insect with a neck like a fire truck rescue ladder. Readers will learn all about these fascinating species and much more.
Review
"Suitable for high school and college students, researchers, and the general public." - SciTech Book News
Review
"This is a good source that can be used as a supplement to many other sources published by governmental agencies. It is highly recommended by this reviewer." - American Reference Books Annual
Synopsis
Global warming, rainforest destruction, mass extinction, overpopulation-the environmental problems facing our planet are immense and complex. World Environments offers students and readers a handle on the key issues, events, and people.
With six titles -- including Africa, Asia, Australia (plus Oceania and Antarctica), Europe, Latin America, and North America -- the series examines the unique -- and common -- problems facing the environments of every continent on Earth, and the ingenious ways local people are fighting back. The world's environment is sure to be the most important issue facing humanity in the next century. Readers can prepare for it with The World's Environments.
Synopsis
A concise yet thorough overview of the environmental issues, problems, and controversies facing the continent of Africa and the Middle East.
Examining both the rich biological heritage of the world's second largest continent and the very serious human threats to it, Africa and the Middle East explores the impact global pollution and a burgeoning population are having on landscape and wildlife alike. How is global warming responsible for the rapidly expanding Sahara Desert? Can local populations be recruited to preserve threatened species?
Over 80 percent of Madagascar's species are endemic, the highest percentage of any major ecological region in the world, such as the highly endangered aye-aye which resembles a cross between a monkey, a bat, and a woodpecker, and the giraffe-necked weevil, a red rainforest insect with a neck like a fire truck rescue ladder. Readers will learn all about these fascinating species and much more.
Synopsis
A concise yet thorough overview of the environmental issues, problems, and controversies facing the continent of Africa and the Middle East.
Synopsis
• Biographies of key environmental figures such as Ken Saro-Wiwa and Wangari Maathai
• 20-30 maps, charts, tables, and photos illustrating environmental resources and threats such as deforestation, soil erosion, and rates of air and water pollution
Synopsis
• Offers historical and contemporary portraits of Africa's environment including the Namib, the second largest desert in Africa, thought to be the world's oldest, having remained very arid for 55 million years
• Provides a global perspective on Africa's pollution problems. In 1958, indigenous medicine men in Madagascar pointed researchers from Eli Lilly Pharmaceuticals to the Madagascar rosy periwinkle. From this small pink flower, scientists derived two alkaloids effective against Hodgkin's disease and childhood leukemia