Reviews (236)

Powerful message
Congratulations to Al Gore for taking on a subject largely regarded as anathema by the US political establishment. Yes the science is still unsure on many of the issues, however, it IS becoming increasingly apparent that C02 emissions from industry, petrol engines etc are contributing to driving global temperatures upwards. That said, there is truth though that global warming is a natural event because thanks to analysis carried out on ice samples from the Greenland permafrost, thousands of years old, we have a clear record of many natural warming cycles going back millennia.
What was Gore's degree in? Oh yeah, journalism
Oh please... what scientific background does this guy have???? What a joke!The stuff in this book is more sophmoric than a prom.This is a political treatise with no scientific value at all.What is my degree in?Well, I have 3: BS chemistry, MS environmental science and a JD (Law).

From the inventor of the Internet????
For the lunatic Lefties and Wingnuts, this is a "Bible".From someone who lost an election, whined and wimpered until told to "shut up" by the USSC, we get this garbage dumped on the fools who would believe it.
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Subjects:  1. Climatic changes    2. Ecology    3. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    4. Environmental Science    5. Environmental Studies    6. Environmental aspects    7. Global warming    8. Nature    9. Nature/Ecology    10. Science / Environmental Science   

Reviews (1)

Positively Brilliant.
Professor Wangari Maathai is truly one of the most important voices of our time. This dynamic and indefatigable Kikuyu woman of Kenya has illuminated rays of light through the dark clouds of Kenya, and so Africa. Standing in the face of oppression and unbearable adversity she faced when Kenya was not a land of freedom, but a state of oppression and discord, it was Wangari's resilient voice, her never-ending effort to stand strong in the winds of injustice, and her ceaseless love of mankind that has in many ways begun the great changes toward democracy and freedom for all individuals not just in Kenya, but in Africa. As the Cold War has, as Professor Maathai clearly and carefully points out, changed the dynamics of government in Africa, the reader becomes aware, in a different way than what is typically presented in the press, of the many issues involved with the challenges that the world faces through the daily experiences of those who seek `Freedom'. Clearly, as the world becomes closer and more connected, the issues that continue in Africa are critical issues that we, as a progressive society, must not simply acknowledge, but do something about. Acting on what is right . . . standing up for your beliefs . . . standing down oppression and hatred . . . and nurturing Mother Earth as she continues to nurture and provide for all, are themes this visionary African woman - who is the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize - shares with the world in her brilliantly written life story. Readers across the world - men and women of all colors and creeds and beliefs will tap into the determination of this extraordinary activist who has taught so many about how love of each other can grow through respecting and nurturing the land we live on. But there is so much more to `Unbowed': Uhuru Park - Freedom Park - is more than a rolling green field in the middle of busy Nairobi, it is more than a starting point for this wonderful woman's love affair with the world, and it is so much more than a gathering point where the notion of planting trees . . . the seeds of The Green Belt Movement occurred. As Professor Maathai has shown through her own life, `Uhuru' is not Free! `Unbowed' is the story of a magnificent and courageous leader who stood up for the oppressed, including the woman of Kenya, and provided hope for better tomorrows by demonstrating that if a person possesses a will to make change, change can and will occur. `Unbowed' is a most remarkable memoir . . . and Professor Wangari Maathai is an ingenious woman of dignity the world continues to learn from. Listen: no matter where you are from, this book will positively change your life.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Conservation Of Natural Resources (General)    6. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    7. Forest Conservation    8. Kenya    9. People of Color    10. Personal Memoirs    11. Tree planters (Persons)    12. Trees & Forests - General    13. Women    14. Women conservationists    15. Women politicians    16. Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs   

Reviews (2)

The Ansel Adams of Color Photography!
Galen Rowell pioneered "participatory (wilderness) photography," in which the photographer becomes an active creative participant in fine-art image making. An accomplished outdoorsman and adventurer, his deep emotional connection to nature pervades virtually all of his photographs. Another signature characteristic is his vivid use of color during the "magic hour" (at sunrise and sunset); indeed, it is arguably true that Rowell was as much a "master of color" as Ansel Adams was a master of black & white. (It is fitting that he received the Ansel Adams Award for his contributions to the art of wilderness photography in 1984.) The life of this extraordinary artist was cut tragically short in 2002 when the plane carrying Rowell and his wife (Barbara Rowell, herself an accomplished photographer) crashed as they were both returning home from a Workshop in the Sierra Mountains.
Nice for Galen Rowell Fans
Coming around 4 years after the untimely death of Galen and his wife Barbara, this book does not disappoint those who enjoyed his photography. I certainly do and have for many years. This book contains a lot of photos (over 175) from early stuff to photos from his last expedition for Nat Geo. Divided into 7 main sections, you will see many of the most famous of his photos but what I like is that there are photos in there I was not familiar with. I have nearly all of his books so I like seeing stuff I have not seen before. For instance a few climbing photos of Ron Kauk and Lynn Hill, or one of 2 skiers descending the Ruth glacier in Alaska, or one from Lake Powell. Also nice are the little spot essays of some of the photos such as one by his daughter Nicole about the Lynx photo from Alaska. I'm not sure the printing of the book is of superior quality. Some of the colors seem off and a lot of grain shows up. That really is my only complaint. I am very happy to have this book, although I would rather see photos from his latest expeditions instead of a retrospective.This book is certainly worth the money. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art & Art Instruction    2. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions    3. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    4. General    5. Individual Photographer    6. Nature photography    7. Outdoor photography    8. Photo Techniques    9. Photography    10. Art / General    11. The Arts: General Issues   

Reviews (58)

The Gathering Heat
It has been estimated that the earth was formed about 4.5 billion years ago and that human beings have inhabited the planet only about 10 to 12 thousand years - ever since the thawing of the last ice age. During our relatively brief time on this planet, we have been fortunate to enjoy moderate temperatures. However, according to Tim Flannery as well as many other students of climate science, the consumption of fossil fuels such as oil, coal, and wood is releasing so much carbon dioxide into the atmosphere that the earth is now warmer than anytime in the last 650,000 years. This is common knowledge to people who read and listen to the news. What is interesting about Flannery's well-written and well-researched book is that he describes in detail the consequences of a few degrees in temperature rise. If the earth's temperature rises a few degrees thousands of species and ecosystems will die, a few more still and it will kill off the human race.
Another book on global warming?You bet!
I was a bit skeptical picking this book up, as this looks like just another book on climate change, and written by an Australian to boot.I gave it a chance, and was impressed.
The future is in our hands
Here is a well-written, factual, easy-to-read book on how we are affecting our planet and the urgency for all of us to change our ways.Everyone should read this book and take note of the great impact we have on our planet and what we can do to abate the destruction we are leaving in our wake.This book will change how you live your life forever. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Climate Changes    2. Climatic changes    3. Earth Sciences - Meteorology & Climatology    4. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    5. Environmental Science    6. Global warming    7. Nature    8. Science    9. Science/Mathematics    10. Weather    11. Nature / Environmental Conservation & Protection   

Reviews (10)

Useful and interesting - STRONGLY RECOMMENDED
Despite the intimidating name and size of this tome, I found it fascinating to read. It covers everything from light bulb selection to rooftop chiller maintenance. The depth and breath of coverage is amazing.
Superlative! A must have!
Superlative! �The ENERGY EFFICIENCY MANUAL by Donald Wulfinghoff is a "must have" for professionals, libraries, facility managers, policy makers, homeowners, and anyone else who is serious about saving energy and cashing in on lower energy bills.It is the ultimate energy saving resource for businesses, industry, and government.PLUS, it will save money and reduce pollution, satisfying corporate bottom lines, policy makers, and environmentalists all at the same time.This book is unique.Highly informative, illustration-rich, and user-friendly, it is treasure trove of everything you need to know about energy efficiency from A to Z. Don't bother looking elsewhere --the ENERGY EFFICIENCY MANUAL simply has it all.This book will pay for itself almost as fast as you can spot a hot air leak or install an energy-efficient light bulb! A secret weapon for the energy auditor
As an energy auditor I'd almost call the Energy Efficiency Manual a secret weapon, except it has so many good ideas that I can't help but show it to many of the customers and prospective customers I meet. The diagrams are very useful, as is the self contained but well cross-referenced way in which each improvement measure has been written. For example, talking to the maintenance manager of a hospital, we looked at the diagrams of hot/cold deck multi-zone systems while discussing the pros and cons of upgrading a constant volume air conditioning system to a variable volume system. It is by far the most useful book on energy management that I have ever read (well, in the case of the Energy Efficiency Manual, that I have partially read - its an enormously large book!), and the ratings of each of the measures are particularly useful, along with the practical, no-nonsense approach. The book is extremely well cross referenced and Wulfinghoff has covered an enormous body of knowledge in writing the book. As someone fairly new to the field I'm grateful that he went to the effort of documenting and making available his knowledge and 30 odd years experience in the Energy Efficiency Manual. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Construction - General    2. Construction - Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning    3. Energy Resources Conservation    4. Energy conservation    5. Energy consumption    6. Engineering - Civil    7. Engineering - Mechanical    8. Handbooks, manuals, etc    9. House & Home / Design & Construction    10. Nature / Environmental Conservation & Protection    11. Production & Operations Management    12. Public, Commercial, or Industrial Buildings    13. Science/Mathematics    14. Technology    15. Technology & Industrial Arts    16. Architecture    17. Building construction & materials    18. Construction    19. Environment    20. Industry & Industrial Studies    21. The Environment   

Reviews (6)

Worth the money
This book contains some of the most spectacular photographs I have ever seen. There are amazing close-ups of reptiles, amphibians, and insects, aerial views of Africa, and stirring photos of mammals. A few photos are disturbing to see, such as the look of a terrified baby monkey clinging on to its mother shot dead by a hunter. Each photo is printed FULL size on thick quality semi-glossy paper on a single side, so if you wanted to, you could cut out certain photos and put it in a frame. Best of all, the author mentions that "The proceeds from the sales of this book go to fund conservation efforts in Africa".

Unique Book
This book is amazing, in its presentation and its content. The photography is first rate for an expedition of which pictures were not their main objective. The journal entries in the second book of the set will make you feel as if you are part of the trip especially if you have been to Africa before. I highly recommend this book as a coffee table piece or as a fascinating read.

Beyond words
This book is an absolute masterpiece. One of the best of our times. Dr. Faye's journey itself was incredible. His mission or obsession to save the central African is relentless. This book is a tribute to him, Nick Nicols, whose photography surpasses anyone's both in quality and purpose, and to the deepest, darkest Africa.
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Subjects:  1. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    2. General    3. Nature    4. Nature / Field Guide Books    5. Nature Photography    6. Photo Essays    7. Photo Techniques    8. Photography    9. Subjects & Themes - Plants & Animals    10. Wildlife    11. Photography & Photographs    12. Photography / General    13. The Environment   

Reviews (1)

Useful
Useful book to collect all in one the main subjects about the topic. Useful handbook to have at hand a rigorous point to start to study the subject without loosing between information. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Energy    2. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    3. Environmental Engineering & Technology    4. Environmental Science    5. Environmental Studies    6. Nature    7. Nature/Ecology    8. Renewable energy sources    9. Alternative & renewable energy sources & technology    10. Nature / Environmental Conservation & Protection   

Editorial Review

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Features

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Reviews (123)

Can you believe people are still disbelieving after 40 years!?
It certainly doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand that whatever "inputs" we put into a system (Earth, humans, water, air, etc.), will in turn impact the system and the systems "outputs."If we put poison into the soil, air, and water, we will ultimately re-ingest these materials and create a toxic environment that will be unable to support the system that we are purportedly trying to save.Do the logic yourself.What kind of logic is it that would say that malaria deaths justify the use of DDT?We have no idea of how many millions, or billions, of people globally have been impacted by its use in the forms of debilitating illnesses and death from cancer and the like.With this false rationale, just as in the current debate over the use and subsequent output of carbon materials, we are again showing our naivete in believing that we can put a "technological" fix on an issue that is better addressed by the way we live and consume.So, we save all these poor souls from malaria, but then we give them a planet that is poisonous?Nonsensical at best.

Very Informative
Although this book was published more than 40 years ago, it's still worth a read. I found it interesting, informative and disturbing. Although I know DDT has been banned, I can't help but worry about some of the lasting effects of it and other chemicals used as pesticides or insecticides.

A misguided mass killer
Before this misguided book was published, DDT was successfully reducing malaria deaths across the globe.After it, and the subsequent ban on DDT, millions of people have suffered and died needlessly.For example, in Sri Lanka in 1948, there were 2.8 million malaria cases and 7,300 malaria deaths. With widespread DDT use, malaria cases fell to 17 and no deaths in 1963. After DDT use was discontinued, Sri Lankan malaria cases rose to 2.5 million in the years 1968 and 1969, and the disease remains a killer in Sri Lanka today.
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Subjects:  1. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    2. Environmental Science    3. Environmental aspects    4. Nature    5. Nature/Ecology    6. Pesticides    7. Pesticides and wildlife    8. Toxicology    9. Conservation of the environment    10. Nature / Environmental Conservation & Protection    11. Pollution & threats to the environment   

Subjects:  1. Ecology    2. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    3. Environmentalism    4. Green movement    5. Natural Resources    6. Nature    7. Nature/Ecology    8. Sustainable development    9. Environment; political science; ecology    10. Globalization    11. Nature / Ecology   

Reviews (3)

Reviews, anyone?
This is an excellent textbook, one that I have used in two of my Environmental Science classes (namely, Environmental Problems of Man [Bio 11], and Energy for the Future [Envi Sci 1].) While not completely without bias (which is mostly subtle, and not totally incorrect), the book offers a solid introduction to many environmental issues. The introduction chapter of the textbook states that environmental science is interdisciplinary, and the book is laid out accordingly. Chapters run the gamut from biology, chemisty, simple physics, and pure ecological common sense. An excellent purchase for any serious scientist and/or conscientious environmentalist.

hmm
I'm kinda dissappointed because the seller stated that this book is hardcovered. But when I received it, it was copied and paperback.

Required Reading
I bought this book for my class because it was cheaper at Amazon than at my school's bookstore.(shipping was cheaper too!)It's not an exciting read, but has some valuable information about how us humans are ruining the Earth with our SUVs and abuse of fossil fuels. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ecology    2. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    3. Environmental Science    4. Environmental Studies    5. Nature    6. Nature/Ecology    7. Science / Life Sciences / General    8. The Environment   

Reviews (12)

Plan B
Fred Pearce provides a current and thorough accounting of the travestries of water mismanagement throughout the globe.Plan A groups the grandiose and expensive plans of water engineers to impound and transfer water that have already failed or soon will fail [e.g. "water flows uphill to money"]
Afoundation to our future
A scientific travelogue, engaging both in the author's personal approach and the wealth of information it contains. Highly readable; the message is both clear and alarming:we have soiled our home, have lost sight of our stewardship, and immediate action is needed.Continuing neglect, indifference, and procrastination will be irreversible.Not a shrill or alarmist messenger, the author provides practical interventions both for the individual and on a larger, political scale.The concern is that, embedded in the present, broader cacophany of blame and distraction, the book will be overlooked.Read this book.You owe it to yourself and the future to not sit on the sidelines.

Sponge of Damocles
For those concerned about the frightening state of the world's fresh water supplies, this book is a treasure of information and viewpoints on why humanity should start getting extremely worried about the issue. Fred Pearce has traveled the world to report on water supply horror stories (and a few success stories), with the theme of river health and long-term human usage. This book turns out to have a similar effect for the reader as others on the subject, which dutifully report on who in the world doesn't have enough water to drink and the potential human consequences. (Though this one probably has the most specific examples.) Pearce does give his book a bit of an edge by finding some unique insights into the social and economic problems that are leading us all down a sinkhole of disappearing water.
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Subjects:  1. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    2. Natural Resources    3. Nature    4. Nature/Ecology    5. Water Supply    6. Water resources development    7. Water-supply    8. Nature / Environmental Conservation & Protection   

Reviews (1)

Great, economical, and practical guide
What a value! For under $10, not only do you receive a well written and highly practical guide to things that anyone can do to help slow global warming, you get a hillarious foreword by Larry David (Seinfeld/Curb Your Enthusiasm Fame) and an excellent resource listing of websites, organizations, associations, and companies that are working to stem the tide of climate change. This book is slim enough to fit in a back pocket, backpack or purse - which makes it easy to read on the commute. This is an ideal companion / follow-up-read to "An Inconvenient Truth" as it offers some great advice on what to do. If you're concerned about climate change, have seen Al Gore's documentary, read An Inconvenient Truth, or have friends and family that share your concern - or better yet don't - buy this book and a copy for them!
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Subjects:  1. Citizen participation    2. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    3. Environmental Studies    4. Environmental protection    5. Global warming    6. Greenhouse effect, Atmospheric    7. Nature    8. Nature/Ecology    9. Politics / Current Events    10. Prevention    11. Public Policy - Environmental Policy   

Reviews (7)

Native Plants of NE
Excellent book for those of us in the NE States and are gardeners. This book is particularly good for people moving into the area.

great resource
A local nursery owner had recommended this bood as a guide in helping me landscape my new yard. The information is great and the pictures are extremely helpful. It offers a lot of variety and not your everday-popular plants/shrubs. I'm looking forward to having things my neighbors don't even know about!

Well worth buying for native plant enthusiasts
This is alot more than a seed catalog read.I enjoyed the Professor's introduction, in which he shares a great deal about many plants in the book, his favorites, why, and how they work in his own garden.Not particularly applicable to me personally was a good deal of information on ecosystem types in the Northeast and wetland information.
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Subjects:  1. Gardening / Horticulture    2. Native plant gardening    3. Native plants for cultivation    4. Nature    5. Nature/Ecology    6. Northeastern States    7. Plants - General    8. Regional - Canada    9. Regional - New England (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT)    10. Nature / Plants    11. Nature   

Reviews (4)

Absolutely fascinating work
This book took me into the grassroots level work of the newest Nobel Peace Prize winner.I was glad to get a glimpse into what the world is just recognizing as the new frontier - the hope that comes from action at the local level which makes real course changes in our world as a whole.I enjoyed the very practical outline of this movement's accomplishments and connections to the growing consciousness for earth's slow, steady salvation.

GREEN BELT MOVEMENT
I found this book to be an enlightening and educating account of the background and work of the current Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Wangari Maathai.THE GREEN BELT MOVEMENT is currently the only volume that provides as much insight on this topic.
Depressed about the environment?Read this book!!
The Green Belt Movement by Wangari Maathai is a wonderful, informative and user-friendly book that gives a good sense of the movement's history and the person behind it. Just as Maathai in her work likes to keep her hands in the dirt planting trees, in her book she cuts directly to the meat and bones of what the Green Belt Movement is about and how it functions practically on the ground.
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Subjects:  1. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    2. Environmental Studies    3. Green Belt Movement (Society :    4. Green Belt Movement (Society : Kenya)    5. Kenya    6. Natural Resources    7. Nature    8. Nature/Ecology    9. Tree planting    10. Trees & Forests - General    11. Africa    12. Environmentalist, conservationist & Green organizations   

Reviews (7)

not as good as i expected
this highly recommended book started out as a compelling read, but became something i had to force myself to finish. it seems to be a series of lectures strung together, which may have been interesting as lectures, but is not cohesive enough to be a book. the good information is lost amidst the rambling style.

A must read for Landscape Architects
Anyone studying environmental planning or LA should read this book.

Significant Book for Architects - Though a Little Slow
While it's not the kind of book you want to lounge around the fireplace reading, it is a book that is frequently referred to by architects.It is significant in designing and ecologially friendly building in today's built-up environment.Summary:Not a great book, but a useful resource for architects. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Effect of human beings on    3. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    4. Environmental policy    5. Human ecology    6. Landscape    7. Nature    8. Nature/Ecology    9. Planning    10. United States    11. Applied ecology    12. Architecture / Landscape    13. City & town planning - architectural aspects   

Subjects:  1. Engineering - Civil    2. Engineering - Hydraulic    3. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    4. Environmental Engineering & Technology    5. Environmental aspects    6. Land use    7. Management    8. Nature    9. Nature/Ecology    10. Technology & Industrial Arts    11. Urban runoff    12. Water quality management    13. Architecture / Landscape    14. Civil Engineering, Surveying & Building    15. Sanitary & municipal engineering   

Reviews (3)

5 for the Book, 3 for the Shipping
Like the other reviewer, my book was improperly shipped, this time in a box too large so it sloshed around on its journey, getting dinged in the process.
Beautiful book, inadequately packed
This is a magnificent book, with unique photgographs of sea creatures on white backgrounds. It would have made a splendid gift, except for the unfortunate fact that it was shipped in a box hardly bigger than itself and had obviously been dropped and crushed. Every page was dented, but it was too late to return it and get a new copy. One wonders why tiny objects are so often shipped in a box many times larger than themselves, but books like this one are tossed casually into the mail with no real protection at all.

Another exceptional collection of images and information
Such beautiful work is a treasure and an education all at once. It's a rare treat to be able to see in such intimate detail those creatures who have lived and may perish without our ever having known them except for the work done here.This book, and the entire body of the Liittschwager/Middleton collaboration is a must-have for every conservationist, every school. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    2. Nature    3. Nature Photography    4. Nature/Ecology    5. Photoessays & Documentaries    6. Photography    7. Scenic Photo Collections    8. Subjects & Themes - Plants & Animals    9. Subjects & Themes - Travel - U.S./West    10. Photography & Photographs    11. Photography / General   

Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Development - Sustainable Development    3. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    4. Environmental Protection    5. Great Lakes    6. Lakes & Ponds    7. Nature    8. Nature/Ecology    9. Water Resources Conservation    10. Water Supply    11. Water resources development    12. Water-supply    13. Conservation of the environment    14. Nature / Environmental Conservation & Protection    15. Political Science / Public Policy   

Reviews (5)

good wetland text
Overall, this is a very good text on wetlands (for students and professionals both).However, I personally feel that a entire chapter could be devoted to wetland soils and wish that this book gave a better presentation of wetland soils.Furthermore, a great deal of research has been performed in Boreal wetlands and Boreal Prairie wetlands of Canada yet the Canadian literature is somewhat lacking in this text.Its still the best option out there for professors.

Applauded by this Environmental Engineer PE!
There is no better book for learning about wetlands that I have found.Many students find hydrology difficult, but this book lays this critical process out clearly, with excellent illustrations and diagrams.
The Wetlands Textbook
I first picked this book up to consider a career as a wetland scientist (among other things) and instantly dove into the heaps of information provided. It is well written and easy to read with nicely labelled sections. I found that it had all sorts of information on the subject. It is highly useful.Read more

Subjects:  1. Ecology    2. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    3. Environmental Engineering & Technology    4. Life Sciences - Ecology    5. Nature    6. Nature/Ecology    7. Science    8. United States    9. Wetland ecology    10. Wetland management    11. Wetlands    12. Wetlands Conservation    13. Wetlands Ecology    14. Management of land & natural resources    15. Technology / Environmental    16. Wetlands, swamps, fens   

Subjects:  1. Conservation Of Natural Resources (General)    2. Ecology    3. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    4. General    5. Life Sciences - Biology - General    6. Life Sciences - Ecology    7. Restoration ecology    8. Science    9. Science/Mathematics    10. Applied ecology    11. Conservation of wildlife & habitats    12. Environmental science    13. Science / Biology