Ecological Issues

A non-specialist? You'll find all you need in the Ecological Issues. 

Discover the scientific evidence behind selected topics in ecology. 

The series grew out of concern within the Society that a lack of information could lead to contention rather than constructive action at the time when many ecological issues are being considered in economic, social and political domains. Each of the booklets deals with one topic and represents work by a specially convened group of experts working in that field.

Ecological Issues

11. Aquaculture: the ecological issues

Davenport, Black, Burnell, Cross, Culloty, Ekaratne, Furness, Mulcahy and Thetmeyer, 2003
A fast-growing, essential industry, aquaculture provides food and income to millions of people. It offers the only prospect of expanding food supply from freshwater or sea because capture fisheries have reached their limits. However, many current aquaculture practices are ecologically unsustainable. This publication looks at controversial topics such as habitat loss, the introduction of alien species, genetic pollution by escapees and the spread of disease from farmed to wild populations. Attention is drawn to the heavy reliance of the industry on fishmeal and fish oil derived from industrial fishing that in turn impacts on the food supply of seabirds and fish such as cod and haddock. The booklet is aimed at policy makers, environmental managers and professional scientists who seek a compact overview. It is also an invaluable reference book for undergraduates and Masters' level students. It takes a worldview and so is relevant to aquaculture across the globe.

10. Land management: the hidden costs

Hindmarch and Pienkowski, 2000
Mature ecological criticism of agricultural policies is not easy : targets agreed in Biodiversity Action Plans must be achieved within a framework of agricultural and economic policies. Developing a balanced solution is the essence of sustainability. Until recently the hidden costs of high-production systems on biodiversity have been ignored. This book identifies some of the hidden costs of unsustainable production, and also considers examples where conservation management has failed. Land managers and planners, ecologists, and agriculturalists will, in particular, find this book an invaluable resource but it will also appeal to those with a more general interest in the issues of land management.

9. Commercial fishing

Moore and Jennings, 2000
Fishing provides food, income and employment for millions of people. However, fishing has environmental costs that threaten rare species, marine ecosystems and the sustainability of the resource. This book provides a lively, timely and accessible account of fishing activities and their impacts on marine habitats, biodiversity and species of conservation concern.

8. Wildlife diseases

Hudson, 1997
Wildlife diseases have had a long association with mankind, either directly because the pathogens are shared between man and wildlife (e.g. rabies) or indirectly because of their impact on livestock and conservation problems. Ecology now provides an understanding of the epidemiology of the relationship between hosts and their parasites. This insight into the interaction of hosts and parasites and can be used to help solve problems of control and conservation along with ethical questions. How can we control rabies in Europe? What is the relationship between badgers and TB? What initiated the disease epidemic in seals? Why do we apparently see new diseases emerging? All these questions are examined in this booklet along with other clearly described topical examples.
7. The exploitation of coral reefs

Douglas, 1996

Coral reefs are well known for their beauty and for the impressive variety of marine life that inhabits them but also constitute an important economic resource. Reef fisheries are a major source of protein for millions of people and reef related tourism has become important for many developing countries' economies. But now there is a rapidly growing concern that many reefs are being degraded or destroyed by human activities. Both coastal development (often stimulated by tourism) and intensification of reef fisheries can readily result in destruction of coral communities. This booklet describes both the potential economic benefits to be derived from coral reefs and the problems of exploiting them. It also discusses new management practices that seek to combine the needs of conservation with the sustainable use of reef resources.

6. Actions for biodiversity in the UK

Hill, Pienkowski, Treweek and Yates, 1996
One of the major products of the earth summit at Rio was the Convention on Biological Diversity. A central feature of this treaty is that nature conservation should not be just a special land use but should be integrated fully into the policies influencing all other land- and sea-uses. This booklet explains the ways in which the United Kingdom has set about implementing its responsibilities under the Convention. Whilst based on ecology, effective biodiversity conservation must involve people at all levels of activity from local to international. As the United Kingdom is one of the first states to produce a national action plan in response to the requirements of the Convention, both its successes and any mistakes may provide useful information also for others.

5. The ecological impacts of increased aerial deposition of nitrogen

Bell, 1994
This booklet explores the current knowledge of the impacts on natural and semi-natural ecosystems of inputs of a range of nitrogenous pollutants from the atmosphere. The effects of increased nitrogen on agricultural systems are well known and viewed as highly beneficial in terms of crop production, and it could be anticipated that further inputs of nitrogenous air pollutants in general may have little impact. However, for many other ecosystems it is now apparent that a wide range of adverse effects can arise as a consequence of nitrogen input from industrial, transport and agricultural sources. Consequently the protection of ecosystems by emission controls has complex policy implications.

4. Release of genetically engineered organisms

Shorrocks and Coates, 1993
The invasion of exotic species has always been an intriguing and important ecological topic. With the advent of modern molecular techniques that enable the transfer of genes from one organism to another, whether or not they are closely related, we have a new class of "exotic" organisms which may escape or be released into the environment. What will be the consequence of such new invasions? Will they be more or less damaging than the more traditional foreign exotics? The purpose of this fourth ecological issues booklet is to address some of these questions.
3. Ecological effects of estuarine barrages

Gray, 1992
In recent decades barrages have been proposed for many estuaries, usually for tidal power but also as protection against storm surges, or for road links, recreation or fresh water storage. This booklet summarises the effects of such schemes on the tidal and sedimentary regimes and water quality of estuaries. The impact of these changes on marine and benthic invertebrates, inter-tidal and marginal plants, fish and birds is considered. Some recommendations for further research are included.
2. Red Grouse populations and moorland management

Lawton, 1990
Understanding red grouse populations and their moorland habitat is important for the long term future and conservation of upland Britain. This book is an attempt to summarise the balance of views that emerged at a recent workshop on the dynamics of red grouse populations. It presents up to date information on the background research, the data which are available and their interpretation. It concludes with a list of recommendations for sound management of moorland and grouse populations, including approaches that may help to restore heather habitats. Priorities for future research work are also covered.
1. River water quality

Calow, 1990
River water quality is an issue which affects us all; whether through the quality of water that we drink, in the effects on fish and birds, or in the impact on less obvious communities of animals, plants and micro-organisms. A combination of limited funding in the past and the inherent difficulty of investigating rivers means that our knowledge of their ecology is still very incomplete. This book presents up-to-date information on the research in this field, the available data and their interpretation. It concludes with a list of priorities for further research work.