Benno Böer - Böcker

Research on sabkha (sand flat) ecology commenced only in the latter half of the 20th century, previously sabkhat were considered as wasteland. However, contemporary environmental managers realize that sabkhat are ecosystems with a research, development, and conservation value. This multidisciplinary volume is a comprehensive documentation of sabkha research in the Arabian peninsula region, including contributions from 16 countries. Topics covered include: aspects of geology; hydrology; geomorphology; zoology; botany; ecology; ecosystem analysis; past; present and future land use methods and development; and nature conservation at the landscape level.

Sabkha Ecosystems Volume I: The Arabian Peninsula and Adjacent Countries was published in 2002. It was the first comprehensive volume dealing with the subject of sabkha research, and sabkha environmental management. Valuable new information was provided for the sabkha of numerous countries on and adjacent to the Arabian Peninsula. This new volume now follows up on this important process, and provides data and information on salt desert ecosystems of numerous West and Central Asian countries, including many of which are located in the Arabian Peninsula. The information provided assists the reader to better understand sabkha geology, hydrology, geomorphology, zoology, botany, ecology, ecosystem functioning, as well as sabkha conservation, utilisation, and development. The volume is paramount literature for anyone dealing with sabkha research and development.

This book is the sixth and final volume in the Tasks for Vegetation Science book series, and it concludes the most comprehensive scientific documentation dealing with hypersaline ecosystems of the world.

This Open Access book undertakes a comprehensive analysis of the water, energy, and food (WEF) security nexus with a regional focus on East and Southeast Asia.

This Open Access book undertakes a comprehensive analysis of the water, energy, and food (WEF) security nexus with a regional focus on East and Southeast Asia. Individual chapters of this book provide interesting nexus dimensions of the region and explore socioeconomic implications of the nexus approach with a special focus on the cross-cutting issues, including climate change, gender, and trans-boundary cooperation. It also discusses innovative approaches, advanced nexus solutions, and various future scenarios. Finally, it suggests that an improved nexus understanding based on scientific evidence is a key element to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With explosive population growth and economic development, countries in East and Southeast Asia are witnessing competitive consumption of WEF resources across various sectors and across borders. The diverse range of geographical, political, and economic conditions combined with climatechange and urbanization is posing a new set of challenges in the region. The long-term security of WEF, therefore, would need an integrated nexus approach through an enhanced understanding how the interactions between WEF resources are shaped by environmental, economic, social, and political changes in the region.    This book is a highly recommended source of information and inspiration for policy makers, research communities and practitioners dealing with any aspect of water, energy, and food security in East and Southeast Asia.

This open access book considers the water, energy, food (WEF) nexus in the Pacific region. The region comprises seventeen sovereign countries and seven territories spread across the Pacific Ocean, a blue expanse that covers a fifth of the world’s surface area but contains only 0.5% of the population—or 44.5 million people. The uniqueness of the Pacific and the need for a Pasifika-led approach to sustainability across environmental, societal and economical spheres requires this blue continent to be considered in a separate volume under the ‘Water Security in a New World’ series.This Pacific volume is focussed on water, energy and food security in Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) and the challenges produced by the impacts of anthropogenic climate change and human population pressures. The diversity of culture, traditional knowledge and ways of life across the Pacific are united by similar geographies and opportunities to apply a ‘Pacific specific’ WEF nexus approach; a coordinated approach to manage water, energy and food that is centred on active decision making across the three sectors to increase the security of each. Importantly, a WEF nexus approach builds on national and international efforts to date in the Pacific which include Integrated Water Resource Management, Ridge to Reef, Source to Sea, UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, Integrated Coastal Zone Management and other similar approaches.In this book, contributions by authors from governments, regional bodies, multilateral agencies, and academia describe water security and its intersectionality with both the energy and food sectors, highlighting the significance of both land and marine food systems and connectivity between water and energy in a Pacific-focussed context. It is demonstrated that these systems cannot be separated from the challenges associated with healthy environments and functioning ecological services, transport, and waste that are unique to this vast archipelagic region. To achieve meaningful change, it is essential that solutions are cognizant of the world’s colonial past and the global inequalities that persist today. The path forward for water and food systems is one that is Pasifika-led and builds on traditional knowledge and local capacity. National energy demands must consider the future with solutions comprising both WEF-integrated approaches and new energy technologies to hasten the transition away from fossil fuels. Globally, major greenhouse gas emitters both past and present need to step up for the environmental and economic benefit of all by rapidly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting Pasifika leadership on highly ambitious net zero goals.This book is a highly recommended source of information and inspiration for policy makers, decision makers, research communities and practitioners dealing with any aspect of water, energy, or food security in the Pacific.

This open access book considers the water, energy, food (WEF) nexus in the Pacific region. The region comprises seventeen sovereign countries and seven territories spread across the Pacific Ocean, a blue expanse that covers a fifth of the world’s surface area but contains only 0.5% of the population—or 44.5 million people. The uniqueness of the Pacific and the need for a Pasifika-led approach to sustainability across environmental, societal and economical spheres requires this blue continent to be considered in a separate volume under the ‘Water Security in a New World’ series.This Pacific volume is focussed on water, energy and food security in Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) and the challenges produced by the impacts of anthropogenic climate change and human population pressures. The diversity of culture, traditional knowledge and ways of life across the Pacific are united by similar geographies and opportunities to apply a ‘Pacific specific’ WEF nexus approach; a coordinated approach to manage water, energy and food that is centred on active decision making across the three sectors to increase the security of each. Importantly, a WEF nexus approach builds on national and international efforts to date in the Pacific which include Integrated Water Resource Management, Ridge to Reef, Source to Sea, UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, Integrated Coastal Zone Management and other similar approaches.In this book, contributions by authors from governments, regional bodies, multilateral agencies, and academia describe water security and its intersectionality with both the energy and food sectors, highlighting the significance of both land and marine food systems and connectivity between water and energy in a Pacific-focussed context. It is demonstrated that these systems cannot be separated from the challenges associated with healthy environments and functioning ecological services, transport, and waste that are unique to this vast archipelagic region. To achieve meaningful change, it is essential that solutions are cognizant of the world’s colonial past and the global inequalities that persist today. The path forward for water and food systems is one that is Pasifika-led and builds on traditional knowledge and local capacity. National energy demands must consider the future with solutions comprising both WEF-integrated approaches and new energy technologies to hasten the transition away from fossil fuels. Globally, major greenhouse gas emitters both past and present need to step up for the environmental and economic benefit of all by rapidly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting Pasifika leadership on highly ambitious net zero goals.This book is a highly recommended source of information and inspiration for policy makers, decision makers, research communities and practitioners dealing with any aspect of water, energy, or food security in the Pacific.

The third section undertakes an analysis of the “Cross-Cutting Themes for Nexus Security” by investigating all the major drivers of policy and development strategies in the region: climate change, urbanization, poverty, sharing of resources across borders, and gender-based disparities.

This open access book considers that the Central and South Asian region sits at the middle of geographical, geopolitical, economic and historical cross-roads. Since the independence of the Central Asian states in the 1990s, following the demise of the Soviet Union, and emergence of regional trade and political ties means that the region’s evolution has also been subject to common drivers – external and internal, opening up some new opportunities. The long-term social and economic success of the region depends on how water, energy, and food security is achieved at a regional scale that combines Central Asia and South Asia, which are typically treated separately in policy and scholarly works. This book considers how securing the “Nexus” of water, energy, and food resources serves as a starting point for utilizing emerging region-wide opportunities. It does so by identifying the present state of play, deeply analyzing cross-cutting drivers (e.g., climate change, poverty, environmentalcrises and urbanization) and offering insights into possible solutions.The book offers an in-depth rationale for why dealing with this region as a whole makes sense; it is then divided into four sections: The first section, entitled “A Regional Overview,” establishes the basic facts around the state of water, energy, and food resources; this section is meant to serve as the foundation upon which further exploration and analysis is built. The second section turns its attention to “Regional Issues” and unpacks the Nexus into water–energy and water–food relationships. It also investigates how regional trade and coping mechanisms for environmental crises might inform the policies on the Nexus. The section includes a sampling of success and failure stories around implementation of the Nexus policies and strategies in the Central and South Asian region. The third section undertakes an analysis of the “Cross-Cutting Themes for Nexus Security” by investigating all the major drivers of policy and development strategies in the region: climate change, urbanization, poverty, sharing of resources across borders, and gender-based disparities. The fourth and final section uses the discussion throughout the book to formulate “An Integrated Narrative” around the Nexus. It explores how the new global development framework in the form of Sustainable Development Goals might offer a new perspective for achieving the Nexus security in the region. There is an argument that the Nexus security ties in with achievement of long-term peace and security. A final wrap-up chapter gazes into the crystal ball to test out some future scenarios – both positive and negative.

Blue carbon ecosystems are of tremendous value toward the utilization of high-salinity water, such as seawater, as well as hyper-saline soils, and salt-tolerant biota for the production of biomass, for food, feed, fiber, fuel, other economic purposes, and carbon sequestration.In order to achieve the 17 SDGs, the scientific research into blue carbon ecosystems is an absolutely important element.Moreover, monitoring is needed, as well as the conservation of the remaining blue carbon ecosystems, and the restoration of lost habitat. The book will provide comprehensive scientific documentation inspiring the way forward on how to utilize saline resources in the best interest of humanity. It will try to foster the academic research and networking for land-users, politicians, development banks, innovative farmers, investors, energy- producers, and carbon-off-setters.The papers presented in this book emanate from a conference held at the Yokohama National University (Japan) in January 2023.

Blue carbon ecosystems are of tremendous value toward the utilization of high-salinity water, such as seawater, as well as hyper-saline soils, and salt-tolerant biota for the production of biomass, for food, feed, fiber, fuel, other economic purposes, and carbon sequestration.In order to achieve the 17 SDGs, the scientific research into blue carbon ecosystems is an absolutely important element.Moreover, monitoring is needed, as well as the conservation of the remaining blue carbon ecosystems, and the restoration of lost habitat. The book will provide comprehensive scientific documentation inspiring the way forward on how to utilize saline resources in the best interest of humanity. It will try to foster the academic research and networking for land-users, politicians, development banks, innovative farmers, investors, energy- producers, and carbon-off-setters.The papers presented in this book emanate from a conference held at the Yokohama National University (Japan) in January 2023.

This book investigates the need for a more open and interdisciplinary dialogue on the nexus of food, water and energy security in the Arab region. It argues that achieving sustainable economic development is irretrievably tied to the security of the water–energy–food nexus, which is in turn essential for bringing about sustained peace. Further, it discusses various approaches to achieving these lofty objectives, and offers the following take-away messages:The Arab region is currently under considerable water stress, and the situation will continue to get worse with a number of global changes – most notably those related to climate and regional water distribution.Viable solutions are available in the Arab region and can be implemented through innovative policies, judicious use of new technologies, and stimulating public opinion.Integration across water, energy, and food sectors is obviously needed but achieving it in practice is extremely challenging.There are some gaps in the scientific understanding but at the same time there is a wealth of data and synthesized information that can guide decision-making.

This book investigates the need for a more open and interdisciplinary dialogue on the nexus of food, water and energy security in the Arab region. It argues that achieving sustainable economic development is irretrievably tied to the security of the water–energy–food nexus, which is in turn essential for bringing about sustained peace. Further, it discusses various approaches to achieving these lofty objectives, and offers the following take-away messages:The Arab region is currently under considerable water stress, and the situation will continue to get worse with a number of global changes – most notably those related to climate and regional water distribution.Viable solutions are available in the Arab region and can be implemented through innovative policies, judicious use of new technologies, and stimulating public opinion.Integration across water, energy, and food sectors is obviously needed but achieving it in practice is extremely challenging.There are some gaps in the scientific understanding but at the same time there is a wealth of data and synthesized information that can guide decision-making.

The countries of the Arabian Peninsula have undergone a remarkable process of development and social transformation. This has led to increased rates of transport, industrial development, and consumption of water, food, and goods, which in turn, led to significantly increased rates of environmental pollution. Regional conflicts have also taken their toll and contributed to environmental pollution. For example, the 1991 Gulf War Oil Spill, the biggest known marine pollution event in human history, has occurred in the waters of the Gulf. Moreover, the Gulf is the busiest area in the world in view of maritime oil shipment, and one of the undesired consequences are frequently occurring oil spills, and their impacts on the marine and coastal ecosystems, as well as on the fishing and tourism industry. Wind often blows land-based rubbish towards the sea, and it normally accumulates in the inter-tidal zone; driftwood on the ocean’s surface, as well as all floating trash also eventually accumulates in the coastal zone. This has led for some beaches in the Gulf to be heavily polluted with garbage. Such a development is not only unsightly, but also prevents certain marine organisms, such as turtles, for example, from landing on the beach. It also contributes for waterfowl and other creatures to get entangled in plastic snares and ropes, and exposes them to a slow and painful death: starvation.

Research on sabkha ecology commenced only a few decades ago and sabkhat were considered as wasteland. It is only now, that environmental managers realize that sabkhat are ecosystems with a research, development, and conservation value. This multidisciplinary volume is a first comprehensive documentation of sabkha research in the Arabian peninsula region, including contributions from 16 countries. Topics covered include aspects of geology, hydrology, geomorphology, zoology, botany, ecology, ecosystem analysis, past, present, and future land use methods and development, and nature conservation at the landscape level.

Sabkha Ecosystems Volume I: The Arabian Peninsula and Adjacent Countries was published in 2002. It was the first comprehensive volume dealing with the subject of sabkha research, and sabkha environmental management. Valuable new information was provided for the sabkha of numerous countries on and adjacent to the Arabian Peninsula. This new volume now follows up on this important process, and provides data and information on salt desert ecosystems of numerous West and Central Asian countries, including many of which are located in the Arabian Peninsula. The information provided assists the reader to better understand sabkha geology, hydrology, geomorphology, zoology, botany, ecology, ecosystem functioning, as well as sabkha conservation, utilisation, and development. The volume is paramount literature for anyone dealing with sabkha research and development.

This book is part of the Sabkha Ecosystems series. The series is designed to provide information on sabkha ecosystems of different regions. It will add to the collective knowledge available about saline ecosystems and also focuses on the African region where only limited information is currently available on.

This book is part of the Sabkha Ecosystems series. The series is designed to provide information on sabkha ecosystems of different regions. It will add to the collective knowledge available about saline ecosystems and also focuses on the African region where only limited information is currently available on.

Given the severe scarcity of water, ever increasing population and soil salinization out of the box solutions for the provision of food and clean energy is required to spare meager fresh water resources for conventional agriculture.