- Table View
- List View
Nordic Case Collection on Sustainability and Transition to a Circular Economy (Springer Business Cases)
by Gitte HaarCompanies play a pivotal role in the green transition. They must transform business models, develop purpose-driven strategies, and innovate products to meet customer and regulatory demands. This book of case studies offers strategic insights and best-practice examples from the Nordic region, showcasing leading companies in sustainability. It evaluates businesses based on the Climate Nexus framework, covering Energy Transition, Sustainable Transport, Sustainable Agriculture, Healthy Diet, and Circular Economy. Featured cases from outside the Nordic region are also included, including cases on the Municipality of Amsterdam and Stanford Sustainability Utilities & Infrastructure. Drawing on a network within the Nordic Circular Hotspot, this collection provides actionable strategies and supports the growing knowledge of the transition to a green and circular economy. Whether you’re an executive seeking to transform your business or a student exploring green transition opportunities, this book is an essential guide to achieving a sustainable future.
Nordic Coastal Tourism: Sustainability, Trends, Practices, and Opportunities
by Grzegorz Kwiatkowski Christian Dragin-Jensen Ove OklevikThis book explores sustainable tourism development and examines the development strategies of different coastal regions in the Nordic region. In recent decades, tourism research has been topical among researchers in the Nordic region and in international tourism literature. Especially important in this is research on coastal tourism, which is both a linear and area-based activity. An increased interest in coastal tourism has been determined by the fact that around 40 percent of the world’s population lives on the coast or within the coastal zone, and these communities are dependent on coastal tourism besides their other professions, such as fisheries, agriculture, and commercial port activities. Nordic coasts combine a rich maritime heritage and tradition with an unrivalled diversity of landscapes and natural refuges. Its oceans and seas are known for their biological richness and great beauty. Coastal and maritime tourism constitutes one of the Nordic countries' most important touristic thematic sub-sectors. With further perspectives for growth in the coming years, coastal and maritime tourism’s full potential is yet to be unveiled. Guaranteeing the conditions for sustainable coastal and maritime tourism development may significantly contribute to Nordic's economic growth and employment. It can also support the sustainable development of the more remote coastal regions, bringing the Nordics closer together and endowing coastal communities with sustainable solutions for the future.
Nordic Perspectives on the Responsible Development of the Arctic: Pathways to Action (Springer Polar Sciences)
by Douglas C. NordThis book investigates the multifaceted nature of change in today’s Nordic Arctic and the necessary research and policy development required to address the challenges and opportunities currently faced by this region. It focuses its attention on the recent efforts of the Nordic community to create specialized Centers of Excellence in Arctic Research in order to facilitate this process of scientific inquiry and policy articulation. The volume seeks to describe both the steps that lead to this decision and the manner in which this undertaking as evolved. The work highlights the research efforts of the four Centers and their investigations of a variety of issues including those related to ecosystem and wildlife management, the revitalization resource dependent communities, the emergence of new climate-born diseases and the development of adequate modeling techniques to assist northern communities in their efforts at adaptation and resilience building. Major discoveries and insights arising from these and other efforts are detailed and possible policy implications considered. The book also focuses attention on the challenges of creating and supporting multidisciplinary teams of researchers to investigate such concerns and the methods and means for facilitating their collaboration and the integration of their findings to form new and useful perspectives on the nature of change in the contemporary Arctic. It also provides helpful consideration and examples of how local and indigenous communities can be engaged in the co-production of knowledge regarding the region. The volume discusses how such research findings can be best communicated and shared between scientists, policymakers and northern residents. It considers the challenges of building common concern not just among different research disciplines but also between bureaucracies and the public. Only when this bridge-building effort is undertaken can true pathways to action be established.
Nordic Region-Building in a European Perspective: The Dynamics Of Integration From Below (Routledge Revivals)
by Harald Baldersheim Krister StåhlbergFirst published in 1999, this volume is a study of regional and local co-operation across national borders in Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden and also of regional co-operation out of the area - across the Baltic Sea, the North Sea and in the Barents region. The focus of the study is on processes of region-building. Co-operation between regions across national borders is seen as a creative process, and as something that has to be nurtured and guided. The authors recognised the need for a work which examined issues crossing Nordic borders and made the information more publicly accessible, emerging within evolving discussions of regional governance, cross-border collaborations and Nordic co-operation. The editors have featured three forms of contributions: a series of regional case studies, collations of data on sub-national governments and relating these sub-national factors to debates on Nordic co-operation and European integration. Authors with specialist regional knowledge examine these processes in detail, through case studies which represent the most important of this type of Nordic area and provide a view of what may constitute 'success' in such ventures. The authors also discuss what such processes may signify for general Nordic co-operation against the backdrop of European integration and seek to indicate what Nordic regions may bring to European regionalism. Such a discussion is of particular interest since the EU acquired a new Nordic dimension when Sweden and Finland joined. Contributors’ articles focus on areas including the Kvarken Council, the ARKO co-operation, the internationalisation of Finnish and Norwegian local government and the Øresund region. The collaboration was published in English in order to better contribute to discussions on cross-border interaction more widely, particularly in the case of Europe.
Normal Forms and Stability of Hamiltonian Systems (Applied Mathematical Sciences #218)
by Hildeberto E. Cabral Lúcia Brandão DiasThis book introduces the reader to the study of Hamiltonian systems, focusing on the stability of autonomous and periodic systems and expanding to topics that are usually not covered by the canonical literature in the field. It emerged from lectures and seminars given at the Federal University of Pernambuco, Brazil, known as one of the leading research centers in the theory of Hamiltonian dynamics. This book starts with a brief review of some results of linear algebra and advanced calculus, followed by the basic theory of Hamiltonian systems. The study of normal forms of Hamiltonian systems is covered by Ch.3, while Chapters 4 and 5 treat the normalization of Hamiltonian matrices. Stability in non-linear and linear systems are topics in Chapters 6 and 7. This work finishes with a study of parametric resonance in Ch. 8. All the background needed is presented, from the Hamiltonian formulation of the laws of motion to the application of the Krein-Gelfand-Lidskii theory of strongly stable systems. With a clear, self-contained exposition, this work is a valuable help to advanced undergraduate and graduate students, and to mathematicians and physicists doing research on this topic.
Normative Readings of the Belt and Road Initiative: Road To New Paradigms
by Wenhua Shan Kimmo Nuotio Kangle ZhangThis timely book offers revealing insights into the changing role of China in world governance as exemplified by the Silk Road Initiative, the People’s Republic’s first published major initiative for external affairs. Focusing on various aspects of the Silk Road Initiative, particularly those that are largely neglected in current discussions, including culture and philosophy, finance and investment, environmental protection and social responsibility, judiciary and lawyers, the authors explore a wide range of contexts in which China’s role as an emerging power in international relations and international law is examined. In the current era of ever-increasing populism, protectionism and challenges to globalization, the authors explore the Chinese philosophy underpinning Chinese norms of regional and international development. Bearing in mind the political and economic uncertainties hampering the establishment of such norms, the authors offer crucial insights into how the Silk Road Initiative could or should be developed and regulated.Given its depth of coverage, the book is an indispensable read for anyone interested in the Initiative and its social-legal implications.
North America's Natural Wonders: Appalachians, Colorado Rockies, Austin-Big Bend Country, Sierra Madre (Geologic Tours of the World)
by Gary ProstWritten by a career geologist with decades of experience in the field, North America’s Natural Wonders guides readers through the most iconic, geologically significant scenery in North America, points out features of interest, explains what they are seeing, and describes how these features came to be. Presented as classic excursions to some of the best-known natural wonders on the continent, Volume II focuses primarily on Central and Eastern North America, including the Appalachians, the Colorado Rockies, Austin-Big Bend Country, and the Sierra Madre. The trips detailed in this volume include stops at quintessential features, such as the Shenandoah Valley, Carlsbad Caverns, Big Bend National Park, and La Popa Basin of Nuevo León and Coahuila, Mexico, as well as many others. It also features discussions of lesser-known but equally interesting geologic formations and important information on accessing these sites. Features Clearly explains the geology of these regions with an emphasis on landscape formation Addresses issues of interest, such as fossils, earthquakes, mineral sites, mining, and oil fields Lavishly illustrated with numerous colorful maps and breathtaking geological landscapes and their various features These six self-guided tours explain to the curious layman, student, and geologist what they are seeing when they look at a roadcut or a quarry and enhances the experience far beyond simple sightseeing.
North America's Natural Wonders: Canadian Rockies, California, The Southwest, Great Basin, Tetons-Yellowstone Country (Geologic Tours of the World)
by Gary ProstWritten by a career geologist with decades of experience in the field, North America’s Natural Wonders provides everything the reader needs to understand the landscape. It guides readers through the most iconic, geologically significant scenery in North America, points out features of interest, explains what they are seeing, and describes how these features came to be. Presented as classic excursions to some of the best-known natural wonders on the continent, Volume I focuses primarily on Western North America, including the Canadian Rockies, California, the Southwest, Great Basin, and Tetons-Yellowstone Country. The trips detailed in this volume include stops at quintessential features, such as the glaciers and mountains of Banff National Park, Yosemite, the vineyards of Napa Valley, the California goldfields, the Grand Canyon, numerous parks in Utah, the geysers and hot springs of Yellowstone National Park, as well as many others. It also features discussions of lesser-known but equally interesting geologic formations and important information on accessing these sites. Features Addresses issues of interest, such as fossils, earthquakes, mineral sites, mining, and oil fields Lavishly illustrated with numerous colorful maps and breathtaking geological landscapes and their various features These five self-guided tours explain to the curious layman, student, and geologist what they are seeing when they look at a roadcut or a quarry and enhances the experience far beyond simple sightseeing.
North American Bird Watching for Beginners: Field Notes on 150 Species to Start Your Birding Adventures
by Sharon StitelerLearn how to identify 150 North American birds—your new summer hobbyFrom the tiny ruby-throated hummingbird to the powerful bald eagle, there's a fascinating variety of unique and beautiful birds that call North America home. This compact field guide is the perfect introduction to birding. You'll find essential information about 150 North American species and expert advice on how to get started on your bird-watching journey.Dive into the perfect summer activity with:The basics of bird watching—Learn important birding terminology, what equipment to have on hand, and how to log and submit your bird sightings.Complete bird profiles—Discover full-color photos and need-to-know details about each species' appearance, behavior, and population range.Easy-to-find information—This book's simple organization makes it the ideal companion for your bird watching adventures, with clearly marked sections for common backyard birds, songbirds, shorebirds and waterbirds, and raptors.Get to know your feathered neighbors this summer with this field guide to the birds of North America.
North American Crop Wild Relatives, Volume 1: Conservation Strategies
by Stephanie L. Greene Karen A. Williams Colin K. Khoury Michael B. Kantar Laura F. MarekThe plant species that humans rely upon have an extended family of wild counterparts that are an important source of genetic diversity used to breed productive crops. These wild and weedy cousins are valuable as a resource for adapting our food, forage, industrial and other crops to climate change. Many wild plant species are also directly used, especially for revegetation, and as medicinal and ornamental plants. North America is rich in these wild plant genetic resources. This book is a valuable reference that describes the important crop wild relatives and wild utilized species found in Canada, the United States and Mexico. The book highlights efforts taken by these countries to conserve and use wild resources and provides essential information on best practices for collecting and conserving them. Numerous maps using up-to-date information and methods illustrate the distribution of important species, and supplement detailed description on the potential value these resources have to agriculture, as well as their conservation statuses and needs. There is broad recognition of the urgent need to conserve plant diversity; however, a small fraction of wild species is distinguished by their potential to support agricultural production. Many of these species are common, even weedy, and are easily overshadowed by rare or endangered plants. Nevertheless, because of their genetic proximity to agriculturally important crops or direct use, they deserve to be recognized, celebrated, conserved, and made available to support food and agricultural security. This comprehensive two-volume reference will be valuable for students and scientists interested in economic botany, and for practitioners at all levels tasked with conserving plant biodiversity.The chapters 'Public Education and Outreach Opportunities for Crop Wild Relatives in North America' and 'Genetic Resources of Crop Wild Relatives – A Canadian Perspective' are open access under a CC BY 4.0 license via link.springer.com.
North American Crop Wild Relatives, Volume 2: Important Species
by Stephanie L. Greene Karen A. Williams Colin K. Khoury Michael B. Kantar Laura F. MarekThe plant species that humans rely upon have an extended family of wild counterparts that are an important source of genetic diversity used to breed productive crops. These wild and weedy cousins are valuable as a resource for adapting our food, forage, industrial and other crops to climate change. Many wild plant species are also directly used, especially for revegetation, and as medicinal and ornamental plants. North America is rich in these wild plant genetic resources. This book is a valuable reference that describes the important crop wild relatives and wild utilized species found in Canada, the United States and Mexico. The book highlights efforts taken by these countries to conserve and use wild resources and provides essential information on best practices for collecting and conserving them. Numerous maps using up-to-date information and methods illustrate the distribution of important species, and supplement detailed description on the potential value these resources have to agriculture, as well as their conservation statuses and needs. There is broad recognition of the urgent need to conserve plant diversity; however, a small fraction of wild species is distinguished by their potential to support agricultural production. Many of these species are common, even weedy, and are easily overshadowed by rare or endangered plants. Nevertheless, because of their genetic proximity to agriculturally important crops or direct use, they deserve to be recognized, celebrated, conserved, and made available to support food and agricultural security. This comprehensive two-volume reference will be valuable for students and scientists interested in economic botany, and for practitioners at all levels tasked with conserving plant biodiversity.
North American Maps for Curious Minds: 100 New Ways To See The Continent (Maps for Curious Minds #0)
by Matthew Bucklan Victor CizekThe Maps for Curious Minds series is back—with 100 vivid infographic maps that transform the way we understand the cultural and geographical wonders of North America No matter how well you think you know North America, the 100 infographic maps in this singular atlas uncover a trove of fresh wonders that make the continent seem like the center of the universe. Did you know that North America is where the first T. rex was found? Or that it’s where you can visit the world’s biggest geode as well as its oldest, tallest, and largest trees—not to mention the world’s tallest and steepest roller coasters?! Brimming with fascinating insight (Who is the highest-paid public employee in each state?) and whimsical discovery (Where can you visit the world’s largest island in a lake on an island in a lake on an island?), this book highlights the unexpected contours of geography, history, nature, politics, and culture, revealing new ways to see North America—and the hundreds of millions who call it home.
North American and European Perspectives on Sustainability in Higher Education (World Sustainability Series)
by Walter Leal Filho Julie Newman Amanda Lange Salvia Laura Corazza Laís Viera TrevisanThe scientific, cultural and diplomatic relations between Europe and its partners in North America are very strong. From a scientific point of view, this long-standing cooperation has taken place across a wide range of areas. They include the field of sustainability, where North America and Europe are working hand in hand, seeking solutions to the many regional and global problems currently faced. Against this backdrop and in order to facilitate a broad discussion on the contribution of higher education institutions from both sides of the Atlantic towards a more sustainable future, this book is being produced. The book gathers inputs from universities and research organizations on the one hand, but also from companies and enterprises on the other, from Europe and North America, working on matters related to sustainable development in a higher education context. It also provides a platform for the dissemination of information on the latest initiatives, paving the way for technology transfer and networking. Furthermore, the book intends to provide a fertile basis upon which European and North American organizations may cooperate more closely in this key area. Last but not least, a further aim of the book is to present methodological approaches and experiences deriving from case studies and projects, which aim to show how sustainability in North America and in Europe may be enhanced in practice.
North Atlantic Right Whales: From Hunted Leviathan to Conservation Icon
by David W. LaistThe fascinating story of North Atlantic right whales—from their evolutionary origin, through a thousand-year history of relentless pursuit by whalers, to ongoing efforts to rescue them from the brink of extinction.In the cold waters of the unforgiving North Atlantic Ocean, some of the heartiest humans of medieval days ventured out in search of whales. Through the centuries, people on both sides of the Atlantic became increasingly dependent on whale oil and other cetacean products. To meet this growing demand, whaling became ever more sophisticated and intense, leading to the collapse of what was once a seemingly inexhaustible supply of large cetaceans. Central to the whale's subsequent struggle for existence has been one species—the North Atlantic right whale. Conservationist David W. Laist now provides the first complete history of the North Atlantic right whale, from its earliest encounters with humans to its close brush with extinction, to its currently precarious yet hopeful status as a conservation icon.Favored by whalers because of their high yields of oil and superior baleen, these giants became known as "the right whale to hunt," and their numbers dwindled to a mere 100 individuals worldwide. Their dire status encouraged the adoption of a ban on hunting and a treaty that formed the International Whaling Commission. Recovery of the species, however, has proven elusive. Ship strikes and entanglement in commercial fishing gear have hampered herculean efforts to restore the population. Today, only about 500 right whales live along the US and Canadian Atlantic coasts—an improvement from the early twentieth century, but still a far cry from the thousands that once graced Atlantic waters.Laist's masterpiece features an incredible collection of photographs and artwork that give life to the fascinating history that unfolds in its pages. The result is a single volume that offers a comprehensive understanding of North Atlantic right whales, the role they played in the many cultures that hunted them, and our modern attempts to help them recover.
North Carolina's Hurricane History
by Jay BarnesNorth Carolina's Hurricane History charts the more than fifty great storms that have battered the Tar Heel State from the colonial era through Irene in 2011 and Superstorm Sandy in 2012, two of the costliest hurricanes on record. Drawing on news reports, National Weather Service records, and eyewitness descriptions, hurricane historian Jay Barnes emphasizes the importance of learning from this extraordinary history as North Carolina prepares for the inevitable disastrous storms to come. Featuring more than 200 photographs, maps, and illustrations, this book offers amazing stories of destruction and survival. While some are humorous and some tragic, all offer a unique perspective on the state's unending vulnerability to these storms.
North Korea's Second Nuclear Crisis and Northeast Asian Security
by Tae-Hwan KwakNorth Korea's testing of a nuclear bomb sent out a shock wave throughout the world and totally changed the strategic equation in the Korean peninsula and Northeast Asia. This testing has far-reaching implications for Korean peace and unification, Northeast Asian security and America's global war on terrorism. This key volume provides an in-depth analysis of the inter-Korean and international dynamics of North Korea's nuclear crisis. It offers new insights into the six-party talks designed to resolve the crisis, suggests creative formulas to resolve the ongoing crisis through peaceful, diplomatic means and delves into the interests and policies of the major powers - the US, China, Japan and Russia - at the six-party negotiating table. The contributing authors are distinguished specialists and experts in the field and as such offer valuable expertise into the dynamics of this nuclear crisis for students and academics
North Pacific Fisheries Management (Routledge Revivals)
by Hiroshi Kasahara William BurkeIn anticipation of the UN Conference of the Law of the Sea taking place in 1973, Dr Kasahara and Dr Burke of the University of Washington first published North Pacific Fisheries Management earlier that year. The conference brought fishery territories to a global stage with delegates that may not be as informed about ocean issues as those previously making decisions. Therefore the Program of International Studies of Fishery Arrangements was created to explore the management of fisheries in specific regions. This study focusses on the North Pacific region and delves into the implications of a global regime, generic problems concerning fishery management, distribution and institutions as well as alternative arrangements that can be made to make the management of fisheries smoother. This title will be of interest to students of environmental studies and policy makers.
North Pole, South Pole: The Epic Quest to Solve the Great Mystery of Earth's Magnetism
by Gillian TurnerThis &“fantastic story&” of one of physics&’ great riddles takes us through centuries of scientific history (Simon Lamb, author of Devil in the Mountain). Why do compass needles point north—but not quite north? What guides the migration of birds, whales, and fish across the world&’s oceans? How is Earth able to sustain life under an onslaught of solar wind and cosmic radiation? For centuries, the world&’s great scientists have grappled with these questions, all rooted in the same phenomenon: Earth&’s magnetism. Over two thousand years after the invention of the compass, Einstein called the source of Earth&’s magnetic field one of greatest unsolved mysteries of physics. Here, for the first time, is the complete history of the quest to understand the planet&’s attractive pull—from the ancient Greeks&’ fascination with lodestone to the geological discovery that the North Pole has not always been in the North—and to the astonishing modern conclusions that finally revealed the true source. Richly illustrated and skillfully told, North Pole, South Pole unfolds the human story behind the science: that of the inquisitive, persevering, and often dissenting thinkers who unlocked the secrets at our planet&’s core. &“In recent years, many very good books for interested non-scientists have been published: Richard Dawkins&’s Climbing Mount Improbable and The Ancestor&’s Tale, Stephen Jay Gould&’s The Lying Stones of Marrakech, and Dava Sobel&’s Longitude and The Planets, to name some of them. North Pole, South Pole . . . is a worthy addition to that list . . . Turner has a great story to tell, and she tells it well.&” —The Press (New Zealand)
North Sea Region Climate Change Assessment
by Markus Quante Franciscus ColijnThis book offers an up-to-date review of our current understanding of climate change in the North Sea and adjacent areas, as well as its impact on ecosystems and socio-economic sectors. It provides a detailed assessment of climate change based on published scientific work compiled by independent international experts from climate-related disciplines such as oceanography, atmospheric sciences, marine and terrestrial ecology, using a regional evaluation and review process similar to that of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). It provides a comprehensive overview of all aspects of our changing climate, discussing a wide range of topics including past, current and future climate change, and climate-related changes in marine, terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems. It also explores the impact of climate change on socio-economic sectors such as fisheries, agriculture, coastal zone management, coastal protection, urban climate, recreation/tourism, offshore activities/energy, and air pollution.
North Star Geography
by Tyler H. HoganGEOGRAPHY is more than just place names and outline maps-it's understanding how the world around us works! North Star Geography gives students a deep understanding of how geography impacts all of us every day-with real-life applications for college, career, citizenship, and ministry. Written from a distinctly Christian perspective by a homeschool grad (now a homeschool dad), North Star Geography is a full high school credit.
Northampton: Patronage and Policy at the Court of James I (Routledge Revivals)
by Linda Levy PeckFirst published in 1982, Northampton is a modern study of Henry Howard, Earl of Northampton, privy councillor to James I. Dr. Peck convincingly challenges the traditional eminence grise who stirred factional strife at court, undermined relations between king and parliament, and stopped at nothing, including murder, to secure his family’s advancement. Drawing extensively on Northampton’s papers, Dr. Peck offers a more balanced assessment of this important Jacobean courtier who shaped policy and pursued administrative reform as avidly as he sought his own patronage and profit. Unlike traditional biographies, this study is organized topically in order to examine larger issues of policy making and administration in the Jacobean period. This book will be of interest to specialists in Stuart studies, to historians of England, to social scientists concerned with development of early bureaucracy, and all those with a more general interest in Tudor Stuart history.
Northeaster: A Story of Courage and Survival in the Blizzard of 1952
by Cathie PelletierA vivid and gripping story of an epic Maine snowstorm that tested the very limits of human endurance.For many, the past few years have been defined by climate disaster. Stories about once-in-a-lifetime hurricanes, floods, fires, droughts and even snowstorms are now commonplace. But dramatic weather events are not new and Northeaster, Cathie Pelletier&’s breathtaking account of the 1952 snowstorm that blanketed New England, offers a valuable reminder about nature&’s capacity for destruction as well as insight into the human instinct for preservation. Northeaster weaves together a rich cast of characters whose lives were uprooted and endangeredby the storm. Housewives and lobstermen, loggers and soldiers were all trapped as snow piled in drifts twenty feet high. The storm smothered hundreds of travelers in their cars, covered entire towns, and broke ships in half. In the midst of the blizzard&’s chaos, there were remarkable acts of heroism and courageous generosities. Doctors braved the storm to help deliver babies. Ordinary people kept their wits while buried in their cars, and others made their way out of forests to find kind-hearted strangers willing to take them in. It&’s likely that none of us know how we would handle a confrontation with a blizzard or other natural disaster. But Northeaster shows that we have it inside to fight for survival in some of the harshest conditions that nature has to offer.
Northern Europe: International Dictionary of Historic Places
by Trudy RingFirst published in 1996. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.
Northern Lights
by Dorothy M. SouzaThe Nature in Action series captivates young readers, stirring their interest in science with dramatic photographs of the powerful effects of nature. Supports the national science education standards Unifying Concepts and Processes: Evolution and Equilibrium; Earth and Space Science; and Science in Personal and Social Perspectives as outlined by the National Academics of Science and endorsed by the National Science Teachers Association.
Northern Plainsmen: Adaptive Strategy and Agrarian Life
by John W. BennettA study of a rural region and plural society, this book is a distinctive contribution to anthropology, in that it brings the conceptual framework of that discipline to bear on a contemporary agrarian society and its historical development, rather than on peasant or tribal peoples; cultural ecology, in that it shows the nature of the adaptations of four distinctive social groups to the environment of the Canadian Great Plains; the study of social and economic change, as it describes cultural patterns and mechanisms that are relevant to agrarian development the world over; and North American studies, in as much as it deals with community life in the classic sequence of settlement of the Western Plains.The book is, focused throughout on the adaptation of human societies to their environment. Four groups are described: the Cree Indians, the aboriginal inhabitants of the area who have lost all organic relationship to natural resources and who have devised ingenious methods for manipulating the social environment; ranchers, whose specialized production is based upon resources used in their natural state; homestead farmers, whose maladjusted small-farm economy, after initial setbacks, achieved a degree of stability through interventions by government in their adaptations to nature and the market economy; and the Hutterian Brethren, whose adaptation consisted primarily of the introduction to the region of a new kind of social organization.This book combines the anthropological concept of culture and the framework of ecology in the study of a modern social milieu; it focuses on a region rather than on a single culture, people, or community, so that the interplay of several social groups can be appreciated; and it elaborates contemporary anthropological and ecological theory in a manner that makes it applicable to the understanding of contemporary agrarian societies.John W. Bennett was emeritus professor of anthropology at Washington University, St. Louis. He served as presid