Ecological Consequences of Artificial Night Lighting
480 pages
6 x 9
53 photos and illustrations
Book Description
While certain ecological problems associated with artificial night lighting are widely known-for instance, the disorientation of sea turtle hatchlings by beachfront lighting-the vast range of influences on all types of animals and plants is only beginning to be recognized. From nest choice and breeding success of birds to behavioral and physiological changes in salamanders, many organisms are seriously affected by human alterations in natural patterns of light and dark.
Ecological Consequences of Artificial Night Lighting is the first book to consider the environmental effects of the intentional illumination of the night. It brings together leading scientists from around the world to review the state of knowledge on the subject and to describe specific effects that have been observed across a full range of taxonomic groups, including mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians, fishes, invertebrates, and plants.
Ecological Consequences of Artificial Night Lighting provides a scientific basis to begin addressing the challenge of conserving the nighttime environment. It cogently demonstrates the vital importance of this until-now neglected topic and is an essential new work for conservation planners, researchers, and anyone concerned with human impacts on the natural world.
Review Quotes
"Ecological Consequences of Artificial Night Lighting is an excellent reference that will undoubtedly raise awareness of the need to conserve energy, do proper impact assessments, and turn the lights down."
Science
"This book is very readable and should be of interest to a wide audience, ranging from professional biologists and managers to students. ... Conservation practitioners will find strong support for the need to incorporate artificial night lighting into impact assessments and conservation planning."
Quarterly Review of Biology
"Anyone interested in how human civilization affects natural environments will want to see this book; the literature reviews will be a treasure-trove for biologists beginning to learn about the problems."
Auk
"It should be a primary source for anyone dealing with work related to lights and their impacts on living organisms. It's on my primary source reading list."
Condor
"This is a book with a mission and a soul. At the front of each part is an extract of prose from one of a variety of authors that make us remember that nights are meant to be dark, beautiful and exciting. It is an academic book, but one that is written and presented in such a way that it will appeal to anyone with an interest in ecology."
Biological Conservation
"A powerful compendium. Surely eye opening for many ecologists. ... Recommended for wildlife ecologists and anyone fighting light pollution."
Northeastern Naturalist
"This intriguing book...offer[s] a thought-provoking reminder, '...as we light the world to suit our needs and whims...doing so may come at the expense of other living beings ... .'"
Chicago Botanic Garden Lenhardt Library's Current Books
Contents
Preface
Chapter 1. Introduction
PART I. Mammals
Chapter 2. Effects of Artificial Night Lighting on Terrestrial Mammals
Chapter 3. Bats and Their Insect Prey at Streetlights
PART II. Birds
Chapter 4. Effects of Artificial Night Lighting on Migrating Birds
Chapter 5. Influences of Artificial Light on Marine Birds
Chapter 6. Road Lighting and Grassland Birds: Local Influence of Road Lighting on a Black-Tailed Godwit Population
PART III. Reptiles And Amphibians
Chapter 7. Protecting Sea Turtles from Artificial Night Lighting at Florida's Oceanic Beaches
Chapter 8. Night Lights and Reptiles: Observed and Potential Effects
Chapter 9. Observed and Potential Effects of Artificial Night Lighting on Anuran Amphibians
Chapter 10. Influence of Artificial Illumination on the Nocturnal Behavior and Physiology of Salamanders
PART IV. Fishes
Chapter 11. Artificial Night Lighting and Fishes
PART V. Invertebrates
Chapter 12. Artificial Night Lighting and Insects: Attraction of Insects to Streetlamps in a Rural Setting in Germany
Chapter 13. Effects of Artificial Night Lighting on Moths
Chapter 14. Stray Light, Fireflies, and Fireflyers
Chapter 15. Artificial Light at Night in Freshwater Habitats and Its Potential Ecological Effects
PART VI. Plants
Chapter 16. Physiology of Plant Responses to Artificial Lighting
Chapter 17. Synthesis
About the Contributors
Index
