Ecological Consequences of Artificial Night Lighting

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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.

The Editors:
CATHERINE RICH is executive officer of The Urban Wildlands Group.

TRAVIS LONGCORE is science director of The Urban Wildlands Group.

From a review by David Hill in Science Magazine:
"Through their examples and discussions, the individual chapters provide consistently intriguing analyses that demonstrate the wide impact of light pollution. So much of the book is of direct relevance to the environmental advice we try to give in the United Kingdom that I expect it will be helpful around the globe. 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."

For more information and opinions, see this book's Biblio-Blog