Ebook: The Response of Western Forests to Air Pollution

John Sculley In the short history of personal computing, the task of the software programmer has been one of the least recognized-but one of the most significant-in the industry. In addition to defining the prob­ lems, and presenting the solutions, the software programmer is con­ fronted with the challenge of having to predict what combination of ideas and technologies will move the industry forward in the most compelling way. Even though we've seen the development of tremendous applications in a surprisingly short period of time, the most difficult problems often surface when we try to elevate a suc­ cessful local idea to the international arena. In the case of Apple Computer, these challenges become especially profound when you consider that Apple sells Macintosh not just in the United States, but in Japan, China, the Middle East, Africa, East­ ern Europe, and even to the United Nations itself. Of course, this means that the personal computer must work everywhere around the world. But more significantly, it also means that the software must reflect the uniqueness of a given culture, its language, morals, and even its sense of humor. To step away from a narrowly-defined, nationally-based paradigm for software development, programmers, management, and entire corporations must learn to recognize what elements of an interface, problem solving technique, documentation illustration, package de­ sign, and advertisement are local, and which elements are appro­ priate for global markets.

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This volume presents a summary of research conducted between 1986 and 1990 by the Western Conifers Research Cooperative on the effects of acid rain and associated pollutants on the forests of the Western United States. The book opens with background chapters on topics including physiography, climate, soil sensitivity to acid rain, and methods of air pollution assessment in forests. The second section of the book presents five regional studies of forest growth and condition in the coniferous forests of the American West. The book concludes with a chapter of summary, projections, and recommendations. The studies in The Response of Western Forests to Air Pollution provide some of the most detailed analyses to date of the impact of air pollution on plant growth, and include research conducted at scales ranging from small (open-tip chambers) to large (regional growth trends), and at biological levels of organization ranging from seedlings to stands. It will be of interest to ecologists, resource managers, foresters, and environmental policymakers.