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.
Contents Preface Chapter 1. Introduction Catherine Rich and Travis Longcore I. Mammals Night, Venezuela Alexander von Humboldt Chapter 2. Effects of Artificial Night Lighting on Terrestrial Mammals Paul Beier Chapter 3. Bats and Their Insect Prey at Streetlights Jens Rydell II. Birds Night, Maine Woods Bernd Heinrich Chapter 4. Effects of Artificial Night Lighting on Migrating Birds Sidney A. Gauthreaux, Jr. and Carroll Belser Chapter 5. Influences of Artificial Light on Marine Birds William A. Montevecchi Chapter 6. Road Lighting and Grassland Birds: Local Influence of Road Lighting on a Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa l. limosa) Population Johannes G. de Molenaar, Maria E. Sanders, and Dick A. Jonkers III. Reptiles and Amphibians Night, Tortuguero David Ehrenfeld Chapter 7. Protecting Sea Turtles from Artificial Night Lighting at Florida¿s Oceanic Beaches Michael Salmon Chapter 8. Night Lights and Reptiles: Observed and Potential Effects Gad Perry and Robert N. Fisher Chapter 9. Observed and Potential Effects of Artificial Night Lighting on Anuran Amphibians Bryant W. Buchanan Chapter 10. Influence of Artificial Illumination on the Nocturnal Behavior and Physiology of Salamanders Sharon E. Wise and Bryant W. Buchanan IV. Fishes Night, Atlantic Carl Safina Chapter 11. Artificial Night Lighting and Fishes Barbara Nightingale, Travis Longcore, and Charles A. Simenstad V. Invertebrates Night, Tropics Philip J. DeVries Chapter 12. Artificial Night Lighting and Insects: Attraction of Insects to Street Lamps in a Rural Setting in Germany Gerhard Eisenbeis Chapter 13. Effects of Artificial Night Lighting on Moths Kenneth D. Frank Chapter 14. Stray Light, Fireflies, and Fireflyers James E. Lloyd Chapter 15. Artificial Light at Night in Freshwater Habitats and Its Potential Ecological Effects Marianne V. Moore, Susan J. Kohler, and Melani S. Cheers VI. Plants Night, Massachusetts Henry David Thoreau Chapter 16. Physiology of Plant Responses to Artificial Lighting Winslow R. Briggs Chapter 17. Synthesis 543 Travis Longcore and Catherine Rich About the Contributors Index
"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 ... .'"
