This study presents authentic data compiled from field experiments and investigations, and provides a point of reference for any future changes associated with anthropogenic activity in semiarid ecosystems. Three years of continuous and rigorous empirical research on biodiversity (from phytoplankton to higher plants and from zooplankton to higher animals all flora and fauna) in India's semiarid region have culminated in this work.

Though there are many studies available on issues related to biodiversity, the majority cover either specific groups of plants or groups of animals; with the exception of this book, studies that include all flora and fauna including the phyto- and zooplanktons in a given ecosystem are not readily available.

Further, the book focuses on an extremely important topic, firstly because semiarid landscapes are highly vulnerable to climate change, and secondly because other developmental activities will be undertaken in the region in an effort to meet its energy requirements. As such, the results of the current study will provide a standard protocol for subsequent monitoring and mapping of biodiversity for conservation and management.

The book explores, quantifies and surveys plant and animal species from aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, assessing and quantitatively analyzing the diversity indices of different vegetation strata. Further, it investigates the conservation status of each species (flora and fauna) in keeping with IUCN categories.

The study also examines landscape dynamics using RS and GIS for vegetation analysis, and discusses traditional ecological knowledge related to the use, conservation and management of biodiversity. As such, it offers a unique and valuable resource not only for researchers from the environmental/ecological sciences but also for conservationists and policymakers.

Serves as a comprehensive and unique work on the biodiversity of ecosystems that include all flora and fauna as well as phyto-zooplankton Presents quantified information on biodiversity helpful for researchers in environmental/ecological economics working on the evaluation of ecosystem services Is highly beneficial for researchers working on issues related to biodiversity conservation and natural resource management as well as for conservationists and policy makers Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Autorentext

Dr. Sunil Nautiyal is Professor at the Centre for Ecological Economics and Natural Resources, Institute for Social and Economic Change, Bengaluru. He works to develop an integrated interdisciplinary approach for sustainable landscape development. This includes an operational framework to integrate approaches from ecological and social sciences to assess the impact of policy and behavioural changes linked with natural resource conservation and management and livelihoods of communities in various agro-ecological regions of India. Dr. Nautiyal has published 14 books and over 170 scientific papers/articles which have received good citation scores. He participated as Coordinator in 20 research projects in the thematic areas of biodiversity conservation, natural resource management, climate change adaptation and mitigation, ecological modelling, rural ecosystem and livelihood development, and RS-GIS in landscape dynamics during the last couple of years. He is on the editorial board of06 international journals. Dr. Nautiyal has been working in close coordination with the scientists in India, Germany, UK, Australia, Japan and Bangladesh. Dr. Mrinalini Goswami is a researcher in ecological science and associated with Centre for Ecological Economics and Natural Resources, Institute for Social and Economic Change, Bengaluru. She received her Ph.D. in Environmental Science for her research on sustainability of ecosystem-based livelihoods in peri-urban landscape. She has been engaged in research on varied topics including environmental sustainability, climate change, natural resource management, water management and urban development. Dr. Goswami also has substantial work experience in development sector which has motivated her towards interdisciplinary approach in environmental research. Puneeth S is an aspiring researcher in the field of Geo-Spatial Technology Applications. He completed his Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering and Postgraduation inGeo-Informatics. He has worked in river basin planning and profiling in ACIWRM, Bengaluru, as Research Assistant. He worked as JRF/RA in agro-ecology and climate resilient projects in ISEC, Bengaluru.

Inhalt

Introduction.- Methodology for Biodiversity (Flora and Fauna) Study.- Plant biodiversity.- Animal biodiversity.- Status of biodiversity as per IUCN, IWPA and CITES in studied semi arid region, Karnataka, India.- Remote sensing and GIS in understanding the landscape dynamics.- Conclusion and Recommendations.