Biodiversity of Semi-Arid Landscape Baseline Study for Understanding the Impact of Human Development on Ecosystems

About this book

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 semi-arid 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 semi-arid region have culminated in Biodiversity of Semi-Arid Landscape.

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 Biodiversity of Semi-Arid Landscape, studies that include all flora and fauna including the phyto- and zooplanktons in a given ecosystem are not readily available.

Further, Biodiversity of Semi-Arid Landscape focuses on an extremely important topic, firstly because semi-arid 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.

Biodiversity of Semi-Arid Landscape 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.

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