Foliicolous Lichens Of India

Terricolous lichens, a habitat specialist group of lichens play a vital role in maintenance and ecological stability of soil crusts with reference to their physical stability, hydrology and growth of soil microflora. Terricolous lichens in Indian lichenological studies haven’t been taken up as a functional group. Terricolous Lichens in India, Volume 1: Diversity Patterns and Distribution Ecology is the first ever publication dealing with soil lichens of India. Divided into five chapters, this volume discusses the lichenological researches in India with reference to terricolous lichens, the altitudinal distribution patterns of terricolous lichens, comparative assessment of distribution with global patterns, and the photobiont diversity and influence of novel molecular clades of photobiont in determining ecological preferences of soil lichens in India. Written by experts in the field and supplemented with numerous photographs, Terricolous Lichens in India, Volume 1: Diversity Patterns and Distribution Ecology is a comprehensive resource that addresses the major drivers of terricolous lichens distribution in India.

Biodiversity is declining at an alarming rate due to anthropogenic activities around the world. This book is the first volume in the new series Biodiversity Hotspots of the World, which highlights the 36 hotspot regions of the world, regions that were designated as reaping maximum benefit from preservation efforts. This series is our humble attempt to document these hotspots as a conservation and preservation measure. This first volume in the series focuses on the Western Ghats and Sri Lanka, construed as forming a community of species because of their shared biogeographical history. The volume explores the diversity and conservation efforts of the extraordinarily rich species found here, including plants, many of which are found nowhere else in the world; forests, which face tremendous population pressure and have been dramatically impacted by demands for timber and agricultural land; as well as the hotspot’s diverse mammals, birds, insects, and amphibian species, and more. The volumes in this series will be essential resources for researchers and practitioners in the fields of conservation biology, ecology, and evolution.

This book gives insight into several aspects of the microbiology, biotechnology, and ecosystem sustainability of special and under-explored regions, that captivate human beings by their natural richness, their extensive biodiversity, the extraordinary forms of adaptation of the living beings that they inhabit, and even that keep living secrets as is the very origin of life. The chapters emphasize all aspects of biological diversity-its description, analysis, and conservation, and its controlled rational use by humankind. Also, the book is elaborated from a wide and multidisciplinary point of view. It presents reviews, research papers, comments, and research notes on biodiversity, ethnobiology, geoscience, chemistry, biological conservation, biotechnology, and ecosystem sustainability Two hotspots are the reference for this enriching book that describes details of extraordinary areas of the planet, from Cuatrociénegas, Coahuila (Mexico) to the Southern Western Ghats (India). The book will contribute to dealing with the practicalities of conservation management, economic, social, and political issues. It provides a forum for examining conflicts between sustainable development and human dependence on biodiversity in agriculture, environmental management, and biotechnology, and encourages contributions from developing countries to promote broad global perspectives on matters of biodiversity and conservation.

India has a vast landmass of 328 million hectares, extending from the tropics to the alpine regions, rich wetlands to deserts, islands, long coastline to Western and Eastern Ghats and the high Himalayas. It has equally rich and diverse plant diversity, with over 47,000 species that are already documented. Because of the large population dependence on these plants, expansion of agriculture, urbanization and development efforts, many species are threatened too. Some of the issues concerning plant diversity in India are unique to the country. Taxonomic and floristic studies on all major groups have been carried out but the information is scattered in research papers and regional/local floras, manuals and monographs. This volume intends to bridge this gap. Nine of the thirteen chapters of this volume deals with different plant groups extending from algae to angiosperms and allied groups such as bacteria, fungi, lichens, and myxomycetes. There are chapters dealing with topical issues in global context on biodiversity with special reference to India such as climate change and its impact on biodiversity, crop diversity, and tradomedicalism. Each chapter is written by author(s) specialising on the particular group and having long experience of research in it. Each chapter includes not only distribution and diversity but also major researches, economic uses and conventional human interactions. Lacunae in current knowledge are also pinpointed. The book provides information on ecosystem diversity, flora of special sensitive regions (mangroves, wetland, and coral reefs), and on policies and strategies being adopted for in situ and ex situ conservation.