More than 70% of the earth's surface is covered by water, making it an ideal and abundant resource for studying species diversity, faunal communities, and ecosystems. India's massive coastline (5,044 miles) means it plays a major role in housing these faunal communities. Of the 32 animal phyla, 15 are represented in India's marine ecosystem, covering more than 15,000 species. Marine and coastal ecosystems of India provide supporting services in the form of wide range of habitats. Major ecosystems such as estuaries, mangroves, coral reefs, lagoons, seaweeds and sea grasses serve as nurseries for both inshore and offshore fishes and others, many of which are supposed to be commercially exploited. Marine Faunal Diversity in India describes different marine faunal group ranges from sponges, corals, mollusks, crabs, fishes, reptiles, birds, marine mammals, mangrove fauna and tsunami impact on marine faunal diversity. The chapters, written by reputed experts in their respective fields, illustrate diversity and distribution of marine faunal communities. Key aspects of the ecology and conservation of this important ecosystem are also discussed. Marine Faunal Diversity in India provides marine biologists and related researchers with access to the latest research and field studies from this major region. - Provides the latest field research on marine faunal diversity throughout the vast and species-rich Indian region - Brings together expertise from top marine biology researchers in the country - Covers a diverse array of aquatic environments, including coastal and island areas - Discusses conservation ecology of marine faunal groups

Manual of Indian Mangroves The fully illustrated colour book deals with the present status of the mangrove ecosystem of Indian territories in general and the mangrove ecosystem along with the mangroves and mangrove associated plants and mangrove inhabiting faunal assemblages of the Indian Sundarbans, in particular. Mangroves, the unique ecosystem is in very much stressed or threatened condition throughout the globe in general and in Indian territories, as well. Over all distribution of these mangrove plants in the Indian territories and abroad and their present status within India are dealt vividly by short description with key characters of these available Indian mangroves and mangrove associated plants along with its photographs, mentioning of habits and habitat condition, correct identifying key characters, nomenclature, taxonomic status, local and common names, etc. Besides these, the mention of the world distribution of mangroves and the world mangrove species along with their ideal habitat conditions are also dealt. Necessary photographs and description of their diverse aerial root system, canopy structure, flowers, fruits, viviparous germinated hypocotyles and interesting seedling developmental stages are also highlighted; as such, it is the most important handbook and as the field guide book for identifying each and every individual Indian mangrove plant species, along with their status. The overall conservation strategies of these mangroves, need for coastal zone stabilisation or protection of coastal areas by conserving these mangrove ecosystem and the need for maintaining the coastal fisheries potentialities with the mangroves are also dealt critically with the mention of sustainable utilization and relationship of these coastal and estuarine fisheries and mangrove ecosystem, as well. Contents Chapter 1: Introduction; Chapter 2: Indian Mangals, Other dominant Indian mangrove areas and mangrove species: (1) Mangrove of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands of the Bay of Bengal, (2) Mangroves of Bhitarkanika of the Mahanadi delta and other Mangals of the Orissa coast, (3) Mangroves of Coringa, Kankinada Bay, the Krishna and the Godavari estuaries of the Andhra Pradesh coast, (4) Mangroves o the Muthupet, Pichavaram and Chhatram area of the Cauveri delta in the Tamil Nadu coast, (5) Mangroves of the Cochin estuary of the Kerala coast, (6) Mangroves of Coondapur and Malpe Bay of the Karnataka coast, (7) Mangroves of the Mandovi, the Zuary and other estuaries of the Goa, (8) Mangroves of the Ratnagiri and other estuaries of the Maharashtra State, (9) Mangroves the Gulf of Cambay and Kachchha of the Gujarat State, (10) Coral reef Mangroves of Lakshdweep Atols & Minicoy Islands of the Atlantic Ocean; Chapter 3: Indian Sundarbans, Roles Played by these Mangroves in Indian Sundarbans; Chapter 4: Mangrove Zones and Succession, The terms and definitions of Mangroves and the Mangal, Uniqueness of these Sundarbans Mangals, The unique Sundarbans Mangals for its highest biodiversity; Chapter 5: Floral Succession in the Mangal; Chapter 6: Sundarbans: The Marshy Tiger-land of the World, Common and higher groups of fauna of the Sundarbans, Mangal support coastal and estuarine fisheries, Tropic level on the Sundarbans Mangrove ecosystem, Tidal amplitude/fluctuations of the Sundarbanks Mangal; chapter 7: Flora of the Indian Mangals, (1) Rhizophoraceae, (2) Avicenniaceae, (3) Sonneratiaceae, (4) Combretaceae, (5) Arecaceae, (6) Meliaceae, (7) Euphorbiaceae, (8) Myrsinaceae, (9) Aegialitidaceae, (10) Sterculiaceae, (11) Rubiaceae, (12) Acanthaceae, (13) Apocynaceae, (14) Asclepiadaceae, (15) Bignoniaceae, (16) Malvaceae, (17) Tiliaceae, (18) Rutaceae, (19) Poaceae, (20) Verbenaceae, (21) Tamaricaceae, (22) Solanaceae, (23( Sapotaceae, (24) Sapindaceae, (25) Amaryllidaceae, (26) Araceae, (27) Aizoaceae, (28) Barringtoniaceae, (29) Boraginaceae, (30) Fabaceae, (31) Caesalpiniaceae, (32) Chenopodiaceae, (33) Clusiaceae, (34) Convolvulaceae, (35) Cyperaceae, (36) Loranthaceae, (37) Opuntiaceae, (38) Pandanaceae, (39) Pteridaceae, (40) Ruppiaceae; Chapter 8: Possibilities and Conservation Needs, Sundarbanks Mangal: the largest single mangrove chunk of the globe, Sundarbanks mangals acts as the sink for metropolitan pollutants, Protection vs. loss of biodiversity, Major problem in Indian sundarbans, Large scale deforestation of forest land, Large scale nettnig out of shrimp seeds vs. damage of the other fish juveniles, Siltation on river-bed cause frequent flood, Transport facilities is not much developed, Uncontrol population growth, Agriculture not much developed, Enormous pressure on the natural forest and inevitable destruction, Effect of developmental activities without environmental impact assessment, renewal of natural wealth and prospect, Present scenario of the Sundarbans mangals and few comments; Chapter 9: Bibliography of the Mangroves and Mangrove Ecosystem of India, Chapter 10: Index to the Mangroves and Mangrove Ecosystem.

This is the first comprehensive science-based primer to highlight the unique ecosystem services provided by mangrove forests, and discuss how these services preserve the livelihoods of coastal populations. The book presents three decades of real-time data on Sundarbans and Bhitarkanika mangroves in India measuring carbon and nitrogen sequestration, as well as case studies that demonstrate the utility provided by mangroves for reducing the impact of storms and erosion, providing nutrient retention for complex habitats, and housing a vast reservoir of plant, animal and microbial biodiversity. Also addressed is the function of mangroves as natural ecosystems of cultural convergence, offering the resources and products necessary for thriving coastal communities. The book will be of interest to students, academics and researchers in the fields of oceanography, marine biology, botany, climate science, ecology and environmental geography, as well as consultants and policy makers working in coastal zone management and coastal biodiversity conservation.

Study with special reference to India.

Mangroves are one of the most productive and biologically important blue-carbon ecosystems across the coastal intertidal zone of earth. In the current scenario of serious environmental changes like global warming, climate change, extreme natural disasters, mangrove forests play a vital role in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and maintaining ecosystem balance. Mangroves are unique ecosystems with rich biological diversity of different taxonomic groups exhibiting great ecological and commercial importance. The book consolidates existing and emerging information on ecology of mangroves, with a special reference to their biodiversity and management. It emphasizes on the role of mangroves in providing various ecological services. The book is a comprehensive compilation covering all aspects of mangrove ecology. It is useful for students and researchers in ecology, plants sciences and environmental sciences.