This edited book brings out a comprehensive account of the faunal diversity in Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve which is part of the Sundaland Biodiversity hotspot. The main focus of this volume is to address the ecological and economic significance of the biodiversity of this region. The book provides latest information on the faunal diversity of Great Nicobar Biosphere. It focuses on various faunal communities of this regions such as Floral diversity, Butterflies, Moths, Dragonflies & Damselflies, Termites, Hymenoptera, Coleoptera, Scorpion, Spiders, Turtle, Nicobar megapode. Chapters in this volume also covers Reptiles & Amphibians, Fishes, Mammals, Land and freshwater Mollusca. Marine animals such as Opisthobranchs, Sponges, Scleractinian Corals and Soft corals, Sea Anemones, Polyclads, Marine Molluscs, Echinoderms are also discussed. It is of interest for the researchers, teachers, scientists, capacity builders, policy makers. Also serve as reading materials for graduate and post graduate students e.g., Wildlife Biology, Forestry, Environmental Science, Wildlife Ecology, Zoology, Life sciences, Parks/Sanctuaries managers, National and International scientists, policy makers will also find this to be a useful document.

Similipal, a biosphere reserve in Eastern India, exemplifies the incredible diversity of our natural environment. The biosphere reserve derives its name from Simul, a red silk cotton tree found within the geographical boundaries of the Similipal Biosphere Reserve. This spectacular biosphere reserve spans over 2,750 square kilometres of floristic coverage and is known for having one of the region's dense dry deciduous forests. Its vast and diversified geography is home to a large variety of exotic flora and fauna, making it an important biodiversity hotspot. One of the major features of this biosphere reserve is that it is located within two biogeographical regions, one is the Chotanagpur area of the Deccan Peninsular Plateau, and the other is the Mahanadi east coast area of the Oriental Realm. Numerous scientific research and survey were carried out in the Similipal area, which gave credence to the fact that this area is home to many diverse species of plants, trees, animals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, etc. Similipal, home to several rare forests and aquatic animals, is a nature reservoir and a thriving living environment for several indigenous communities of tribes that have survived for generations while preserving a balanced relationship with their surroundings. They thoroughly understand the forest's resources, which they have used sustainably to support their lifestyles. This delicate equilibrium between man and nature in Similipal is an excellent example of ecological coexistence. Several researches in several biosphere zones have identified transition, buffer, and core zones, each with distinct traits and ecological relevance. The uses of forest resources, by the tribes' traditional and sustainable practices, reflects that how these traditions help to preserve Similipal's rich biodiversity and is more than simply an investigation of its natural beauty; it also provides an insight into the cultural history and knowledge of its inhabitants. This book dives into Similipal's complicated web of life, illustrating the various ways in which indigenous communities, flora and flora coexist with mutualistic relationship for balance and benefit of the environment and the mankind. The book contains 12 chapters revealing the floral and faunal diversity within Similipal, their bioprospects and the traditional uses for tribal community. We hope that this book will create a greater appreciation for this unique biosphere reserve and the critical need of protecting such natural treasures for future generations.

Eastern Ghats Environment Outlook

The common idea for many people is that forests are just a collection of trees. However, they are much more than that. They are a complex, functional system of interacting and often interdependent biological, physical, and chemical components, the biological part of which has evolved to perpetuate itself. This complexity produces combinations of climate, soils, trees and plant species unique to each site, resulting in hundreds of different forest types around the world. Logically, trees are an important component for the research in forest ecosystems, but the wide variety of other life forms and abiotic components in most forests means that other elements, such as wildlife or soil nutrients, should also be the focal point in ecological studies and management plans to be carried out in forest ecosystems. In this book, the readers can find the latest research related to forest ecosystems but with a different twist. The research described here is not just on trees and is focused on the other components, structures and functions that are usually overshadowed by the focus on trees, but are equally important to maintain the diversity, function and services provided by forests. The first section of this book explores the structure and biodiversity of forest ecosystems, whereas the second section reviews the research done on ecosystem structure and functioning. The third and last section explores the issues related to forest management as an ecosystem-level activity, all of them from the perspective of the "other" parts of a forest.

The need for exploration, conservation, and sustainable utilization of bioresources is undeniable for the survival and growth of mankind. This new book throws light on new and recent research on and development of effective strategies for sustainable utilization of bioresources using modern tools and techniques to help meet this challenge. This volume addresses the utilization of bioresources in therapeutics, in biofuel, in agriculture, and in environmental protection. Beginning with the diverse potential applications of bioresources in food, medicine, and cosmetics, the volume goes on to address the various different underutilized bioresources and their sustainable uses. It discusses important advances in biofuel and patents that highlight recent developments that address the energy crises and the continuously fluctuating cost of petroleum. It explores new renewable energy sources from bioresources and their sustainable utilization in the bioenergy and biofuel industry. Several chapters focus on the sustainable utilization of bioresources in the agricultural sector. The volume considers that developing countries have huge agricultural resources that could be employed for production of value-added byproducts for the sustainable development of a bio-based economy. The book discusses efficient use of underexploited natural bioresources, new chemical approaches for the generation of novel biochemicals, and the applications of genetics approaches for bioresource conservation and production of value-added products. Further, strategies for the production of biopesticides utilizing bioresources are also discussed.