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.

Biodiversity refers to the variety and variability of organisms. Diverse biota provide ecosystem service and goods on which the survival of man is dependent. However, world today is under tremendous threat of unprecedented loss of biodiversity due to widespread habitat fragmentation, overexploitation and global climate change. Consequently, environmental issues like global warming, pollution, recurrent natural calamities and human population rise are of major concern to the conservationists. The book, in its third edition, covers a complete range of topics from the concept of biodiversity, its history, importance of species diversity, systematics, present status of bioresources, and pattern of distribution of global species to the genetic diversity and ecosystem diversity. It also elaborates on various drivers that lead to biodiversity loss and the impact on global climate change on biota. Moreover, the topics on biopiracy, environmental laws and policies, and the importance of indigenous knowledge of indigenous communities are also described in the text. The use of biotechnology-based methods and various measures to preserve natural resources are highlighted in the text. An all-inclusive, the book provides a detailed account of the conservation measures of biodiversity and proves to be the most comprehensive text encompassing both principles and applications of biodiversity. The book is primarily designed for the undergraduate and postgraduate students of Environmental Science, Zoology and Botany. Besides, it will also be of immense value to the students pursuing postgraduate diploma or other professional courses in Environmental Science and aspirants of various competitive examinations. NEW TO THE THIRD EDITION • Various sections are revised and updated throughout the book. • Includes detailed discussion on protected area, sacred groves, habitat fragmentation and its effect, ecosystem functioning, metapopulation, invasive species, and wildlife corridors. • Introduces the concept of ecological restoration and the system of Biodiversity Governance in India. • Provides a number of new and replaced figures for better illustration and understanding of the subject. KEY FEATURES • Explains the contemporary topics such as green accounting and sustainable management of natural resources in an easy-to-understand manner. • Incorporates a number of photographs, flow charts, diagrams and tables. • Provides chapter-end review questions to help students check their understanding of the subject. • Includes MCQs with answers appended at the end of the book. • Gives an elaborate glossary of technical terms to acquaint the students with the related terminologies. TARGET AUDIENCE • B.Sc. Environmental Science, Zoology and Botany • M.Sc. Environmental Science, Zoology and Botany • PG Diploma in Biodiversity Conservation & Environmental Science

Coral reefs are among Earth's most diverse, productive, and beautiful ecosystems, but until recently, their ecology and the means to manage them have been poorly understood and documented. In response to the inadequate information base for coral reefs, this book reviews the ecological and conservation status of coral reefs of the Western Indian Ocean, bringing together presentations of the region's leading scientists and managers working on coral reefs. Coral Reefs of the Indian Ocean: Their Ecology and Conservation starts with a general overview of the biogeography of the region and a historical account of attempts to conserve this ecosystem. It goes on to describe the state of the reefs in each of the countries with coral reefs, and it concludes with a series of management case studies. The book also summarizes most of the existing ecological information on reefs in this region and efforts at management, making it useful for students, teachers, and investigators interested in tropical or marine ecology, conservation biology and management, and environmental sciences.

This book provides insights into various aspects of marine faunal communities in India, which are extremely diverse due to the geomorphologic and climatic variations along the Indian coasts. Consisting of 30 chapters by experts in their respective fields, it is divided into two parts: · Part I: Tropical Marine Faunal Communities · Part II: Ecology and Conservation Part I highlights the diversity and distribution of Foraminifera; sponges associated with seagrass; Polychaeta; Opisthobranchia; oysters; copepods; horseshoe and brachyuran crabs; echinoderms; ascidians; fishes; fish parasites; and sea mammals. Topics of Part II include the status and environmental parameters of benthos; the status of coral reefs; the invasion of snowflake coral; the recovery of bleached corals; the socioeconomics and management of dugong; marine biodiversity conservation and management in India; the assessment of the marine fauna of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act; and marine biodiversity protected areas in India. This book will serve as a valuable reference work for marine scientists, as well as for environmental managers and policy makers.