Contributed articles.

Shola grassland-forest mosaics, also known as sholas, are unique and ecologically significant ecosystems found in the Central & Southern Western Ghats, India. These high-altitude grassland-forest mosaics are characterized by their rolling hills, dense forests, and meadows of grasses and wildflowers. They are not only aesthetically pleasing but also play a crucial role in the biodiversity of the region. They are considered biodiversity hotspots due to their remarkable diversity of flora and fauna. The formation of this unique ecosystem is a dynamic and ongoing process. It is influenced by factors such as fire, grazing by herbivores, rainfall patterns, and human activities. However, other factors like deforestation, land conversion, and invasive species can easily disrupt the delicate balance between grasslands and forests. Consequently, the conservation of this unique ecosystem is crucial for maintaining its ecological integrity and the services it provides, including biodiversity conservation, water regulation, carbon sequestration, and cultural values.

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.

In recent years, attention to climate change and its associated impacts on economic and social development has increased significantly. Extreme weather conditions worldwide are threatening the survival of sensitive species and habitats. The situation is so dire that governments, academia, and non-governmental organizations across the globe are actively working to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This book enhances understanding of environmental changes and the relative response to the socio-economic challenges of development. It provides a comprehensive overview of the impact of environmental change on natural resources and the climate, as well as discusses waste management and sustainable solutions.

The book, ‘FORESTS OF KARNATAKA - WHY AND HOW OF WHERE THEY ARE,’ attempts at understanding the diverse forests of Karnataka, their current status, and the primary factors that led to their transformation from their pristine (original and un-spoilt) states to the present states. Although formation of different types of forest depends fundamentally upon the general climatic and soil-related factors which vary from place to place, the present conditions of the forests are to a considerable extent reflective of the treatments meted out to them over the centuries. Past treatments of the forests include past forest management practices such as forest reservation, logging, clear-felling, raising plantations, forest protection, etc. as well as other biotic factors such as shifting cultivation, expansion of agriculture, heavy withdrawals of biomass, introduction of plantation crops, recurring fires, over-grazing, encroachments, etc. As a matter of fact, we now have different types of forest in different parts of the state depending upon the nature and intensity of the past interventions. The book while analysing various factors that resulted in degradation of a vast majority of the state’s forests has also suggested ways and means of how the existing forests can be protected from further degradation, enabling them to recover and rejuvenate.