Biotechnology and Conservation of Species from Arid Regions
Biotechnology and Conservation of Species from Arid Regions

Author: Sardar A. Farooq

Publisher: Nova Science Publishers

Published: 2014

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781631178696

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In the modern strategy of development, biotechnology assumes a major role in every country, more so in the arid regions. In spite of significant contributions to biotechnology by the developed nations, the information available for the arid zones is scant. Combining biotechnology and conservation is a novel idea of the editors of this book, who have collected articles on the species of the arid zones (e.g. Camel, Arabian Oryx, Date palm etc.,). The book aims to explore aspects related to the diversity, conservation and biotechnology of bacterial, plant and animal species from arid regions. Having to tolerate extreme environmental conditions, these species have developed unique adaptation strategies that can be utilised for biotechnology and their conservation poses a serious challenge. Research on plant and animal species from arid environments has received scarce attention in most major biotechnology books. This book is designed to bring together reviews from the biotechnology scientists from universities, government research institutes and private sector laboratories, policy makers and industry leaders who are interested in exploring the biotechnological applications of species from arid regions. It is assured that the chapters will represent various developing countries that fall within the arid zone. The book will be very useful for students, research scholars and scientists from all over the world, who are interested in biotechnology, environmental biology and conservation.

Conserving Biodiversity in Arid Regions
Conserving Biodiversity in Arid Regions

Author: J. Lemons

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-12-06

Total Pages: 532

ISBN-13: 1461503752

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On the eve of the World Summit for Sustainable Development (WSSD), held in autumn 2002 in Johannesburg, South Africa, United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan recommended five specific areas as focal points of discussion for the global forum: Water, energy, health, agriculture and biodiversity. In his address, "Towards a Sustainable Future," delivered just four months before the WSSD, Secretary General Annan contended that concrete progress in each of these areas, often referred to by their acronym WEHAB, would be key to improving the quality of life not only in the developing world but across the globe. For most people, I think it is fair to say that the inclusion of biodiversity in a list that focuses on basic human needs may not be self-evident. Water, energy, health and agriculture, yes. But why biodiversity? The truth is that biodiversity is just as critical to global well-being as water, energy, agriculture and health. This is because biodiversity both drives and shapes nature's intricate and dynamic structure in an enduring form and force that enables both current and future generations to enjoy its bounty.

Floristic Study of Arid Ecosystem: Ecology and Phytosociology
Floristic Study of Arid Ecosystem: Ecology and Phytosociology

Author: Dr. Ekta B. Joshi

Publisher: Google Book Publishers

Published:

Total Pages: 169

ISBN-13:

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The book “Floristic Study of Arid Ecosystem: Ecology and Phytosociology” focuses on biodiversity, ecology and taxonomy of plant diversity of altitudinal hill gradient environment viz. Kachchh Arid Ecosystem, Western Gujarat, India, with special emphasis on conservation and management of rare, endangered and threatened (RET) taxa. It encompasses the in-depth information on occurrence and distribution of general vegetation, species richness, frequency, density, abundance, commonness and rarity of important and significant plant species exist in the region. The core theme of this book is floristic study and altitudinal diversity of hilly plants with special reference to species distribution, population dynamics and community structure in addition to ethnobotany, ethnomedicine and phytosociology. The book embodies the vast and enormous information about ethnobotanical and ethnomedicinal plants used by tribal community of hilly habitats of Kachchh. This book also highlights the phytosociological aspects of invasive plant species viz. Prosopis julifora, along with historical account, population structure, dominance and dynamics. It summarizes the unique records of RET plants in relation to status, distribution, age structure, threats faced, etc. Besides, the book is a good repository of field records of some native and endemic plants used by locales as medications or panacea for curing incorrigible ailments. The special feature of this book is conservation and management strategies of RET plants using grass-root techniques for survival, sustenance, revival, restoration and rejuvenation of dwindling plant species of environmental, ecological and economic importance of arid hill ecosystem.

Biodiversity and Biomedicine
Biodiversity and Biomedicine

Author: Munir Ozturk

Publisher: Academic Press

Published: 2020-07-15

Total Pages: 587

ISBN-13: 0128223707

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Biodiversity and Biomedicine: Our Future provides a new outlook on Earth’s animal, plant, and fungi species as vital sources for human health treatments. While there are over 10 million various species on the planet, only 2 million have been discovered and named. This book identifies modern ways to incorporate Earth’s species into biomedical practices and emphasizes the need for biodiversity conservation. Written by leading biodiversity and biomedical experts, the book begins with new insights on the benefits of biologically active compounds found in fungi and plants, including a chapter on the use of wild fruits as a treatment option. The book goes on to discuss the roles of animals, such as amphibians and reptiles, and how the threatened presence of these species must be reversed to conserve biodiversity. It also discusses marine organisms, including plants, animals, and microbes, as essential in contributing to human health. Biodiversity and Biomedicine: Our Future is a vital source for researchers and practitioners specializing in biodiversity and conservation studies. Students in natural medicine and biological conservation will also find this useful to learn of the world’s most bio-rich communities and the molecular diversity of various species. Presents new developments in documenting and identifying species for biodiversity conservation and ethical considerations for biodiversity research Examines biodiversity as an irreplaceable resource for biomedical breakthroughs using available species for medical research Discusses challenges and opportunities for biodiversity protection and research in biosphere reserves

Desert Plants
Desert Plants

Author: Kishan Gopal Ramawat

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2009-12-16

Total Pages: 508

ISBN-13: 3642025501

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Deserts appear very fascinating during our short visits. However, the lives of plants and animals are very dif?cult under the harsh climatic conditions of high tempe- ture and scant water supply in deserts, sometimes associated with high concent- tions of salt. The editor of this book was born and brought up in the Great Indian Desert, and has spent much of his life studying the growth and metabolism of desert plants. It is very charming on a cool summer evening to sit at the top of a sand dune listening only to blowing air and nothing else. It has been my dream to prepare a volume on desert plants encompassing various aspects of desert plant biology. In this book, I have tried to present functional and useful aspects of the vegetation resources of deserts along with scienti?c input aimed at understanding and impr- ing the utility of these plants. The scant vegetation of deserts supports animal life and provides many useful medicines, timber and fuel wood for humans. Therefore, there are chapters devoted to medicinal plants (Chap. 1), halophytes (Chaps. 13, 14), and fruit plants (Chaps. 17, 20). Desert plants have a unique reproductive biology (Chaps. 9–11), well-adapted eco-physiological and anatomical charact- istics (Chap. 7), and specialised metabolism and survival abilities. These plants are dif?cult to propagate and pose many problems to researchers developing biote- nological approaches for their amelioration (Chaps. 18–20).

Plant Resources of Arid and Semiarid Lands
Plant Resources of Arid and Semiarid Lands

Author: J. R. Goodin

Publisher: Academic Press

Published: 2013-09-25

Total Pages: 353

ISBN-13: 1483272273

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Plant Resources of Arid and Semiarid Lands: A Global Perspective is a collection of papers that evaluates the existing native plant resources in the arid and semiarid regions. The papers deal with the resources found in these arid regions such as food potential, forage, fuel, fiber, medicinal or industrial uses. The book covers the arid regions of Africa, Australia, the Indian subcontinent, Middle East, North America, China, South America, and the USSR. The treatment of these regions includes geographical descriptions such as area, annual precipitation, temperature, humidity, wind ranges or patterns, and seasons. These papers also discuss the effects of topography on water drainage and loss, the basic soil types, holding capacity, water runoffs, and the availability of water (surface and subsurface), The book examines the current and projected growth rates for relevant countries and dry regions in each continent. These papers discuss the economic output from arid lands, the balance of trade, current or developing resources, as well as the prospects of these countries with dry regions. The book also focuses on the types of plants found in these regions whether these are used for food, forage, medicine or for industry. This collection is suitable for environmentalists, ecologists, sociologist, anthropologists, and researchers involved in biological and environmental conservation.

The Biology of Deserts
The Biology of Deserts

Author: David Ward

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 2016

Total Pages: 395

ISBN-13: 0198732759

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A revised and thoroughly updated edition of this concise but comprehensive introduction to desert ecology.

Conservation Biology for All
Conservation Biology for All

Author: Navjot S. Sodhi

Publisher: OUP Oxford

Published: 2010-01-08

Total Pages: 368

ISBN-13: 0191574252

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Conservation Biology for All provides cutting-edge but basic conservation science to a global readership. A series of authoritative chapters have been written by the top names in conservation biology with the principal aim of disseminating cutting-edge conservation knowledge as widely as possible. Important topics such as balancing conversion and human needs, climate change, conservation planning, designing and analyzing conservation research, ecosystem services, endangered species management, extinctions, fire, habitat loss, and invasive species are covered. Numerous textboxes describing additional relevant material or case studies are also included. The global biodiversity crisis is now unstoppable; what can be saved in the developing world will require an educated constituency in both the developing and developed world. Habitat loss is particularly acute in developing countries, which is of special concern because it tends to be these locations where the greatest species diversity and richest centres of endemism are to be found. Sadly, developing world conservation scientists have found it difficult to access an authoritative textbook, which is particularly ironic since it is these countries where the potential benefits of knowledge application are greatest. There is now an urgent need to educate the next generation of scientists in developing countries, so that they are in a better position to protect their natural resources.