Amphibians Are Considered To Be The Best Indicators Of Environmental Health. In This Book Over 72 Species Of Indian Amphibians Including Caecilians Common And Widely Distributed In Peninsular India, Have Been Described Simply With Easy-To-Identify Illustrations.

"Evidence bases for conservation are becoming increasingly important to convince landowners and politicians of the need to take action in defence of species and habitats all around the world. A valuable feature of this book is its emphasis on collecting and analysing such essential information." Trevor Beebee, Phyllomedusa Amphibians are among the most globally endangered groups of vertebrates with more than one-third of species being assessed as declining or threatened. Often, amphibian declines can be attributed to a suite of interacting factors, many of which are human in origin, but further information is needed to elaborate the key causes and to discover ways of reversing declines. Robust surveys provide vital ecological and biological data on amphibian populations, and underpin the decisions made to protect species and reverse their declines. Ongoing monitoring informs land managers and decision makers about whether they are taking the right action. This book is designed to help you carry out amphibian surveying and monitoring so that the results of your surveys can be used effectively. Part 1 introduces amphibians: order Anura (frogs and toads); Caudata (newts and salamanders); and order Gymnophonia (caecilians). Part 2 is essential reading before you start surveying. It introduces the different types of survey and monitoring programmes and discusses survey aims and resources. It contains chapters on collecting and handling survey data; survey permissions and licencing; health and safety, and biosecurity; and handling amphibians. Part 3 discusses everything you need to know during your survey, and provides a detailed look at amphibian survey methods. Part 4 covers presenting and using your survey’s data to best effect. A useful resources section is also provided, with example survey forms and details of additional information resources that will optimize the impacts of your surveys. Key amphibian survey techniques are discussed with reference to published examples of successful surveys – so you’ll be able to choose what’s right for your situation. Tips on optimizing your survey effort and handling amphibians in the field are also included. Whether carrying out a student expedition project or seeking information to support the management of a protected area, this book contains essential advice from an amphibian ecologist who has encountered the same sorts of decisions you’ll face when planning your surveys.

Sweet, University of California, Santa Barbara; Michael J. Tyler, University of Adelaide, Australia; Zhao Er-Mi, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Peoples Republic of China

The Importance Of Environmental Studies Cannot Be Disputed Since The Need For Sustainable Development Is A Key To The Future Of Mankind. Recognising This, The Honourable Supreme Court Of India Directed The Ugc To Introduce A Basic Course On Environmental Education For Undergraduate Courses In All Disciplines, To Be Implemented By Every University In The Country. Accordingly, The Ugc Constituted An Expert Committee To Formulate A Six-Month Core Module Syllabus For Environmental Studies. This Textbook Is The Outcome Of The Ugc S Efforts And Has Been Prepared As Per The Syllabus. It Is Designed To Bring About An Awareness On A Variety Of Environmental Concerns. It Attempts To Create A Pro-Environmental Attitude And A Behavioural Pattern In Society That Is Based On Creating Sustainable Lifestyles And A New Ethic Towards Conservation. This Textbook Stresses On A Balanced View Of Issues That Affect Our Daily Lives. These Issues Are Related To The Conflict Between Existing `Development Strategies And The Need For `Conservation . It Not Only Makes The Student Better Informed On These Concerns, But Is Expected To Lead The Student Towards Positive Action To Improve The Environment. Based On A Multidisciplinary Approach That Brings About An Appreciation Of The Natural World And Human Impact On Its Integrity, This Textbook Seeks Practical Answers To Make Human Civilization Sustainable On The Earth S Finite Resources. Attractively Priced At Rupees One Hundred And Fifteen Only, This Textbook Covers The Syllabus As Structured By The Ugc, Divided Into 8 Units And 50 Lectures. The First 7 Units, Which Cover 45 Lectures Are Classroom Teaching-Based, And Enhance Knowledge Skills And Attitude To Environment. Unit 8 Is Based On Field Activities To Be Covered In 5 Lecture Hours And Would Provide Students With First Hand Knowledge On Various Local Environmental Issues.

The Sustainable Future Of Humany Lies In Understanding The Earth And Its Environment. For This Reason, Environmental Science Has A Purview That Overlaps Several Other Disciplines; From Biology To Economics, Geology To Sociology, Every Subject Has A Significant Relationship With Some Area Of Environmental Science. However, It Is Often Difficult, Time-Consuming And Exhaustive To Keep Pace With New Trends In Such A Broad-Based Field.

Rare Animals of India is a unique book that presents the biological and ecological accounts of the least known animal species of India in one comprehensive volume. The book gives comprehensive ecological accounts supported with data tables on rare and specific animal species of India and discusses the basis for their rarity and their conservation. It includes information about the Indian Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) the endangered Forest Owlet (Heteroglaux blewitti), the Bengal Marsh Mongoose, Snow Leopards and many more. Readers are guided through several chapters each detailing a specific kind of animal, some of them being on the list of endangered species. With over 150 color illustrations, this intriguing reference will be of immense interest to zoologists, ecologists, naturalists and conservation biologists as well as general readers across the world interested in studying such rare animals found in the length and breadth of the Indian region.

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

Of the world’s seven continents, Asia is the largest. Its physical landscapes, political units, and ethnic groups are both wide-ranging and many. Southwest, South and Middle Asia are highly populated regions which, as a whole, cover an extremely large area of varied geography. In total, this domain is unique in its plant diversity and large vegetation zones with different communities and biomes. It is rich in endemics, with specific and intraspecific diversity of fruit trees and medicinal plants, including a number of rare, high value, species. At the same time, much of the land in the region is too dry or too rugged, with many geographical extremes. Overgrazing, oil and mineral extraction, and poaching are the major threats in the area. This two-volume project focuses on the dynamic biodiversity of the region with in-depth analysis on phytosociology, plants, animals and agroecology. There are also chapters that explore new applications as well as approaches to overcome problems associated with climate change. Much of the research and analysis are presented here for the first time. We believe this work is a valuable resource for professionals and researchers working in the fields of plant diversity and vegetation, animal diversity and animal populations, and geo-diversity and sustainable land use, among others. The first volume guides our readers to West Asia and the Caucasus region, while volume two focuses on issues unique to South and Middle Asia.