This volume introduces the ecological history of woodland vegetation in South India. It incorporates a critical overview of the theories of ecological on the subcontinent while detailing the history of long-term changes in the tree and shrub vegetation of the Indian peninsula that have resulted from climate change and the impact of human activities on the landscape. The volume also demonstrates the potential of microscopic analysis of archaeological wood charcoal remains for the purpose of palaeoenvironmental reconstruction. Included in the volume is a practical guide for the microscopic identification of the principal timber species of South India, accompanied by detailed information on the synecology and autecology of native trees and shrubs, and ethnographic evidence on their diverse uses and properties. An accompanying CD-ROM contains the complete identification guide and many full color illustrations of South Asian trees and shrubs to facilitate analysis.

The book provides data on all the species of the two genera Genera Brachystelma Sims and Ceropegia L. in India for their bioprospection and conservation. The other objectives are to promote the beauty and uniqueness of the species of these two genera and also to provide medicinal and edible uses for bioprospection.

Asiatic Momordica comprises 10 species of which 3 are monoecious and rest dioecious. They are unique in the sense that all are wild or cultivated vegetables with medicinal uses. Barring bitter gourd, all are under utilized vegetables with little research and conservation efforts. In this book, the authors have presented the available information on various aspects of Asiatic Momordica like taxonomy, cytogenetics, crop improvement, origin, ethnobotany and crop production at one place. The book is well illustrated with color maps and photographs depicting habit, morphology and distribution of individual taxa. Species distribution map for all Indian taxa, descriptor for characterization and preliminary evaluation of dioecious and monoecious group available varieties, keys for botanical identification are some of the unique features of the book. The book will be useful to botanists, horticulturists, foresters, environment educators, conservation biologists, plant science students in general and all interested in agrobiodiversity.

From 1814, linked to their educational work, Jesuits made significant contributions to the natural sciences, especially in the fields of astronomy, meteorology, seismology, terrestrial magnetism, mathematics, and biology in a worldwide network of universities, secondary schools and observatories.

Contributed seminar papers.