Rapidly shrinking biodiversity resources now have vital linkages to sustainability of climate and habitable environment; unsustainability of agriculture and decline in socio-economics of human values. This book considers the history of Planet Earth, formation of the continents, origin, and evolution of Life from the beginning till the present. The present status of management of agricultural production systems, Integrated Pest Management, genetically modified crops and organic agriculture besides the future role of pesticide industry in promoting holistic agriculture and conservation of natural biodiversity resources have also been discussed. Social impact of shrinkage of biodiversity resources beyond the biological means of their renewal together with the neglect of basic human rights to food, nutrition and health security have been discussed. A new beginning and agenda for future development of biodiversity resources have been proposed.

New and Future Developments in Microbial Biotechnology and Bioengineering: Sustainable Agriculture: Advances in Microbe-Based Biostimulants describes advances in microbial mechanisms involved in crop production and stress alleviation. Recent developments in our understanding of the role of microbes in sustainable agriculture and disease management have created a highly potential research area. The plant holobiont has a significant role in stress signaling, nutrient use efficiency, and soil health and fertility for sustainable developments. The mycorrhizosphere, hyphosphere, phyllosphere, rhizosphere and endosphere are critical interfaces for the exchange of signaling and resources between plants and soil environment.? This book is an ideal reference source for microbiologists, agrochemists, biotechnologists, biochemists, industrialists, researchers and scientists working on agriculturally important microorganisms and their exploitation in sustainable future applications. - Gives insights into mechanisms of plant-microbe interaction - Introduces new aspects and advances in plant-microbe interaction for disease management - Includes descriptions and modern practices on how to harness the potential of microbes in sustainable agriculture applications

Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) refers to the evaluation of the effects likely to arise from a major project or activity significant affecting the Envioronment. With the enactment of Environment Protection Act 1986 and more recently EIA notification 1994, most development projects have to compulsory undergo Environment Impact Assessment. Present book fills a gap and provides much needed basic information on all aspects of EIA and also addresses itself to the development of a tool to provide scientific inputs to the process of EIA of Industrial projects as a decision making tool through the development and computerization of methods for impact identification, prediction, evaluation and mitigation. The book presents extensive literature survey including the practices followed all over the world. The book is a most valuable guide for the students and teachers of Environmental Science and Engineering, Environmental consultants, NGOs, Industries, Government Departments and all those concerned with EIA in any way.

The Satellite Remote Sensing and GIS, a new fast developing technology, has potential for quick and accurate assessment and characterization of natural resources potentials. Nowadays, for any small query, planning and management of natural resources, one can nd quick answer by referring the satellite images. But, satellite images have to be interpreted which requires training and skill. During recent years, at many Universities, at graduate and post graduate degree courses of engineering, agriculture, forestry, geology, geography and environmental sciences, Remote sensing and Geographical Information System (GIS) has been added as a part of syllabus. Keeping in mind, this book has been written, in simple explanatory language with illustrations, so that even novice and inexperienced person can understand and interpret the satellite images. There are 19 chapters in the book, covering two aspects, (1) Fundamentals of Remote Sensing Technology which includes satellites and sensors, spectral reectance characteristics of objects on earth surface, satellite image interpretation techniques and GIS, and (2) Applications of the Technology for identication, mapping and monitoring of landforms, soil, surface and ground water and forest resources; land use/ land cover classication and wasteland mapping; land degradation and desertication classication and mapping; crop identication and acreage estimation, watershed development planning and monitoring; natural calamities and disaster management. Each topic has been elaborately explained with case studies to meet the requirement of the students, teachers, and natural resource planners.

Continued population growth, rapidly changing consumption patterns and the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation are driving limited resources of food, energy, water and materials towards critical thresholds worldwide. These pressures are likely to be substantial across Africa, where countries will have to find innovative ways to boost crop and livestock production to avoid becoming more reliant on imports and food aid. Sustainable agricultural intensification - producing more output from the same area of land while reducing the negative environmental impacts - represents a solution for millions of African farmers. This volume presents the lessons learned from 40 sustainable agricultural intensification programmes in 20 countries across Africa, commissioned as part of the UK Government's Foresight project. Through detailed case studies, the authors of each chapter examine how to develop productive and sustainable agricultural systems and how to scale up these systems to reach many more millions of people in the future. Themes covered include crop improvements, agroforestry and soil conservation, conservation agriculture, integrated pest management, horticulture, livestock and fodder crops, aquaculture, and novel policies and partnerships.

Grassland comprises about one fourth of the world s vegetation and serve as an important source of forage for various kinds of livestock. In Certain regions, due to small per capita land holding, grasslands meadows and forests are the only source of forage. Productivity of grassland particularly in developing countries is low due to lack of knowledge of various biotic and abiotic factors and their interaction, high livestock. Pressure per unit area, non adoption of any grassland management practices and lack of resources. The books Grassland Techniques and management gives information on techniques to adopted for the study of botanical composition, ground cover, forage evolution, range condition, assessment of grassland Production carrying capacity, livestock unit, seed treatment and soil test which provides basic knowledge of various biotic and abiotic factors affecting grassland production. The details of principles and methodology of various grassland management practices including reseeding of grasses, introduction of legume, fertilizers application, control of shrubs, grazing management etc. Has also been presented chapter on fodder trees and browser, forage conservation and herbage quality presents valuable information on various related aspects of grassland improvement and management. Book Shall be useful to field Staff of forestry, Animal Husbandry and agriculture in knowing about methodology to be adopted in the study of present status of grassland and its improvement and management. It shall also be useful to research workers and students of animal husbandry, forestry and agriculture in general.

The State of the World's Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture presents the first global assessment of biodiversity for food and agriculture worldwide. Biodiversity for food and agriculture is the diversity of plants, animals and micro-organisms at genetic, species and ecosystem levels, present in and around crop, livestock, forest and aquatic production systems. It is essential to the structure, functions and processes of these systems, to livelihoods and food security, and to the supply of a wide range of ecosystem services. It has been managed or influenced by farmers, livestock keepers, forest dwellers, fish farmers and fisherfolk for hundreds of generations. Prepared through a participatory, country-driven process, the report draws on information from 91 country reports to provide a description of the roles and importance of biodiversity for food and agriculture, the drivers of change affecting it and its current status and trends. It describes the state of efforts to promote the sustainable use and conservation of biodiversity for food and agriculture, including through the development of supporting policies, legal frameworks, institutions and capacities. It concludes with a discussion of needs and challenges in the future management of biodiversity for food and agriculture. The report complements other global assessments prepared under the auspices of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, which have focused on the state of genetic resources within particular sectors of food and agriculture.

Shrinking Biodiversity highlights the loss of natural forests, the future of the pesticide industry and how these factors can impact the sustainability of agriculture. In addition to going into detail about the correlation between humans and agriculture, this book also highlights information concerning endangered flora and fauna. Shrinking biodiversity, is based on the perceptions that after the discovery of DDT, and the Malthusian increase in human populations the exploitation of natural biodiversity resources surged far beyond nature�s ability to renew them.

"The assessment builds on the work of the Livestock, Environment and Development (LEAD) Initiative"--Pref.