Ecosystem Diversity and Carbon Sequestration

EDITOR’S: P.L. Gautam, Vir Singh and Uma Melkania
PUBLISHER: Daya Publishing House
ISBN: 9788170355946
YEAR: 2009
PAGES: 409
SIZE: 16 X 24 X 2.5 cms.
BINDING: Hard
LANGUAGE: English

ABOUT THE BOOK: Carbon sequestration in nature is of critical value for resolving vital issues of our times, namely the state of ecological paucity, natural resource management, global warming, climate change and sustainable development. It is the free carbon in nature, particularly in the form of C02 that is responsible for most of the ills of our environment and that makes future of life on earth bleak and unsustainable. Earth's gradually but steadily becoming warmer is one of the grimmest and the gravest issues humanity on earth has ever faced in the recorded history. We have a variety of ecosystems to remove free carbon from the environment and fix it into plant biomass and soil. The earth's ecosystems, however, present a somber picture and sequestration of increasing carbon concentrations cannot be taken care of by them. This book combines ecosystem diversity and carbon sequestration issues together as both are interrelated and are responsible for the rapidly going on processes leading to global warming and climate change. We can meet climate change challenges and usher in a sustainable future blossoming with humanity by enhancing carbon sequestration in nature, which, eventually would be done by maintaining the health of our ecosystems in the first place, and by controlling carbon emissions through a number of technological, institutional, and political measures.
Divided into eitght sections, the book comprises 39 chapters contributed by many eminent scientists consemed with the state of the earth. The first section attempts to present an agenda for the ecologically shattered and economically globalised world which might help us understand the gravity of the world's common future and guide us to take up effective measures to mitigate the problems and revive our tormented earth. The subsequest sections present and discuss scenarios, anthropogenic dimensions and management of ecosystem diversity; climate change, critical environmental problems, alarming trends, species extinction and all that; a search for viable options; Himalayan mountains;
carbon sequestration as a life-building, life-enhancing and life-conserving phenomenon; potential technological and institutional mechanisms, carbon trading, policies; eco-ethics, eco-philosophy and psychology as vital elements pivoting conservation-oriented transcendental development. The book would prove to be of extraordinary value towards resolving the most crucial issues of our times.

ABOUT THE EDITOR’S:
1. Dr. PL Gautam joined the GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology as Assistant Professor in 1974 just after completing his Ph.D. in Genetics. He served this university in various capacities: Associate Professor (1979-85), Associate Director, Crop Research Centre (1979-81), Joint Director Research (1985-91) and Associate Dean, College of Forestry and Hill Agriculture (1987-91). He became Dean, College of Forestry, Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan, HP (1991-97). He joined the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) as Director, National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (1997-2000) and National Director, National Agricultural Technology Project (2000-2002). Prof. Gautam again joined the GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology as its Vice-Chancellor in June 2002 and continued on this postion until October 2007. He also held additional charge of Uttarakhand Seed and Tarai Development Corporation as its Managing Director. His tenure of Vice-Chancellor is widely acclaimed as the best and most fruitful in the history of the odest Indian agricultural university. Dr. Gautam is currently holding the prestigious position of Deputy Director General (Crop Sciences) at the ICAR. He is an institution builder, an able administrator, a learned teacher, a renowned plant breeder and an inspiring personality. His contribution to wheat development in the country is phenomenal. He has vsited several countries of the world on national mission and has bagged numerous prestigious awards.
2. Dr. Vir Singh has B.Sc Honours, three Masters' Degrees (Botany, Animal Nutrition, and Sociology) and two Doctoral Degrees - Botany from the HNB Garhwal University, and Animal Nutrition from the GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology - to his credit. He has more than 25 years of teaching, research and extension experience with the GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, India. He is currently a Professor in the Department of Environmental Science of the College of Basic Sciences and Humanities of the GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology. He has served various faculties of the University. Forestry and Hill Agriculture based at Ranichauri Hill Campus in Garhwal Himalaya, Agriculture, Veterinary and Animal Sciences, and is currently serving the Basic Sciences and Humanities. His research work focuses on mountain agro-ecology and rangeland resource management. He also intensively pursues eco-philosophy. He is also coordinating the Liberal Education Programme of the University. He has also been a Research Fellow of the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) based in Kathmandu, Nepal. Prof. Vir Singh has authored and edited 15 books and published more than 200 research papers and general articles. Besides, his articles, travelogues, poems and columns covering contemporary issues are regularly publishing in a number of websites/e-magazines worldwide.
3. Dr. Uma Melkania is a Professor and Head of the Department of Environmental Science, College of Basic Sciences and Humanities, GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar. Before joining the university, she has served at Indian Institute of Forest management based in Bhopal and North-Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology, Arunachal Pradesh. She is a founder member of the Central Himalayan Environment Association based in Nainital. She has research experience in Central Himalayan Region, Central India and North-Eastern Himalayan Region. She has published more than 45 research papers in national and international journals, 30 papers in proceedings and many popular articles. She has about 30 years of teaching and research experience and has handled various research projects on ecological and forest management aspects. Her research interests include Forest Ecology and Environmental Science, Environmental Management with emphasis on sustainable utilization of fodder and fuel. Soil Fertility and Industrial Pollution, Biodiversity and Human Impacts on Biosphere Reserves. She was a recipient of UNESCO-ROSTACA Young Scientist Award in Ecology for sustainable development in agriculture and biomass for the year 1990. She also has been a Fellow of National Institute of Ecology, India. She also worked as a short-term coordinator in The World Bank Project (U.P. Forestry Project) of Forestry Training Institute.

CONTENTS:
Editorial: Revive our Tormented Planet: Ecosystem Diversity and Carbon Sequestration Hold the Key
    Vir Singh, lima Melkania andP.L. Gautam
List of Contributors

AGENDA FOR THE REVIVAL OF OUR TORMENTED PLANET
Issues Facing the Ecologically Shattered and Economically Globalised World
1. Ecosystem Diversity and Carbon Sequestration: Some Issues Confronting Humanity
    Vir Singh and PL Gautam
2. Global Climate Change: A Challenge before Humanity
    S.P. Singh
3. Management of Ecosystems for Livelihoods and Carbon Sequestration in India: Harmony within Natural Elements a Mantra for Human Happiness
    J.S. Bali
4. Carbon Sequestration: A Vision
    Vishal Mahajan and Kamal Kishor Sood
5. Carbon-A Material for the Twenty First Century: Prospects and Promises
    B.S. Tewari andAjay

ECOSYSTEM DIVERSITY IN INDIA
Scenarios, Anthropogenic Dimensions and Management
6. Forest Ecosystems and Carbon Sequestration in India: Keeping the Greenhouse Gas at Bay
    J.B. Lal
7. Operationalizing CDM Afforestation and Reforestation Projects in India: Analysis of Barriers at National and International Level
    Sandeep Tripathi and V.R.S. Rawat
8. Microbial Diversity as an Indicator of Soil Organic Carbon Status: Redevelopment of Humid Subtropical Perturbed Ecosystem
    Saurindra Nr. Goswami and Soneswar Sarma
9. Ecosystem Diversity and Sustainability: Towards Middle Path
    B. Mohan Kumar
10. Sacred Groves in India: Celebrating Sanctity of Life through Biodiversity Conservation
    Anubhav, Kundan Singh, Akanksha Rastogi and Vir Singh

LIFE ON EDGE
Climate Change, Critical Environmental Problems, Alarming Trends, Species Extinction and the Likes
11. Climate Change and its Effects on Global Biodiversity: Evidences of Alarming Trends and Species Extinction in Different Eco-Regions of the World
    Ragnpathy Kannan
12. Climate Change and its Effects on Global Biodiversity: Triggering Effects and Frightening Prospects
    B.S. Mahapatra, A.P. Singh, A.K. Chaubey and D.K, Shukia
13. Impact of Climate Change on Crop Productivity: Need of Adjustments in Agriculture
    S.K. Saini, Yogendra Pal andAmit Bhatnagar
14. Global Warming: Contribution of Livestock and its Control
    D.N. Kamra and Someshwar S. Zadbuke

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
A Search for Viable Options
15. Role of Biofertilizers to Mitigate Environmental Problems: Soil Fertility Management in Hill Agro-ecosystems
    Susheela Negi, G.K. Dwivedi andR.V. Singh
16. Effect of Sugar Industry Effluents on Seeds Germination and Seedling Growth of Limnn usitatissimum L.: The Green Revolution Bowl Reels Under Industrial Pollution
    Neelam and Ila Prakash
17. Soil Carbon Sequestration: A Study in Eucalyptus Hybrid Plantations
    Asha Upadhyay and lima Melkania
18. Alternate Use of Biomass for Sustainable Development: Gasification Technology for Solving Energy Crisis in Rural Areas
    Raj Narayan Pateriya and Sadachari Singh Tomar
19. Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi: A Unique Organism of Potential Implications for Carbon Sequestration
    Rashmi Srivastava, Shruti Chatnrvedi, Preeti Chaturvedi andA.K. Shamii
20. Role of Plant Transcription Factor-DOF in Enhancing Nitrogen Use Efficiency; Molecular Means for Promoting Organic Farming
    Dinesh Yadav, Nidhi Gupta, Anil Kumar, Pushpa Lohani, Miinna Singh and U.S. Singh
21. Fibre Yielding Plants and Carbon Sequestration: Banking on Ecological Attributes of Economic Plants
    Sapna Gaiitam and Uma Melkania

HIMALAYAN MOUNTAINS
Rejuvenated Fragile Ecosystems can Give Appropriate Response to Global Warming
22. Sustainable Sloping Land Management Options; Potential Effects on Carbon Sequestration in Upland Soils in the Himalayas
    Isabelle Providoli, Sanjeev Bhiichar, KesharMan Sthapit, Madhav Dhakal and Ekiabya Shanna
23. Rangelands Resources in the Mountains: Management Objective Should Focus on Carbon Sequestration Enhancement
    R.D. Gaiir, Vir Singh andBabita Bohra
24. Himalayan Conservation and Development: The Mighty Mountains can put the Earth's Climate Systems in Order
    M.L. Dezuan

CARBON SEQUESTRATION
A Life-building, Life-sustaining and Life-enhancing Phenomenon on Earth
25. Carbon Sequestration: Global Warming Mitigation through Improved Carbon Economy Linked with Photosynthesis
    Munna Singh
26. Carbon Sequestration on Agricultural Lands: Ameliorating Sustainability and Environmental Security
    B. Mishra and K.P. Raverkar
27. Soil Carbon Sequestration: A Potential Approach to Climate Change Mitigation
    J.S. Chanhan, Bineet Singh and J.P.N. Rai
28. Enhancing Carbon Sequestration: Pondering over Some Strategies
    Shiwani Bhatnagar and AK Kamatak

ENHANCING CARBON SEQUESTRATION IN NATURAL
Potential Technological and Institutional Mechanisms, Carbon Trading and Policies
29. Coastal Wetland Ecosystem in Sequestering Carbon Directly by Geological Repositories and Phytoplankton Fertilization: Workable Strategies for Maintaining Ecological Integrity
    Alok Mnkherjee
30. Carbon Sequestration: Mitigating Environmental and Socio-economic Impacts of Global Warming and Climate Change
    Vikram S. Rathore
31. Forest Management: Carbon Mitigation and Social Issues
    Govind Singh Knshwaha
32. Enhancing Carbon Sequestration in India: Economic Issues and Mechanisms
    A.K. Singh and Virendra Singh
33. Climate Change and Kyoto Protocol: Global and Indian Concerns
    Tirthankar Banerjee, Jyotsana Pathak and R.K. Srivastava
34. Carbon Sequestration, Global Climate and Laws: What Has Been Done and What Remains?
    Rinku Verma

USHERING IN A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
Eco-ethics, Eco-philosophy and Psychology as Core Elements Pivoting Conservation-oriented Transcendental Development
35. Conservation of Biodiversity for Sustainable Development: Eco-ethics as an Indispensable Element
    A. Vanmathy andAbha Ahuja
36. Environmental Services Emanating from the Himalayan Mountains: Valuation Against the Backdrop of Eco-philosophy and Chasing the Goal of Global Happiness
    Vir Singh
37. Ecosystem Conservation for Carbon Sequestration: Let it be inthe Popular Psyche of India
    Subaran Singh
38. Socio-cultural Values Promoting Conservation of Nature's Biodiversity: Heal the Earth for Enhancing Carbon Sequestration
    A. Vanmathy andAbha Ahuja
39. Environmental Psychology in Landscaping: A Dimension of Sustainability Operations
    Govind Singh Kushwaha and Vir Singh
Index