BookVelmurugan Ayyam, Swarnam Palanivel, Sivaperuman Chandrakasan.
Summary: The coastal areas of the tropics are rich in biodiversity, natural resources and place of intensive developmental activities as it provides livelihood to millions of people. At the same time evidences suggest that several unique coastal ecosystems viz., mangroves, wetlands, salt marshes, corals, estuaries, sand dunes and agro-ecosystem are vulnerable to natural disasters and events associated with global climate change. In recent times degradation of land, water and genetic erosion besides threat to native flora and fauna have been increasing due to unsustainable developmental activities. Therefore, a paradigm shift in deriving livelihood through conventional methods, developmental strategies, conservation practices are required for balanced and sustainable growth of the coastal areas. This publication strives to cover the status of different natural resources of the coastal region, various aspects of degradation process, production need and restorative methods besides new technological options and its socio-economic implications with case examples. Special focus is given to bring out the scope and potential of mangrove based farming, integrated and organic farming and its value addition besides the role of coastal vegetations as bioshield in protecting these regions from sea erosion, cyclones and tsunami. As the tropical coastal areas are vulnerable to climate change events, this book also covers the recent weather pattern, impacts of climate change and climate resilient technologies besides intuitional linkages and policy framework aimed at balancing development and environmental concerns.
Contents:
Intro; Foreword; Preface; Contents; About the Authors; Part I: Overview;
1: Coastal Regions of the Tropics: An Introduction; 1.1 Introduction; 1.2 Tropical Region; 1.3 Nature of Coastal Region in the Tropics; 1.3.1 What Constitute the Coastal Region?; 1.3.2 Coastal Formation; 1.3.3 Defining Coastal Areas; 1.3.4 Climate; 1.4 Coastal Countries: Demographic Features and Resource Use; 1.5 Ecosystems and Biodiversity; 1.6 Natural Resources and Food Production System; 1.7 Climate Change and Natural Disasters; 1.8 Problems and Management of Coastal Regions; 1.9 Conclusion; References 2.4.3.3 Global Distribution2.4.3.4 Significance; 2.4.4 Seagrass Ecosystem; 2.4.4.1 Seagrass Environment; 2.4.4.2 Distribution; 2.4.4.3 Significance; 2.4.5 Marshes; 2.4.5.1 Marsh Environment; 2.4.5.2 Types of Marshes; 2.4.5.3 Significance of Marshes; 2.4.6 Agro-ecosystem; 2.4.6.1 Resource Characterization; 2.4.6.2 Farming Systems; 2.5 Conclusion; References; Part II: Status of Natural Resources in the Coastal Ecosystem;
3: Land Resources of the Tropics vis-a-vis the Hinterland; 3.1 Introduction; 3.2 Soil Formation in the Tropics; 3.2.1 Factors of Soil Formation
2: Coastal Ecosystems and Services2.1 Introduction; 2.2 Coastal Ecosystems; 2.2.1 Nature of Coastal Environment; 2.2.2 Recognition of Different Coastal Ecosystems; 2.3 Ecosystem Services; 2.4 Major Coastal Ecosystem Types; 2.4.1 Mangrove Ecosystem; 2.4.1.1 Structure and Composition; 2.4.1.2 Distribution; 2.4.1.3 Significance of Mangrove Ecosystem; 2.4.2 Wetlands (Other Than Mangroves); 2.4.2.1 Wetland Environment; 2.4.2.2 Distribution; 2.4.2.3 Significance of Wetland Ecosystem; 2.4.3 Coral Reef Ecosystem; 2.4.3.1 Ecosystem Components; 2.4.3.2 Coral Reef Environment 3.2.1.1 Climate3.2.1.2 Vegetation; 3.2.1.3 Time; 3.2.1.4 Parent Material; 3.2.1.5 Relief/Topography; 3.2.2 Soil Processes; 3.3 Important Soil Groups of the Tropics; 3.3.1 Laterite Soils; 3.3.1.1 Factors Favouring Laterization; 3.3.1.2 The Process of Formation; 3.3.1.3 Soil Character and Agricultural Suitability; 3.3.2 Alluvial Soils; 3.3.2.1 Processes of Soil Formation; 3.3.2.2 Factors of Alluvial Soil Formation; 3.3.2.3 Soil Character and Agricultural Suitability; 3.3.3 Some Other Tropical and Subtropical Soils; 3.3.3.1 Lowland Tropical Podzols; 3.3.3.2 Organic Soils 3.3.3.3 Tropical Sandy Soils3.4 Land Degradation; 3.4.1 Global Assessment; 3.4.2 Hotspot Areas of Degradation; 3.5 Management of Tropical Soils; 3.5.1 Status of Soil Resources and Management Options; 3.5.2 Sandy Soils; 3.5.3 Waterlogged and Saline Soils; 3.5.4 Acid Sulphate Soils; 3.5.5 Policy Support; 3.6 Conclusion; References;
4: Coastal Floral Diversity and Its Significance; 4.1 Introduction; 4.2 Importance of Coastal Flora; 4.3 Distribution of Coastal Flora; 4.3.1 Biodiversity of Coastal Flora; 4.3.2 Status of Coastal Flora