Desert Ecosystems

The book deals with ecosystems of Hot, Cold and Coastal deserts; their present status and emerging challenges in the context of economic development and climate change issues. The book characterises the Thar desert, which is influenced by Southwest Monsoon as well as mid latitudinal westerly weather systems and is facing rapid changes in agricultural land use resulting in land degradation. It further describes the mechanisms and pathways for sustainable farming and conserving the ecosystem in the drylands to achieve sustainable farm production in rainfed ecosystem. It advocates revival of desert bioresources through science-based management of desert biodiversity and its water resources along with traditional knowledge systems. The challenges and opportunities for livelihoods and environmental security in Desert Ecosystems are also discussed. It envisions and maps the ecological concepts on to the landscape of rural economy keeping in view the resilience of agro­pastoral system. The Himalayan cold desert agroecosystems and understanding the fundamentals behind its uncertain future along with details on climate change process in the Himalayan Cold Desert and farmers’ adaptation strategies are captured by the professionals who devoted life time in mountain areas. While discussing climate change the focus is also on degrading land resources and their sustainability through subsistence agriculture in cold arid region. The book also deals with the so far neglected area i.e., management of Desert Ecosystems in Coastal regions. Overall, the book contains useful scientific information for professionals as well as students and also provides good guidance material for policy makers to address the emerging challenges in the hot, cold and coastal desert ecosystems for planning sustainable development and ensuring food, water and livelihood security to the population residing in these areas.