Author: J. Sundaresan
Publisher: Scientific Publishers
ISBN: 9386237652
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 213
Book Description
Geodynamic process during the rapid growth ofHimalayahas holistic imprints of Climate Change in this region. “Climate Change & Himalayan Informatics” is an account of dedicated contribution for the above imprints. Impact of climate change is examined in this book for the ongoing process of rapid urbanization of the hinterlands ofHimalaya. It consists four sessions and seventeen chapters. Mass balance of glaciers in ChandrabasinofHimalayais presented as a predictive tool for spatially distributed estimates of mass balance of glaciers. An effective tool to identify and locate multiple natural hazards due to climate change inHimalayaespecially landslides and glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) is part of the book. Impacts of climate change on cropping strategies by mountain communities are ascribed in the session “socio-economic perspectives”. Information on ecologically and economically important plant species inHimalayathat have greater tolerance in drought, discussed in this book, is significant in the perspectives of global warming. A specific species is identified as an indicator of climate change forEastern Himalaya. Climatic impacts on different regional eco systems ofHimalayahad implications on ecological, cultural and socio economic process of the region. Multidimensional decision support system is essential for mitigation and adaptation for such implications. Present book consists studies from north to eastern part ofHimalaya. This will be beneficial to researchers, student, managers and administrators associated with Mountain ecosystem and Climate Change.
Climate Change & Himalayan Informatics
Author: J. Sundaresan
Publisher: Scientific Publishers
ISBN: 9386237652
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 213
Book Description
Geodynamic process during the rapid growth ofHimalayahas holistic imprints of Climate Change in this region. “Climate Change & Himalayan Informatics” is an account of dedicated contribution for the above imprints. Impact of climate change is examined in this book for the ongoing process of rapid urbanization of the hinterlands ofHimalaya. It consists four sessions and seventeen chapters. Mass balance of glaciers in ChandrabasinofHimalayais presented as a predictive tool for spatially distributed estimates of mass balance of glaciers. An effective tool to identify and locate multiple natural hazards due to climate change inHimalayaespecially landslides and glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) is part of the book. Impacts of climate change on cropping strategies by mountain communities are ascribed in the session “socio-economic perspectives”. Information on ecologically and economically important plant species inHimalayathat have greater tolerance in drought, discussed in this book, is significant in the perspectives of global warming. A specific species is identified as an indicator of climate change forEastern Himalaya. Climatic impacts on different regional eco systems ofHimalayahad implications on ecological, cultural and socio economic process of the region. Multidimensional decision support system is essential for mitigation and adaptation for such implications. Present book consists studies from north to eastern part ofHimalaya. This will be beneficial to researchers, student, managers and administrators associated with Mountain ecosystem and Climate Change.
Publisher: Scientific Publishers
ISBN: 9386237652
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 213
Book Description
Geodynamic process during the rapid growth ofHimalayahas holistic imprints of Climate Change in this region. “Climate Change & Himalayan Informatics” is an account of dedicated contribution for the above imprints. Impact of climate change is examined in this book for the ongoing process of rapid urbanization of the hinterlands ofHimalaya. It consists four sessions and seventeen chapters. Mass balance of glaciers in ChandrabasinofHimalayais presented as a predictive tool for spatially distributed estimates of mass balance of glaciers. An effective tool to identify and locate multiple natural hazards due to climate change inHimalayaespecially landslides and glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) is part of the book. Impacts of climate change on cropping strategies by mountain communities are ascribed in the session “socio-economic perspectives”. Information on ecologically and economically important plant species inHimalayathat have greater tolerance in drought, discussed in this book, is significant in the perspectives of global warming. A specific species is identified as an indicator of climate change forEastern Himalaya. Climatic impacts on different regional eco systems ofHimalayahad implications on ecological, cultural and socio economic process of the region. Multidimensional decision support system is essential for mitigation and adaptation for such implications. Present book consists studies from north to eastern part ofHimalaya. This will be beneficial to researchers, student, managers and administrators associated with Mountain ecosystem and Climate Change.
Climate Change & Himalayan Informatics
Author: J. Sundaresan
Publisher:
ISBN: 9788172338466
Category : Climatic changes
Languages : en
Pages : 197
Book Description
Geodynamic process during the rapid growth of himalaya has holistic imprints of climate change in this regin. " climate change & himalayan informatics" is an account of dedicated contribution for the above imprints. Impact of climate change is examined in this book for the ongoing process of rapid urbanization of the hinterlands of himalaya. It consists four sessions and seventeen chapters. Mass balance of glaciers in chandra basin of himalaya is presented as a predictive tool for spatially distributed estimates of mass balance of glaciers. An effective tool to identify and locate multiple natural hazards due to climate change in himalaya especially landslides and glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) is part of the book. Impact of climate change on cropping strategies by mountain communities are ascribed in the session "socio-economic perspectives". Information on ecologically and economically important plant species in himalaya that have greater tolerance in drought, discussed in this book, is significant in the perspectives of global warming. A specific species is identified as an indicator of climate change for eastern himalaya. Climatic impacts on different regional eco systems of himalaya had implications on ecological, cultural and socio economic process of the region.Multidimensional decision support system is essential for mitigation an adaptation for such implications. Present book consists studies from north to eastern part of himalaya. This will be beneficial to researchers, student, managers and administrators associated with mountain ecosystem and climate change.
Publisher:
ISBN: 9788172338466
Category : Climatic changes
Languages : en
Pages : 197
Book Description
Geodynamic process during the rapid growth of himalaya has holistic imprints of climate change in this regin. " climate change & himalayan informatics" is an account of dedicated contribution for the above imprints. Impact of climate change is examined in this book for the ongoing process of rapid urbanization of the hinterlands of himalaya. It consists four sessions and seventeen chapters. Mass balance of glaciers in chandra basin of himalaya is presented as a predictive tool for spatially distributed estimates of mass balance of glaciers. An effective tool to identify and locate multiple natural hazards due to climate change in himalaya especially landslides and glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) is part of the book. Impact of climate change on cropping strategies by mountain communities are ascribed in the session "socio-economic perspectives". Information on ecologically and economically important plant species in himalaya that have greater tolerance in drought, discussed in this book, is significant in the perspectives of global warming. A specific species is identified as an indicator of climate change for eastern himalaya. Climatic impacts on different regional eco systems of himalaya had implications on ecological, cultural and socio economic process of the region.Multidimensional decision support system is essential for mitigation an adaptation for such implications. Present book consists studies from north to eastern part of himalaya. This will be beneficial to researchers, student, managers and administrators associated with mountain ecosystem and climate change.
Geospatial Technologies and Climate Change
Author: Janardhanan Sundaresan
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 331901689X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 306
Book Description
Geospatial Technologies and Climate Change describes various approaches from different countries on how to use geospatial technologies to help solving climate change issues. It also details how different geospatial technologies (remote sensing, Geographical Information System...) can be used to help with climate monitoring and modeling, how to work with them and what to be careful about. This book is written by scientific experts from four different continents. Written in a comprehensive and complete way, this book is essential reading material for graduate and undergraduate students interested in these techniques and in climate change.
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 331901689X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 306
Book Description
Geospatial Technologies and Climate Change describes various approaches from different countries on how to use geospatial technologies to help solving climate change issues. It also details how different geospatial technologies (remote sensing, Geographical Information System...) can be used to help with climate monitoring and modeling, how to work with them and what to be careful about. This book is written by scientific experts from four different continents. Written in a comprehensive and complete way, this book is essential reading material for graduate and undergraduate students interested in these techniques and in climate change.
Climate Change and Himalaya: Natural Hazards and Mountain Resources
Author: J. Sundaresan
Publisher: Scientific Publishers
ISBN: 938623730X
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 280
Book Description
The book “Climate Change and Himalaya- Natural hazards and mountain resources” presents the resources of Himalaya along with the potential natural hazards. It consists twenty two chapters from researchers working in different institutions with multi disciplinary approach. More than seven hundred glaciers were monitored and discussed in one of the chapter of this book. This book will be highly useful to researchers, policy makers, students and is an essential document to libraries of universities, colleges, research institutions and personnel collections.
Publisher: Scientific Publishers
ISBN: 938623730X
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 280
Book Description
The book “Climate Change and Himalaya- Natural hazards and mountain resources” presents the resources of Himalaya along with the potential natural hazards. It consists twenty two chapters from researchers working in different institutions with multi disciplinary approach. More than seven hundred glaciers were monitored and discussed in one of the chapter of this book. This book will be highly useful to researchers, policy makers, students and is an essential document to libraries of universities, colleges, research institutions and personnel collections.
Handbook of Himalayan Ecosystems and Sustainability, Volume 1
Author: Bikash Ranjan Parida
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 1000784304
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 397
Book Description
Volume 1: Spatio-Temporal Monitoring of Forests and Climate is aimed to describe the recent progress and developments of geospatial technologies (remote sensing and GIS) for assessing, monitoring and managing fragile Himalayan ecosystems and their sustainability under climate change. It is a collective research contribution from renowned researchers and academicians working in the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) mountain range. The Himalayas ecosystems have been facing substantial transformation due to severe environmental conditions, land transformation, forest degradation and fragmentation. The authors utilized satellite datasets and algorithms to discuss the intricacy of land use/land cover change, forest and agricultural ecosystems, canopy height estimation, above-ground biomass, wildfires, carbon sequestration, and landscape restoration. Furthermore, the potential impacts of climate change on ecosystems, biodiversity and future food and nutritional security are also addressed including the impact on the livelihood of people of the Himalayas. This comprehensive Handbook explains the advanced geospatial technologies for mapping and management of natural resources of the Himalayas. Key Features Explains multiple aspects of geospatial technologies for studying fragile Himalayan ecosystems and sustainability Focuses on the utility of interferometric synthetic aperture radar (SAR) modeling for canopy height Explain how remote sensing techniques are useful for deriving the above-ground biomass, gross primary productivity (GPP), and carbon fluxes Addresses how geospatial technologies are valuable for understanding vegetation dynamics, composition and landscape restoration due to shifts in timberline and forest fires Includes contributions from global professionals working in the HKH mountain range Readership The Handbook serves as a valuable reference for students, researchers, scientists, ecologists, agricultural scientists, meteorologists, decision makers and all others who wish to advance their knowledge on vegetation remote sensing considering climate change in the HKH region.
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 1000784304
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 397
Book Description
Volume 1: Spatio-Temporal Monitoring of Forests and Climate is aimed to describe the recent progress and developments of geospatial technologies (remote sensing and GIS) for assessing, monitoring and managing fragile Himalayan ecosystems and their sustainability under climate change. It is a collective research contribution from renowned researchers and academicians working in the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) mountain range. The Himalayas ecosystems have been facing substantial transformation due to severe environmental conditions, land transformation, forest degradation and fragmentation. The authors utilized satellite datasets and algorithms to discuss the intricacy of land use/land cover change, forest and agricultural ecosystems, canopy height estimation, above-ground biomass, wildfires, carbon sequestration, and landscape restoration. Furthermore, the potential impacts of climate change on ecosystems, biodiversity and future food and nutritional security are also addressed including the impact on the livelihood of people of the Himalayas. This comprehensive Handbook explains the advanced geospatial technologies for mapping and management of natural resources of the Himalayas. Key Features Explains multiple aspects of geospatial technologies for studying fragile Himalayan ecosystems and sustainability Focuses on the utility of interferometric synthetic aperture radar (SAR) modeling for canopy height Explain how remote sensing techniques are useful for deriving the above-ground biomass, gross primary productivity (GPP), and carbon fluxes Addresses how geospatial technologies are valuable for understanding vegetation dynamics, composition and landscape restoration due to shifts in timberline and forest fires Includes contributions from global professionals working in the HKH mountain range Readership The Handbook serves as a valuable reference for students, researchers, scientists, ecologists, agricultural scientists, meteorologists, decision makers and all others who wish to advance their knowledge on vegetation remote sensing considering climate change in the HKH region.
The Hindu Kush Himalaya Assessment
Author: Philippus Wester
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3319922882
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 638
Book Description
This open access volume is the first comprehensive assessment of the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region. It comprises important scientific research on the social, economic, and environmental pillars of sustainable mountain development and will serve as a basis for evidence-based decision-making to safeguard the environment and advance people’s well-being. The compiled content is based on the collective knowledge of over 300 leading researchers, experts and policymakers, brought together by the Hindu Kush Himalayan Monitoring and Assessment Programme (HIMAP) under the coordination of the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD). This assessment was conducted between 2013 and 2017 as the first of a series of monitoring and assessment reports, under the guidance of the HIMAP Steering Committee: Eklabya Sharma (ICIMOD), Atiq Raman (Bangladesh), Yuba Raj Khatiwada (Nepal), Linxiu Zhang (China), Surendra Pratap Singh (India), Tandong Yao (China) and David Molden (ICIMOD and Chair of the HIMAP SC). This First HKH Assessment Report consists of 16 chapters, which comprehensively assess the current state of knowledge of the HKH region, increase the understanding of various drivers of change and their impacts, address critical data gaps and develop a set of evidence-based and actionable policy solutions and recommendations. These are linked to nine mountain priorities for the mountains and people of the HKH consistent with the Sustainable Development Goals. This book is a must-read for policy makers, academics and students interested in this important region and an essentially important resource for contributors to global assessments such as the IPCC reports.
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3319922882
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 638
Book Description
This open access volume is the first comprehensive assessment of the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region. It comprises important scientific research on the social, economic, and environmental pillars of sustainable mountain development and will serve as a basis for evidence-based decision-making to safeguard the environment and advance people’s well-being. The compiled content is based on the collective knowledge of over 300 leading researchers, experts and policymakers, brought together by the Hindu Kush Himalayan Monitoring and Assessment Programme (HIMAP) under the coordination of the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD). This assessment was conducted between 2013 and 2017 as the first of a series of monitoring and assessment reports, under the guidance of the HIMAP Steering Committee: Eklabya Sharma (ICIMOD), Atiq Raman (Bangladesh), Yuba Raj Khatiwada (Nepal), Linxiu Zhang (China), Surendra Pratap Singh (India), Tandong Yao (China) and David Molden (ICIMOD and Chair of the HIMAP SC). This First HKH Assessment Report consists of 16 chapters, which comprehensively assess the current state of knowledge of the HKH region, increase the understanding of various drivers of change and their impacts, address critical data gaps and develop a set of evidence-based and actionable policy solutions and recommendations. These are linked to nine mountain priorities for the mountains and people of the HKH consistent with the Sustainable Development Goals. This book is a must-read for policy makers, academics and students interested in this important region and an essentially important resource for contributors to global assessments such as the IPCC reports.
Climate Change Adaptation, Risk Management and Sustainable Practices in the Himalaya
Author: Sanjeev Sharma
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 3031246594
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 421
Book Description
This volume analyzes ecological and socio-economic risks due to climate change in the Himalayan mountain ecosystems, communities, and proposes adaptation strategies and sustainability practices. In order to better understand the potential actions required to improve natural resource conservation and the development of mountain people's livelihoods. The authors discuss the current status of local knowledge system on various environmental aspects of conservation and sustainable use of mountain resources in the Himalaya. The book addresses the institutional capacities, gaps, and priority areas of capacity building to strengthen policies and governance in regard to climate change, landuse management, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable management in the Himalayan region. The aim of this book is to enhance coordination building among policymakers, planners, mountain communities to foster collaboration between different stakeholders by understanding local perceptions of climate change as well as variability issues, and establishing adaptation strategies to cope with these impacts. The chapters incorporate theoretical and applied aspects, and may serve as baseline information for the sustainability of mountain ecosystems through the contribution of multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary expertise from the Himalayan region. The book will be useful for students, teachers, and researchers working in different areas pertaining to mountain ecosystems, as well as policymakers and planners working on issues related to the sustainability of the mountain ecosystem.
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 3031246594
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 421
Book Description
This volume analyzes ecological and socio-economic risks due to climate change in the Himalayan mountain ecosystems, communities, and proposes adaptation strategies and sustainability practices. In order to better understand the potential actions required to improve natural resource conservation and the development of mountain people's livelihoods. The authors discuss the current status of local knowledge system on various environmental aspects of conservation and sustainable use of mountain resources in the Himalaya. The book addresses the institutional capacities, gaps, and priority areas of capacity building to strengthen policies and governance in regard to climate change, landuse management, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable management in the Himalayan region. The aim of this book is to enhance coordination building among policymakers, planners, mountain communities to foster collaboration between different stakeholders by understanding local perceptions of climate change as well as variability issues, and establishing adaptation strategies to cope with these impacts. The chapters incorporate theoretical and applied aspects, and may serve as baseline information for the sustainability of mountain ecosystems through the contribution of multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary expertise from the Himalayan region. The book will be useful for students, teachers, and researchers working in different areas pertaining to mountain ecosystems, as well as policymakers and planners working on issues related to the sustainability of the mountain ecosystem.
Biodiversity Hotspot of the Himalaya
Author: T. Pullaiah
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 1000988481
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 539
Book Description
Biodiversity is declining at an alarming rate due to anthropogenic activities around the world. This book is the second volume in the new series Biodiversity Hotspots of the World, which highlights the 36 hotspot regions of the world, regions that have been designated as reaping maximum benefit from preservation efforts. This series is our humble attempt to document these hotspots as a conservation and preservation measure. The concise volumes in this series focus on the most interesting and important properties of these hotspots, covering physiography and climatology; vegetation and forest types; amphibian and reptile biodiversity; genetic diversity of crops, plants, fishes, butterflies, insects, birds, mammals, angiosperms, and gymnosperms; and much more. And of course, the unique threats and conservation efforts for the areas are addressed as well. The Himalayan Mountains are the highest mountain range in the world and include Mount Everest as well as eight other highest peaks of the world. While it is difficult to document the biodiversity of this inhospitable terrain, we do know that out of the 9,000 different species of plants recorded in the area, 3,500 plants are endemic to the Eastern Himalaya region. Anthropogenic activities including deforestation, fragmentation of habitats, pollution, high population, climate change, and poaching of wildlife pose serious threats to the biodiversity of the region. The highlands have exceptionally rich biodiversity, high endemism, and over 160 globally threatened species, including the densest population of Bengal tigers and the three largest herbivores on the continent: the Asian elephant, greater one-horned rhinoceros, and wild water buffalo. The region boasts the world’s richest counts of alpine flora within its temperate broad-leaved forests, with a total of 10,000 species of plants. This volume, Biodiversity Hotspot of the Himalayas, as well as the other volumes in this series, will be essential resources for researchers and practitioners in the fields of conservation biology, ecology, and evolution as the series concisely records the existing biodiversity of these hotspots of the world.
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 1000988481
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 539
Book Description
Biodiversity is declining at an alarming rate due to anthropogenic activities around the world. This book is the second volume in the new series Biodiversity Hotspots of the World, which highlights the 36 hotspot regions of the world, regions that have been designated as reaping maximum benefit from preservation efforts. This series is our humble attempt to document these hotspots as a conservation and preservation measure. The concise volumes in this series focus on the most interesting and important properties of these hotspots, covering physiography and climatology; vegetation and forest types; amphibian and reptile biodiversity; genetic diversity of crops, plants, fishes, butterflies, insects, birds, mammals, angiosperms, and gymnosperms; and much more. And of course, the unique threats and conservation efforts for the areas are addressed as well. The Himalayan Mountains are the highest mountain range in the world and include Mount Everest as well as eight other highest peaks of the world. While it is difficult to document the biodiversity of this inhospitable terrain, we do know that out of the 9,000 different species of plants recorded in the area, 3,500 plants are endemic to the Eastern Himalaya region. Anthropogenic activities including deforestation, fragmentation of habitats, pollution, high population, climate change, and poaching of wildlife pose serious threats to the biodiversity of the region. The highlands have exceptionally rich biodiversity, high endemism, and over 160 globally threatened species, including the densest population of Bengal tigers and the three largest herbivores on the continent: the Asian elephant, greater one-horned rhinoceros, and wild water buffalo. The region boasts the world’s richest counts of alpine flora within its temperate broad-leaved forests, with a total of 10,000 species of plants. This volume, Biodiversity Hotspot of the Himalayas, as well as the other volumes in this series, will be essential resources for researchers and practitioners in the fields of conservation biology, ecology, and evolution as the series concisely records the existing biodiversity of these hotspots of the world.
Climate, Agriculture and Man Shrinking Biodiversity and Sustainability
Author: V.K. Sehgal
Publisher: Scientific Publishers
ISBN: 9387991547
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 170
Book Description
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.
Publisher: Scientific Publishers
ISBN: 9387991547
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 170
Book Description
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.
Tropical Ecosystems: Structure, Functions and Challenges in the Face of Global Change
Author: Satish Chandra Garkoti
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 9811382492
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 322
Book Description
The book brings together research topics having a broad focus on human and climate change impacts on the terrestrial ecosystems in the tropics in general and more specifically from the most significant and vulnerable Himalayan ecosystem. A total of 16 contributions included in the book cover a diverse range of global change themes such as the impacts of changing temperature and precipitation on soil ecosystems, forest degradation, extent and impacts of invasive species, plant responses to pollution, climate change impacts on biodiversity and tree phenology, environmental changes associated with land use, importance of traditional knowledge in climate change adaptation, timberline ecosystems, and role of integrated landscape modeling for sustainable management of natural resources. The book is a collective endeavour of an international multidisciplinary group of scientists focused on improving our understanding of the impacts of global change on the structure and functioning of tropical ecosystems and addressing the challenges of their future sustainable management. We hope that the book will help researchers working in the areas of ecology and environmental science to update their knowledge. We also expect that natural resource managers and policy planners will find explanations for some of their observations and hypotheses on multiple global change factors impacting tropical ecosystems and especially Himalayan ecosystems.
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 9811382492
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 322
Book Description
The book brings together research topics having a broad focus on human and climate change impacts on the terrestrial ecosystems in the tropics in general and more specifically from the most significant and vulnerable Himalayan ecosystem. A total of 16 contributions included in the book cover a diverse range of global change themes such as the impacts of changing temperature and precipitation on soil ecosystems, forest degradation, extent and impacts of invasive species, plant responses to pollution, climate change impacts on biodiversity and tree phenology, environmental changes associated with land use, importance of traditional knowledge in climate change adaptation, timberline ecosystems, and role of integrated landscape modeling for sustainable management of natural resources. The book is a collective endeavour of an international multidisciplinary group of scientists focused on improving our understanding of the impacts of global change on the structure and functioning of tropical ecosystems and addressing the challenges of their future sustainable management. We hope that the book will help researchers working in the areas of ecology and environmental science to update their knowledge. We also expect that natural resource managers and policy planners will find explanations for some of their observations and hypotheses on multiple global change factors impacting tropical ecosystems and especially Himalayan ecosystems.