Ecosystem Functions and Management Theory and Practice
This is the first book to provide vital information on key local ecosystems, their functions, state of health, and their role in development in an Asian context, particularly on the Indian subcontinent. It addresses six major ecosystems on the Indian subc
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Ecosystem Functions and Management Theory and Practice
Ecosystem Functions and Management
Harpinder Sandhu Editor
Ecosystem Functions and Management Theory and Practice
123
Editor Harpinder Sandhu School of the Environment Flinders University Adelaide, SA Australia
ISBN 978-3-319-53966-9 DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-53967-6
ISBN 978-3-319-53967-6
(eBook)
Library of Congress Control Number: 2017931346 © Springer International Publishing AG 2017 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. The publisher, the authors and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. The publisher remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Printed on acid-free paper This Springer imprint is published by Springer Nature The registered company is Springer International Publishing AG The registered company address is: Gewerbestrasse 11, 6330 Cham, Switzerland
Foreword
The idea that biodiversity in our natural ecosystems provides important ecosystem services to humanity, and must, therefore, be protected has been gaining ground in recent decades. Perhaps nowhere else in the world, the critical role the ecosystem services play in the lives of people is more evident than in South Asia. Tens of millions of people, almost all of them from the lowest income strata- of our society, directly rely on natural ecosystems to sustain their livelihoods. Our agricultural production depends upon several ecosystem services such as natural processes that form and maintain soils, ensure continuous flow of water for irrigation, and maintain pollinators, and other beneficial organisms that control pests and diseases. Almost everyone depends on nature to regulate air quality, and to provide aesthetic and spiritual services. Natural systems, above all, provide us options to deal with an uncertain future. We can calculate the economic value of these ecosystem services to justify their protection and sound management, and we have done that. But we all know that nature is priceless. Priceless, as it may be, assaults on nature continue
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