Wetlands Ecology: Eco-biological uniqueness of a Ramsar site (East Kolkata Wetlands, India)

This book discusses current knowledge and challenges with the ecological
management and conservation of wetlands, with a focus on the East
Kolkata Wetlands of India. This area is referred to as a Ramsar Site, a
designation given to areas with special protection statuses, since it is
the largest natural waste recycling system in the world. The site faces
many threats to its biodiversity and ecosystem functioning due to
anthropogenic activity in the region, and therefore an assessment of the
ecosystem services, bio-ecological uniqueness, and issues stemming from
climate change and human impacts is needed to develop protection
strategies for the future ecological functioning and sustainability of
the wetlands. The authors use GIS and remote sensing techniques to
assess and monitor harmful industrial and environmental impacts on the
wetlands, and to inform mitigation and conservation strategies in the
face of ongoing threats such as pollution, habitat destruction and
bioinvasion. The book also highlights various social and economic
aspects tied to the functioning and management of the wetlands, along
with ecological, biological, and physio-chemical considerations. The
study will be of use to students and researchers in aquatic ecology,
biodiversity, and environmental sustainability and conservation, as well
as to environmental planners, engineers, and policymakers.