Climate Change and Ecosystems: Challenges to Sustainable Development

✍ Scribed by Shah Fahad, Muhammad Adnan, Shah Saud, Lixiao Nie

• Publisher: CRC Press
• Year: 2022
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 279
• Series: Footprints of Climate Variability on Plant Diversity
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

The global population is projected to increase by 3.3 billion from 6.7 billion in 2008 to 10 billion in 2100. As a result, soil degradation and desertification are growing due to the increasing demand for food, feed, fiber, and fuel on finite soil resources. The problem of global food insecurity may be further worsened by the threat of global warming. Climate change is showing its impacts in terms of increasing temperatures, variable rainfall, and an increase in climate-related extremes such as floods, droughts, cyclones, sea-level rise, salinity, and soil erosion. The agriculture sector is the most sensitive to climate change because the climate of a region/country determines the nature and characteristics of vegetation and crops. Increase in the mean seasonal temperature and decrease in effective precipitation can reduce the duration of many crops, may lead to outbreaks of pests and diseases, and hence reduce final yield ultimately affecting the food security of the country. Despite the positive impact of CO2 fertilization, the net productivity may decrease because of an increase in respiration rate, drought stress, and nutrient deficiency. For example, for every 75 ppm increase in CO2 concentration, rice yields will increase by 0.5 t/ha, but the yield will decrease by 0.6 t/ha for every 1°C increase in temperature. The global agricultural productivity is expected to decrease from 3% to 16% by 2080. The estimated decrease in agricultural productivity in the developing countries is 10%–25% in the 2080s, where average air temperature is already near or above crop tolerance levels. This book is intended to serve as a stimulating collection that will contribute to debate and reflection on the sustainable future of agriculture and food production in the face of global change.

Features:

• This book brings together a multidimensional group of international scholars exploring the ethical dimensions of climate change and ecosystem.

• New strategies have been pointed out in this book for better sustainable development.

• This book has been designed to provide a good overview of major challenges facing policymakers, researchers, and ultimately humankind in dealing with climate change.

• This book summarizes the diverse features of vulnerability, adaptation, and amelioration of climate change in respect to plants, crops, soil, and microbes for the sustainability of the agricultural sector, and, ultimately, food security for the future.

• This book provides a state-of-the-art description of the physiological, biochemical, and molecular status of the understanding of abiotic stress in plants.

✦ Table of Contents

Cover
Half Title
Series Page
Title Page
Copyright Page
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Editors
Contributors
1. Microbial Flora of Marble Waste-Polluted Environment in the Phylogenetic Perspectives
1.1 Introduction
1.1.1 Isolation and Characterization of Microbes
1.1.2 Marble Waste-Polluted System
1.1.3 Introduction to Study Area
1.1.4 Justification
1.2 Materials and Methods
1.2.1 Collection of Samples
1.2.2 Isolation, Morphological and Microscopic Identification of Fungal Flora
1.2.2.1 Molecular and Phylogenetic Analyses
1.2.3 Isolation, Morphological and Microscopic Identification of Bacterial Flora
1.3 Results
1.3.1 Characterization and Phylogenetic Studies of Fungal Flora
1.3.1.1 Phylogenetic Analysis of the Selected Microfungi
1.3.2 Characterization of Bacterial Strains
1.3.2.1 Gram Staining Microscopic Characterization
1.3.2.2 Biochemical Characteristics
1.4 Discussion
1.5 Conclusion
Acknowledgments
References
2. Interaction of Environment and Entomology
2.1 Introduction
2.1.1 Interactions between Environment and Species
2.2 Insects as Important Component of Environment
2.2.1 Ecological Importance
2.3 Aquatic Insects, Distribution and Salinity Tolerance
2.3.1 Arctic Insects and Their Environment
2.3.2 Responses of Insects to Low Temperature
2.4 Insects’ Role in Ecosystem
2.4.1 Shelter-Building Insects
2.4.2 Gall Farmers
2.4.3 Leaf Miners
2.4.4 Leaf Tents
2.4.5 Leaf Rollers and Leaf Tiers
2.5 Effects of Insects on Ecosystem Functioning
2.5.1 Insects’ Role in Carbon Cycle
2.5.2 Insects’ Role in Nitrogen Cycle
2.6 Conclusion
References
3. Climate Change, Insects and Global Food Production
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Climate Change in Current Scenario
3.3 Role of Insects in Agriculture
3.4 Climate Change and Global Food Production
3.5 Effects of Climate Change on Insects Biodiversity
3.6 Effects of Climate Change on Distribution of Insects
3.7 Effects of Climate Change on Population and the Number of Generations of Insects
3.8 Conclusion and Recommendations
References
4. Extreme High Temperature and Plant Life
4.1 Introduction
4.1.1 Effects of High Temperature on Plants
4.1.1.1 Germination
4.1.1.2 Growth
4.1.1.3 Photosynthesis and Gaseous Exchange
4.1.1.4 Reproductive Development
4.1.1.5 Yield
4.1.1.6 Oxidative Stress
4.2 Plants Adaptation to High-Temperature Stress
4.2.1 Avoidance Mechanisms
4.2.2 Tolerance Mechanisms
4.3 Summary and Conclusion
References
5. Molecular and Physiological Mechanism of Native Plants to Combat Drought Stress under Changing Climatic Conditions
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Drought
5.3 Drought Resistance Mechanisms
5.4 Water Shortage and Possible Solutions for Green Sector
5.5 Native Plants and Landscaping
5.6 Public Interest for Native Plants in Landscaping
5.7 Promotion of Native Plants Market
5.8 Recommendation for Future Research
References
6. Climate Change-Oriented Elevation of Carbon Dioxide: Implications on Plant Physiology and Global Food Security
6.1 An Introduction to Climate Change and Elevated Carbon Dioxide: Past, Present and Future
6.2 Why Carbon Dioxide Got More Consideration?
6.3 Impacts of Climate Change
6.3.1 Climate Change Is Responsible in Driving Global Hunger
6.3.2 Climate, Weather and Crops
6.3.3 Climate Change’s Pervasive Influence
6.4 Adapting New Changes to Combat Climate Change
6.5 Ecosystem Controls on Carbon Sequestering
6.5.1 Plant Community Interactions under Elevated CO[sub(2)]
6.5.2 Differences among Plant Functional Types in Response to Elevated CO[sub(2)]
6.6 Overall Effects of Elevated CO[sub(2)] on Agricultural Crops and Plants
6.6.1 Short- and Long-Term Exposure
6.6.2 Impact of Elevated CO[sub(2)] on Gaseous Exchange Mechanism
6.6.3 Impact of Elevated CO[sub(2)] on Different Agricultural Crops to Cope Different Stresses by Altering Metabolic Pathway
6.6.4 Impact of Elevated CO[sub(2)] on Other Trees and Fruits
6.7 Conclusion
6.8 Future Prospective
References
7. Effect of Environmental Pollution on Plant Growth
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Deleterious Effects of Air Pollution on Plants
7.2.1 Leaf Morphology of Plants and Air Pollution
7.2.2 Pigments Content and Air Pollution
7.2.3 Leaf Structure and Air Pollution
7.2.4 Flowering and Air Pollution
7.2.5 Root Damage and Air Pollution
7.2.6 Stomata Damage and Air Pollution
7.2.7 Plant Sugar and Air Pollution
7.2.8 Proline and Air Pollution
7.3 Conclusion
References
8. Phyto-Ecological Studies of Genus Phoenix (Linn.) (Date Palms) from Various Zones
of Pakistan
8.1 Introduction
8.1.1 Historical Background
8.1.2 Taxonomic Detail of Genus Phoenix
8.1.2.1 Genus Phoenix
8.1.2.2 Leaves
8.1.2.3 Inflorescence
8.1.2.4 Fruit
8.1.3 Study Area Pakistan
8.1.3.1 Geography and Climate
8.1.3.2 Geology of Pakistan
8.1.4 Date Palm and Monsoon
8.1.5 Temperature Requirements of Date Palm
8.1.6 Dates City, Khairpur
8.1.7 Pollination in Date Palm
8.2 Conclusion
References
9. Soil Biodiversity in Changing Climate
9.1 Introduction
9.2 Climate Change Effects on Soil Properties
9.2.1 Physical Properties
9.2.1.1 Soil Temperature
9.2.1.2 Soil Water
9.2.1.3 Soil Structure
9.2.1.4 Bulk Density
9.2.2 Chemical Properties
9.2.2.1 Soil pH
9.2.2.2 Electrical Conductivity
9.2.2.3 Cation-Exchange Capacity
9.2.3 Biological Properties
9.3.3.1 Soil Organic Matter
9.2.3.2 Soil Carbon
9.2.3.3 Soil Microbial Biomass
9.2.3.4 Enzyme Activities
9.3 Climate Change Effects on Soil Biodiversity
9.3.1 Effect of Changes in Soil Temperature on Soil Biodiversity
9.3.2 Effect of Changes in CO[sub(2)] on Soil Biodiversity
9.4 Conclusion
References
10. Biochar Magic against Abiotic Stresses
10.1 Introduction
10.1.1 What Is “Biochar”?
10.1.2 Biochar Systems Technology: New Contribution to Safe Environment
10.2 Biochar for Sustainable Crop Growth, Soil Management and Yield Development in Agriculture
10.2.1 Introduction
10.2.2 Biochar Soil Amendment Significance to Farmers and Ranchers
10.2.3 Biochar as an Economic Potential Tool in Agriculture
10.3 Various Abiotic Stresses Threaten Crop Production
10.3.1 Salinity Stress “Impacts on Plant Growth and Development”
10.3.2 Water Stress
10.3.2.1 Drought Stress
10.3.2.2 Flooding Stress
10.3.3 Temperature Stress
10.3.3.1 Heat Stress
10.3.3.2 Cold Stress
10.3.4 Heavy Metal Stress
10.3.5 Mineral Nutrition Imbalance and Constraints to Plant Growth
References
11. Biomolecular Intervention in Understanding Plant’s Adaptation to Climate Change
11.1 Introduction
11.2 GMOs and Climate Change
11.3 Heat Tolerance and Transgenics
11.3.1 Molecular Chaperone
11.3.2 Osmolytes Regulation
11.3.3 Antioxidation and Detoxification Pathways
11.3.4 Membrane and Other Metabolic Processes
11.3.5 Transcriptional Factors (TFs)
11.3.6 Signaling Components
11.4 Conclusion
References
12. Halophytes Diversity as an Indicator to Saline Environment in Pakistan
12.1 Halophytes
12.2 Diversity of Halophytes at Global Perspectives
12.3 Diversity of Halophytes in Pakistan
12.4 Diversity of Halophytes in Punjab
12.5 Systematic Exploration of Halophytes
12.6 Halophytes as an Indicator of Saline Environment
12.7 Saline Soil
References
13. Bacterial Contamination in Food Chain: Sources, Impact and Control
13.1 Introduction
13.1.1 Food Contamination: A Major Future Challenge
13.2 Biofilm Formation in Food Processes
13.2.1 Bacterial Cell Surface
13.2.2 Flagella
13.2.3 Surface Appendages
13.2.4 Outer Layer Polysaccharides
13.3 Bacteria Involved in Food Contamination
13.3.1 Salmonella
13.3.2 Staphylococcus aureus
13.3.3 Bacillus cereus
13.3.4 Clostridium botulinum
13.3.5 Clostridium perfringens
13.3.6 Escherichia coli
13.4 Conclusion
References
14. Molecular and Ecological Mechanisms of Grasshopper Food Selection and Habitat Adaptation
14.1 Introduction
14.2 Grasshopper Food Preference and Selection
14.3 Effects of Plant Community on the Performance of Grasshopper
14.4 Effects of Plant Communities on Grasshopper Community Structure
14.5 Habitat Selection and Habitat Adaptation of Grassland Grasshoppers
14.6 Molecular and Ecological Basis of Habitat Adaptation
14.7 Conclusions
References
15. Climate Change: A Global Perspective
15.1 Introduction
15.2 Climate Change and Health Problems
15.3 Climate Change and Water Security
15.4 Conclusion
References
16. Pollinators Ecology and Management
16.1 Introduction
16.2 Plant Dependence on Animal Pollinators for Seed Production
16.2.1 Biology of Reproduction, Breeding Systems and Evolutionary Trends in Plants
16.2.2 Theory in Angiosperms, Reproductive Structure of Their Populations and Pollinators’ Behavior
16.3 Ecological Reliance of Pollinators on Plant Food Resources
16.4 Impact of Landscape Fragmentation on Pollinators
16.5 Changes in Abundance and Diversity of Pollinators
16.6 Changes in Pollinator Behavior
16.7 Pollinator Sensitivity to Fragmentation
References
Index