Faunal Ecology and Conservation of the Great Indian Desert, Softcover reprint of hardcover 1st ed. 2009

The Great Indian or Thar Desert is characterized by extremely harsh climatic conditions. Nevertheless, this unique region, consisting of very different habitats ranging from grassland, sand dunes and rocky expanses to hilly wooded terrains, but also crop fields and abandoned human habitations, features a spectacular biodiversity. In 16 chapters, reputed experts in their fields describe the regional climate and microclimatic regime of this hot, arid desert, and its diverse faunal inhabitants. These range from dung beetles, ants and spiders to lizards and snakes, vultures, doves and other birds, bats, gerbils and mice, and mammals including the gazelle and langur, some appearing in the IUCN Red List of threatened species. Key aspects of the ecology and conservation of this endangered ecosystem are discussed, notably pest control and the protective role of local religious communities, as well as the impacts of large-scale irrigation schemes, changing land-use patterns and climate change.

The Thar of Rajasthan (India): Ecology and Conservation of a Desert Ecosystem.- Climate and Microclimate Changes Influencing the Fauna of the Hot Indian Arid Zone.- Dung Beetles.- Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of the Thar Desert of Rajasthan and Gujarat.- Spiders in the Desert National Park.- Species Richness and Dominance of Reptiles in the Aravalli Foothills of Rajasthan.- Present Status of Vultures in the Great Indian Thar Desert.- Structure of an Arid Tropical Bird Community, Rajasthan.- Changing Avian Diversity in Jodhpur, Western Rajasthan.- Avifaunal Diversity in the IGNP Canal Area, Rajasthan, India.- Impact Assessment of the Indira Gandhi Canal on the Avifauna of the Thar Desert.- Eco-Status of Chiropteran Fauna in and Around Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Bikaner in the Great Indian Desert.- Eco-Biodiversity of Rodent Fauna of the Thar Desert.- Primates in the Thar Desert.- Status of the Indian Gazelle (Gazella bennettii Sykes, 1831) in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan, India.- Revival Prospects of Larger Mammals in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan.

Provides novel information on various aspects of desert faunal ecology and conservation in the Great Indian Desert, with implications for similar ecosystems worldwide A significant contribution to the conservation of this unique ecosystem Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras