About Book

Biodiversity is the variety of different types of life found on the Earth and the variations within species. It is a measure of the variety of organisms present in different ecosystems. This can refer to genetic variation, ecosystem variation, or species variation within an area, biome, or planet. The number and variety of plants, animals and other organisms that exist is known as biodiversity. It is an essential component of nature and it ensures the survival of human species by providing food, fuel, shelter, medicines and other resources to mankind. The richness of biodiversity depends on the climatic conditions and area of the region. Biodiversity conservation is an urgent environmental issue that must be specially attended. It is as critical to humans as it is to the other life forms on earth. Biodiversity is important everywhere; species and habitats in area as well as those in distant lands all play a role in maintaining healthy ecosystems. This book aims to shed light on some of the unexplored aspects of biodiversity. It provides comprehensive insights into the field of biodiversity. It attempts to understand the multiple branches that fall under this discipline and how such concepts have practical applications. It deals with evolution, coastal lagoons, biodiversity drifts, species distribution, bacterial biodiversity, ecosystem functioning, conservation status, freshwater invertebrates, problems and perspectives. It delivers a global perspective on environmental issues while demonstrating the concept which encompasses the many forms of life on earth and their interdependence on one another for survival. The book aims to serve as a resource guide for students and contribute to the growth of the discipline.

Preface............................................................................................................v

Chapter 1 Biodiversity in Metal-Contaminated Sites – Problem and Perspective – A Case Study............................................................................................1

1. Introduction............................................................................................1

2. Case study – Multidisciplinary investigations on biodiversity

into a sulphide-rich waste-rock dump.............................................5

3. Future perspectives – How to apply what we have learned....15

Acknowledgements.............................................................................16

Chapter 2 Biodiversity and Conservation of Temporary Ponds — Assessment of the Conservation Status of “Veiga de Ponteliñares”, NW Spain (Natura 2000 Network), Using Freshwater Invertebrates................25

1. Introduction..........................................................................................25

2. Definition and characteristics of temporary ponds......................26

3. Biodiversity of temporary ponds.....................................................28

4. Threats...................................................................................................30

5. Case study............................................................................................31

Acknowledgements.............................................................................50

Chapter 3 Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning: a Conceptual Model of Leaf Litter Decomposition......................................................................58

1. Introduction..........................................................................................58

2. A brief history of studies on biodiversity and ecosystem

functioning — BEF.............................................................................58

3. Biodiversity in studies of BEF..........................................................60

4. The process model — Litter decomposition..................................65

5. Effect of the edaphic biota on decomposition — Top-down/

bottom-up control...............................................................................69

6. Conclusions and perspectives...........................................................71

Acknowledgements.............................................................................73

Chapter 4 Bacterial Biodiversity in Midguts of Anopheles Mosquitoes,

Malaria Vectors in Southeast Asia.......................................................80

1. Introduction..........................................................................................80

2. Material and methods........................................................................87

3. Results...................................................................................................91

4. Discussion...........................................................................................102

5. Conclusion..........................................................................................105

Acknowledgements...........................................................................105

Chapter 5 Biodiversity and Conservation Status of a Beech (Fagus sylvatica)

Habitat at the Southern Edge of Species´ Distribution................114

1. Introduction........................................................................................114

2. ObjeCtives...........................................................................................115

3. Methodology......................................................................................116

4. Case study..........................................................................................124

5. Results for the conservation status assessment..........................129

6. Discussion...........................................................................................134

7. Conclusions........................................................................................135

8. Acknowledgement............................................................................135

Chapter 6 Biodiversity Drifts in Agricultural Landscapes .............................138

1. Introduction........................................................................................138

2. Agriculture intensification and Agri-environmental schemes.141

3. Landscape composition....................................................................143

4. Meta-analysis on different taxa......................................................144

5. Final remarks.....................................................................................149

6. Acknowledgments.............................................................................150

Chapter 7 Biodiversity and Conservation of Coastal Lagoons.......................160

1. Introduction........................................................................................160

2. Definition and characteristics of coastal lagoons ......................162

3. Biodiversity of coastal lagoons .....................................................164

4. Hazards and conservation management ....................................166

5. Case study ........................................................................................167

6. Discussion .........................................................................................181

Chapter 8 Biodiversity and Evolution in the Vanilla Genus..........................196

1. Introduction........................................................................................196

2. Biogeography, taxonomy and phylogeny ...................................196

3. Vanilla biodiversity in the wild ....................................................200

4. Vanilla biodiversity in cultivated conditions .............................211

5. Vanilla genome dynamics...............................................................218

6. Conclusion..........................................................................................221

Citation......................................................................................................231

Index...........................................................................................................233

About Author

Penelope Emma is a Guest Lecturer to various universities across Europe. She pursued her Ph.D. in Environmental Planning and Management from Public Research University, Bolton. Her academic interests lie in biodiversity measurement, ecological effects of biodiversity and biodiversity hotspot. She has authored edited a number of academic periodicals, Journal papers, articles and books in the field of biological diversity, conservation biology and species conservation. Emma has travelled and lectured extensively throughout Europe and America; primarily for higher education.