Studies on ecosystem function and dynamics in Indian sub-continent and emerging applications of satellite remote sensing technique

Abstract

The capacity of an ecosystem to sustain a specific function depends on its structural dynamics and interplay of several extrinsic factors with its functional components. The study of mechanisms involved in the dynamics of an ecosystem, and a critical evaluation of these mechanisms are fundamental to address various challenges that the ecosystems are facing today e.g. changing environment and socio-economic forces. In this thematic issue, we present 15 articles, which deal with such diverse functional attributes of an ecosystem as nutrient cycling, hydrology, biomass and carbon. The structural dynamics include forest and land use changes, and changes in fuel wood extraction and diversity patterns. The articles are arranged in three sections viz., Ecosystem Function, Ecosystem Dynamics, and Biomass and Carbon. At least 65% of these articles have used satellite remote sensing technique. We realize that the utilization of satellite remote sensing data has been emerging as a dominant trend in tropical ecological studies in Indian sub-continent.