eChapters

This chapter introduces tree improvement approaches aimed at developing forest species with enhanced resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. It examines the challenges posed by climate change and discusses conventional and modern tree breeding techniques. The chapter further explores climate-smart tree improvement, resistance to pests and diseases, and tolerance to environmental stresses such as drought, heat, salinity, and other changing climatic conditions. By integrating breeding strategies with modern technologies and climate-resilience objectives, the chapter emphasizes the development of improved forest trees capable of maintaining growth, productivity, survival, and ecosystem functions under changing environmental conditions.

This chapter introduces continuous cover forestry as an approach to managing forest ecosystems while maintaining relatively continuous canopy cover and ecological processes. It examines the concept and evolution of continuous cover forestry, its ecological foundations, and advanced silvicultural practices. The chapter considers its ecological, economic, and social benefits and discusses its relevance to climate change adaptation and sustainable forest management. Comparative perspectives with conventional forestry, global case studies, challenges, limitations, and future prospects are also addressed. The approach emphasizes maintaining forest structure, regeneration, biodiversity, and ecosystem functions while allowing appropriate harvesting and resource utilization.

This chapter introduces the scientific principles underlying the structure, properties, processing, preservation, and utilization of wood. It examines the anatomical organization and chemical composition of wood and explains relationships between structure and important physical and mechanical properties. The chapter also discusses moisture interaction, dimensional behaviour, mechanical performance, durability, seasoning, preservation, and wood-processing technologies. Engineered wood products and modern approaches to wood utilization are considered as important components of forest-product development. Together, these topics provide an understanding of wood as an important renewable material and its efficient, durable, and sustainable utilization.

This chapter introduces the scientific, biological, chemical, and economic importance of medicinal and aromatic plants associated with forest and allied systems. It examines their classification and diversity, chemical constituents, harvesting practices, processing, value addition, and extraction techniques. The chapter highlights the potential of these plants as valuable biological resources and explores approaches for their productive utilization. Sustainable harvesting, appropriate processing, and value addition are important for improving their economic potential while supporting conservation and responsible management of plant resources.

This chapter introduces non-timber forest products (NTFPs) as important biological resources supporting rural livelihoods, local economies, and forest-dependent communities. It examines the definition, scope, classification, diversity, and importance of NTFPs in India. The chapter also discusses value chains, market dynamics, trade, sectoral challenges, and constraints affecting their sustainable utilization. Particular attention is given to conservation, policy frameworks, community livelihoods, and a case study of NTFPs in Maharashtra. The chapter emphasizes the need to balance resource utilization with sustainable forest management and biodiversity conservation.

This chapter introduces the integration of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, and artificial intelligence (AI) for modern forest monitoring and management. It explains how remote sensing provides spatially continuous information, GIS functions as a spatial database and decision-support environment, and AI and machine learning enable prediction and pattern recognition. Applications include forest inventory, carbon estimation, biodiversity assessment, forest-fire detection, insect monitoring, and disturbance mapping. The chapter also examines GeoAI, smart forestry, emerging technologies, data challenges, and future opportunities such as cloud-based geospatial platforms and explainable AI.

This chapter introduces social forestry as an approach that connects forest development and management with community needs, rural livelihoods, environmental improvement, and social participation. It examines the major components of social forestry and the role of community participation in forest management. The chapter also discusses ecological impacts, biodiversity, rural economic development, gender and social equity, legal frameworks, participatory forestry experiences, and emerging technological opportunities. By examining both social and ecological dimensions, the chapter highlights the importance of inclusive participation and community-based approaches in achieving sustainable forest management.

This chapter introduces human–wildlife conflict as a complex ecological and socioeconomic issue arising from interactions between wildlife and human communities. It examines the major drivers and patterns of conflict and considers their ecological and socioeconomic impacts. The chapter focuses particularly on the Indian context and discusses mitigation and management strategies, policy and governance, education, awareness, and community participation. It also considers future research and approaches for promoting coexistence. The chapter emphasizes integrated management strategies that address both wildlife conservation and the needs of communities living in and around forest landscapes.

This chapter introduces the principles of wildlife ecology and the importance of biodiversity conservation within natural ecosystems. It examines wildlife communities, biodiversity, major threats to wildlife, and strategies for conservation and habitat protection. The chapter also explores the role of technology in wildlife conservation, ecological restoration, and wildlife conservation practices in India. Emerging challenges and future opportunities are considered to provide a broader understanding of maintaining wildlife populations and ecosystem integrity. The chapter emphasizes the importance of scientific management, habitat conservation, restoration, and technological support for long-term wildlife conservation.

This chapter introduces the fundamental concepts and processes that determine the structure and functioning of forest ecosystems. It examines forest ecosystem structure, different forest ecosystem types, community ecology, succession, population ecology, energy flow, and nutrient cycling. The chapter also addresses forest soil ecology, biodiversity, disturbances, climate change, and restoration ecology. Modern tools and sustainable forest management approaches are included to connect ecological principles with practical forest management. By integrating ecosystem processes with conservation and management perspectives, the chapter provides a foundation for understanding forest dynamics and maintaining healthy and resilient forest ecosystems.

This chapter introduces the close relationship between climate change and forest ecosystems and examines how changing temperature, rainfall, drought, extreme weather, fires, pests, and diseases affect forest health and productivity. It discusses the importance of forests in carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, climate regulation, and ecosystem services. The chapter also examines climate-change mitigation through sustainable forest management, afforestation, reforestation, and initiatives such as REDD+. Particular attention is given to the Indian scenario, conservation policies, government initiatives, and challenges associated with forest degradation and climate change

This chapter introduces approaches for understanding, assessing, and reducing the vulnerability of forest ecosystems to climate change. It examines the impacts of changing climatic conditions on forests and considers factors such as forest fragmentation, biodiversity, tree density, disturbance, and community dependence on forest resources. The chapter discusses methods and models for vulnerability assessment, including indicator-based and spatial approaches, and explains how vulnerability can be mapped and classified. It also considers strategies for minimizing climate impacts and enhancing forest resilience through appropriate management and conservation interventions.

This chapter introduces the concept, importance and prospects of protected floriculture in India. It explains how greenhouses and other protected structures help overcome limitations associated with temperature, photoperiod, humidity, carbon dioxide, nutrients and wind. The chapter examines the global and Indian development of protected cultivation, its role in year-round production, resource optimization, quality improvement and higher productivity. It also discusses present challenges, technological developments, automation, soilless cultivation, smart greenhouses and future opportunities for climate-resilient and sustainable flower production

This chapter introduces protected structures as controlled environments designed to modify the microclimate for optimum crop growth. It explains different greenhouse and polyhouse types based on structure, covering material, ventilation and environmental control. Glasshouses, polyhouses, low tunnels and other structures are discussed along with their construction characteristics, advantages and applications. The chapter provides a foundation for selecting appropriate protected structures according to crop requirements, climate, production objectives and available resources.

This chapter introduces the principles involved in designing and erecting protected structures for floricultural production. It examines structural safety, dead and live loads, wind and snow loads, site selection, orientation, foundation, greenhouse components and suitable covering materials. The chapter also identifies flower and foliage crops suitable for protected cultivation and relates structural design to crop characteristics and climatic conditions. These principles help growers develop efficient, safe and productive greenhouse systems

This chapter introduces environmental management and automation in greenhouse production. It explains how temperature, light, humidity, carbon dioxide and root-zone conditions influence plant growth and flower quality. The chapter discusses ventilation, evaporative cooling, supplemental lighting, sensors, automation systems, solar greenhouses and retractable greenhouses. It also introduces government support and guidelines for protected cultivation, including MIDH assistance. The chapter emphasizes precision environmental control, resource-use efficiency and technology-enabled production.

This chapter introduces soil, growing media, irrigation and nutrient management practices essential for high-quality flower production under protected conditions. It covers containers, organic and inorganic growing media, soil decontamination, drip irrigation, fertigation and fertilizer selection. Important intercultural practices such as pinching, disbudding, deshooting and other crop-management operations are also discussed. The chapter emphasizes efficient use of water and nutrients while maintaining an optimum root environment and achieving high productivity.

This chapter introduces flower forcing and crop regulation as techniques for manipulating flowering time according to market demand and seasonal requirements. It explains photoperiodism, vernalization, temperature, florigen, plant growth regulators and physiological mechanisms involved in flowering. Mechanical, chemical and environmental methods are discussed, along with crop-specific approaches for chrysanthemum, marigold, lotus, jasmine, gladiolus, rose, lilium and tulip. The chapter demonstrates how controlled flowering can improve market timing, reduce wastage and increase grower income.

This chapter introduces Alstroemeria as a high-value cut flower commonly known as Peruvian lily. It discusses its origin, distribution, genetics, botanical characteristics, commercial varieties and protected cultivation requirements. Temperature, humidity, light, carbon dioxide, irrigation, nutrition, crop management, harvesting and postharvest handling are addressed. The chapter also considers grading standards, vase-life enhancement and important pests and diseases. Particular attention is given to modern hybrids and greenhouse production for high-quality stems.

This chapter introduces Anthurium as an important tropical ornamental crop cultivated for cut flowers, potted plants and landscaping. It examines its origin, distribution, genetics, botanical characteristics and commercial varieties. The chapter discusses greenhouse conditions including temperature, humidity, light, shade, irrigation, nutrition and propagation. It also covers pests, diseases, harvesting, grading, storage and packing. The importance of improved cultivars and controlled environmental conditions in maintaining high-quality flowers is emphasized.