Ecological Entomology: Insect Life in Odd Environments

Contents: Preface. 1. Environmental deterioration and insect diversity spectrum-an introduction. 2. Adaptive diversity of insects to climate and land use changes. 3. Insects as indicators of environmental quality. 4. Insect biodiversity in Xylophagous and Coprophagous habitats. 5. Canopy ecology and insect biodiversity. 6. Habitat heterogeneity in agroecosystems : insect biodiversity in habitat edges or ecotones. 7. Litter dynamics in natural and interfered forests. 8. Insect and social forestry. 9. Fern, moss and lichen infesting insects. 10. Insect in gall environments. 11. Aquatic insects in odd environments : habitat specialization from snow melt streams to temporary ponds. 12. Impact of urbanization on insect biodiversity. 13. Land-use changes and dynamics of insect vectors of human disease. 14. Conclusion : conservation for a healthier environment. References. Subject index.

From the preface: "One of the principal aims in writing this book pertains to the increasing impact of human influence on natural habitats in recent years, more notably to the loss of habitat quality. Increased urbanization, considerable reduction in natural forest areas, changing ecology of fresh water ecosystems, lakes and wet lands, besides changing microhabitats, have had their impact on insect populations. A wide range of responses exist among several species of insects living in these changing environments, more especially landscape dynamics creating a shifting mosaic of habitats. Further, loss of habitat quality decreases population growth rate, in course of time resulting in a reduction or extinction of species. Sudden changes in the extent or quality of habitat tend to influence the behaviour, reproduction and survival of individuals. In very rare cases the existence of a particular species depends on the presence of some other species, not to mention of the extinction of food chains. As such, a basic understanding of the nature of habitat loss and fragmentation and their impact on insect species dynamics become important."