Ecologically Mediated Development : Promoting Biodiversity Conservation and Food Security

This edited volume addresses the critical need to balance biodiversity preservation with ensuring a nutritious and ample food supply for the growing global population. It emphasizes how conserving biodiversity enhances agricultural resilience, promotes sustainable food production, and safeguards food security for present and future generations.

The book explores the complex interdependence between biodiversity and food security, identifying both challenges and threats, presenting solutions and strategies, and examining the roles of policies, governance, regulations, and international agreements. It highlights the importance of fostering research and raising awareness to promote sustainable agricultural practices, biodiversity conservation, and equitable resource access essential for long-term food security. The book includes real-world case studies and examples from different regions to demonstrate successful initiatives and the impact of biodiversity conservation on local food systems.

This book provides a platform for researchers, conservationists, and policymakers to exchange knowledge and ideas on integrating biodiversity conservation into food security initiatives. It is a compilation of information by the experts and will be useful for researchers in the fields of botany, agriculture, nutrition, policy making and biotechnology.

Dr. Hanuman Singh Jatav is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry at Sri Karan Narendra Agriculture University, Jobner, Jaipur (Rajasthan), India. With over seven years of teaching and ten years of research experience, his expertise spans sewage sludge, biochar, micronutrients, heavy metals, and soil fertility management. Dr. Jatav holds a B.Sc. (Hons.) in Agriculture from Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur, and earned his M.Sc. (Ag.) and Ph.D. in Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. Dr. Jatav has published over 120 scholarly works, including research papers, reviews, books, book chapters, and technical papers in esteemed international journals. He serves as an Academic Editor and subject expert for various national and international journals and is an active member of over 15 scientific societies. He was awarded a Certificate of Gratitude as an Ambassador by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) at the World Conservation Congress and has also been recognized as an Outstanding Assistant Professor at his university. Besides this he has been invited as Member to nominate “Blue Planet Prize” from The Asahi Glass Foundation, Tokyo, Japan. Dr. Jatav has served as a Visiting Professor at Southern Federal University, Russia, and has presented in over 40 conferences. Additionally, he has completed more than 35 specialized training sessions related to his research areas, and he has received several best paper and poster awards for his work.

Dr. Vishnu D. Rajput is a Leading Researcher (Associate Professor) and Head of the Soil Health Lab at Southern Federal University, Rostov-on-Don, Russia. His research primarily explores the toxicological effects of metals in both bulk and nano-forms, examining their bioaccumulation, transformations, uptake, translocation, and impacts on plant systems. His work covers the morphological and physiological changes in plants exposed to these metals, including cellular ultrastructure modifications, DNA damage, and interactions with microbial communities. Dr. Rajput also focuses on environmental remediation techniques, such as biochar/nano-biochar sorbents and nanotechnology applications to reduce metal toxicity. Dr. Rajput has published extensively, with 204 peer-reviewed articles among a total of 351 scientific works. His expertise is recognized internationally, and he holds several major grants, including the Russian Mega-Grant and BRICS projects. He serves on editorial boards of high-impact journals and collaborates on both national and international projects. Acknowledged for his academic and research excellence, Dr. Rajput has received numerous awards from Southern Federal University, including the “Certificate of Appreciation” (2019), “Certificate of Honor” (2020), and Diploma Award (2021). He is among the top 2% of scientists in Russia and has been recognized as a “Highly Qualified Specialist” by the Russian government.

Prof. Dr. Tatiana Minkina is the Head of the Soil Science and Land Evaluation Department at Southern Federal University, Russia. She previously led the International Master’s Degree Program “Management and Estimation of Land Resources” (2015-2022), accredited by ACQUIN. Her research interests lie in soil science, biogeochemistry of trace elements, environmental soil chemistry, and soil remediation using physicochemical methods. Prof. Minkina is currently managing projects funded by the Russian Scientific Foundation, the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation, and the Russian Foundation for Basic Research. A recipient of the Diploma of the Ministry of Education and Science in 2015, she was recognized for her dedication to advancing education and training specialists in her field. She is a member of the Expert Group of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the International Committee on Contaminated Land, the Eurasian Soil Science Society, and several other international environmental and scientific committees. Prof. Minkina has authored 757 scientific publications in English, contributing significantly to soil science and environmental research.