Colombia is recognized as one of the most biodiverse countries in the world. Despite its immense natural wealth, the country still lacks comprehensive models for exploring and using biodiversity in ways that drive innovation in agriculture, food, and pharmaceuticals. Bioprospecting and Biotechnology: Approaches to the Use of Biodiversity seeks to address that gap by presenting and analyzing bioprospecting models linked to biotechnology. Its purpose is to provide the research community with practical tools to propose studies that can lead to patentable, high-impact products originating from megadiverse countries. Bioprospecting and Biotechnology: Approaches to the Use of Biodiversity also explores emerging trends and technologies that can enhance the value of natural products. Fields such as nanotechnology, synthetic biology, and artificial intelligence offer promising avenues for boosting the potential of bioprospecting. These innovations are considered not only for their capacity to generate economic growth but also for their role in supporting sustainable development, ecosystem restoration, and biodiversity preservation. Collaboration with large-capacity partners is emphasized, ensuring that molecular communication and symbiotic relationships among living organisms are maintained. The models presented in this book are framed within the principles of sustainable development and green chemistry. The proposed biotechnological approaches are designed to contribute to bioremediation and the restoration of ecosystems, while supporting productive models that respect ecological niches. In this way, the book underscores the possibility of achieving both scientific progress and environmental balance through thoughtful bioprospecting. Bioprospecting and Biotechnology: Approaches to the Use of Biodiversity demonstrates that biotechnology serves as the fundamental pillar for advancing the search and development of natural products, adding significant value to the bioproducts derived from biodiversity. By merging biotechnology with green chemistry and synthetic biology, large-scale production of sustainable biotechnological products becomes feasible. This vision positions biotechnology as a self-sustaining industrial model, capable of driving a biodiversity-based economy while safeguarding the health of the planet. Inhaltsverzeichnis Bioprospecting and biotechnology, rational search for biodiversity adaptation.- Biotechnological trends and applications of secondary metabolites.- Role of Bioprospecting in Agri-Biotechnology.- Nanotechnology in the bioprospection of ecosystems.- Synthetic biology in natural products.- Deep learning and machine learning; artificial intelligence in biotechnology.- Bioprospecting and biotechnology in astrobiology, the role of biodiversity in the worlds to inhabit.- Biodiversity restauration, role of biotechnology in conservation.- Bioprospecting and Bio Business.- Biotechnology of sustainability, finally growth at human scale. Autorenportrait Juan Bueno, MD, Msc. Dr Juan Bueno is currently Chief Scientific Officer of Research Center of Bioprospecting and Biotechnology for Biodiversity Foundation (BIOLABB). Researcher in Bioprospecting development and consulting. Doctor in medicine from Caldas University, Manizales, Colombia (2001). Master degree in biomedical sciences from Antioquia University, Medellín, Colombia (2008). Expert in design and implementation of antimicrobial platforms for to evaluate natural products and synthesis drugs with the aim of optimize in vitro antimicrobial activity selection of new chemical entities for future anti infective pharmaceutical, Bogotá, Colombia. Fellow, COLCIENCIAS-Universidad de Caldas (2002). Fellow of University of the United Nations in antifungal susceptibility testing, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas, INEI.ANLIS, Buenos Aires, Argentina (2004). Fellow, International Visitor Leadership Program on "Public Health", United States Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (2012), 2221 KONUK VEYA AKADEMIK IZINLI (SABBATICAL) BILIM INSANI DESTEKLEME PROGRAMI (2015). Award of Colombian Dermatology Association, Best research in dermatology (2006). Enrique Nuñez Olarte award for pharmacological research. Colombian Pharmacology Association (2009). Author of 50 articles in pharmacological research. Author in 13 chapter books in antimicrobial drug discovery and bioprospecting as well as the entire books titled MOLECULAR EVOLUTIONARY MODELS IN DRUG DISCOVERY (ISBN 978-0-12-817613-9) and PRECLINICAL EVALUATION OF ANTIMICROBIAL NANODRUGS (ISBN 978-3-030-43854-8) MOLECULAR EVOLUTIONARY MODELS IN DRUG DISCOVERY (ISBN 978-0-12-817613-9) and PRECLINICAL EVALUATION OF ANTIMICROBIAL NANODRUGS (ISBN 978-3-030-43854-8)

This book provides a comprehensive and interdisciplinary overview of aquatic contaminants, emphasizing the environmental behavior, toxicological effects, and remediation strategies for heavy metals and related pollutants. It explores key topics such as contaminant sources and pathways, environmental chemistry, and pollutant dynamics within aquatic systems. The book also delves into the classification of contaminants, including organic compounds, emerging pollutants like microplastics and PFAS, and nutrient-based eutrophication, and examines their interactions in complex aquatic environments. Drawing on both theoretical frameworks and practical case studies, this volume highlights cutting-edge monitoring tools and analytical techniques such as Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS), Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry(ICP-MS), and Remote Sensing (RS) with Geographic Information Systems (GIS). These tools aid in the accurate assessment of contamination levels and help track pollutant dispersion in real time. A dedicated section focuses on the toxicological effects of contaminants on aquatic organisms and human populations,detailing both acute and chronic impacts, sub-lethal responses,and species- specific vulnerabilities.The book also presents diverse remediation approaches, ranging from physical and chemical methods to eco-friendly biological techniques like bioremediation and phytoremediation, complemented by discussions on water quality regulations, policy frameworks, and sustainable management practices. Designed for researchers, environmental scientists, educators, policymakers, and students, this book serves as a vital resource for understanding the multifaceted challenges of aquatic pollution. It promotes informed decision-making, community participation, and technological innovation toward healthier aquatic ecosystems and safer water resources. Inhaltsverzeichnis Part 1: Sources, Pathways & Environmental Dynamics.- Chapter 1: Integrated Assessment of Groundwater Contaminants For Sustainable Water Management In The Ithikkara River Basin.- Chapter 2: Climate Change Impact On Water Quality: Insights From The Tons And Asan River, Doon Valley, Nw Himalaya, Uttarakhand.- Chapter 3: Classification, Sources, and Global Distribution of Aquatic Contaminants.- Chapter 4: Environmental Impact Assessment of Bhima River Water Flowing Through Khed Taluka of Pune District.- Chapter 5: Unravelling Ecosystem Imbalance In The Ashtamudi Ramsar Wetland Through Sediment Quality Studies For Sustainable Management.- Chapter 6: Diversity And Nutrient Dynamics In Freshwater Reservoirs: Ecology, Water Quality, And Sustainable Management.- Part 2: Ecotoxicology, Human Toxicity & Risk Assessment.- Chapter 7: The Cultivation of Freshwater Microalgae In High-Efficiency Photo-Bioreactor (Pbr) For Biodiesel Production With Advanced Fermentation Technology.- Chapter 8: Cadmium And Lead In Hair And Lip Products Sold In India: A Potential Threat For Women.- Chapter 9: Aquatic Contaminants and Human Health: Bridging Toxicological Mechanisms and Epidemiological Evidence.- Chapter 10: Study of Heavy Metal Bioaccumulation In Freshwater Fish From Chandegaon Village, District Ahmednagar, Maharashtra.- Chapter 11: Genotoxicity, Endocrine Disruption And Molecular-Level Alterations By Contaminants In Aquatic Systems.- Part 3: Monitoring, Analytical Chemistry & Geospatial Approaches.- Chapter 12: Ground Water Quality Analysis, Mapping And Treatment By Using Powdered Activated Charcoal Prepared From Selected Tree Species.- Chapter 13: Integrating Remote Sensing And Gis For Groundwater Recharge Zone And Vulnerability Assessment: A Case Study of Nashik District.- Chapter 14: Indexing of Water Quality For Various Desired Uses And Pco2 Variation In The River Water of Kechery Puzhakkal Basin, Southern Western Ghats, India.- Chapter 15: Remote Sensing and GIS-Based Monitoring of Aquatic Pollution.- Chapter 16: Geochemical Characterization And Pollution Assessment of Sediments In Moti Lake, Jalna, Maharashtra.- Chapter 17: Advanced Analytical Methods For Detecting Aquatic Contaminants.- Part 4: Remediation Engineering, Bioremediation; Nature-Based.- Chapter 18: Evaluation of Natural And Modified Plant-Based Adsorbents For Dye Removal From Aqueous Solutions.- Chapter 19: Collection, Modification, Characterization And Application of Mesolite-Type Natural Zeolite In Heavy Metal Ion Remediation For Sustainable Water Treatment.- Chapter 20: Recent Advances In Low Cost Nanotechnology Based Adsorbents and Hybrid Membrane Processes For Municipal Water Treatment: A Case Study.- Chapter 21: Microbial Biodegradation and Engineered Organisms.- Chapter 22: Nanotechnology, Membrane Filtration and Adsorption Approaches For Water Purification.- Chapter 23: Enhancing Cadmium Removal From Contaminated Water Through Nutrient Film Technology Within A Constructed Wetland System.- Part 5: Policy, Governance & Future Outlook.- Chapter 24: Water Quality Standard and Environmental Regulations.- Chapter 25: A Data Mining Approach For Predicting Groundwater Quality Towards Sustainable Water Management.- Chapter 26: Spatial Patterns of Multidimensional Deprivation: A Composite Index Approach To Water, Sanitation, And Governance In Rural Maharashtra. Autorenportrait Dr. Pranaya Diwate is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geology, School of Basic and Applied Sciences, MGM University, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra, India. He obtained his Ph.D. in Geology from the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehradun. He is also a Gold Medalist in M.Sc. Geology. He has 12 years of research experience and 7 years of teaching experience. Dr. Diwate's research interests encompass environmental geology, hydrogeology, palaeoclimatology, limnology, climate change, remote sensing and GIS, geospatial modelling, urban flood assessment, groundwater studies, and sustainable water resources management. He has published more than 45 scholarly contributions, including research articles in high-impact international journals, book chapters, edited books, and academic books. Dr. Diwate has successfully completed research projects funded by the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), Government of India, and MGM University, focusing on heavy metal pollution assessment, urban flood vulnerability, and urban heat island studies. He has organized numerous international conferences, workshops, faculty development programmes, and training programmes in geosciences and geospatial technologies. He has delivered invited lectures at national and international academic events on climate change, remote sensing, GIS, water resources, and environmental sustainability. His research aims to develop innovative and interdisciplinary geospatial solutions for sustainable environmental management, climate resilience, groundwater assessment, and ecosystem conservation, contributing to the advancement of Earth and environmental sciences.Dr. Vinayak P. Dhulap is a Professor, Environmental Scientist, Researcher, and Academic Administrator with over 17 years of experience in teaching, research, environmental consultancy, and higher education leadership. He currently serves as the Director, School of Earth Sciences, Head, Department of Environmental Science, and Head, Department of Geoinformatics at Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Solapur University, Solapur, Maharashtra, India.Dr. Dhulap holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Science and has qualified both the UGC-NET and UGC-SET examinations in Environmental Science. His research focuses on environmental pollution monitoring and control, environmental health, climate change, wastewater treatment, bioremediation, microplastic pollution, biochar, sustainable development, and geospatial technologies (Remote Sensing, GIS, and AI applications) for environmental management. He has published more than 60 research papers in reputed national and international journals, presented over 50 scientific papers at conferences, authored seven books, delivered more than 60 invited lectures, and holds eight design and utility/process patents. He has successfully guided over 100 postgraduate research dissertations and supervised 04 doctoral research scholars.Dr. Dhulap has secured research funding from agencies including the UGC, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), RUSA, and the Government of Maharashtra. He also serves as an environmental expert on several government and university committees and has received numerous recognitions for his contributions to environmental science, innovation, and sustainable development. His research and academic contributions have earned him national and international recognition, including inclusion in the AD Scientific Index.

Wer touristische Entwicklungen in ihrer Entstehung und Dynamik verstehen und zukunftsfähig gestalten möchte, benötigt fundiertes geographisches Wissen sowie einen geschärften Blick für die vielfältigen Wechselwirkungen zwischen Gesellschaft, Wirtschaft und Umwelt. Dieses Lehrbuch bietet eine umfassende Einführung in die Geographien des Tourismus und verbindet theoretische Grundlagen, methodische Kompetenzen und hohe Praxisrelevanz. Vorgestellt werden zentrale Konzepte und aktuelle Forschungsansätze ebenso wie bewährte und innovative Methoden der Tourismusforschung. Im umfangreichen empirischen Teil veranschaulichen interdisziplinäre Autor_innen-Teams anhand zahlreicher Beispiele die vielfältigen räumlichen Auswirkungen touristischer Prozesse vor dem Hintergrund aktueller gesellschaftlicher Herausforderungen. Rund 300 Abbildungen und mehr als 100 Tabellen in über 60 Kapiteln bereiten komplexe Zusammenhänge anschaulich auf und fördern den Transfer zwischen Forschung und Anwendung. Das Werk, an dem rund 130 Autor_innen beteiligt sind, richtet sich an Studierende der Geographie, des Tourismus und verwandter Disziplinen sowie an Fach- und Führungskräfte in Tourismuswirtschaft, Destinationsmanagement und Raumplanung. Es eröffnet wissenschaftlich fundierte und empirisch facettenreiche Perspektiven auf eine Tourismuswelt im Wandel. Inhaltsverzeichnis 1 Geographien des Tourismus Versuch einer Standortbestimmung revisited.- Teil I: Theorien, Konzepte und Modelle.- 2 Theorien, Konzepte und Modelle in der geographischen Tourismusforschung eine Einführung.- 3 Systemtheorie, Raum und Tourismus.- 4 Raum, Place und Landschaft im Tourismus Konstruktion, Repräsentation und Aneignung touristischer Räume.- 5 Kulturtheoretisches Denken in der Tourismusforschung.- 6 Geographien touristischer Mobilität.- 7 Destinationen Kristallisationspunkte des touristischen Geschehens.- 8 Destinationsentwicklung aus theoretisch-konzeptioneller Perspektive.- 9 Soziokulturelle Auswirkungen des Tourismus auf Ziel- und Quellgebiete.- 10 Ökologische Auswirkungen des Tourismus auf Ziel- und Quellgebiete.- 11 Nachhaltigkeit im Tourismus Theorien, Konzepte und Modelle.- 12 Wirtschaftsgeographie und Tourismus aus theoretisch-konzeptioneller Perspektive.- 13 Theoretische Erklärungsansätze zum Urlaubsreiseverhalten.- 14 Overtourism Ein zu viel an Tourismus?.- 15 Tourismus durch die Linse der Politischen Ökonomie.- 16 Diskurstheorie und Tourismus.- 17 Feministische Theorien in der Tourismus- und Freizeitforschung.- 18 Postkoloniale Perspektiven auf Tourismus und für die Tourismusforschung.- 19 Akteur-Netzwerk-Theorie in der Tourismusforschung.- 20 Zum Assemblage-Ansatz in der geographischen Tourismusforschung.- Teil II: Methodische Ansätze und Verfahren.- 21 Zur Einführung Empirisches Forschen in den Geographien des Tourismus.- 22 Tourismusforschung mittels Sekundärdaten am Beispiel amtlicher Datengrundlagen.- 23 Repräsentative Großerhebungen im Deutschlandtourismus.- 24 Verfahren zur quantitativen Erfassung der touristischen Nachfrage.- 25 Marktsegmentierung und Typenbildung im Tourismus.- 26 Quantitative Befragungen als Methode der Primärdatenerhebung im Tourismus.- 27 Nachhaltigkeitsmessung in Destinationen.- 28 Geographische Informationssysteme und ihre Anwendung im Tourismus.- 29 Zur Analyse textlicher Quellen Zentrale methodische Grundlagen aufgezeigt anhand touristischer Medien.- 30 Textanalyse im Tourismus Möglichkeiten des Natural Language Processing.- 31 Regionalökonomische Wirkungsanalysen in der tourismusgeographischen Forschung.- 32 Anwendung von Discrete Choice Experimenten in der geographischen Tourismusforschung.- 33 Beobachtung als Methode der tourismusgeographischen Forschung.- 34 Qualitative Erhebungsmethoden im Tourismus.- 35 Bilder machen Tourismus Kritisch forschen mit visuellen Methoden.- 36 Zur Delphi-Methode in der Tourismusforschung.- 37 Ethnographische Ansätze in der Tourismusgeographie.- 38 Zur dokumentarischen Methode als praxeologisches Instrument in der humangeographischen Tourismusforschung.- 39 Arbeiten mit der Grounded Theory Theorieentwicklung als Möglichkeit des praxisrelevanten Erforschens von Tourismusgeographien.- 40 Diskursanalysen in der Tourismusgeographie.- Teil III: Empirisch-praktische Beiträge.- 41 Touristische Nachfrage: Zahlen, Daten, Fakte.- 42 Ausgewählte Herausforderungen der Steuerung und Weiterentwicklung von Destinationen.- 43 Tourismus Nur ein Geschäftsmodell? Zu den ökonomischen Effekten des Tourismus.- 44 Schneller-Weiter-Unnachhaltiger Mobilität im Kontext des Urlaubstourismus.- 45 Im Einklang mit Natur und Umwelt? Tourismus in der Natur und damit verbundene Wechselwirkungen.- 46 Aktiv im Urlaub Einblicke Autorenportrait Bernd Eisenstein ist Direktor des Deutschen Instituts für Tourismusforschung und Professor für Touristische Nachfrage an der Fachhochschule Westküste in Heide/Holstein. Zudem ist er Zweitmitglied an der Europa-Universität Flensburg sowie Extraordinary Professor am TREES-Institut der North-West University in Potchefstroom, Südafrika. Eisenstein studierte Geographie, Betriebswirtschaftslehre sowie Volkswirtschaftslehre und promovierte als Stipendiat einer Wissenschaftsstiftung bei Prof. Dr. Christoph Becker zum Dr. phil. an der Universität Trier. Er engagiert sich sowohl im Arbeitskreis Tourismusforschung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Geographie (AKTF) als auch in der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Tourismuswissenschaft (DGT). Seine aktuellen Forschungsschwerpunkte liegen in den Bereichen Tourismusakzeptanz, Touristenverhalten, Tourismusfolgen sowie der kennzahlengestützten Destinationsentwicklung. Hans Hopfinger ist ehemaliger Inhaber des Lehrstuhls Kulturgeographie an der Katholischen Universität Eichstätt-Ingolstadt. Er betrieb dort den Auf- und Ausbau des Schwerpunkts Tourismusgeographie in Forschung und Lehre, war verantwortlich für die Einwerbung und institutionelle Verankerung der Stiftungsprofessur Tourismus und betreute zahlreiche, teils mit nationalen und internationalen Preisen ausgezeichnete Abschlussarbeiten und Dissertationen. Als Vizepräsident und Schatzmeister der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Tourismuswissenschaft (DGT) war er zwischen 2000 und 2012 maßgeblich an dem Ausbau und der Konsolidierung der Gesellschaft beteiligt. Im Arbeitskreis Freizeit- und Tourismusgeographie war er zwischen 2000 und 2006 Sprecher, zwischen 2006 und 2011 stellvertretender Sprecher; 2013 trug er maßgeblich zur institutionellen Verankerung des Arbeitskreises als "Arbeitskreis Tourismusforschung in der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Geographie (DGfG) e.V." bei und war bis 2019 Vorsitzender Sprecher. Er ist Initiator und Mitbegründer der "Zeitschrift für Tourismuswissenschaft" und war zwischen 2001 und 2008 Consulting Editor der Zeitschrift "Tourism Geographies". Regionaler Schwerpunkt sind die tourismusbezogenen Entwicklungen in Nahost und Nordafrika. Sein besonderes Interesse gilt den theoretisch-konzeptionellen sowie methodisch-methodologischen Grundlagen der Tourismusgeographie. Marius Mayer studierte Wirtschaftsgeographie, Betriebswirtschaftslehre und Sozial- und Wirtschaftsgeschichte an der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (Dipl.-Geogr.) und promovierte an der Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg zum Dr. rer. nat. in Geographie. Nach seiner Promotion hatte Marius Mayer eine Juniorprofessur an der Universität Greifswald sowie eine Position als Post-Doktorand an der Universität Innsbruck inne. Seit 2022 ist er Professor für Nachhaltigkeit und Destinationsentwicklung an der Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften München, Fakultät für Tourismus. Marius Mayer ist Vorstandsmitglied des Arbeitskreises Tourismusforschung (AKTF) und Associate Editor der Fachzeitschrift "Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism". 2021 wurde er mit dem Wissenschaftspreis für Humangeographie der Prof. Dr. Frithjof-Voss-Stiftung für Geographie ausgezeichnet. Seine Forschungsgebiete umfassen Destinations- und Regionalentwicklung, Klimawandel und Tourismus sowie die ökonomische und soziokulturelle Bewertung von Schutzgebieten und Ökosystemleistungen. Ina Voshage ist promovierte Humangeographin und arbeitet als wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin an der Universität Passau. Sie studierte Tourismusmanagement an der Hochschule Harz und Geographie an der Universität Passau, wo sie bei Prof. Dr. Werner Gamerith mit einer Arbeit zu postkolonialen Stadtrundgängen in deutschen Städten die Doktorwürde erlangte. In ihrer Forschung befasst sich Ina Voshage mit gesellschaftlichen Aushandlungs- und Transformationsprozessen in urbanen und touristischen Räumen. Durch das Verbinden postkoloni

Water is the essence of life and without it no humans, animals, or plants can survive without it. In the modern era, mankind has improperly managed all aspects of natural systems, including the quantity and quality of water on which our lives depend. Water policies are created and used to guide the management and governance of our most precious resources. Therefore, it is very important to create a framework within policy to understand how to approach future issues and make improvements to management of the remaining water resources and to restore those that have been damaged by unacceptable management practices causing overuse and contamination. In this textbook, we have attempted to organize water policy into the various aspects that control it because management and governance are not effective if they are not supported by the people who are impacted by it. Many scientists and engineers believe that technology can be used to develop water policies that should be followed to create an abundance of high- quality water, sufficient for use by the population and nature. However, the technical aspects of water management and governance are only one aspect of water policy. Water policy development and decisions involve a decision tree that could be termed the Water Policy Tetrahedron with four basic components including technical, legal, sociopolitical, and economic aspects. Any single policy or decision is formulated within all four aspects and depending on the complexity, normally it will involve all four parts. Also, management of water resources must consider sustainability and resilience in the process of making water policy decisions. Inhaltsverzeichnis Introduction.- The Water Policy Tetrahedron.- Water Sustainability: Concepts and Principles.- Resilience in Water Policy.- Introduction to Hydrology and the Water Budget. Autorenportrait Thomas M. Missimer, PhD. Dr. Missimer is currently Professor Emeritus at Florida Gulf Coast University and has 54 years of experience in water policy. He was the founder of three consulting corporations before entering academia. He is the author or co-author of 12 technical books and has 165 peer-reviewed papers in the water and geology fields. He actively participates on national committees in the US to help evaluate major water infrastructure development programs. Seneshaw Tsegaye, PhD. Dr. Tsegaye is a professor and the Chair of the Department of Bioengineering, Civil Engineering, and Environmental Engineering at Florida Gulf Coast University. He specializes on research of the sustainability and resilience of infrastructure, particularly on water systems. He has co-authored many papers with Dr. Missimer with emphasis on building new water systems with sufficient resilience to the challenges of climate change induced conditions.

This volume provides a comprehensive examination of the function of nanoencapsulation in promoting sustainable agricultural practices via the application of nanomaterials in agrochemical formulations. The book explores recent advancements in the synthesis, functionalisation, and application of nanocarriers, highlighting the ways in which these technologies improve targeted delivery, stability, and controlled release of agrochemicals such as pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, and biopesticides. The chapters emphasize advanced innovations in encapsulation methods, including the application of biodegradable polymers, liposomes, and mesoporous nanoparticles. These techniques facilitate precise regulation of agrochemical release profiles, thereby decreasing environmental contamination, minimizing pesticide runoff, and enhancing nutrient efficiency. In-depth analysis of the processes involved in regulated pesticide release and the development of nanoencapsulated herbicides underscore their capacity to enhance weed management while reducing unintended consequences. The integration of nanoencapsulated biopesticides within comprehensive pest management frameworks illustrates a sustainable methodology, where advancements in nanotechnology facilitate the application of biologically sourced agents for pest regulation while ensuring a reduced environmental impact. The book will function as an extensive resource for researchers, industry professionals, and policymakers, providing insights into how nanoencapsulation can improve the efficiency, sustainability, and environmental compatibility of agricultural systems. Inhaltsverzeichnis Chapter 1: Nanomaterials In Agrochemical Formulations: Innovations In Encapsulation Technologies.- Chapter 2: Nanoencapsulated Bioinoculants: A Green Approach To Sustainable Agriculture.- Chapter 3: Environmental Fate And Transport of Nanoencapsulated Agrochemicals In Agricultural Systems.- Chapter 4: Nanoencapsulation In Foliar And Soil Fertilizer Applications: New Insights.- Chapter 5: Nanoencapsulation Technology For Agroecosystems: Efficiency And Environmental Compatibility Actions.- Chapter 6: Regulatory And Safety Considerations In The Commercialization of Nanoencapsulated Agrochemicals.- Chapter 7: Optimizing Fertilizer Delivery With Nanoencapsulation: Efficiency And Sustainability.- Chapter 8: Nanoencapsulation-Mediated Shifts In Soil Microbial Ecology: A Soil Health Perspective.- Chapter 9: Nanoencapsulated Agrochemicals In The Environment: A Toxicological Perspective On Terrestrial And Aquatic Risk.- Chapter 10: Integration of Nanoencapsulation With Remote Sensing And IoT For Precision Agroecosystem Management.- Chapter 11: Synthesis of Functionalized Nanomaterials For Tailored Agrochemical Release Profiles.- Chapter 12: Nanoencapsulation For Mitigating Pesticide Runoff And Environmental Contamination.- Chapter 13: Economic Impacts of Nanoencapsulation On Global Agricultural Productivity.- Chapter 14: Nanoencapsulation As A Tool For Climate-Smart Nutrient Management In Agriculture.- Chapter 15: Influence of Nanoencapsulated Agroinputs On Microbial Quorum Sensing In The Rhizosphere.- Chapter 16: Controlled Release of Pesticides Through Nanoencapsulation Mechanisms And Efficacy.- Chapter 17: Nanoencapsulation-Induced Alterations In Nutrient Use Efficiency At The Crop-System Scale. Autorenportrait Dr. Vandana Singh is an associate professor in the Sharda School of Allied Health Sciences, Sharda University, India. She earned her M.Sc. in Microbiology from the University of Pune and completed her PhD in Microbiology at Noida International University. With more than 15 years of teaching and research experience, she has developed expertise across diverse domains of microbiology, including medical and environmental microbiology, food microbiology, microbial nanotechnology, nanomaterials, and microbial biotechnology. Her research is directed towards the application of microbiological and biotechnological approaches for sustainable environmental and health solutions, with a strong emphasis on microbial fuel cells, wastewater and biological treatment technologies, bioremediation of industrial and agricultural pollutants, biodegradation pathways, microbial food technology, and the molecular basis of biofilm and biosurfactant production. Her work integrates fundamental microbiology with applied nanotechnology and biotechnology, enabling the design of microbial and nano-based systems for environmental and biomedical applications. She has made significant scholarly contributions, reflected in her portfolio of numerous patents, research/review papers, edited books, and chapters with leading reputed publishers such as Elsevier, Springer, and CRC Press. She has also contributed extensively to curriculum design, academic training, and evidence-based microbiological education, while guiding numerous research projects at undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD levels. Her long-term research vision focuses on advancing sustainable microbial and nanobiotechnological interventions for food technology, energy generation, pollutant remediation, and microbial resource management, thereby addressing critical challenges in health, food security, and environmental sustainability. Dr. Gowhar Hamid Dar serves as a senior assistant professor and head of the department of Environmental Science at Government Degree College Kulgam, Higher Education Department, Government of Jammu & Kashmir, since 13 December 2023. Previously, he was posted at Government Sri Pratap College, Srinagar, from 21 February 2017 to 12 December 2023, where he played a key role in steering the institution's NAAC accreditation from Grade A to A+. During this tenure, he was actively involved in teaching postgraduate (M.Sc.) environmental science and undergraduate courses in environment and water management under Cluster University, Srinagar. Dr. Dar holds a PhD in Environmental Science from the University of Kashmir titled "Profiling and Effect of Pathogenic Bacteria in Fishes of Jammu and Kashmir State and Correlation of Disease Incidence with the Trophic Status of Water Bodies." He also earned an M.Phil. in environmental science from the same department, with research focused on "Isolation, Identification and Characterization of Penicillium Isolates for Alpha-Amylase Activity." His areas of specialization include environmental microbiology, fish microbiology and pathology, industrial microbiology, microbial taxonomy, pollution, and limnology. He has worked on a nationally funded research project sponsored by SERB-DST, Government of India, focusing on the assessment of bacterial and protozoan diseases in fish fauna of Jammu & Kashmir triggered by pollution and climate change. His research expertise includes the isolation, identification, and characterization of microbes, their pathogenic behavior, and the impact of pollution on fish health, with implications for industrial, economic, and environmental sustainability. Dr. Dar has an extensive publication record, with over 80 research publications (h-index: 19; i10-index: 31; total citations >1600) in reputed national and international journals, including high-impact journals such as Science of the Total Environment and Chemosphere. He has also authored and edited several books and

This volume presents the proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Sustainable Development of Water and Environment (ICSDWE 2026), held on July 25-27, 2026, on Phuket Island, Thailand. The book brings together peer-reviewed contributions from researchers, engineers, and practitioners addressing critical challenges and emerging solutions in the sustainable management of water resources and environmental systems.

This book is a comprehensive guide exploring various aspects of solid waste management. Includes information on the potential health and environmental impacts of using and disposing of solid products. Explains the hazards of traditional recycling methods and highlights eco-friendly strategies for managing solid waste in the middle-income countries. Discusses the recovery of valuable resources, which are present in solid waste. Emphasizes the need for global collaboration, regulatory frameworks, public awareness, and technological interventions to tackle the solid waste problem. Discusses new technologies developed to manage solid waste in a sustainable manner. Emphasizes that managing solid waste is a complex issue that requires innovative solutions to mitigate its adverse effects on the environment and the health of humans and animals. Explores the potential of sustainable development, operational efficiency, financial and human resource management techniques, and the challenges of managing solid waste for the middle-income countries. Inhaltsverzeichnis Chapter 1. Sustainable Practices in Hazardous Solid Waste Management to Control Environmental Pollution.- Chapter 2. Reducing packaging waste for advancing the UN SDGs in the global travel industry.- Chapter 3. Hydrothermal Carbonization-Driven Thermochemical Upcycling of Agricultural Waste: An UN SDG Approach.- Chapter 4. Sustainable disposal solutions to improve human health: UN SDGs Attainment Approach.- Chapter 5. Waste and Well-Being in Urban Dhaka: A Literature Review on Solid Waste Management, Informal Recycling, Environmental Pollution, and Public Health.- Chapter 6. Eco-Pedagogy in English Language Teaching: Integrating Solid Waste Management into the Language Class at the Tertiary Level in Bangladesh for Achieving UN SDGs.- Chapter 7. From Pollution to Circularity: Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions and SDG Attainment in Middle-Income Countries.- Chapter 8. Waste Ecosystems as Sentinels of Urban Resilience: A Predictive Systems Framework for Antimicrobial Resistance Governance in Middle-Income Cities.- Chapter 9. E-Waste Management and Development Strategies to Reduce Environmental Harm: Attainment of the UN SDGs.- Chapter 10. Sustainable E-Waste Management: Current Situation and Emerging Trends.- Chapter 11. Innovative Approaches in Solid Waste Collection and Recycling for Sustainable Development.- Chapter 12. Solid Waste Treatment Technologies for Middle-Income Countries: A Scoping Review of Performance, Applicability, and Contribution to the UN SDGs.- Chapter 13. Sustainable Electronic Waste Management: Current Situation and Emerging Trends for Achieving UN SDGs.- Chapter 14. Strategies and Approaches to Reduce the Production of Electronic Waste for technological developments and sustainable business practices.- Chapter 15. Sustainable Electronic Waste Management: Current Situation and Emerging Trends for Achieving UN SDGs.- Chapter 16. From Waste Pickers to Green Jobs: Informal Integration for Sustainable Waste Management in South Asia.- Chapter 17. Circular Economy Approaches for Sustainable Solid Waste Management in Middle-Income Countries: Policy, Technology, stakeholder engagement, and socio-economic issues.- Chapter 18. Case Studies in Solid Waste Management in Middle-Income Countries.- Chapter 19. Negative Effects of Improper Solid Waste Management on the Economy of Developing Countries.- Chapter 20. United Nations Planning for Sustainable Solid Waste Management in Middle-Income Countries.- Chapter 21. Automated Solid Waste Management Systems for Sustainable Development.- Chapter 22. Sustainable Electronic Waste Management: Current Situation and Emerging Trends for Achieving UN SDGs.- Chapter 23. Solid Waste Management, Informal Recycling, Environmental Pollution, and Public Health: Challenges, Opportunities, and Pathways Toward Circular Economy Transitions.- Chapter 24. Sustainable Technologies and Treatment Methods in Hazardous Waste Management. Autorenportrait Dr. Mohammad Badruddoza Talukder is an Associate Professor and Chair of the College of Tourism and Hospitality Management at the International University of Business Agriculture and Technology (IUBAT), Dhaka, Bangladesh. He holds a Ph.D. in Hotel Management from Lovely Professional University, India, and has been engaged in tourism and hospitality education, research, and academic leadership since 2008. Recognized among the Top 2% of Scientists in the World, he has published more than 200 scholarly works and authored and edited books with leading international publishers, including IGI Global, Springer, Emerald Publishing, CABI, Cambridge Scholars Publishing, and Bentham Science. His research interests include Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things, Blockchain, smart tourism, digital transformation, sustainable tourism and hospitality, tourism innovation, and hospitality technology. He also serves as an international speaker, reviewer, editorial board member, academic trainer, and International External Evaluator for the CHORAL Programme under the European Union's Horizon Europe Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions. A. K. Haghi is a retired professor who is currently a research associate at the University of Coimbra, Portugal. He holds a BSc in urban and environmental engineering from the University of North Carolina (USA) and holds two MSc degrees, one in mechanical engineering from North Carolina State University (USA) and another one in applied mechanics, acoustics, and materials from the Université de Technologie de Compiègne (France). He was awarded a PhD in engineering sciences at Université de Franche-Comté (France). His leadership in academic publishing includes founding and serving as Editor-in-Chief of prestigious journals. Professor Haghi's extensive educational background and supervisory roles underscore his expertise and contributions to the field of engineering sciences. He has secured UK design patents for multiple inventions.

This would be the third edition of my monograph on fossil angiosperms. The book focuses on reproductive organs (flowers) of angiosperms. Since fossils are only reliable data source on the history of plants, and flowers are crucial organs used in angiosperm taxonomy, deciphering fossil flowers is undisputedly important in botany. In the previous two editions, enough of pre-Cretaceous angiosperms have been documented, and a theory, the Unifying Theory, has been advanced and proved. Several significant progresses have been made in the past eight years, this makes a newer edition badly needed for students studying botany and plant evolution. Most importantly, new fossil angiosperms discovered in the Permian, which is over 250 million years ago, and recent molecular estimates as well as fossil insect records converge to an origin of angiosperms in a pre-Cretaceous age. These progresses go far beyond the expectation of all botanical textbooks, prompting a new wave of theory innovations in the coming years. Third edition of THE DAWN ANGIOSPERMS will place a foundation for and trigger such innovations. Needless to say, publishing such a monograph will place Springer once again in the center of these science innovations. Inhaltsverzeichnis Chapter 1. Introduction.- Chapter 2. Suggested angiosperm ancestors.- Chapter 3. Angiosperms: characters and criteria.- Chapter 4. Background for the plant fossils.- Chapter 5. Flowers from the Early Cretaceous.- Chapter 6. Pre-Cretaceous Angiosperms.- Chapter 7. Putative plants transient between gymnosperms and angiosperms.- Chapter 8. The Making of flowers and Plant Evolution.- Chapter 9. General conclusions.- Chapter 10. Appendices. Autorenportrait Xin Wang, 1990 bachelor at Peking University, 1993 master at the Institute of Botany, CAS, 2004 doctor at University of Florida. Researcher at the Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, CAS since 2004. With over hundred peer-reviewed publications, Xin Wang and his colleagues have confirmed the earliest occurrences of angiosperms in the Early Permian (over hundred million years before widely assumed), unified the evolution of reproductive organs in land plants, raised a ubiquitous evolutionary pattern ODC (offspring development conditioning). Xin Wang pioneered research on plant cytoplasm research. In addition, Xin Wang also works on prime numbers and has brought the chaotic primer numbers in order.

This book proposes an integrated methodology for developing and implementing a sustainable university model, one that aligns academic institutions with the global imperatives of environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and innovation. Positioned at the intersection of higher education, sustainability science, and global collaboration, the book offers both theoretical grounding and actionable strategies for university leaders, educators, policymakers, and institutional planners seeking to catalyze systemic transformation. At its core, the book argues that universities must evolve beyond their traditional roles as knowledge producers to become proactive agents of sustainable development. The proposed framework emphasizes the interdependence of global partnerships and co-creation as essential mechanisms for institutional transformation. By forging cross-border academic alliances, universities can expand their capacity to address complex global challenges, share resources and expertise, and co-develop contextually relevant solutions. These partnerships, however, must go beyond conventional exchange models to embrace reciprocity, mutual learning, and long-term collaboration rooted in shared values. The book also advances a redefinition of sustainability in higher education, extending beyond environmental performance to encompass economic viability, social inclusion, ethical governance, and intergenerational equity. It advocates for embedding the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into the institutional fabric-not merely as thematic areas of research, but as organizing principles for decision-making, teaching, infrastructure, and community engagement. Inhaltsverzeichnis Chapter 1: The Global Imperative for Sustainable Development and The Role of Higher Education.- Chapter 2: The Negentropic University - Re Commoning Planetary Computational Knowledge.- Chapter 3: How Can Universities Be Drivers of A Sustainable And Just Transition? Insights From The Italian Context And The University of Trieste.- Chapter 4: Co-Creation and Stakeholder Engagement For Sustainability In Higher Education.- Chapter 5: Leveraging University-Based Collaborative Governance For Sustainable Outcomes: Lessons From Portland State University s National Policy Consensus Center.- Chapter 6: From Classrooms To Campuses: Driving Sustainability Transformations Through Multidisciplinary Education And Green Governance In Campuses.- Chapter 7: Beyond Metrics: Toward A Dynamic Co-Creation Framework For Strategy, Performance, and Long-Term Impact.- Chapter 8: Why Not Change The World: The Global Rotation Program Through The Transnational Living Lab.- Chapter 9: The Green Turn And The Search For Legitimacy: Reimagining The University In An Age of Planetary Crisis.- Chapter 10: Cultural Collaborations Towards Regenerative Futures: Italy And Vietnam's Sustainable Approach To Adaptive Reuse Pedagogy In Ho Chi Minh City.- Chapter 11: Introducing the CISU Model: Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) Driving Sustainable University Education.- Chapter 12: Case Study of Different Universities - Implementing A Sustainable Campus Model Case Study 01- Vietnam: The Case of University of Econ'omics Ho Chi Minh City And A Context-Specific Framework For Phased Sustainability Transformation.- Chapter 13: Designing A Green University: Sutd And Singapore s New Ecology of Higher Learning. Autorenportrait Assoc. Prof. Tu Anh Trinh, PhD. is a senior lecturer and the Director of the Institute of Smart City and Management at the College of Technology and Design, UEH. In 2025, she becomes an associate professor, reflecting her significant contributions to the field. Her expertise is further demonstrated through her leadership in transdisciplinary research, combining the fields of sustainability, smart cities, urban and transportation planning, road safety, air transport economics. Assoc. Prof. Trinh's academic excellence is underscored by her extensive publication record in prestigious journals and conference proceedings, marking her as a prominent contributor to her field. Her academic influence extends internationally, as she frequently acts as a guest lecturer, supervisor, and reviewer for master's and Ph.D. candidates at esteemed institutions such as the University of Trieste, Hasselt University, Thammasat University, and Handong Global University. Assoc. Prof. Trinh is a key figure in the organization of international conferences, serving as co-chair for notable events including the International Conference on Sustainable Development in Civil, Urban, and Transportation Engineering (CUTE-2016, 2018), the Aviation Future: Challenges and Solutions (AFCS, 2020), the Resilience by Technology and Design (RTD-2022, 2024, 2026), and the Sustainable University Development: Opportunities and Challenges (SUDOC, 2022). M.Sc. Dang The Hien is a seasoned architect, urban planner, and urban designer with a rich background in both professional practice and academia. He has worked at the Southern Institute for Spatial Planning and the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Architecture Urban Planning. After more than eight years as a lecturer and the international coordinator for the faculty at Ton Duc Thang University, he is now contributing his expertise at ISCM. His interests lie in sustainable urban development, enhancing urban livability, addressing urban informalities, and advancing urban design and landscaping, all driven by a commitment to creating more resilient and inclusive urban environments. He is also the manager of the smART Hub Living Lab, a pilot living lab project at UEH's Vo Thi Sau campus. The project serves as a vibrant socio-technical nexus where technology and artistic expression converge to drive smart innovation, with the goal of advancing towards a net zero future.Dr. Le Thi Hanh An currently serves as Deputy Head of Communications and Partnerships, Deputy Head of the UEH Co-creation & Innovation Laboratory, and Manager of the UEH Green Campus Project at the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH). She earned her Ph.D. in Transportation Sciences from Hasselt University (Belgium), with an interdisciplinary research focus on city branding and transportation issues within the context of sustainable development. In her role of planning and implementing sustainability strategies at UEH, Dr. Le Thi Hanh An contributes significantly to advancing the green transformation of higher education institutions, particularly through the UEH Green Campus Project. Beyond leading initiatives related to sustainable campus operations, she actively engages in research, publishes scientific studies, and authors scholarly books on sustainable university development. Through these contributions, she helps disseminate knowledge and inspire communities on the journey toward a more sustainable future.Sandhya Rao is an urban designer and sustainability practitioner with over 15 years of experience spanning professional practice, academia, and collaborative research. Her work centers on climate resilience, digital innovation, and net zero urban transitions, with a particular focus on heritage-sensitive urban regeneration and sustainable precinct development. Through her independent practice and collaborations, she co-founded Citylab BLR, leading participatory city-making projects includin Assoc. Prof. Tu Anh Trinh, PhD. is a senior lecturer and the Director of the Institute of Smart City and Management at the College of Technology and Design, UEH. In 2025, she becomes an associate professor, reflecting her significant contributions to the field. Her expertise is further demonstrated through her leadership in transdisciplinary research, combining the fields of sustainability, smart cities, urban and transportation planning, road safety, air transport economics. Assoc. Prof. Trinh's academic excellence is underscored by her extensive publication record in prestigious journals and conference proceedings, marking her as a prominent contributor to her field. Her academic influence extends internationally, as she frequently acts as a guest lecturer, supervisor, and reviewer for master's and Ph.D. candidates at esteemed institutions such as the University of Trieste, Hasselt University, Thammasat University, and Handong Global University. Assoc. Prof. Trinh is a key figure in the organization of international conferences, serving as co-chair for notable events including the International Conference on Sustainable Development in Civil, Urban, and Transportation Engineering (CUTE-2016, 2018), the Aviation Future: Challenges and Solutions (AFCS, 2020), the Resilience by Technology and Design (RTD-2022, 2024, 2026), and the Sustainable University Development: Opportunities and Challenges (SUDOC, 2022).

This book introduces a novel translational research framework designed to bridge the persistent gap between climate adaptation research and community-level action in Southeast Asia. Distinctively, it adapts principles from health sciences (contextualisation, co-production, iterative learning, and scalability) to the climate domain, offering a practical model for operationalising research in diverse, resource-constrained settings. Organised across six focused chapters, the book combines theoretical grounding with applied frameworks and regional case examples from Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand. The content is deliberately structured to balance academic rigour with accessibility, making it a valuable resource for researchers, development practitioners, and policy actors. Educationally, it equips readers with actionable tools and structured guidance for designing and implementing climate interventions that are locally grounded, participatory, and scalable. It satisfies the growing need for practical, context-sensitive methods that move beyond policy discourse to enable measurable adaptation outcomes particularly in vulnerable, rapidly changing regions like Southeast Asia. Inhaltsverzeichnis Chapter 1: Climate Adaptation Challenges in Southeast Asia.- Chapter 2: Why Translational Research Matters for Climate Adaptation.- Chapter 3: A Framework for Translating Climate Research into Action.- Chapter 4: Localising the Framework in Southeast Asia.- Chapter 5: From Local Action to Scalable Climate Adaptation.- Chapter 6: From Translational Knowledge to Enduring Climate Governance: Conclusion and Future Directions. Autorenportrait Dr Florianna Lendai anak Michael Mulok is a Senior Lecturer, Research Fellow, and Programme Coordinator for the Master of Science (Occupational Safety and Health) at the Faculty of Cognitive Sciences and Human Development, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), Malaysia. Her research focuses on climate adaptation, sustainability, environmental governance, community resilience, and translational research. She has led multidisciplinary research and consultancy projects with government agencies, local authorities, industry partners, and international collaborators, translating climate research into practical strategies, policies, and community-based interventions that support sustainable development and climate resilience across Southeast Asia. Professor Dr Fitri Suraya Mohamad is a Professor at the Faculty of Cognitive Sciences and Human Development, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), Malaysia. Her expertise lies in educational technology, learning sciences, digital pedagogy, gamification, and community-centred learning. She has more than two decades of experience in higher education, leading national and international research, curriculum innovation, and capacity-building initiatives. Her work focuses on translating research into effective educational and community engagement practices through technology-enhanced and participatory approaches.

The book "Universities as Change Agents in Sustainable Development" arises from the acknowledgment of the fact that higher education institutions are uniquely positioned to shape mindsets, drive innovation, and lead societal transformation. Unlike governments or corporations, universities enjoy academic freedom, long-term planning horizons, and a multidisciplinary vantage point that allows them to tackle the interconnected economic, social, and environmental challenges of our time. Yet this potential remains largely underutilized. Despite countless campus sustainability initiatives, sustainability-focused degree programs, and research centers, many universities still struggle to integrate sustainable development deeply into their core strategies-teaching, research, operations, and community engagement often remain siloed, and institutional inertia, funding shortages, or misaligned incentive systems frequently undermine transformative action. This book emerges from the urgent need to move beyond isolated pilot projects and symbolic commitments toward systemic, institution-wide change. It brings together evidence-based case studies, theoretical frameworks, and practical toolkits from diverse global contexts-ranging from grassroots student-led movements to system-level policy reforms in European research universities. The contributors argue that universities can act as true "change agents" by reimagining curricula to foster sustainability competencies, leveraging their purchasing power and endowments for ethical investments, partnering with local communities for co-created solutions, and reorienting research agendas toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Moreover, the book critically examines barriers such as hierarchical governance, resistance to pedagogical innovation, and the tension between academic neutrality and advocacy. Ultimately, it offers a roadmap for university leaders, faculty, students, and policymakers to harness higher education's unique moral authority and intellectual capital-not merely to adapt to a changing world but to actively co-create a just, resilient, and thriving future for all. Inhaltsverzeichnis Operationalizing sustainability in Higher Education: Student awareness of generative AI s environmental footprint and pathways to campus circularity.- Learner Archetypes and Feedback Loops in a Sustainability-Oriented MBA: Implications for Collaborative Learning Design.- Integrating Sustainability Frameworks with Adaptive Bayesian Networks for Flexible Learning Pathways in Higher Education. Autorenportrait Walter Leal Filho is a Senior Professor and Head of the Research and Transfer Centre "Sustainable Development and Climate Change Management" at Hamburg University of Applied Sciences in Germany, and Chair of Environment and Technology at Manchester Metropolitan University, UK. He is the initiator of the Word Sustainable Development Symposia (WSSD-U) series, and chairs the Inter-University Sustainable Development Research Programme. Professor Leal Filho has written, co-written, edited or co-edited more than 800 publications, including books, book chapters and papers in refereed journals. Katrin Männik is a Researcher in Sustainable Education at Tallinn University, Estonia, and a member of the SustainERA research group for sustainable futures. She is Head of the Tallinn University's Centre of Excellence in Educational Innovation, Head of the interdisciplinary Environmental Change and Adaptation Cluster KEKO, and Director of the Baltic University Programme's Estonian Centre. Dr Männik has been involved in international research, consultancy, and policy work on innovation systems, university-business collaboration, and sustainability transitions, and contributes to the development of lifelong learning programmes that support sustainability capacity building. She has been nominated by the Estonian Research Council for AcademiaNet, coordinated by the Swiss National Science Foundation. She is a Steering Committee Member of the European Universities Continuous Education Association (EUCEN).

This book provides an interdisciplinary examination of the complex interactions among the atmosphere, land surface, water systems, built environment, and human activities that shape urban climates across the region. The book brings together research on urban heat islands, air quality, microclimates, extreme rainfall, urban hydrology, land use/ land cover changes, land degradation, and climate resilience. It also highlights the application of remote sensing, geographic information systems, numerical modelling, and machine learning approaches to monitor, explain, and predict changes in urban environments. Through conceptual reviews, methodological advances, and regional case studies from diverse Indian cities, the volume connects scientific understanding with practical responses to emerging urban climate challenges. It demonstrates how contemporary research can support climate adaptation, risk reduction, environmental management, and sustainable urban planning. The book serves as a valuable reference for researchers, postgraduate students, urban planners, environmental professionals, and policymakers in atmospheric science, climatology, hydrology, remote sensing, environmental science and engineering, and urban planning for understanding and tackling climate dynamics, fostering a deeper comprehension of atmospheric challenges of Indian cities.