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Synopsis Being one of the earliest living forms originated on this planet, blue green algae (cyanophytes/cyanobacteria) have successfully lived through a variety of environmental abiotic stresses, such as extreme heat of the primitive earth, anaerobiosis prevalent at the time of their origin to subsequent oxygeny for which they have been responsible. Over the years they have been responsible. Over the years they have adapted themselves to several man-made stresses like various types of industrial effluents of different chemical make-up, chemical fertilizers, pesticides, heavy metals, etc. for these reason they are considered as an appropriate model system for studies of stress and adaptive responses. The book contains information on ecophysiological responses of blue green algae in habitats polluted by different types of industrial effluents, e.g. the untreated effluent released from a molasses distillery, sponge-iron industry and a fertilizer factory. Interaction of nitrogen fixing blue green algae in rice field to different commercial pesticides has also been described. The blue green algal forms colonizing the exposed surface of archaeologically important temples and monuments of various regions of India is given. Survival strategies of blue green algal species on the exposed rock surfaces as well as in the crust on dried soils of rice fields under temperature and desiccation stress has been presented. Ecophysiology of thermal blue green algae has also been described. It would serve as a reference book for researchers in universities and research institutions working on adaptation of plants and microorganisms to environmental stresses and also for Botany, Microbiology and Environmental Science students at M.Sc. level.