Plant Diversity and Conservation in India : An Overview
Contents: Preface. Introduction. 1. What is biodiversity. 2. Origin of biodiversity. 3. Importance/value of biodiversity. 4. Threats to biodiversity. 5. Species extinction. 6. Why to conserve biodiversity. 7. Need for inventorisation and monitoring of biodiversity (plants). 8. India’s share of global biodiversity (plant diversity). 9. Genetic diversity. 10. Cropland and agricultural diversity. 11. Species diversity. 12. Ecosystem diversity. 13. Endemism in Indian flora. 14. Threatened species. 15. Biodiversity conservation in India. 16. Present status of biodiversity conservation efforts in India. 17. Capacity building in taxonomy. 18. Convention on biological diversity. 19. Intellecutal property right. Reference.
“Biodiversity means the variety and variability of plant and animal species. It provides the material basis for the survival of all the living beings on this planet. India due to its immense biodiversity ranks amongst the 12 richest megabiodiversity centres of the world. This book “Plant Diversity and Conservation in India—An overview”, deals with the various aspects of biodiversity in general and India in particular. The floral and crop plant diversity in various phytogeographical regions of India is described and discussed alongwith endemism in Indian flora and threatened species. A chapter dealing with the biodiversity conservation in India and its present status, institutions involved in in-situ and ex-situ conservation of plant diversity has been provided. A brief account of the “Convention on Biological diversity” (CBD) and “Intellectual Property Rights” has also been added. Apart from the text, 8 colour Maps/Figures and over 60 colour photograph of interesting vegetation types/habitats/endemic, threatened and economically important plant species have been provided in the book.” (jacket)
[H.J. Chowdhery is Deputy Director, Indian Botanic Garden, Howrah. He also wrote Flora of Arunachal Pradesh, Orchid Flora of Arunachal Pradesh and Flora of Himachal Pradesh.]
