This book is about phylogenetic diversity as an approach to reduce biodiversity losses in this period of mass extinction. Chapters in the first section deal with questions such as the way we value phylogenetic diversity among other criteria for biodiversity conservation; the choice of measures; the loss of phylogenetic diversity with extinction; the importance of organisms that are deeply branched in the tree of life, and the role of relict species. The second section is composed by contributions exploring methodological aspects, such as how to deal with abundance, sampling effort, or conflicting trees in analysis of phylogenetic diversity. The last section is devoted to applications, showing how phylogenetic diversity can be integrated in systematic conservation planning, in EDGE and HEDGE evaluations. This wide coverage makes the book a reference for academics, policy makers and stakeholders dealing with biodiversity conservation.

Biological Systematics: Principles and Applications draws equally from examples in botany and zoology to provide a modern account of cladistic principles and techniques. It is a core systematics textbook with a focus on parsimony-based approaches for students and biologists interested in systematics and comparative biology. Randall T. Schuh and Andrew V. Z. Brower cover: -the history and philosophy of systematics and nomenclature; -the mechanics and methods of analysis and evaluation of results; -the practical applications of results and wider relevance within biological classification, biogeography, adaptation and coevolution, biodiversity, and conservation; and -software applications. This new and thoroughly revised edition reflects the exponential growth in the use of DNA sequence data in systematics. New data techniques and a notable increase in the number of examples from molecular systematics will be of interest to students increasingly involved in molecular and genetic work.

Global Biodiversity is the most comprehensive compendium of conservation information ever published. It provides the first systematic report on the status, distribution, management, and utilisation of the planet's biological wealth.

This volume compiles the `state of the art' knowledge on several aspects of ``Biodiversity, Conservation, and Systematics". The International Botanical Community recognizes "that plants create the ecological habitat for all terrestrial organisms, and that their management and conservation depend on a good understanding of their taxonomy". Biodiversity is considered as "an immense economic resource". Its conservation and sustainable use ensures food security, safeguards human health, and provides ecological as well as aesthetic and cultural benefits. Systematics, as a fundamental science, serves as a very important discipline for understanding biodiversity. In this volume, emphasis has been laid on the simplest Prokaryotic organisms, the diverse Algae, the "Adaptive Strategies of Bryophytes and the "Diversity in Pteridophytes". There is stress on the importance of Ethnic Knowledge, Botanic Gardens, and Reproductive Biology in conservation. Interesting aspects of `Invasive Plant Species', `Analysis of Plant Biodiversity and Evolution at Genome Level' and `Leaf Epidermal Diversity in Grasses' are discussed. Detailed accounts of the fauna and flora of Punjab have also been provided. Dr. Prithipalsingh is a Senior Reader in Botany in Kirorimal College. He has been teaching since 1971. The areas of special interest in which he is recognized as an expert include, besides Plant Taxonomy, Biodiversity Studies, Ecology and Environmental Biology. He has published numerous research papers in National and International Journals. Dr. Prithipalsingh served on the National Consultation Committee for discussing the "State of the Environment Report of India 2001" prepared by the United Nations Environment Programme. He has completed a project on "Status of biodiversity conservation in Punjab" for the Punjab Forest Department, as a member of the Tata Energy Research Institute team. As a consultant for Biodiversity with “The Energy Research Institute (TERI)”, Dr. Prithipalsingh participated in several World Bank funded research projects of the Uttar Pradesh/Uttranchal State Forest Department. He has obtained first hand information on the effect of 'fire', 'grazing', 'collection of non-timber forest products' and 'natural regeneration', focusing on the ground realities for evaluating the impact of different parameters necessary for formulating “management recommendations”.

Deals with biodiversity from evolution and interpretation of evolution as well as taxonomy. The relationships of Plant Systematics to Biodiversity is in the conclusion has an index to Taxa Index to subjects

Taking a multidisciplinary approach, this book explores how new technologies are facilitating more effective collection and dissemination of taxonomic data.

Phylogeny is a potentially powerful tool for conserving biodiversity. This book explores how it can be used to tackle questions of great practical importance and urgency for conservation. Using case studies from many different taxa and regions of the world, the volume evaluates how useful phylogeny is in understanding the processes that have generated today's diversity and the processes that now threaten it. The urgency with which conservation decisions have to be made as well as the need for the best possible decisions make this volume of great value to researchers, practitioners and policy-makers.