The depletion of biodiversity is an alarming problem all over the country. The world conservation strategy suggests that the initial effort of biodiversity conservation should aim at establishment and maintenance of a network of protected area systems by making policy changes involving local people in the protected areas management and mobilising financial resources for their conservation and protection. The problem of biodiversity conservation has become a global issue. It is being realised that forests existing in a country is not a resource just for that country, but for the whole of the world. The Amazoian Rain Forests have been called the Lungs of the World as they serve to purity of the global atmosphere by release of oxygen and absorption of Pollutants. The rate of deforestation is several times higher in the developing countries than the developed countries, as the forests are being felled to generate funds and space for development. The total number of species in the world is estimated to be around 5 to 30 million but of which about 1.4 millions species have been described. The total number of plant species in India is estimated to be about 45,000 (15,000 flowering plants, 64 gymnosperms, 2843 bryopthes, 1042 pteriodophytes, 1940 lichans and 23,000 fungi). Nearly 4900 of those species are endemic to India out of which 1500 are highly threatened (MOEF, 1994). Contents Chapter 1: Plant biodiversity; Chapter 2: Phyto sociological region of india; Chapter 3: Phyto sociological region of the trans-himalaya; Chapter 4: Phyto sociological region of the west himalaya; Chapter 5: Phyto sociological region of the eastern himalaya; Chapter 6: Phyto sociological region of north-east india; Chapter 7: Phyto sociological region of the indian desert; Chapter 8: Phto sociological region of the semi-aridzone; Chapter 9: Phyto sociological region of the gangetic plains; Chapter 10: Phyto sociological region of the western ghats; Chapter 11: Phyto sociological region of the deccan peninsula; Chapter 12: Phyto sociological region of the indian coasts; Chapter 13: Phyto sociological regions of andaman and nicobar islands; Chapter 14: Phyto sociological region of the lakshadeep islands; Chapter 15: Aquatic and wetland vegetation; Chapter 16: Weed and aliens; Chapter 17: Taxonomy: A view; Chapter 18: Angiosperms; Chapter 19: Gymnosperms; Chapter 20: Pteriodophytes; Chapter 21: Bryophytes; Chapter 22: Algae; Chapter 23: Ecology and distribution of the marine forms; Chapter 24: Fungi; Chapter 25: Lichens; Chapter 26: Botanical regions of india and their floristic compositions; Chapter 27: Some alien flowering plants.

Highlights the key role played by taxonomy in the conservation and sustainable utilisation of plant biodiversity.

Prithipalsingh, Indian taxonomist; contributed articles.

This collection of specially commissioned essays puts top scholarshead to head to debate the central issues in the lively and fastgrowing field of philosophy of biology Brings together original essays on ten of the most hotlydebated questions in philosophy of biology Lively head-to-head debate format sharply defines the issuesand paves the way for further discussion Includes coverage of the new and vital area of evolutionarydevelopmental biology, as well as the concept of a unified species,the role of genes in selection, the differences between micro- andmacro-evolution, and much more Each section features an introduction to the topic as well assuggestions for further reading Offers an accessible overview of this fast-growing and dynamicfield, whilst also capturing the imagination of professionalphilosophers and biologists

The field of plant taxonomy has transformed rapidly over the past fifteen years, especially with regard to improvements in cladistic analysis and the use of new molecular data. The second edition of this popular resource reflects these far-reaching and dramatic developments with more than 3,000 new references and many new figures. Synthesizing current research and trends, Plant Taxonomy now provides the most up-to-date overview in relation to monographic, biodiversity, and evolutionary studies, and continues to be an essential resource for students and scholars. This text is divided into two parts: Part 1 explains the principles of taxonomy, including the importance of systematics, characters, concepts of categories, and different approaches to biological classification. Part 2 outlines the different types of data used in plant taxonomic studies with suggestions on their efficacy and modes of presentation and evaluation. This section also lists the equipment and financial resources required for gathering each type of data. References throughout the book illuminate the historical development of taxonomic terminology and philosophy while citations offer further study. Plant Taxonomy is also a personal story of what it means to be a practicing taxonomist and to view these activities within a meaningful conceptual framework. Tod F. Stuessy recalls the progression of his own work and shares his belief that the most creative taxonomy is done by those who have a strong conceptual grasp of their own research.

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