Biodiversity: In the Service of Mankind

Biodiversity is of enormous importance to mankind as it has various intrinsic and anthropogenic values that validate its conservation, management, and sustainable utilization. The direct, as well as the indirect benefits of biodiversity, make it relevant to life sustenance. However, it is not just the monetary benefits of biodiversity that should be the driving agent for its conservation but also, the emotional, spiritual, and religious sentiments associated with it. Regrettably, global figures indicate a prompt decline in the number of floral and faunal diversities, with extinction threats for many of them. This book is being published to share information on ethnobotanical, medicinal, cultural, and environmental aspects of biodiversity, while also detailing the impact of human activity on biodiversity.