Biodiversity of the Himalaya

This new two-volume set pays tribute to the incredibly diversified Himalaya. It presents and assesses the various threats and challenges to Himalayan biodiversity, documenting the multifaceted approaches for conservation and sustainable management of biological resources in the Himalayan region.

Volume 1 focuses on the flora of the area, exploring the diversity, distribution, utilization, threat status, and conservation of medicinal, edible, and other economic plant resources of the region. The chapters consider the impact of traditional as well as scientific knowledge on the conservation of floral wealth in the region and recognize the importance of maintaining and preserving the plant diversity. The chapters cover diverse topics, including the traditional medicinal uses, pharmacological activity, and phytochemistry of selected plants and mushrooms. The book also proposes several biotechnological interventions and propagation strategies for some endangered plants. The threats posed by non-native invasive plants to the region's diverse biodiversity are examined as well, as is the very real and destructive impact of climate change. Conservation and management strategies for endangered plants of the Himalaya are also covered.