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 while also documenting the multifaceted approaches for conservation and sustainable management of biological resources in the Himalayan region. Volume 1: Utilization, Conservation, and Management of Plant Resources 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 recognizes 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. Volume 2 focuses on the utilization, conservation, and management of animal resources in the Himalayan region. Chapters cover traditional knowledge of insects and animals for food and medicinal purposes. The rich faunal biodiversity of the region is vulnerable to a number of threats. Discussed in the volume are adverse changing climatic conditions; the overuse of chemical and synthetic pesticides; eco-tourism, wildlife tourism, and hunting tourism; radiation from cell phone towers; invasive/alien animal and plant species; habitat destruction; etc., and how they impact the region. Sustainable mitigation and conservation strategies are described as well, offering hope for preservation of the rich biodiversity of the Himalaya. The information in these volumes will be an invaluable asset for economic botanists, horticulturists, plant breeders, ethnobotanists, biotechnologists, environmentalists, policy planners, and laymen alike interested in understanding and preserving the abundant biodiversity of the Himalaya.