Biological diversity : origin, evolution and conservation / editors Arum Kumar Sharma, Debal Ray, Soumyendra Nath Ghosh.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Section 1. Origin and evolution -- section 2. Current drivers of biodiversity loss -- section 3. Indian scenario -- section 4. Conservation initiatives.

The myriads of life forms, from unicellular microbes to complex eukaryotes, form components of the biosphere in which all living being live in mutual interdependence. This vast assemblage in this planet is the outcome of successive evolution over a period of four billion years. In the evolutionary history of this earth, human beings though comparatively recent in origin, have led to manipulation and unjudicious utilization of this pool of life to meet their own needs and satisfaction. This diversity of life, as no two individuals are alike, is the essence of survival of human beings in this planet. It helps in solving the unresolved questions on evolution, throws light on the life process before and after the great extinctions, provides clue to the understading of the selection process in nature, besides being a tool to improve the quality of our life.