This volume explores the globe's biodiversity and the theories and techniques for protecting it through conservation.

Part 1 Biodiversity - an overview: why is biodiversity important?
plant diversity
animal diversity
marine biodiversity
human diversity - the indigenous peoples
indigenous knowledge and biodiversity. Part 2 Genetic resources: crop genetic diversity
uniformity versus diversity
agricultural biodiversity
green revolution - the cost and remedy
who controls genetic diversity?
animal genetic resources
erosion of animal genetic diversity
aquatic diversity
is aquaculture the solution?
human genetic diversity
the convention on biological diversity
the north and south - need for shared responsibility. Part 3 Biotechnology and biodiversity: the techniques
the dream and the nightmare
the cases
release of GMOs into the environment
biosafety. Part 4 Biodiversity prospecting: the problems
the mechanisms and the economics
human diversity prospecting?
prospecting or bargaining?
intellectual property rights (IPR)
the tangled genes - invention or discovery?
why should patents not be extended to plants and animals? Part 5 Conservation: the principles and rationale
parks versus people
conservation outside protected areas
ex situ conservation
ex situ - UN FAO's State of the World report
conservation of animal biodiversity
wild - the hidden harvest
global programmes of conservation - FAO, NGOs and the CGIAR.