ABSTRACT
The term biodiversity denotes the variability of all life forms on this earth. It is a vital resource which needs to be assiduously conserved for posterity, because it has in it the key to progress in medicine, agriculture, forestry, aquaculture and numerous other fields. Loss and fragmentation of natural habitats, over exploitation of plant and animal species, impact of exotics, industrial effluents, climate change and above all the greed of man are some of the causative factors for erosion of this biodiversity. This chapter discusses among other things, definition of biodiversity, global endowment of biodiversity, looming threats to its survival and importance of Biodiversity inMedicine, Agriculture and Forestry. The relationship between biodiversity and climate change, how bio resources maintain ecological services and support human livelihood is dealt with subsequently. The policy and legal instruments, the role of traditional knowledge and the need for equity in access and distribution of benefits and future portends in biodiversity conservation are discussed towards the end.
