Incluye: referencias bibliográficas e índice.

C O N T E N T S – Introduction -- The Need For Conservation -- Threats And Habitats -- The Distribution Of Taxa In The Red Data Book Arranged By Regions -- The Red Data Book Categories -- How To Promote The Survival Of Species – Conclusions -- Preæ4ble To The Sheets -- Red Data Sheets On 250 Selected Species -- Index And List Of Species Covered.

Colección: "Amigos de Sian Ka´an"

“The plant world is essential to human life, Through tha ort—r ev,' of the sun, the green leaves of plants convert basic øiørnør,tg from the soil and atmosphere into the first stage of most life—giving and sustaining food chains. All our food is ultimately a product of the plant world, either directly or indirectly, from cereal crops through to domestic and grazing animals. Plant cover protects soils from erosion and has a major effect on weather systems, as well as forming the central feature of our natural environment.
But it is the diversity of the plant world and threats to Ladlvidual species that are the concern of this book. Because of the I Ink between plant diversity and that of the dependent fauna, both vertebrate and invertebrate, it is likely that a high rate of extinction In the plant kingdom will cause an even greater loss among other organisms.? lant3 in their very variety supply people with food, but also with a cornucopia of useful and vital products to cover virtually every need: timbers, medicines, paper, contraceptives, fibres, spices, resins and many others. In addition, people delight in the charm of numerous widely differing species, both in gardens and in the wild. Through studies of plant taxonomy and biogeography, scientists can analyse the diversity and draw conclusions of great significance for the understanding o: life processes, an understanding which can be further enhanced by investigation from a biochemical and physiological standpoint.”-- p. 7