Chapter 18 **Importance of Underutilized Field Crops for Increasing Functional Biodiversity 377**

Franc Bavec, Urška Lisec and Martina Bavec

Preface

tion of biodiversity.

The biodiversity of life forms occurring in different habitats, from seemingly desolate arctic tundra to the species-rich tropical region, is the greatest wonder as well as richness of our planet. In fact, the world provides home for an amazing array of plants and animals. Thus, it is possible to define the earth's biosphere as an intricate tapestry of interwoven life forms with complex interactions. Biodiversity is also considered to be one of the valuable sources of many countries with their biological, medical and economical importance. However, bio‐ diversity loss has become one of the most significant issues for scientists, for environmental‐ ists and also for the public and governments. Particularly land-based pollution, deforestation, uncontrolled agriculture and tourism activities are the main factors responsi‐ ble both for habitat degradation and biodiversity loss. Unfortunately, many vital habitats of rare and vulnerable organisms have already been damaged or totally destroyed. Conse‐ quently, many plant and animal species have already extincted or are at risk of extinction. It is no coincidence that many societies have recently been founded for protection and conser‐ vation of biodiversity. In addition, significant Conventions on Biological Diversity (CBD) have been signed by many countries, thus committing themselves to carrying full responsi‐ bilities for the conservation of plant, animal and microbiological life in wild habitats. It holds true that in many countries, millions of dollars are spent each year for the conserva‐

Biodiversity is receiving a considerable attention, and the present book offers an overall upto-date overview of the biological diversity, comprising many interesting chapters focussing on the different aspects of biodiversity. Most of the chapters produce findings of investiga‐ tions and observations on biodiversity, whilst a few are based on statistically and theoreti‐ cally derived information. The book provides sufficient information on the occurrence and distribution of many plant and animal species and groups of organisms both from interest‐ ing terrestrial and aquatic habitats in different parts of the world. In addition, many interest‐ ing topics related to biodiversity such as "methods for biodiversity assessment", "biodiversity restoration", "seabed biodiversity", "ecological functions", "ecosystem serv‐ ices", "safeguarding marine diversity" and "transboundary animal migrations" are effi‐ ciently and sufficiently explained with noticeable examples and case studies in a variety of chapters. Accelerating changes in global climate are causing highly influential impacts on species persistence, and climate change and climate regime shifts in the future of biodiversi‐ ty are evaluated thoroughly in the book. Some chapters allow clarifying the origin of the countries of the plant species, particularly focussing on ornamental species that are signifi‐ cant in horticulture. The knowledge of species distribution is a vital component in the wild‐ life conservation and management, and it is worth to mention that many chapters provide an update of many of the principal issues in conservation biology and resource manage‐
