1. Introduction / V. H. Heywood and I. Baste -- 2. Characterization of biodiversity / F. A. Bisby -- 3. Magnitude and distribution of biodiversity / D. I. Hawksworth and M. T. Kalin-Arroyo -- 4. Generation, maintenance and loss of biodiversity / R. Barbault and S. D. Sastrapradja -- 5. Biodiversity and ecosystem functioning: basic principles / H. A. Mooney, J. Lubchenco, R. Dirzo and O. E. Sala -- 6. Biodiversity and ecosystem functioning: ecosystem analyses / H. A. Mooney, J. Lubchenco, R. Dirzo and O. E. Sala -- 7. Inventorying and monitoring of biodiversity / N. E. Stork and M. J. Samways -- 8. The resource base for biodiversity assessments / D. L. Hawksworth -- 9. Data and information management and communication / S. Olivieri, J. Harrison and J. R. Busby -- 10. Biotechnology / B. Barlow and G. T. Tzotzos -- 11. Human influences on biodiversity / J. A. McNeely, M. Gadgil, C. Leveque, C. Padoch and K. Redford -- 12. Economic values of biodiversity / C. Perrings.

13. Measures for conservation of biodiversity and sustainable use of its components / K. Miller, M. H. Allegretti, N. Johnson and B. Jonsson -- Annex 1 Organization of the Global Biodiversity Assessment -- Annex 2 List of institutions and staff involved in the GBA project -- Annex 3 Venues, dates and participants in GBA meetings and workshops -- Annex 4 Contributors to the Global Biodiversity Assessment -- Annex 5 List of peer reviewers of the Global Biodiversity Assessment -- Annex 6 Glossary -- Annex 7 List of acronyms.