The Conservation of Plant Biodiversity

ISBN-13: 9780521467315 / Angielski / Miękka / 1995 / 316 str.

Otto H. Frankel; Jeremy J. Burdon; Anthony H. D. Brown

Opis

As in other areas of conservation, the crucial question concerning plant biodiversity isn't whether to conserve but how best to conserve diversity at the different levels of biological organization--the gene, the species and the community. Conservation biology is faced with several controversial issues, such as the dichotomy between the preservation of individual species versus a broader focus on the environment, the relative importance to give to endangered species, the design and management of reserves, and the drive for increasing agricultural productivity through plant improvement versus the drive to maintain traditional peasant varieties in cultivation. These and other issues are dealt with here by emphasizing and exploring the underlying scientific principles. The conservation of whole communities emerges as the paramount strategy for maintaining the evolutionary potential of plant life.

Recenzje

'A number of useful issues are discussed, notably the in - situ/ex- situ debate which is rapidly coming to the fore.' TEG News

Spis treści

Preface; Part I. Introduction: 1. The biological system of conservation; Part II. Diversity and Conservation of Plant Genes: 2. The genetic diversity of wild plants; 3. The genetic diversity of cultivated plants; 4. The conservation of cultivated plants; Part III. Conservation of Plant Species: 5. Plant species conservation and population biology; 6. The conservation in situ of useful or endangered wild species; 7. Ex situ conservation of threatened and endangered plants; Part IV. Conservation of Plant Communities: 8. Community structure and species interactions; 9. Choosing plant community reserves; 10. Managing plant community reserves; 11. Conclusions; References; Index.