The present work was initiated in autumn 1991, with the aim to compile a catalogue of test methods useful for the risk assessment of transgenic plants, hereafter synonymously referred to as gene- tically modified plants (GMP). The steering group decided that the methods included in the catalogue should be based on recent litera- ture with the main emphasis on competition, establishment, and eco- system effects. The main user groups for the catalogue are scientists and students working in plant ecology and risk assessment and ad- ministrators with responsibility for the legislation of...

The present work is a continuation of the work initiated in Autumn 1991, which resulted in the book, published by Birkhauser Verlag in 1994, entitled: Methods for Risk Assessment of Transgenic Plants. I. Competition, Establishment and Ecosystem Effects. Already when the work on volume 1 started, it was obvious to the authors, that not only the physical establishment of a transgenic plant outside the cultivated area was important for risk assessment, but also the possible gene-transfer from transgenic plants to other plants had to be considered. It was then decided to write a second volume on...