The Conservation Of Plant Biodiversity

Discusses the various options for conserving plants at the level of the gene, species and community.

This book provides complete, comprehensive, and broad subject-based reviews for students, teachers, researchers, policymakers, conservationists, and NGOs interested in the biodiversity and conservation of woody plants. Forests cover approximately 31 percent of the world’s total landmass; 93 percent is natural forest and only 7 percent consists of planted trees. Forest decline is progressing at an alarming rate worldwide. In addition to human activities (logging, deforestation, and exploiting forest lands for agriculture and industrial use), a number of other factors – including pests and diseases, drought, soil acidity, radiation, and ozone – are cumulatively contributing to global forest decline. The present situation forces us to focus on forest conservation strategies for the present and future. Gene conservation and maintaining genetic diversity in forest ecosystems are crucial to the preservation of forest genetic resources. This calls for integrated action to implement both the in situ (on site) preservation of forest stands and ex situ (distant from the original site) strategies for the conservation of woody plants’ genetic resources. Selected priority areas include: 1) assessing patterns of genetic diversity and threats, 2) understanding the biological processes regulating genetic diversity, 3) assessing the impact of human activities and climate change on genetic diversity, and 5) finding methods for prioritizing species and populations for the conservation of forest trees genetic resources. All chapters were written by leading scientists in their respective fields, which include: woody plant diversity, ecology and evolution; assessment of genetic diversity in forest tree populations; conservation planning under climate change; and in situ and ex situ strategies, including biotechnological approaches, for the conservation of woody plants genetic resources.

Results of regular monitoring of the species diversity and structure of plant communities is used by conservation biologists to help understand impacts of perturbations caused by humans and other environmental factors on ecosystems worldwide. Changes in plant communities can, for example, be a reflection of increased levels of pollution, a response to long-term climate change, or the result of shifts in land-use practices by the human population. This book presents a series of essays on the application of plant biodiversity monitoring and assessment to help prevent species extinction, ecosystem collapse, and solve problems in biodiversity conservation. It has been written by a large international team of researchers and uses case studies and examples from all over the world, and from a broad range of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. The book is aimed at any graduate students and researchers with a strong interest in plant biodiversity monitoring and assessment, plant community ecology, biodiversity conservation, and the environmental impacts of human activities on ecosystems.

Original studies address key aspects of the conservation and biodiversity of plants. Articles are all peer-reviewed primary research papers, contributed by leading biodiversity researchers from around the world. Collectively, these articles provide a snapshot of the major issues and activities in global plant conservation. Many of the articles can serve as excellent case studies for courses in ecology, restoration, biodiversity, and conservation.

The papers included in this Special Issue address a variety of important aspects of plant biodiversity and genetic resources, including definitions, descriptions, and illustrations of different components and their value for food and nutrition security, breeding, and environmental services. Furthermore, comprehensive information is provided regarding conservation approaches and techniques for plant genetic resources, policy aspects, and results of biological, genetic, morphological, economic, social, and breeding-related research activities. The complexity and vulnerability of (plant) biodiversity and its inherent genetic resources, as an integral part of the contextual ecosystem and the human web of life, are clearly demonstrated in this Special Issue, and for several encountered problems and constraints, possible approaches or solutions are presented to overcome these.

Plant Biodiversity Is Where An Ecosystem In One Area Has An Abundance Of Different Plant Species. These Species Must Range From Grasses To Shrubs And Flowers To Large Trees To Be A Very Biodiverse Ecosystem. When An Ecosystem Is Very Biodiverse It Allows For Many More Animal Species To Live And Thrive There. Plant Biodiversity Has Contributed In Many Ways To The Development Of Human Culture, And, In Turn, Human Communities Have Played A Major Role In Shaping The Diversity Of Nature At The Genetic, Species, And Ecological Levels. All Species Provide Some Kind Of Function To An Ecosystem. This Book Incorporating Sixteen Chapters Covers Different Aspects Of Plant Biodiversity. Topics Such As Classification, Nomenclature, Plant Conservation, Plant Genetic Resources, Etc., Are Described In Detail. It Will Be Of A Valuable Reference Tool For Teachers, Students, Botanists, And Environmentalists. Contents Chapter 1: Plant Classification; Chapter 2: Plant Nomenclature; Chapter 3: Plant Germplasm; Chapter 4: Approaches To Plant Conservation; Chapter 5: Conservation Of Plant Genetic Resources; Chapter 6: Forest Biological Diversity; Chapter 7: Plant Production And Diversity; Chapter 8: Medicinal Plants On Biodiversity; Chapter 9: Exotic And Invasive Plants; Chapter 10: Native Plants Coservation; Chapter 11: Plant Biodiversity In India; Chapter 12: Plant Virus Biodiversity; Chapter 13: Analysis And Characterisation Of Plant Genetic Resources; Chapter 14: International Treaty On Plant Genetic Resources For Food And Agriculture; Chapter 15: Benefits Of Plant Biodiversity.

Plant conservation is increasingly recognised as an outstanding global priority, yet despite considerable efforts over the last few decades, the number of threatened species continues to rise. The practice of plant conservation has for too long been a rather hit-or-miss mixture of methods. While microorganisms have been recognised as a crucial and essential element in supporting the lifecycles of plant species, there has been limited recognition of the relationships between macro level conservation facilitating ecosystem functioning at the micro level. This book addresses the role of microorganisms in conservation - both their support functions and deleterious roles in ecosystem processes and species survival. Importantly, a number of authors highlight how microbial diversity is, itself, now under threat from the many and pervasive influences of man. What is clear from this volume is that like many contemporary treatments of plant and animal conservation, the solution to mitigate the erosion of biodiversity is not simple. This book represents an attempt to bring to the fore the ecological underwriting provided by microorganisms.

Highlights the key role played by taxonomy in the conservation and sustainable utilisation of plant biodiversity.