The Conservation of Plant Biodiversity

by Frankel, O. H.; Brown, Anthony H. D.; Burdon, Jeremy J.

• ISBN13: 9780521467315
• ISBN10: 0521467314
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1995-10-01
• Publisher: Cambridge Univ Pr

Summary

The Conservation of Plant Biodiversity highlights the different levels of biological organisation at which conservation is being addressed - 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 emphasising and exploring the underlying scientific principles. The conservation of whole communities emerges as the paramount strategy for maintaining the evolutionary potential of plant life.

Table of Contents

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.