Riassunto
Principles and Practice of Plant Conservation is the first exhaustive and systematic treatment of the issues of plant conservation, other books on the subject having been collections of articles on specialized topics or of a regional nature. This book, growing out of a major sponsorship effort by two of the world's leading conservation organizations to 'assert the fundamental importance of plants in all conservation activities', provides the well-integrated coverage that arises from an expert's thoughtful analysis of the entire subject.
Commissioned by the World Wide Fund for Nature and IUCN - The World Conservation Union as part of their joint endeavor of 'building the capacity to conserve', this work by David R. Given elucidates the concepts that underlie successful conservation efforts. Drawing on his own work and involving international collaboration, the author also presents a large number of real-life case studies that illustrate the principles of conservation in action. Chapters are devoted to the natural - and unnatural - causes of plant rarity and endangerment, and the management of plant populations in natural habitats, in modified landscapes, and off-site to preserve germplasm. Going beyond the biology of conservation, other chapters are devoted to the ethical, educational, and economic aspects of plant conservation. Cyrille de Klemm, an expert on international law, has contributed a chapter on conservation legislation.
Plants play critical roles in the web of life, providing the food and shelter on which animals depend. As human population and development pressures on the world's biota increase, it is in the best interest of all to use plant resources wisely and sustainably. That will be possible only if plant diversity is maintained, and Principles and Practice of Plant Conservation is an essential reference for those concerned with how best to preserve what we have.
Recensione
This book ought to seve as an excellent text in conservation biology. For, if any lesson emerges from this fine and important work, it is that the principles and practice of conserving plant diversity are, and must remain, seamlessly interwoven within the whole cloth - Plant Talk; For botanists involved in field conservation studies, it is highly recommended as a handbook - Economic Botany; ... instructive and inspirational ... he has produced a book that describes the motives, methods and economic and political mechanisms for practical plant conservation, written in a style that combines passion with clarity and local pragmatism with a global vision. Almost every key point is illustrated with an example of plant conservation in action. - BBC Wildlife; Originating in recommendations by the IUCN Plant Advisory Group in 1987, this is the first comprehensive treatment of plant conservation and is concerned not only with preservation and sustainable use, but also with restoration and enhancement ... This is a well referenced guide which will be of wide interest to botanists and conservationists. - Aslib Book Guide; Given makes very few assumptions of prior knowledge, and has a didactic style; the result is very readable. The text is richly illuminated with short, specific 'case studies', useful checklists and flowcharts. I recommend it as essential reading for all students of plant conservation. - TREE; In conclusion, this volume should be required reading in every biology curriculum that touches conservation biology, and will hopefully be successful in drawing more particular attention to plants in the discussion and teaching of conservation. - Acta Botanica Neerlandica; This work...deals with the multiple aspects of this topic in-depth and exhaustively and in light of the most up-to-date knowledge available and the experience acquired on an international level. - Advances in Horticultural Science; We make no excuse in bringing this again to the notice of readers. It is a book that all plant conservationists should possess and read. - Plant Conservation News
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