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Genetic erosion, that is, the loss of native plant and geneticdiversity has been exponential from the Mediterranean Basin throughthe Twentieth century. This careless eradication of species andgenetic diversity as a result of human activities from a 'hot-spot' ofdiversity threatens sustainable agriculture and food security for thetemperate regions of the world. Since the early 1900s there has been alargely ad hoc movement to halt the loss of plant diversity andenhance its utilisation. The Convention on Biological Diversity andFood and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations InternationalUndertaking on Plant Genetic Resources, both highlight the need toimprove conservation methodologies and enhance utilisation techniques.

It has been argued that the most important component of biodiversityis the genetic diversity of crop and forage species used to feedhumans and livestock. These cultivated and related wild speciesprovides the raw material for further selection and improvement. Leguminosae species are of major economic importance (peas, chickpeas,lentils and faba beans, as well as numerous forage species) andprovide a particularly rich source of protein for human and animalfoods. Their distribution is concentrated in the Mediterranean regionand therefore the improvement of their conservation and use in theregion is critical.

This text is designed to help ensure an adequate breadth of legumediversity is conserved and to help maximise the use of that conserveddiversity. The subjects of conservation and use of legume diversity,the Mediterranean ecosystem and taxonomy of legumes are introduced.Generic reviews of the taxonomy, centre of diversity, ecogeographicdistribution, genetic diversity distribution, conservation status,conservation gaps and future research needs are provided, along with adiscussion of the importance of rhizobia to the maintenance of legumediversity. Current ex situ and in situ conservation activities as wellcurrent legume uses are reviewed. In conclusion future priorities forex situ and in situ plant genetic conservation and use ofMediterranean legumes are highlighted. All contributors look forwardrather than simply reviewing past and current activities and thereforeit is hoped that the identification of genetic erosion, location oftaxonomic and genetic diversity and promotion of more efficientutilisation of conserved material will be enhanced. ... Read more

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Secondary pollen presentation is presentation of pollen to vectors by structures other than anthers, either passively or via a specialized protection and delivery system. The main part of the book describes secondary pollen presentation genus-by-genus in 25 families. The subject has never been extensively reviewed, although secondary pollen presentation occurs in the largest family of flowering plants, the Asteraceae (Compositae), and a large family of great economic importance, the Leguminosae. Now material from the scattered literature is brought together and supplemented with original observations. Many species are illustrated and each family is individually discussed. The last two chapters provide an overview of the whole topic. All the main functions that secondary pollen presentation may perform can be carried out in other plants without it. It is concluded from this that the evolution of secondary pollen presentation has been subject to constraint and canalization. The floral biology of most plants with secondary pollen presentation has not been adequately studied. Appendix 1 points to a wide range of topics on which research at various technical and academic levels is needed. The book should also become a reference work for morphologists, systematists, and floral ecologists. ... Read more

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Outside Russia very little is known about the terrestrial ecology, vegetation, biogeographical patterns, and biodiversity of the enormously extensive ecosystems of Yakutia, Siberia. These systems are very special in that they function on top of huge layers of permafrost and are exposed to very severe and extreme weather conditions, the range between winter and summer temperatures being more than 100 degrees C. The soils are generally poor, and human use of the vegetation is usually extensive. Main vegetation zones are taiga and tundra, but Yakutia also supports a special land and vegetation form, caused by permafrost, the alas: more or less extensive grasslands around roundish lakes in taiga. All these vegetation types will be described and their ecology and ecophysiological characteristics will be dealt with. Because of the size of Yakutia, covering several climatic zones, and its extreme position on ecological gradients, Yakutia contains very interesting biogeographical patterns, which also will be described. Our analyses are drawn from many years of research in Yakutia and from a vast body of ecological and other literature in Russian publications and in unpublished local reports. The anthropogenic influence on the ecosystems will be dealt with. This includes the main activities of human interference with nature: forestry, extensive reindeer herding, cattle and horse grazing, etc. Also fire and other prominent ecological factors are dealt with. A very important point is also the very high degree of naturalness that is still extant in Yakutia’s main vegetation zones.

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In this volume, 24 flowering plant families comprising a total of 911 genera are treated. They represent the asterid order Lamiales except for Acanthaceae (including Avicenniaceae), which will be included in a later volume. Although most of the constituent families of the order have been recognized as being closely related long ago, the inclusion of the families Byblidaceae, Carlemanniaceae and Plocospermataceae is the result mainly of recent molecular systematic research. Keys for the identification of all genera are provided, and likely phylogenetic relationships are discussed extensively. To facilitate the recognition of relationships, families are cross-referenced where necessary. The wealth of information contained in this volume makes it an indispensable source for anybody in the fields of pure and applied plant sciences. ... Read more

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Contributed articles; brought out in honor of the former Pro-Vice-chancellor of M.S. University, Baroda. ... Read more

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Plant molecular biology has produced an ever-increasing floodof data about genes and genomes. Evolutionary biology and systematicsprovides the context for synthesizing this information. This bookbrings together contributions from evolutionary biologists,systematists, developmental geneticists, biochemists, and othersworking on diverse aspects of plant biology whose work touches tovarying degrees on plant molecular evolution. The book is organized inthree parts, the first of which introduces broad topics inevolutionary biology and summarizes advances in plant molecularphylogenetics, with emphasis on model plant systems. The secondsegment presents a series of case studies of gene family evolution,while the third gives overviews of the evolution of important plantprocesses such as disease resistance, nodulation, hybridization,transposable elements and genome evolution, and polyploidy. ... Read more

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The Illustrated Handbook of Succulent Plants represents the first comprehensive taxonomic treatment of succulents in thirty years. It covers over 9000 taxa of all succulents except Cactaceae. This volume on the Asclepiadaceae (milkweed family) presents all kinds of succulent plants from geophytic Raphionacme, leaf succulent Hoya to stem succulent Cynanchum and, of course, the popular stapeliads (carrion flowers). A total of 1119 species are included; of the 70 genera treated, 49 are covered in their entirety. The most species-rich assemblages are Ceropegia (lantern flowers) and Brachystelma. For the latter a complete generic treatment is presented for the first time. The handbook is devoted to a family famous for their outstandingly complex and beautiful flowers and is illustrated with 332 superb colour photos. Keys to genera are provided; for all accepted taxa, descriptions including typification and distributional data, full synonymy and literature references are given. ... Read more

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In this volume, the ninth of the series, treatments are offered for 52 families containing 432 genera belonging to 13 eudicot orders, many of which have recently been newly designed; four families remain unassigned to order. Emphasis is on the early-diverging eudicots and basal core eudicots the phylogenetic relationships and diversification of which have recently been in focus and are critically discussed. Systematically relevant information includes descriptions of families and genera, keys to the genera, and references to recent revisions. Introductions to the families provide convenient, in-depth overviews of key aspects of systematics. The wealth and precision of information contained in this volume will make it an important source of reference for both the scholar and the practitioner in the fields of pure and applied plant sciences.

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This longterm study of the Genus Duvalia deals with all aspects of modern biosystematic research. All - partly rare - taxa were investigated, using living material. Apart from a sound investigation of the often complex and variable morphology, insights into the overall biological behaviour is offered, which has never been possible for these organisms before. Special emphasis is placed on the reproductive behaviour, which was reconsidered by field observations in South Africa, extensive crossing experiments and chromosome investigations. Based on chromosome and phytogeographical data, a sound phylogenetic evaluation is presented, giving an idea of the development of the genus in space and time. ... Read more

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Despite their long tradition spices are subject to international modern scientific research. This has made it necessary to disseminate knowledge to a large audience of interest. The book addresses this need by informing the reader about the complex worldwide use of spice plants.

The many spice and aromatic plants are arranged in alphabetical order of their botanical relevance. It includes all species which have been cultivated for the above purposes. It also covers species whose usage has long ceased or which are used only rarely or have become wild. In this respect the author has aimed at comprehensiveness. In total over 1400 plants have been collated.

The very extensive register of literature has been designed to facilitate intensive study of a specific plant or spice. Works both on botany and agriculture, and on chemistry, pharmacodynamics and usage have been considered.

The book is aimed principally at spice and aroma experts, pharmacists, botanists and interested lay persons. But the author also had in mind food chemists, dieticians and agricultural scientists, for whom botany, chemistry and pharmacological aspects may be of interest. It is hoped that those occupied in the spice and aroma industry involved in creating spice blends and the like will also take inspiration from the book.