This was used in a Master's course on Plant Diversity and is the most fascinating read I ever had from a 'textbook' (and is in clean condition)!
"This is the most significant period of plant destruction in the history of the planet! Plants are currently becoming extinct at a rate of nearly two species per day. More species of higher plants become extinct in a single year than all the higher animals lost since 1500 AD. This is the first book to address this grave crisis.
Tremendous untapped benefits to mankind ca be derived from little known wild plants. Keys are waiting to be found for wonder drugs, birth control, relieving hypertension, and perhaps even cures for cancer. The farming potential of wild species can provide future supercrops for millions by improving land yield and plant productivity. How about whale oil from plants? Diesel trees? Fibers from plants? When will we have forests of clones and supertrees? All this and much more is before us IF we don't lose these precious keys before we find them. Fascinating illustrated case histories of endangered plants around the world are integrated throughout the text.
Besides plant potential and the history and implications of global plant extinction, the authors offer some pragmatic solutions to this crisis. The authors provide an historical background to plant legislation, conservation, and preservation along with modern conservation efforts, world wide, and how you can work at the local, national, or international level to help preserve plant species."
"This is the most significant period of plant destruction in the history of the planet! Plants are currently becoming extinct at a rate of nearly two species per day. More species of higher plants become extinct in a single year than all the higher animals lost since 1500 AD. This is the first book to address this grave crisis.
Tremendous untapped benefits to mankind ca be derived from little known wild plants. Keys are waiting to be found for wonder drugs, birth control, relieving hypertension, and perhaps even cures for cancer. The farming potential of wild species can provide future supercrops for millions by improving land yield and plant productivity. How about whale oil from plants? Diesel trees? Fibers from plants? When will we have forests of clones and supertrees? All this and much more is before us IF we don't lose these precious keys before we find them. Fascinating illustrated case histories of endangered plants around the world are integrated throughout the text.
Besides plant potential and the history and implications of global plant extinction, the authors offer some pragmatic solutions to this crisis. The authors provide an historical background to plant legislation, conservation, and preservation along with modern conservation efforts, world wide, and how you can work at the local, national, or international level to help preserve plant species."
