Principles and Practice of Plant Conservation

It is paradoxical that, despite the key role of plants in the book's preparation by reviewing manuscripts or the environment and our dependence on plant life for providing literature and case studies for inclusion. our very existence, the conservation movement has The preparation of the text, which went through var­ not given plants attention that is commensurate with ious drafts, involved Dr. Given in a great deal of re­ their importance. In an attempt to redress the balance search and travel for fact finding and consultation. of effort between plant and animal conservation, The completed draft was edited by Martin Walters, IUCN and WWF established in 1984 a joint Plant who also prepared it for publication. Professor Ver­ Conservation Programme, the aim of which was to non Heywood (IUCN) undertook a scientific edit of "assert the fundamental importance of plants in all the final draft. conservation activities:' Both IUCN and WWF would like to express their gratitude to Dr. Given for the enormous effort and One of the main themes of the joint Plant Conser­ painstaking labor that he has invested in the prepara­ vation Programme was "building the capacity to con­ serve. " This included a project, "Plant Conservation: tion of this book over a period of six years. The result Principles and Practice," aimed at providing practic­ is the first detailed overview ever to be published of ing conservationists with a handbook that explained this vitally important subject.

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

Policies and ethics