Economic Botany: Principles and Practices - Softcover

Wickens, G.E.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 140202228X ISBN 13: 9781402022289

Publisher: Springer, 2004

Synopsis

The strength of this book is that it is written by someone who has spent a lifetime devoted to the science of economic botany. The author has brought together his vast experience in the field in Africa with his studies of arid land plants at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. The result is an informative and reliable text that covers a vast range of topics. It is also firmly based upon the author's research and interest in plant taxonomy and therefore fully acknowledges the importance of correct naming and classification in the field of science of economic botany. The coverage is of economic botany in its broadest sense. I was delighted to find such topics as ecophysiology, plant breeding, the environment and conservation are included in the text. This gives the book a much more comprehensive coverage than most other texts on the subject. I was also glad to see that the book covers the use of various organisms that are no longer considered part of the plant kingdom such as various species of fungi and algae. It is indeed a broad ranging book that will be of use to many people interested in the uses of plants and fungi. Economic botany is once again being given more prominence as a discipline because of its enormous relevance to both conservation and sustainable development. Those people involved in those topics shOUld find this a most useful resource.

About this title

Review

"A wealth of current information is presented in this scholarly work, and there are 28 appropriate data tables. Very extensive bibliography; taxonomic, chemical and subject indexes. Highly recommended for libraries with readers interested in plants and their impact on civilization."
(Choice, 39:07)

Synopsis

Unlike most books on economic botany, this is not an encyclopedic listing of plants and their uses. Instead, it is an attempt at understanding why plants are used. Economic botany is a multidisciplinary study and the purpose of this book is to provide an introduction to some of the scientific principles, processes, and practices involved. The subjects discussed include the role of economic and ethnobotany, plant collecting, taxonomy and nomenclature, the environment and the physiological, morphological and anatomical adaptations of the plant thereto, plant conservation, plant breeding and propagation, the marketing of crops and crop products, basic human and animal nutrition, human and animal foods, desirable insect foods, timber and wood products, fuel, fibres, biochemicals, human and veterinary medicine, plant toxins, lower plants and their products, the role of plants in ameliorating the environment, and the social uses of plants. It is hoped that this book will appeal to both the student and practitioner, irrespective of their primary discipline.

Edition details

• Publisher: Springer
• Publication date: 2004
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 140202228X
• ISBN 13: 9781402022289
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 549