Ecophysiology of Economic Plants in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands
Ecophysiology of Economic Plants in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands

Author: Gerald E. Wickens

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2013-04-17

Total Pages: 348

ISBN-13: 3662037009

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This book deals with arid and semi-arid environments and their classification, and the physiological restraints and adaptations of plants to the environment. Further, it discusses economic botany and the needs and methods of conserving economic plants. A broad view is taken regarding the definition of economic plants, taking into account their value to the environment as well as to man and to livestock. The individual deserts and associated semi-arid regions are described in separate chapters, providing background information on the regional environments in terms of climate and major plant formations. The economic plants within these formations, their usages, geographical distribution together with their morphological and physiological adaptations are treated in detail.

Plants for Arid Lands
Plants for Arid Lands

Author: G.E. Wickens

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-12-06

Total Pages: 458

ISBN-13: 940116830X

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Economic plants have been defined by SEPASAT as those plants that are utilised either directly or indirectly for the benefit of Man. Indirect usage includes the needs of Man's livestock and the maintenance of the environment; the benefits may be domestic, commercial or aesthetic. Economic plants constitute a large and so far uncalculated percentage of the quarter of a million higher plants in the World today. However, it has been calculated that 10% (25 000) of these species are now on the verge of extinction and extinction means that a genetic resource that could be of benefit to Man will be lost for ever. Furthermore, for every species lost an estimated 10-30 other dependent organisms are also doomed. Fewer than 1 per cent of the World's plants have been sufficiently well studied for a true evaluation of the potential floral wealth awaiting discovery, not only in the rain forests, which man is now actively destroying at a rate of 20 ha a minute, but also in the very much neglected dry areas of the World.

Forestry Technologies - A Complete Value Chain Approach
Forestry Technologies - A Complete Value Chain Approach

Author: K. T. Parthiban

Publisher: Scientific Publishers

Published: 2017-01-01

Total Pages: 648

ISBN-13: 9387307433

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The book on “Forestry Technologies – A Complete Value Chain Approach” has been designed to cater to the needs of the stakeholders by judiciously incorporating the recent technologies and research outputs available in various sectors of institutions. The book has four major themes viz., basic and strategic technology, production technology, processing and value addition technology and consumption technology. The basic and strategic technology incorporated seven chapters which include basic information and the recent scientific applications such as: nano technology and urban forestry technology. The production technology incorporated 16 chapters that includes all the recent developments such as: mini clonal technology, high yielding short rotation variety, land development and precision silvicultural technology, and multifunctional agroforestry. Processing and value addition technology incorporated 11 chapters and the consumption technology incorporated five chapters which include the recent developments in processing, value addition and the associated supply chain process. In a holistic perspective, the current book will serve as a readymade reference material to the practicing foresters, scientific professionals, wood based industries, policy makers, forestry students, financial and other academic and research institutions.

Economic Botany
Economic Botany

Author: G.E. Wickens

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-12-06

Total Pages: 539

ISBN-13: 9401009694

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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.

Edible Medicinal And Non-Medicinal Plants
Edible Medicinal And Non-Medicinal Plants

Author: Lim T. K.

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-01-30

Total Pages: 1113

ISBN-13: 9400717644

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This book continues as volume 2 of a multi-compendium on Edible Medicinal and Non-Medicinal Plants. It covers edible fruits/seeds used fresh or processed, as vegetables, spices, stimulants, pulses, edible oils and beverages. It encompasses species from the following families: Clusiaceae, Combretaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Dilleniaceae, Ebenaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Ericaceae and Fabaceae. This work will be of significant interest to scientists, researchers, medical practitioners, pharmacologists, ethnobotanists, horticulturists, food nutritionists, agriculturists, botanists, herbalogists, conservationists, teachers, lecturers, students and the general public. Topics covered include: taxonomy (botanical name and synonyms); common English and vernacular names; origin and distribution; agro-ecological requirements; edible plant part and uses; botany; nutritive and medicinal/pharmacological properties, medicinal uses and current research findings; non-edible uses; and selected/cited references.

Fibres
Fibres

Author: Brink, M. & Achigan-Dako, E.G.

Publisher: PROTA

Published: 2012

Total Pages: 604

ISBN-13: 9290814810

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This volume deals with the fibres of Tropical Africa. 515 ‘primary use’ fibres are described in 248 review articles. Many of the articles are illustrated with a geographic distribution map and a line drawing of the habit.

The Baobabs: Pachycauls of Africa, Madagascar and Australia
The Baobabs: Pachycauls of Africa, Madagascar and Australia

Author: G.E. Wickens

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2008-03-02

Total Pages: 535

ISBN-13: 1402064314

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This is the only comprehensive account of all eight species in the genus Adansonia. It describes the historical background from the late Roman period to the present. It covers the extraordinary variety of economic uses of baobabs. There are also appendices on vernacular names, gazetteer, economics, nutrition and forest mensuration. This book fills a gap in the botanical literature. It deals with a genus that has fascinated and intrigued scientists and lay persons for centuries.