This book is the first to describe the history of geoconservation. It draws on experience from the UK, Europe and further afield, to explore topics including: what is geoconservation; where, when and how did it start; who was responsible; and how has it differed across the world? Geological and geomorphological features, processes, sites and specimens, provide a resource of immense scientific and educational importance. They also form the foundation for the varied and spectacular landscapes that help define national and local identity as well as many of the great tourism destinations. Mankind's activities, including contributing to enhanced climate change, pose many threats to this resource: the importance of safeguarding and managing it for future generations is now widely accepted as part of sustainable development. Geoconservation is an established and growing activity across the world, with more participants and a greater profile than ever before. This volume highlights a history of challenges, set-backs, successes and visionary individuals and provides a sound basis for taking geoconservation into the future.
Nomenclature is the basic groundwork on which the edifice of plant taxonomy and biosystematics is built; and on this rests the realm of the entire plant sciences. The present book on Plant Nomenclature provides a simplified version of the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature for the benefit of students, research workers in botany and horticulture as well as teachers for a proper understanding of the nomenclatural problems and assigning a correct name to a plant species.
Introduction, Polynomial System of Nomenclature, Binomial System of Nomenclature, Uninomial System of Nomenclature, History and Development of the Code of Botanical Nomenclature, Main Outline of Saint Louis Code (2000), Ranks and Nomenclature of Taxa, Type Method, Principle of Priority and Its Limitations, Effective and Valid Publication, Citation, Retention of Names and Epithets of Taxa, Choice of Names, Rejection of Names and Epithets, Orthography of Names, Nomenclature Terminology, Nomenclature of Hybrids and Cultivated Plants, Nomina Conservanda, Publication of a New Species, Review Questions, Exercises, Glossary, References.
Often regarded as the 'Cinderella' of palaeontological studies, palaeobotany has a history that contains some fascinating insights into scientific endeavour, especially by palaeontologists who were perusing a personal interest rather than a career. The problems of maintaining research facilities in universities, especially in the modern era, are described and reveal a noticeable absence of a national UK strategy to preserve centres of excellence in an avowedly specialist area. Accounts of some of the pioneers demonstrate the importance of collaboration between taxonomists and illustrators. The importance of palaeobotany in the rise of geoconservation is outlined, as well as the significant and influential role of women in the discipline. Although this volume has a predominantly UK focus, two very interesting studies outline the history of palaeobotanical work in Argentina and China.