Plant Conservation Genetics

A practical guide that covers both in situ and ex situ techniques for plant diversity conservationThe conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources is of increasing importance globally. Plant Conservation Genetics addresses this issue by providing an extensive overview of this emerging area of science, exploring various practical strategies and the latest technology for conservation of plant biodiversity. Leading specialists and experts discuss topics ranging from the sciences foundations through every aspect of plant conservation genetics. This informative text includes several ex situ (outside of natural habitat) and in situ (inside of natural habitat) techniques for plant conservation useful for researchers, educators, and students.Plant Conservation Genetics first reviews the importance, opportunities, and numerous advantages of this type of conservation, then explores various effective ex situ (for specific species) and in situ (for certain species on up to full ecosystems and habitats) techniques for conservation. Essential detailed information is presented on collection strategies, botanic gardens, DNA banks, biodiversity management, and genetic resources in seedbanks. Each specialist reveals his or her personal experience of working in the field, allowing direct experience to illustrate and provide expert perspective on the key issues of plant conservation. The book is carefully referenced and includes tables and figures to enhance clarity of data.Plant Conservation Genetics topics include: strategies for plant conservation opportunities for application of plant conservation genetics botanic garden conservation DNA extraction and storage field genebanks in vitro techniques cryopreservation germplasm collection and management collecting missions genetic and biological property rights and benefit-sharing database and sample management for genebank collections monitoring and maintaining ecosystems in in situ conservation habitat fragmentation molecular analysis of plant genetic resources molecular marker analysis nuclear, mitochondrial, and chloroplast genome analysis genomics in the management of plant biodiversityPlant Conservation Genetics is a comprehensive desktop resource perfect for botanists, plant scientists, agricultural scientists, environmentalists, gardeners, and educators and students.

About the Editor Contributors Chapter 1. Plant Conservation Genetics: Importance, Options, and Opportunities (Robert J. Henry) Introduction Importance of Plants in Life Role of Genetics Options and Strategies for Plant Conservation Opportunities for Application of Plant Conservation Genetics Overview of Plant Conservation Genetics Chapter 2. Techniques for ex Situ Plant Conservation (Imke Thormann, Mohammad Dulloo, and Johannes Engles) Introduction Historical Context Seed and Ultra-Dry Seed Storage Botanic Garden Conservation DNA Storage Field Gene Banks In Vitro Techniques Pollen Storage Germplasm Collection and Management Complementary Conservation Chapter 3. Strategies Employed to Collect Plant Genetic Resources for ex Situ Conservation (Sally L. Dillon) Introduction Planning Your Collecting Mission Data and Seed Collection Postcollection Activities and Seed Processing for ex Situ Conservation Recent Collecting by the Australian Tropical Crops and Forages Collection Concluding Remarks Chapter 4. The Role of Genetic Resources Held in Seed Banks in Plant Improvement (Tsukasa Nagamine) Introduction New Alleles on Wx Genes Found in Local Wheat Cultivars Null Allele of Lipoxygenase-3 from Rice Local Cultivars Using Core Collection Characterizing Natural Genes Controlling the Heading of Rice by QTL Analysis Discovery of the Gene Controlling Seed Longevity of Rice Effective Management of the Stock Database by Seed Lot Unit Conservation and Multiplication of Plant Genetic Resources in the Country of Origin Evaluation Database for Heterogeneous Plant Genetic Resources Conclusion Chapter 5. Botanic Gardens and Conservation (Robert O. Makinson) Introduction Critical Factors in Using Botanic Gardens for Conservation Science Who Has What Species? Acknowledgment and Promotion of ex Situ Collections Property Rights, Access, and Benefit Sharing Chapter 6. Conservation of Plant Genes and the Role of DNA Banks (Nicole Rice) Introduction Conservation of Plant Biodiversity Ex Situ Collections How Do We Define a DNA Bank? Database and Sample Management Collection Strategies DNA Extraction and Storage Constraints for ex Situ Collections and DNA Banks Concluding Remarks Chapter 7. Strategies for in Situ Conservation (Ghillean T. Prance) Introduction Identification of Ecosystems to Be Conserved Relationships with the Local Population Protection Legislation Monitoring Maintaining the Ecosystem A Management Plan Conclusion Appendix: Article 8 of the Convention on Biological Diversity (UNEP/CBD, 1994) Chapter 8. Impact of Habitat Fragmentation on Plant Populations (Maurizio Rossetto) Introduction Consequences of Habitat Fragmentation: Genetic Hazards Small, Isolated Populations Face Conclusion: Developing Informative Habitat Fragmentation Research Chapter 9. Molecular Analysis of Plant Genetic Resources (Glenn Bryan) Rationale for Molecular Analysis of Plant Genetic Resources Molecular Marker Techniques Available for the Analysis of Plant Genetic Resources Trends in the Use of Molecular Markers Levels of Polymorphism and Congruence of Different Types of Molecular Data Molecular Marker Analysis of Collections of Plant Genetic Resources Toward Universal or Standardized Marker Data Sets for Plant Germplasm A New Paradigm: A DNA Sequence Is Forever! Conclusion Chapter 10. Analysis of Nuclear, Mitochondrial, and Chloroplast Genomes in Plant Conservation (C. Q. Sun) Introduction Analysis of Nuclear Genomes Comparative Analysis of the Genomes of Plants Analysis of the Mitochondrial Genome Analysis of the Chloroplast Genome Concluding Remarks Chapter 11. Genomics and Plant Biodiversity Management (Robert J. Henry) Introduction Variation in Sizes of Genomes Number of Genes Ploidy and Gene Duplication Repetitive Elements Comparative Genomics Base Composition and Codon Usage Understanding the Evolution of Plant Genomes Opportunities Applications to Date Challenges for the Future Index Reference Notes Included