This book provides complete comprehensive and broad subject-based reviews for students
teachers researchers policymakers conservationists and NGOs interested in the biodiversity
and conservation of woody plants.Forests cover approximately 31 percent of the world's total
landmass 93 percent is natural forest and only 7 percent consists of planted trees. Forest
decline is progressing at an alarming rate worldwide. In addition to human activities (logging
deforestation and exploiting forest lands for agriculture and industrial use) a number of
other factors - including pests and diseases drought soil acidity radiation and ozone - are
cumulatively contributing to global forest decline. The present situation forces us to focus on
forest conservation strategies for the present and future. Gene conservation and maintaining
genetic diversity in forest ecosystems are crucial to the preservation of forest genetic
resources. This calls for integrated action to implement both the in situ (on site)
preservation of forest stands and ex situ (distant from the original site) strategies for the
conservation of woody plants' genetic resources. Selected priority areas include: 1) assessing
patterns of genetic diversity and threats 2) understanding the biological processes regulating
genetic diversity 3) assessing the impact of human activities and climate change on genetic
diversity and 5) finding methods for prioritizing species and populations for the conservation
of forest trees genetic resources.All chapters were written by leading scientists in their
respective fields which include: woody plant diversity ecology and evolution assessment of
genetic diversity in forest tree populations conservation planning under climate change and
in situ and ex situ strategies including biotechnological approaches for the conservation of
woody plants genetic resources.
