Genetics and Conservation of Rare Plants [Hardcover]

Nearly 700 species of plants may become extinct by the year 2000. Faced with this overwhelming prospect, plant conservationists must take advantage of every technique available. This unique work summarizes our current knowledge of the genetics and population biology of rare plants, and integrates it with practical conservation recommendations. It features discussions on the distribution and significance of genetic variation, management and evaluation of rare plant germplasm, and conservation strategies for genetic diversity. Case studies focusing on specific problems offer important insights for today's challenges in rare plant conservation.

PART I: Population Biology and Genetics of Rare Species
1. Genetic and Evolutionary Consequences of Small Population Size in Plants: Implications for Conservation,Spencer C.H. Barrett and Joshua R. Kohn
2. Ecological Implications of Genetic Variation in Plant Populations,Laura Huenneke
3. The Application of Minimum Viable Population Theory to Plants,Eric S. Menges
4. Conservation of Rare Trees in Tropical Rain Forests: A Genetic Perspective,Kamaljit S. Bawa and Peter S. Ashton
PART II: Distribution and Sampling of Genetic Variation
5. Relationships Between Species Characteristics and the Distribution of Allozyme Variation,J.L. Hamrick, M.J. Godt, D.A. Murawski, and M.D. Loveless
6. Patterns of Genetic Variation and Breeding Systems in Rare Plant Species,Jeffrey R. Karron
7. Sampling Strategies for Genetic Variation in Ex-Situ Collections of Endangered Plant Species,A.H.D. Brown and J.D. Briggs
PART III: Management and Assessment of Off-Site Collections
8. Methods of Assessing Genetic Variation,Barbara A. Schaal and Steven H. Rogstad
9. Strategies for Long-Term Management of Germplasm Collections,S.A. Eberhart, E.E. Roos and L.E. Towill
PART IV: ConservatilS5