Genetic Diversity and Erosion in Plants: Indicators and Prevention (Sustainable Development and Biodiversity Book 7)

"Genetic erosion is the loss of genetic diversity within a species. It can happen very quickly, due to catastrophic events, or changes in land use leading to habitat loss. But it can also occur more gradually and remain unnoticed for a long time. One of the main causes of genetic erosion is the replacement of local varieties by modern varieties. Other causes include environmental degradation, urbanization, and land clearing through deforestation and brush fires. In order to conserve biodiversity in plants, it is important to targets three independent levels that include ecosystems, species and genes. Genetic diversity is important to a species' fitness, long-term viability, and ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions. Chapters in this book are written by leading geneticists, molecular biologists and other specialists on relevant topics on genetic erosion and conservation genetic diversity in plants. This divisible set of two volumes deals with a broad spectrum of topics on genetic erosion, and approaches to biodiversity conservation in crop plants and trees. Volume 1 deals with indicators and prevention of genetic erosion, while volume 2 covers genetic diversity and erosion in a number of plants species. These two volumes will also be useful to botanists, biotechnologists, environmentalists, policy makers, conservationists, and NGOs working to manage genetic erosion and biodiversity"--Publisher Front Matter....Pages i-x Genetic Erosion: Context Is Key....Pages 1-24 Indicators of Genetic Diversity, Genetic Erosion, and Genetic Vulnerability for Plant Genetic Resources....Pages 25-53 Genetic Diversity and Modern Plant Breeding....Pages 55-88 Genetic Erosion Under Modern Plant Breeding: Case Studies in Canadian Crop Gene Pools....Pages 89-104 Molecular Marker Based Assessment of Genetic Diversity in Rye....Pages 105-123 Using Molecular Techniques to Dissect Plant Genetic Diversity....Pages 125-157 Erosion and Prevention of Crop Genetic Diversity Landraces of Georgia (South Caucasus)....Pages 159-187 Genetic Diversity and Heavy Metal Stress in Plants....Pages 189-223 Diversity and Erosion in Genetic Resources of Spices....Pages 225-261 Genetic Diversity and Erosion—A Global Perspective....Pages 263-294 Diversity Arrays Technology (DArT) Markers for Genetic Diversity....Pages 295-309 Exploring the Potential of Genetic Diversity via Proteomics: Past, Present, and Future Perspectives for Banana....Pages 311-323