Conservation and Utilization of Threatened Medicinal Plants


Book Description

Medicinal plants are globally valuable sources of herbal products. Plant-based remedies have been used for centuries and have had no alternative in the western medicine repertoire, while others and their bioactive derivatives are in high demand and have been the central focus of biomedical research. As Medicinal plants move from fringe to mainstream with a greater number of individuals seeking treatments free of side effects, considerable attention has been paid to utilize plant-based products for the prevention and cure of human diseases. An unintended consequence of this increased demand, however, is that the existence of many medicinal plants is now threatened, due to their small population size, narrow distribution area, habitat specificity, and destructive mode of harvesting. In addition, climate change, habitat loss and genetic drift have further endangered these unique species. Although extensive research has been carried out on medicinal and aromatic plants, there is relatively little information available on their global distribution patterns, conservation and the associated laws prevailing. This book reviews the current status of threatened medicinal plants in light of increased surge in the demand for herbal medicine. It brings together chapters on both wild (non-cultivated) and domestic (cultivated) species having therapeutic values. Thematically, conventional and contemporary approaches to conservation of such threatened medicinal plants with commercial feasibility are presented. The topics of interest include, but not limited to, biotechnology, sustainable development, in situ and ex situ conservation, and even the relevance of IPR on threatened medicinal plants. We believe this book is useful to horticulturists, botanists, policy makers, conservationists, NGOs and researchers in the academia and the industry sectors.







Diversity and Dynamics in Forest Ecosystems


Book Description

Providing a wealth of in-depth knowledge of forest ecosystems, this new volume explores a collection of important topics on forest community dynamics. It looks at the diversity of forest ecosystems and explores such aspects as forest products in enhancing local livelihoods and community participation, forage production, forest conservation and sustainable management, regeneration patterns, seed handling, and more. Chapters in Diversity and Dynamics in Forest Ecosystems present new research on forest products, livelihood generation mechanisms of forest-dependent communities, utilization patterns of untapped resources from forests, and the structure of different ecosystems from the tropical to the temperate landscape. This book also features different drivers of community dynamics, such as the role of seed handling in forests, the influence of altitudinal variations, and protected and community-conserved forests on the forest diversity. Chapters also consider the role of non-timber forest products and their significance in livelihood diversification for tribal communities and forage crop genetic resources, and forest resource extraction by forest fringe dwellers. Also explored are aspects of soil organic carbon in agroforestry systems and integrated approaches of sustainable agroforestry development in diverse forest ecosystems. This edition also examines the vegetation structure and regeneration aspects of timberline zone, including diversity of herbaceous flora along the altitudinal gradient. The abundance of in-depth knowledge of the diversity and dynamics of forest ecosystems in this volume will be valuable in conservation and management of forests, which play an important role in the world environment. Forests are presently facing multiple disturbances, and this volume will help forestry professionals and others formulate further strategies to mitigate global climate change and other challenges.




Forest Microbiology Vol.3_Tree Diseases and Pests


Book Description

Forest Microbiology: Tree Diseases and Pests, Volume Three in the Forest Microbiology series, provides an overview of major disease agents of trees, including viruses, phytoplasma, bacteria, fungi, nematodes and major insect pests. With a strong emphasis on genetics, biochemistry, physiology, evolutionary biology and population dynamics of the organisms involved, this book provides a comprehensive understanding on the health of forests. Sections cover important pest threats such as bark beetles, emerald ash borer, coffee borers, leaf cutting ants, cocoa mirids, and more. This volume highlights a range of emerging diseases of forest trees in temperate and tropic regions as well as information on habitats. Forest trees play crucial roles not only for mitigating effects of the climate change but also for their considerable economic and ecological value. Forest trees are equally vital as an alternative bioenergy source and play important roles in pollution abatement and the maintenance of biodiversity. Timber and its associated products from forest trees contribute substantially to the revenue generation of many countries of the world. - Includes case studies of complex diseases of economically important trees - Highlights novel approaches to managing tree pests and diseases in a changing climate - Focuses on the many functions of microbial disease agents of trees - Addresses major insect pests of boreal, temperate and tropical trees













IPGRI Thematic Report 2000-2001


Book Description




Propagation to Pharmacopeia


Book Description

Medicinal herbs and trees are some of the most trusted sources of traditional cures for most common diseases, even in the present day. The onset of COVID- 19 has increased the popularity of medicinal and herbal plants as well as their products over modern medicines in several instances. There is a considerable gap between demand and supply as most of these plants are not conventionally cultivated and are collected from forests. Most of the knowledge of the identification and utilization of medicinal and herbal plants is orally passed on from one generation to another and only occasionally documented. Propagation to Pharmacopeia: Modern Approaches in Medicinal Plants explores various aspects of medicinal and herbal plants, including cultivation, biotechnological aspects, diversity, bioprospecting, sustainable utilization of medicinal plants, extension, ethnobotany/ modern and traditional uses, and conservation of medicinal plants. This book will serve the purpose of providing scientific information about medicinal plants and herbal plants, their uses, biotechnological aspects, chemical profiling, and conservation. Features: A systematic overview of trees and herbs with medicinal importance Outline of medicinal plants, formulations, and herbal medicines effective to treat SARS-CoV-2 Strategies for ameliorated production, extraction, and quantification of plant secondary metabolites Approaches for propagation, genetic transformation, and conservation of medicinal plant germplasms This book serves as a resource of helpful information for academicians, biotechnologists, foresters, agriculture practitioners, researchers, as well as those in industries manufacturing herbal drugs, nutraceuticals, and supplementary products. From this book, readers will gain extensive knowledge of widely used medicinal and herbal plants and a perspective on how they can be cultivated, commercialized, and sustainably utilized for the benefit of human health.