Science and Colonial Expansion


Book Description

This widely acclaimed book analyzes the political effects of scientific research as exemplified by one field, economic botany, during one epoch, the nineteenth century, when Great Britain was the world's most powerful nation. Lucile Brockway examines how the British botanic garden network developed and transferred economically important plants to different parts of the world to promote the prosperity of the Empire. In this classic work, available once again after many years out of print, Brockway examines in detail three cases in which British scientists transferred important crop plants--cinchona (a source of quinine), rubber and sisal--to new continents. Weaving together botanical, historical, economic, political, and ethnographic findings, the author illuminates the remarkable social role of botany and the entwined relation between science and politics in an imperial era.




A botanic garden for the nation


Book Description

This beautifully illustrated book presents the first comprehensive look at the U.S. Botanic Garden in Washington, D.C. Through historical documents and coloful photos, A Botanic Garden for the Nation tells an important story about this special place. The story begins in 1796 with the support of George Washington, who believed a bBotanic Garden would be a significant addition to the capital. Along with other early leaders, including Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe, Washington understood the value of plants for the health and economic well-being of the nation, a message that still resonates today. Through sumptuous photographs, A Botanic Garden for the Nation offers a tour of the Conservatory, starting with the formal Garden Court, with its foundations and special flower collections, and continuing through every plant environment, including the lush Jungle, colorful Orchid House, and spare World Deserts. The engaging text explores ecosystems and reveals details aobut interesting plants and plant collections.










Chicago and Its Botanic Garden


Book Description

Chicago and Its Botanic Garden: The Chicago Horticultural Society at 125 is a lushly illustrated and thoughtful history of the Society and its evolution from a producer of monumental flower and botanical shows, through a fallow period, to the opening in 1972 of the Chicago Botanic Garden, a living museum and world leader in horticulture, plant science and conservation, education, and urban agriculture. Author Cathy Jean Maloney combines meticulous scholarship with a flair for storytelling in a narrative that will delight everyone from casual strollers of the grounds to the volunteers, professionals, and scientists who compose the influential society.




Botanic Gardens


Book Description

Two of the biggest challenges faced by human kind are the conservation of our environmental resources and the elimination of poverty. It is increasingly recognised that these problems are interlinked: the goods and services provided by natural resources are needed to improve well-being, whilst for conservation to succeed it must relate to the poor's needs. This is reflected by all major international policies focused on development or conservation, such as the Millennium Development Goals, and the Convention on Biological Diversity. BGCI believes that biodiversity conservation and poverty reduction must be linked if we are to succeed in either aim. This report highlights how botanic gardens across the world are involved in a variety of projects that use biodiversity to improve human well-being and is based upon an extensive literature survey, and a multilingual survey of BGCI's members. For the purposes of the report, BGCI has divided human well-being into four main areas: (1) improving healthcare, (2) improving nutrition, (3) alleviating financial poverty, and (4) improving community and social relations. The many case studies within the report illustrate how botanic gardens across the world are contributing to these aspects in many diverse ways. Many botanic gardens promote improved nutrition and health through their support of home gardens. Their horticultural skills and ability to propagate plant materials often prove invaluable in this respect. For example, Aburi Botanical Garden in Ghana has been improving local access to medicinal plants by empowering local communities to set up medicinal gardens. As well as establishing a model home garden, it gives a wide range of lectures, seminars, workshops and demonstrations, distributes manuals and provides seedlings to enable communities to set up their own nurseries and first aid gardens. There are many other ways that botanic gardens work for well-being, from developing and hosting horticultural therapy programmes, to educating children about healthy eating, and training disadvantaged minorities in useful skills. Around the world, botanic gardens are also helping local communities to develop income generating projects, such as the production of handicrafts, based on the sustainable use of plant resources. This report also illustrates how various activities of botanic gardens underpin their ability to conduct projects that address well-being issues. Education and research are core strengths that need to be supported and directed to ensure they can continue to link plant diversity with human well-being. For example, many gardens have strong emphasis on research relevant to the development of useful plants in use in agriculture and healthcare. A typical example is Kisantu Botanic Garden in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which conducted trials on the popular fruit mangosteen, to enable farmers to extend the shelf-life of the harvested fruit, and so reach a larger market. Other gardens, such as Botanic Garden "Fundación Xochitla" in Mexico, have focused on developing plants to be locally cultivated for use in the ornamentals market. Well-being projects are not limited to developing countries. In developed countries urban greening projects can make a significant contributions to improving neighbourhood environment and community relations. Sometimes well-being projects involve collaboration between gardens, linking well-resourced gardens with those in an early stage of development, or with little financial support, and in many cases the unique role of botanic gardens is complemented by partnerships and collaborations with non-botanic garden institutions, such as local healthcare clinics. Botanic gardens are clearly much more than just "pretty places". As this report illustrates, they are uniquely placed to use plant diversity to contribute to human well-being. Given the scale of the crisis facing our efforts for both conservation and development, BGCI believes that it is an ethical and practical imperative that botanic gardens are mobilised for this goal.







Botanical Gardens and Their Role in Plant Conservation


Book Description

Approaching the contributions of a world-wide sector of scientific institutions to addressing the extinction crisis, Botanical Gardens and Their Role in Plant Conservation brings together a diversity of perspectives. There are more than 3,600 botanical gardens worldwide, where trees, shrubs, herbs, and other plants are studied and managed in collections. They are foremost among efforts to conserve the diversity of living plant species and ensure that crucial biodiversity is available for the future of humanity. This book is a showcase for plant conservation, restoration, biodiversity, and related scientific and educational work of botanical gardens around the world, featuring both thematic overview chapters and numerous case studies that illustrate the critical role these institutions play in fighting extinction and ensuring plant diversity is available for sustainable use. FEATURES A wide range of case studies derived from practical experience in a diversity of institutional, national, and biogeographical settings, Reviews of topics such as networking amongst institutions, the importance of global policy agreements such as the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation, Profiles of botanical gardens contributions at the national level to conservation priorities, Real-world examples of programs in plant conservation for both critically endangered wild plant diversity and unique horticultural or cultural germplasm. Botanical Gardens and Their Role in Plant Conservation includes contributions from institutions from Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and the Americas, and institutions of all sizes and histories, from long-established national gardens to new gardens offering their perspectives on developing their roles in this vital undertaking.




Bulletin


Book Description




Bulletin


Book Description