Making nature, shaping culture : plant biodiversity in global context /

This book's several authors collectively have a wide breadth of knowledge and international experience regarding plant diversity. Since biodiversity is clearly an issue requiring global cooperation and solutions, this approach is most welcome. The main intent of this book is to answer the questions of how, what, and where to safely store the range plant germplasm needed for plant reproduction. Brazil, China, France, and the US show different cultural responses to the threats against genetic diversity. The quest for uniformity in agriculture, in the environment, and in foods is shown to be a threat to all on the political and practical level. There is agreement that any responses or solutions must be within the context of food security, the relinking of food with agriculture and the environment, the revaluing of traditional knowledge, and the rethinking of development. The democratization of information flow and control will be required to bring about the desired results. Recommended highly for libraries maintaining agricultural, genetic, and horticultural collections. Political scientists, sociologists, and those involved in policy making for food-related operations will also find this book interesting. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty. R. P. Poincelot Fairfield University