Biotechnology and Biodiversity

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-x

   PDF

2. Section A: Genetically Modified Plants and Biodiversity

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1

      PDF

   2. Transgenic Crops to Preserve Biodiversity

      • Chandrakanth Emani

      Pages 3-15

   3. Genetically Modified Crops in Africa

      • Georgina D. Arthur, Kwasi S. Yobo

      Pages 17-37

   4. Agriculture and Environmental Impacts of Glyphosate-Tolerant Soybean Cultivation in Romania

      • Elena Marcela Badea, Ioan Păun Otiman

      Pages 39-58

   5. The Effects of Transgenic Crops on Non-target Organisms

      • Chandrakanth Emani

      Pages 59-66

   6. Agricultural Biotechnology for Health and the Environment

      • Sven Ove Hansson

      Pages 67-76

   7. Next Generation Plant Biotechnology

      • M.R. Ahuja

      Pages 77-100

3. Section B: Biotechnology and conservation of Biodiversity

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 101-101

      PDF

   2. Conservation of Forest Genetic Resources

      • Mirjana Šijačić-Nikolić, Jelena Milovanović, Marina Nonić

      Pages 103-128

   3. Advances in Cryogenic Techniques for the Long-Term Preservation of Plant Biodiversity

      • Maria Teresa Gonzalez-Arnao, Marcos E. Martinez-Montero, Carlos A. Cruz-Cruz, Florent Engelmann

      Pages 129-170

   4. Biotechnology in Biodiversity Conservation: Overview of its Application for Conservation of Endangered African Tree Species

      • Thierry D. Houehanou, Achille E. Assogbadjo, Brice Sinsin

      Pages 171-180

   5. Biotechnology for Endangered Plant Conservation

      • Anca Manole-Paunescu

      Pages 181-202

   6. Biotechnological Approaches to Medicinal Plants of Aravalli Hills: Conservation and Scientific Validation of Biological Activities

      • Shaily Goyal, Jaya Arora, Kishan G. Ramawat

      Pages 203-245

   7. Biotechnological Approaches Towards Micropropagation and Conservation of Cycads and Ephedrales

      • Manjul Dhiman, Indra Rautela

      Pages 247-270

   8. Genetic Resources and Biodiversity Conservation in Nigeria Through Biotechnology Approaches

      • Justin U. Ogbu

      Pages 271-285

   9. Biotechnology Tools for Conservation of the Biodiversity of European and Mediterranean Abies Species

      • Jana Krajňáková, Dušan Gömöry, Hely Häggman

      Pages 287-310

   10. Conservation of Global Wheat Biodiversity: Factors, Concerns and Approaches

       • M. Asif, A. H. Hirani, S. K. Basu, E. Noguera-Savelli, W. Cetzal-Ix, P. Zandi et al.

       Pages 311-325

4. Back Matter

   Pages 327-340

   PDF

The purpose of this book is to assess the potential effects of biotechnological approaches particularly genetic modification on biodiversity and the environment. All aspects of biodiversity such as ecological diversity, species diversity and genetic diversity are considered. Higher organisms contain a specific set of linear DNA molecules called chromosomes and a complete set of chromosomes in an organism comprises its genome. The collection of traits displayed by any organism (phenotype) depends on the genes present in its genome (genotype). The appearance of any specific trait also will depend on many other factors, including whether the gene(s) responsible for the trait is/are turned on (expressed) or off, the specific cells within which the genes are expressed and how the genes, their expression and the gene products interact with environmental factors. The primary biotechnology which concerns us is that of genetic manipulation, which has a direct impact on biodiversity at the genetic level. By these manipulations, novel genes or gene fragments can be introduced into organisms (creating transgenics) or existing genes within an organism can be altered. Transgenics are a major area of concern, combining genes from different species to effectively create novel organisms. Current rates of disappearance of biological and cultural diversity in the world are unprecedented. Intensive resource exploitation due to social and economic factors has led to the destruction, conversion or degradation of ecosystems. Reversing these trends requires time to time assessment to integrate conservation and development.

• Biodiversity
• Biotechnology
• Conservation
• Cryopreservation
• Transgenic plants
• Tree Biology

• Formerly Forestry Consultant Zobel Forestry Associates, New Paltz, USA

  M. R. Ahuja

• Botany Department, M.L. Sukhadia University, Udaipur, India

  K.G. Ramawat

Policies and ethics