This book sees biotechnology as the solution to global environmental and economic problems. It is devoted to the idea that trees can be improved by biotechnology. Some papers are on conservation topics, such as genetic research to import blight resistance to save the American Chestnut. Others are devoted to engineering, such as the idea that special trees could be produced to stop the spread of deserts. Others are devoted to techniques to genetically engineer or lab-propagate trees to increase production of commercial products such as pine lumber or Indian gum. The book treats vegetative biotechnologies and altering genomes in the same way. Authors do not distinguish between genetic engineering for agriculture and in native environments; the species in this book, unlike annual crop plants, live mainly in the wild. This puts the book in the realm of agricultural engineering, and outside of conservation science. Many authors here hail from regions affected by climate change, and take the position that conserving environments by genetically altering wild species is both possible and appropriate. Annotation ©2014 Ringgold, Inc., Portland, OR (protoview.com)
Forest trees cover 30% of the earth's land surface, providing renewable fuel, wood, timber, shelter, fruits, leaves, bark, roots, and are source of medicinal products in addition to benefits such as carbon sequestration, water shed protection, and habitat for 1/3 of terrestrial species. However, the genetic analysis and breeding of trees has lagged behind that of crop plants. Therefore, systematic conservation, sustainable improvement and pragmatic utilization of trees are global priorities. This book provides comprehensive and up to date information about tree characterization, biological understanding, and improvement through biotechnological and molecular tools.
