Plant Conservation: Why It Matters and How It Works

by Timothy Walker

Plants’ ability to turn sunlight into energy makes them the basis for all life; without them there is no life. And they are more than just a food source―they provide us with fuel, fibers, and pharmaceuticals.

Global warming and the destruction of natural habitats are a serious threat to many plants, and there are worldwide efforts to mitigate the disaster. Plant Conservation tackles this essential topic head on. Timothy Walker, as the director of the Oxford Botanical Garden, a leader in the field of plant conservation, plays a key role in this effort. He highlights what is happening now, from cataloging the world’s flora to conservation efforts like protecting plants from overcollecting. He also shows home gardeners how they can become involved, whether by growing their own food to decrease reliance on large agriculture or by making smart plant choices by growing natives and avoiding invasives.

Plant Conservation treats a critical topic in an accessible and optimistic way. It is required reading for students, professionals, and anyone with a keen interest in the importance of plants.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Plants

303 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2013

Reviews

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Without plants, there is no life."

A comprehensive text for plant conservation that easily could have read as a text-book, but was definitely more entertaining and written so anyone could understand and professionals could still learn something from.

Author Timothy Walker brings us through the beginnings of plant life as we know it through modern day conservation methods using the 2020 Strategy for Global Plant Conservation. This book will walk you through the five objectives and sixteen targets for the Strategy. A very down-to-earth writing style is employed and there is not a lot of gloom-and-doom that is sometimes typically included in conservation books, but there is definitely hope. Included are specific examples of how each conservation method is actually being employed today and ways everyday gardeners can help the effort.

Good for students, gardeners and anyone interested in plant life.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Timothy Walker writes a collection of essays to advocate recognition of plant conservation work. The book is organized into four parts with thematic chapter essays thereunder. The book also includes a "further reading" bibliography, an "organizational websites" bibliography, conversion tables, and an alphabetical subject index. The four parts include: "The Global Garden List"; "Oath of a Plant Steward: To Conserve and Protect"; "And Justice for All: Diversity without Adversity"; and "What Can You Do? Partnership and Practice in Plant Conservation". Although this 2013 UK book does include some reference to UK-specific contexts and the 2020 Global Strategy for Plant Conservation, the majority of the book's contents are still relevant and will continue to matter. Also, for a science advocacy book, the layout design is remarkably impressive and that work deserves recognition. While some novice subject readers might be overwhelmed by the scope of the book's contents, most interested readers should enjoy the easily accessible prose and the convincing, complementary, arguments for why (and how) plant conservation matters to the future of plants and humans.

[Matt Giles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very important and interesting topic and Tim clearly knows his stuff! My main criticism would be that his writing style doesn't flow especially well at times. However, an inspiring book.