Tod F. Stuessy Livres

The book offers an in-depth exploration of flavonoids within the sunflower family (Asteraceae), the largest family of flowering plants. It compiles over 2,500 reports on flavonoid occurrences from 1950 to the present, analyzing their variations and systematic significance. By integrating findings with modern phylogenetic studies based on morphology and DNA, the authors present a comprehensive synthesis of the evolutionary roles of flavonoids, marking a significant contribution to the understanding of angiosperm taxonomy.

Focusing on the ecological and historical evolution of the Juan Fernández Archipelago, the book examines the transformation of Robinson Crusoe and Alejandro Selkirk Islands due to natural forces and human intervention. It highlights the effects of deforestation for construction and agriculture, as well as the introduction of non-native species, which have disrupted local ecosystems. Rich in historical documentation, it serves as a detailed case study on the interplay between human activity and environmental change in an oceanic island setting.

The greatest treasure of our Earth is its biodiversity, with life forms shaping the inviting environment we cherish. Systematics, the science that explores these organisms, focuses on plant systematics, which examines the green world covering much of our continents. Understanding plant biodiversity involves chronicling evolutionary origins, interpreting evolutionary patterns, and classifying diversity. This book delves into these three key aspects of the plant world. Five chapters overview the evolutionary mechanisms behind plant biodiversity, while six chapters explore modern phylogenetic reconstruction concepts and methods. Additionally, five chapters address classification issues, providing historical perspectives and comparisons of phenetic, cladistic, and evolutionary approaches. Three chapters present various data types, from morphological to molecular, commonly used in plant systematics research. Aimed at upper undergraduate and graduate levels, the book includes extensive literature citations for further study. CONTENTS: Preface / Acknowledgments / PART ONE: Biodiversity and Plant Systematics / PART TWO: Systematic Data / PART THREE: Evolutionary Origins of Plant Biodiversity / PART FOUR: Phylogenetic Interpretations of Plant Biodiversity / PART FIVE: Ordering of Plant Biodiversity / CONCLUSION: The Relationship and Importance of Plant Systematics to Biodiversity Studies / Literature Cited / Index to Taxa / Index to Su

This book emphasizes the critical role of botanical monography in plant systematics, where species limits, characteristics, distributions, ecology, correct names, and evolutionary relationships are defined. This foundational knowledge is essential for further studies in floristics and evolutionary biology, as understanding closely related species is vital to grasping evolutionary dynamics. However, a trend among younger plant systematists has emerged, favoring DNA studies over monography, which is concerning. Monographs reveal hypotheses of relationships that DNA data later tests; without new monographs, the generation of new hypotheses may stagnate. The book addresses these issues and proposes solutions, structured into four parts: (1) The value of botanical monography; (2) Data and analysis in monographic work; (3) Literature and nomenclature for monographic research; and (4) Perspectives. The 12 chapters, authored by experienced monographers, aim to highlight the significance of monography and the tools available for effective monographic research.