In recent years, species and ecosystems have been threatened by many anthropogenic factors manifested in local and global declines of populations and species. Although we consider conservation medicine an emerging field, the concept is the result of the long evolution of transdisciplinary thinking within the health and ecological sciences and the better understanding of the complexity within these various fields of knowledge. Conservation medicine was born from the cross fertilization of ideas generated by this new transdisciplinary design. It examines the links among changes in climate, habitat quality, and land use; emergence and re-emergence of infectious agents, parasites and environmental contaminants; and maintenance of biodiversity and ecosystem functions as they sustain the health of plant and animal communities including humans. During the past ten years, new tools and institutional initiatives for assessing and monitoring ecological health concerns have emerged: landscape epidemiology, disease ecological modeling and web-based analytics. New types of integrated ecological health assessment are being deployed; these efforts incorporate environmental indicator studies with specific biomedical diagnostic tools. Other innovations include the development of non-invasive physiological and behavioral monitoring techniques; the adaptation of modern molecular biological and biomedical techniques; the design of population level disease monitoring strategies; the creation of ecosystem-based health and sentinel species surveillance approaches; and the adaptation of health monitoring systems for appropriate developing country situations. New Directions of Conservation Medicine: Applied Cases of Ecological Health addresses these issues with relevant case studies and detailed applied examples. New Directions of Conservation Medicine challenges the notion that human health is an isolated concern removed from the bounds of ecology and species interactions. Human health, animal health, and ecosystem health are moving closer together and at some point, it will be inconceivable that there was ever a clear division.

This timely work is a collection of papers presented at the XIth international congress of the International Association of Plant Tissue Culture & Biotechnology. It continues the tradition of the IAPTC&B in publishing the proceedings of its congresses. The work is an up-to-date report on the most significant advances in plant tissue culture and biotechnology as presented by leading international scientists. It will be crucial reading for agricultural scientists, among others.

The Potential of Microbes for a Circular Economy provides a thorough understanding of the role of microbes in a circular economy (CE). It covers the development of effective bio-based formulations for field applications and describes the basic principles and applications of the circular economy, the important role of microorganisms, and new insights into a sustainable ecosystem.The Potential of Microbes for a Circular Economy compiles the latest advancement in the field of CE by covering the aspect of microbes and microbial products providing microbiologists the tools to engage with the wider public, policymakers and industry to inform the debate on addressing current challenges and showcasing the positive impacts of microbiology for society. - Provides a thorough understanding on the role of microbes in the circular economy that can help to develop effective bio-based formulations for field applications - Describes the basic principles and applications of the Circular Economy - Gives insights on the important role of microorganisms explored in the circular economy, which in turn provides new insights into the sustainable ecosystem

Ethnobotany of Pohnpei examines the relationship between plants, people, and traditional culture on Pohnpei, one of the four island members of the Federated States of Micronesia. Traditional culture is still very strong on Pohnpei and is biodiversity-dependent, relying on both its pristine habitats and managed landscapes; native and introduced plants and animals; and extraordinary marine life. This book is the result of a decade of research by a team of local people and international specialists carried out under the direction of the Mwoalen Wahu Ileilehn Pohnpei (Pohnpei Council of Traditional Leaders). It discusses the uses of the native and introduced plant species that have sustained human life on the island and its outlying atolls for generations, including Piper methysticum (locally known as sakau and recognized throughout the Pacific as kava), which is essential in defining cultural identity for Pohnpeians. The work also focuses on ethnomedicine, the traditional medical system used to address health conditions, and its associated beliefs. Pohnpei, and indeed the Micronesian region, is one of the world’s great centers of botanical endemism: it is home to many plant species found nowhere else on earth. The ultimate goal of this volume is to give readers a sense of the traditional ethnobotanical knowledge that still exists in the area, to make them aware of its vulnerability to modernization, and to encourage local people to respect this ancient knowledge and keep such practices alive. It presents the findings of the most comprehensive ethnobotanical study undertaken to date in this part of Micronesia and sets a new standard for transdisciplinary research and collaboration.

Micronesia is a region in the Pacific Ocean that is composed of thousands of small islands. These islands are divided into four groups: Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, and the Marshall Islands. The region is known for its diverse cultures, languages, and breathtaking natural beauty. Although it is one of the least populated regions on earth, its people have a rich history and unique identity. The region is home to many species of plants and animals that are endemic to the area, meaning they can only be found in Micronesia. Tourism is one of the major industries in Micronesia, with visitors drawn to its crystal clear waters, coral reefs, and exotic marine life. Despite its natural beauty, however, the region faces many challenges such as climate change, rising sea levels, and issues with waste management. Nonetheless, the people and governments of Micronesia are working together to address these challenges and protect the region's unique culture and natural resources for generations to come.

This book will be of significant interest to those studying and researching biotechnology, plant breeding, genetic resources, intellectual property law and agricultural economics."--BOOK JACKET.

How do we promote global economic development, while simultaneously preserving local biological and cultural diversity? This authoritative volume, written by leading legal experts and biological and social scientists from around the world, aims to address this question in all of its complexity. The first part of the book focuses on biodiversity and examines what we are losing, why and what is to be done. The second part addresses biotechnology and looks at whether it is part of the solution or part of the problem, or perhaps both. The third section examines traditional knowledge, explains what it is and how, if at all, it should be protected. The fourth and final part looks at ethnobotany and bioprospecting and offers practical lessons from the vast and diverse experiences of the contributors.

This Encyclopedia of Biotechnology is a component of the global Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems (EOLSS), which is an integrated compendium of twenty one Encyclopedias. Biotechnology draws on the pure biological sciences (genetics, animal cell culture, molecular biology, microbiology, biochemistry, embryology, cell biology) and in many instances is also dependent on knowledge and methods from outside the sphere of biology (chemical engineering, bioprocess engineering, information technology, biorobotics). This 15-volume set contains several chapters, each of size 5000-30000 words, with perspectives, applications and extensive illustrations. It carries state-of-the-art knowledge in the field and is aimed, by virtue of the several applications, at the following five major target audiences: University and College Students, Educators, Professional Practitioners, Research Personnel and Policy Analysts, Managers, and Decision Makers and NGOs.