Great Plains Studies, Center for
Date of this Version
2008
Abstract
Managing Biodiversity in Agricultural Ecosystems is a series of 18 edited contributions that investigate a vast body of material relating to the broad category of "agricultural biodiversity." This subject is of increasing importance across the Great Plains of North America as we strive to ensure that our planet is able to meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the abilities of future generations to meet theirs. As such, the editors have sequenced and categorized the contributions so as to ensure that treatment of a wide range of topics- crop genetic resources; livestock genetic resources; aquatic biodiversity; pollinator diversity; soil biodiversity; diversity and the management of pests and diseases; farmer management of diversity; the contribution of diversity to diet, nutrition, and human health; and the value of genetic resources and of the ecosystem services provided by biodiversity in agricultural ecosystems-is well documented and clearly presented. Thus, the volume provides an impressive and broad listing of management areas discussed by an array of global biodiversity specialists. Although the depth of coverage is unfortunately somewhat wanting and therefore disappointing in places, the editors have done an excellent job of at least raising important questions that need to be considered as society attempts to manage biological diversity in agricultural ecosystems. The book, therefore, should be considered a useful addition to the toolbox of practitioners in the Great Plains region.
Comments
Published in Great Plains Research, 18:2 (Fall 2008) 237-38. Copyright © 2008 by the Center for Great Plains Studies, University of Nebraska-Lincoln