Sections I and II (20 papers), plus a few papers in section III, focus on conservation and restoration, including "hot topics" such as the potential for genetic swamping of rare plants via hybridization (e.g., Wolf's evening primrose). Topics range from descriptive or experimental studies to comparative theoretical treatments of the matrix projection programs used to track plant demography (Greenlee & Kaye). Several other papers were of particular interest: 1) the paired studies (Wilson et al., Schultz) that detail the complex inter-relationships among plants, the rare Fendler's Blue butterfly, and various eco-political and pragmatic aspects of habitat/species management; and 2) the elegant study in which Jules was able to link habitat fragmentation and demographic patterns in Trillium (i.e., by excavating and aging the rhizomes in forest fragments of different sizes). On a more practical note, Youtie and others describe ways in which volunteers aid plant conservation efforts in the area of weed control. In addition, Guerrant highlights the important and pioneering work of the first private U. S. seed bank for rare plants. He does readers an additional service by defining appropriate off-site use of these rare plants in the sometimes controversial arena of reintroduction and augmentation programs.
Most papers in sections III and IV (21 papers total) have a predominant taxonomic or ecological orientation in relation to the Oregon flora, but are as varied as the definitional criteria for a RED list of macrofungi, studies of nickel localization in serpentine hyperaccumulators, and treatments of the biogeography and systematics of Astragalus and Northwest coastal lichens. Wilson provides an extensive key and photos of Oregon Peltigera, but most other papers lack keys, opting instead for cladograms, descriptive text, or tables (e.g., a notable example likely to be used extensively within the region is B. Wilson's method for differentiating difficult native fescues). In a successful but very different approach, Lyons-Weiler and Tausch employ cladistic methods to help us understand patterns of variability in species diversity. Other useful tidbits include numerous current and historical literature searches (e.g. on hawthorns), Rosentreter's interesting lore about how the lichen "manna" purportedly helped both Alexander's army and the Israelites to avoid starvation, and the excellent appendices on algae and seagrasses, which also underscore the need for more scientific study of under-represented groups. Readers will likely enjoy Silletts' description of the epiphytic cyanolichens: these occur in forests of varied ages, but persist only in old growth sites as a result of the differing canopy microclimate and more limited vertical dispersal in younger stands. Chambers urges us to remember how important plant distributions, ploidy, and alpha taxonomy are as a baseline for investigating such ecological, genetic, and/or evolutionary questions.
In general, the book is an excellent, diverse guide to published research, as well as a source of new and useful information. Some authors have published significant studies in widely circulated journals, but others present data previously available only in unpublished reports of public and private agencies. Thus while one of the strengths of the book is its diversity, a corollary is that its content varies extensively in scientific caliber and style, methodological detail and use of current references, attention to well-edited prose, effective use of statistics (e.g., compare papers by Levine vs Luoma et al.), and consistency of figures and tables. For example, the colloquialisms in Ertter's paper (e.g., "boils down to," and plants that "have been causing headaches"), and a few logical slips that reverse the intended meaning, are all somewhat distracting. However, the important point of her paper is that we should indeed continue to seek better ways of designing protocols for taxa that exhibit clines or "intermediate" patterns of variability. Moreover, while Imper's papers set an excellent precedent for generating effective conservation management tools for species biology, the small figures are somewhat difficult to read. Yet overall the book has remarkably few publication errors, and photos usually reproduced very well (e.g., SEM photos in Gisler and Meinke). However, a more lasting binding process in the future might prevent the loss of pages already evident in my copy.
In summary, Kaye et al. effectively deliver what is promised in the title and foreword ó a summary of ongoing research, both applied and basic, that is tied to conserving native plant biodiversity. Thus, although Oregon and Pacific coast elements receive special attention, scientists and conservation managers in all regions will truly appreciate the breadth of current topics
discussed within the book's covers. I'm certainly glad to have a copy on my bookshelf! - Susan R. Kephart, Department of Biology, Willamette University, Salem, OR 97301
Rare or Threatened Australian Plants. Briggs, J.D., and J. H. Leigh. 1996. ISBN 0-643-05798-6 (paper US$44.95 ) 466pp. CSIRO Publishing, P.O. Box 1139 (150 Oxford St.), Collingwood, Victoria 3066, Australia
The introduction places this current list in context
with previous ROTAP and other compilations. The next section includes
significant changes that have been made to list. Most significantly
the list now includes subspecies and varieties, which accounts
for 25% of the increase in species since the 1988 ROTAP list.
The third and fourth sections contain detailed information about
the list coding system, which includes taxonomic, geographic distribution,
and conservation status information. Taxonomic information is
based on the Flora of Australia Project and includes family, genus,
species, subspecies or variety, authority, name and locality for
subspecies, and whether the taxonomy is doubtful. Conservation
codes include distribution category (known from 1 collection only,
range <100km or range >100km), conservation status (presumed
extinct, endangered, vulnerable, rare, and poorly known, plus
an additional code for reserved in at least one population in
a National Park or other conservation reserve), and size class
of all reserved populations (> or < 1000 plants or not known).
Geographic information includes state or territory, region of
occupance, whether the taxa is in a reserve, size class of population
in reserve, whether it is extinct in that region, and name and
type of reserve. Short abstracts of 6 taxa illustrate how the
taxonomic, geographic, and conservation codes relate to known
information. What I like is that you get an indication of how
well and where a species is protected in National Parks and reserves.
On the other hand, as the authors point out, it may be presumptuous
to equate an occurrence in a reserve with protection.
The list is in three sections, a complete continental
list, lists by state, and lists by territory. The first and third
lists are in alphabetical order by family, genus, and species
and the second by genus and species. Family and genera indices
for the continent wide list make it easy to locate genera and
respectively summarize, 1) the number of genera and species included
and 2) the number of subspecies, varieties, described/undescribed
species, total, and doubtful taxa.
The section about conservation statistics is perhaps
the most important and interesting because it relates the trends
to conservation needs and summarizes what is known about Australian
rare plants. Color distribution maps by regions clearly show that
southwest Australia and the Cape York Peninsula of Queensland
have the lion's share of rare or threatened taxa. 46% of the taxa
are from Western Australia. We learn that 199 taxa are only known
from their original collection site. Poorly known taxa make up
the bulk of the list at 47%, indicating a large number of taxa
needing inventory. In addition, of these taxa having at least
one population in a reserve (2,738), 74% have no accurate information
on population size; however of taxa entirely protected in reserves
(258) little more is known about their abundance since 58% lack
information. Counteracting this lack of information is the finding
that the percentages of taxa that are represented in reserves
has increased overall and by state, due to recent surveys and
creation of new reserves (sometimes to protect rare plants). Not
surprisingly the dominant plant families in Australia (e.g. Myrtaceae,
Proteaceae, Mimosaceae, Orchidaceae, Fabaceae) make up the 57%
of rare plants. Acacia is the largest rare plant genus.
Most species are endemic since only 5.4% of the rare plants occur
outside the continent. Chi squared or log linear analysis of some
of these distribution tables might have added an interesting statistical
feature to this analysis.
The book is impeccably produced. The cover is colorful
with three nested species photographs. I found no typographic
errors, but did not check the lists. The great separation between
the species abstracts and their photographs was disconcerting.
A nice feature within the list is occasional light line drawings
of a taxa behind the text on the page where it is listed.
If you are from Australia and its island territories
and/or are interested in the rare flora of this region, this book
is for you. Otherwise it is an important reference book for libraries.
The listing details and summary statistics would be useful for
courses in comparative plant biogeography and conservation. - Noel B. Pavlovic, Lake Michigan Ecological Research Station, Great Lakes Science Center, U.S.G.S, Biological Resources Division, Porter, Indiana, USA.
Literature cited