The idea that changes in biodiversity can impact how ecosystems function has, over the last quarter century, gone from being a controversial notion to an accepted part of science and policy. As the field matures, it is high time to review progress, explore the links between this new research area and fundamental ecological concepts, and look ahead to the implementation of this knowledge. This book is designed to both provide an up-to-date overview of research in the area and to serve as a useful textbook for those studying the relationship between biodiversity and the functioning, stability and services of ecosystems. The Ecological and Societal Consequences of Biodiversity Loss is aimed at a wide audience of upper undergraduate students, postgraduate students, and academic and research staff.

In recent years, significant advancements have been made in the management of nutritional deficiency using genome engineering--enriching the nutritional properties of agricultural and horticultural crop plants such as wheat, rice, potatoes, grapes, and bananas. To meet the demands of the rapidly growing world population, researchers are developing a range of new genome engineering tools and strategies, from increasing the nutraceuticals in cereals and fruits, to decreasing the anti-nutrients in crop plants to improve the bioavailability of minerals and vitamins. Genome Engineering for Crop Improvement provides an up-to-date view of the use of genome editing for crop bio-fortification, improved bioavailability of minerals and nutrients, and enhanced hypo-allergenicity and hypo-immunogenicity. This volume examines a diversity of important topics including mineral and nutrient localization, metabolic engineering of carotenoids and flavonoids, genome engineering of zero calorie potatoes and allergen-free grains, engineering for stress resistance in crop plants, and more. Helping readers deepen their knowledge of the application of genome engineering in crop improvement, this book: Presents genetic engineering methods for developing edible oil crops, mineral translocation in grains, increased flavonoids in tomatoes, and cereals with enriched iron bioavailability Describes current genome engineering methods and the distribution of nutritional and mineral composition in important crop plants Offers perspectives on emerging technologies and the future of genome engineering in agriculture Genome Engineering for Crop Improvement is an essential resource for academics, scientists, researchers, agriculturalists, and students of plant molecular biology, system biology, plant biotechnology, and functional genomics.

ETHYLENE IN PLANT BIOLOGY Comprehensive resource detailing the role of ethylene in plant development regulation, gene regulation, root development, stress tolerance, and more Ethylene in Plant Biology presents ethylene research from leading laboratories around the globe to allow readers to gain strong foundational coverage of the topic and aid in further ethylene research as it pertains to plant biology. The work covers general ideas as well as more specific and technical knowledge, detailing the overall role of ethylene in plant biology as a gaseous plant hormone that has emerged as an important signaling molecule which regulates several steps of a plant's life cycle. The ideas covered in the work range from discovery of ethylene, to its wide roles in plant growth and development, all the way to niche topics such as stress acclimation. Written by highly qualified authors in fields directly related to plant biology and research, the work is divided into 20 chapters, with each chapter covering a specific facet of ethylene or the interaction between ethylene and plant health. Topics discussed in the text include: Our current understanding of ethylene and fruit ripening, plus the role of ethylene in flower and fruit development Ethylene implications in root development and crosstalk of ethylene with other phytohormones in plant development Ethylene as a multitasking regulator of abscission processes and powerful coordinator of drought responses Mechanisms for ethylene synthesis and homeostasis in plants, along with ethylene and phytohormone crosstalk in plant defense Ethylene and metabolic reprogramming under abiotic stresses, as well as ethylene's applications in crop improvement For biologists, scientists, researchers, and policy makers in the agriculture and pharmaceutical industries, Ethylene in Plant Biology is a key resource to understand the state of the art in the field and establish a foundation of knowledge that can power future research efforts and practical applications.