Plant conservation is increasingly recognised as an outstanding global priority, yet despite considerable efforts over the last few decades, the number of threatened species continues to rise. The practice of plant conservation has for too long been a rather hit-or-miss mixture of methods. While microorganisms have been recognised as a crucial and essential element in supporting the lifecycles of plant species, there has been limited recognition of the relationships between macro level conservation facilitating ecosystem functioning at the micro level.

This book addresses the role of microorganisms in conservation - both their support functions and deleterious roles in ecosystem processes and species survival. Importantly, a number of authors highlight how microbial diversity is, itself, now under threat from the many and pervasive influences of man. What is clear from this volume is that like many contemporary treatments of plant and animal conservation, the solution to mitigate the erosion of biodiversity is not simple. This book represents an attempt to bring to the fore the ecological underwriting provided by microorganisms.

Plant conservation is increasingly recognised as an outstanding global priority, yet despite considerable efforts over the last few decades, the number of threatened species continues to rise. The practice of plant conservation has for too long been a rather hit-or-miss mixture of methods. While microorganisms have been recognised as a crucial and essential element in supporting the lifecycles of plant species, there has been limited recognition of the relationships between macro level conservation facilitating ecosystem functioning at the micro level.

This book addresses the role of microorganisms in conservation - both their support functions and deleterious roles in ecosystem processes and species survival. Importantly, a number of authors highlight how microbial diversity is, itself, now under threat from the many and pervasive influences of man. What is clear from this volume is that like many contemporary treatments of plant and animal conservation, the solution to mitigate the erosion of biodiversity is not simple. This book represents an attempt to bring to the fore the ecological underwriting provided by microorganisms.

As with most youth in the realm of Elessara, it is the secret dream and hope to one day join the Esaeric Knights, to find adventure and stand against the Crusaders; a group whose mission it is to see all peoples of the realm loyal to the will of their holy Seraph, Soliri. Like many before him, Arloren joins the knights after suffering a terrible tragedy in his own life but also discovers that he i...s not like the others, possessing a rare gift. It is among them that he makes new loyal and true friends and learns how to harness the power of the knights, imbuing crystal swords and shields with the light of his soul. As his training progresses, he is taught how to fight the Crusaders and even survive an attack from the dark entity; a soul stealing enigma. However, he is first forced to face a greater challenge; the dark passion of revenge, a temptation of Darkness. Arloren must discover the strength to endure and overcome this grievous temptation with the help of his friends and learn what it truly means to be an Esaeric Knight or be lost forever in shrouds of darkness.