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This book reviews the history, current state of knowledge, and different research approaches and techniques of studies on interactions between humans and plants in an important area of agriculture and ongoing plant domestication: Mesoamerica. Leading scholars and key research groups in Mexico discuss essential topics as well as contributions from international research groups that have conducted studies on ethnobotany and domestication of plants in the region. Such a convocation will produce an interesting discussion about future investigation and conservation of regional human cultures, genetic resources, and cultural and ecological processes that are critical for global sustainability.
List of contents
Origins and Development of Mexican Ethnobotany.- Ethnobotany in México: Historical Trends and Development of Scientific Approaches.- Cosmos, Corpus, and Praxis: An Integrated Approach of the Study of Plants, Ecosystems, and Societies.- Ethnobotany and Mexican Biocultural Patrimony.- Ethnobotanical and Ecological Studies of Plant Populations.- Ethnobotanical and Ecological studies of Communities and Ecosystems.- Domestication as an Continuing Process: From Populations to Landscape.- Domestication of Annual Plants.- Domestication of Perennial Plants.- Useful plants of Mexico.- Medicinal Plants.- Food Plants.- Maize.- Beans.- Squashes.- Cotton.- Peppers.- Ethnobotany and Ex-Situ Conservation of Plant Genetic Resources in México.- Ethnobotany and In-Situ Conservation of Plant Genetic Resources in México.
About the author
Dr. Rafael Lira
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Laboratorio de Recursos Naturales, Los Reyes Iztacala, Tlanepantla, Mexico
Alejandro Casas, PhD
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Centro de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas, Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico
Summary
This book reviews the history, current state of knowledge, and different research approaches and techniques of studies on interactions between humans and plants in an important area of agriculture and ongoing plant domestication: Mesoamerica. Leading scholars and key research groups in Mexico discuss essential topics as well as contributions from international research groups that have conducted studies on ethnobotany and domestication of plants in the region. Such a convocation will produce an interesting discussion about future investigation and conservation of regional human cultures, genetic resources, and cultural and ecological processes that are critical for global sustainability.
Additional text
“This book is a tour de force. The 59 contributors … provide a wealth of information in its 22 chapters, each of which is well referenced via footnotes. It presents both introductory and advanced material but also asks important questions about gaps in knowledge; this makes it relevant to undergraduates, postgraduates and postdoctoral scientists/researchers as well as policy makers and anyone concerned with establishing sustainable development.” (Dr. A. M. Mannion, British Ecology Society, Vol. 48 (1), April, 2017)
“The editors need to be congratulated for having brought forward a volume that will be the standard for years to come. Policymakers, researchers, and the general public have for the first time a concise but readable overview of the ethnobotany of Mexico. Everyone interested in ethnobotany … will find a wealth of information in this volume. Overall, Ethnobotany of Mexico is a great example as to how modern ethnobotanical treatises should be structured, and what information they should include.” (Economic Botany, Vol. 70 (4), December, 2016)
Report
"This book is a tour de force. The 59 contributors ... provide a wealth of information in its 22 chapters, each of which is well referenced via footnotes. It presents both introductory and advanced material but also asks important questions about gaps in knowledge; this makes it relevant to undergraduates, postgraduates and postdoctoral scientists/researchers as well as policy makers and anyone concerned with establishing sustainable development." (Dr. A. M. Mannion, British Ecology Society, Vol. 48 (1), April, 2017)
"The editors need to be congratulated for having brought forward a volume that will be the standard for years to come. Policymakers, researchers, and the general public have for the first time a concise but readable overview of the ethnobotany of Mexico. Everyone interested in ethnobotany ... will find a wealth of information in this volume. Overall, Ethnobotany of Mexico is a great example as to how modern ethnobotanical treatises should be structured, and what information they should include." (Economic Botany, Vol. 70 (4), December, 2016)
