Davidsonia

Davidsonia - A Journal of Botanical Garden Science

Editor Iain Taylor writes on the progress of ecological research in British Columbia.

This article introduces the new Biodiversity Research Centre at UBC and reviews the nature and importance of biodiversity research in a changing world with rapidly expanding human population. Results from the Kluane Forest Boreal Forest Ecosystem Project have shown that nutrient availability is the main determinant of vegetation abundance rather than herbivory. However, with increasing nutrients and vegetation abundance there was a correlated loss of species diversity. Planned experiments in the same area are described which aim to remove species and functional groups from the vegetation (Biological Knock Out). These experiments are expected to give further insights into the functioning of this ecosystem. (abstract prepared by journal)

Humanity’s 10,000-year-old experiment in mode-of-living at the expense of Nature, culminating in economic globalization, is failing. A primary reason is that we have placed the importance of our species above all else. We have wrongly considered Earth, its ecosystems, and their myriad organic/inorganic parts as mere provisioners, valued only when they serve our needs and wants. A courageous change in attitudes and activities is urgent. Diagnoses and prescriptions for healing the human-Earth relationship are legion, and here we emphasize the visionary one that seems essential to the success of all others. A new worldview anchored in the planetary Ecosphere points the way.

The June installment of Judy Newton's popular series describing what to see at the UBC Botanical Garden each month of the year.

The Editors of Davidsonia highlight some of the most interesting and important titles from the thousands of recently published papers in the plant sciences.