The book, published in June 2006, treats the cerrado (one of the top biodiversity hotspots in the world), a large-scale South American vegetation, its formation and origin, its plants and their adaptations, their rhythms of life, and their interactions with animals.-etation, its structure, dynamics and presumed origin. Emphasis is on the adap tational features of plants in relation to their physical environment, in particular of man upon this ecosystem, and confront some of the problems associated with conservation politics. In the second volume, pollination and seed dispersal phenomena are described, and emphasis placed on how these pro cesses, essentially plant-animal interrelationships , are critical to the maintenance and re-generation of this ecosystem. Conservation of cerrado entails not merely the protection of its plants but extends to its animals as well for they are the dynamic force ensuring the cerrado's regeneration. Humans, too, have their place in the cerrado, and cerrados have been inhabited and used by man for thousands of years. From time immemo-rial, indigenous people have manipulated cerrado by by planting. Aboriginal people were well aware of the usefulness of cerrado plants. In modern times, however, destruction of this vegetation is so fast that time for in-depth studies is running short. The two volumes making up this book have as one aim to focus attention on this invaluable ecosystem in the hope of initiating new proposals, and reinforcing and implementing preexisting conventions, designed for its preservation. Vol. I, Origin, Structure, Dynamics and Plant Use: drawings and tables List price: 30.00 Euros (postage not included) Vol. II, Pollination and Seed Dispersal: drawings and tables List price: 40.00 Euros (postage not included) both hardcover, format 22.5 x 29.5 cm Vol. I + Vol. II for 60,00 €
