News 2012 September-October

News

Lemmens, R.H.M.J., Louppe, D. & Oteng-Amoako, A.A. (eds), 2012. Plant Resources of Tropical Africa. Volume 7(2) : Timbers. Wageningen, PROTA-CTA. 804 p.

The second and last volume of PROTA (Plant Resources of Tropical Africa) about timbers has just been published, in English and French. The description of 693 species are being added to the 511 species treated in volume 1. It is the first time that such a synthesis is undertaken at the continent level. It covers as well what is of interest for the botanist as for the forester or the wood industry. New wood anatomy descriptions have been done for this book.

This volume is added to the seven already published on useful plants. All data is put on line on the PROTA site, in English and French, which now constitutes the best on line encyclopedia about useful plants.

Unfortunately, PROTA now faces difficulties in finding new funds, at a time when people speak of sustainable agriculture or biodiversity. The need to rely on an exhaustive knowledge base about our plant resources will surely be felt later, but when ?

The books can be purchased through CTA or Earthprint.

Michel Chauvet
26 September 2012