Techniques to Assess Plant Diversity

Abstract

Understanding the unequal distribution of species diversity is one of the greatest challenges in ecology. Standardized sampling protocol for diversity assessment are there for essential to reflect diversity patterns across spatial scales and to compare the diversities of different ecosystems. Measurements of biodiversity at the level of species or inhabitants are directed towards the fulfillment of an index of the number of species and their relative abundances in a given landscape. Massive loss of valuable plant species in the past centuries and its adverse impact on environmental and socioeconomic values has caused the conservation of plant resources. Appropriate identification and characterization of plant materials is important for the successful conservation of plant resources and to ensure their sustainable use. This review presents a basic description of different techniques that may be used for analysis of plant species. This chapter also includes an overview of the diverse, predominantly molecular techniques used in assessing plant genetic diversity.