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The arborescent gymnosperms are the most prevalent trees in one-third of the world's forests, and have dominated the Earth's forest ecosystems through much of evolutionary time. They encompass over 70 living genera and nearly 700 species of evergreen conifers and related trees, and include the largest and longest-lived organisms on this planet.
This two-volume treatise, the manuscript for which was completed shortly before the author's death, is the culmination of 54 years of research, teaching and field study. It provides detailed descriptions of each genus based on first-hand surveys of their structure, adaption, ecology, function and development. It also incorporates evidence from molecular studies, palaeobotany and environmental data to provide a holistic understanding of their overall evolution and diversity. Covering the world's temperate and tropical forests, Volume 1 principally focuses on Northern Hemisphere genera while Volume 2 covers those with a predominantly Southern Hemisphere range. Together, the set provides a comprehensive, global reference for researchers in palaeobotany, plant science, geobiology, evolutionary biology, ecology and plant genetics, as well as arboriculturists and conservation managers.
Preface and Acknowledgements
Structure of the Two Volumes
Part I. Aims, Approaches and Methodologies
Part II. Phylogenetic Bases and Revised Taxonomic Structure
Part III. Living Arborescent Gynosperm Genetic Presentations:
41. Fitzroya
42. Cryptomeria
43. Glyptostrobus
44. Taxodium
45. Sequoia
46. Sequoiadendron
47. Metasequoia
48. Cunninghamia
49. Taiwania
50. Athrotaxis
51. Araucaria
52. Wollemia
53. Agathis
54. Podocarpus
55. Retrophyllum
56. Nageia
57. Afrocarpus
58. Dacrydium
59. Dacrycarpus
60. Falcatifolium
61. Acmopyle
62. Halocarpus
63. Lagarostrobos
64. Manoao
65. Parasitaxus
66. Prumnopitys
67. Sundacarpus
68. Pectinopitys
69. Microcachrys
70. Phaerosphaera
71. Phyllocladus
72. Saxegothaea
73. Lepidothamnus
Part IV. From Ecosystem Services to Conservation and Sustainability
Bibliography
Genus index
Christopher N. Page (1942-2022) held a first-class bachelor's degree in geology and a PhD in cytogenetics. Following positions at the University of Queensland and the University of Oxford, he joined the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh as a specialist tree scientist. This provided him with a base for half a century of global study of conifers and ferns, including more than 10 cumulative years spent in the field on every continent except Antarctica. After leaving Edinburgh, he joined the University of Exeter in his retirement, where he continued to study ancient plant groups by integrating multi-sourced plant data with phylogenetic arrays. The author of 8 books and 150 journal papers, Dr Page was best known for bridging fields as diverse as geology, palaeobotany, evolutionary biology, biodiversity, genetics and modern molecular studies in order to develop environmental-evolutionary interpretations and applications. He was awarded two scientific Gold Medals - fittingly one for plant biology from the Indian Pteridological Society and one for geology from the Royal Geological Society of Cornwall. This treatise on gymnosperms, the manuscript for which was completed shortly before his death, is the culmination of 54 years of research, teaching and field study.
"This is truly a magnum opus by a world expert on the conifers and it has been fascinating, enjoyable and informative to read. It is based on the extensive travels of the author to everywhere that arborescent conifers grow. This has enabled the author to illustrate it with a wonderful collection of his personal and most informative photos of the conifers of the world. The text is a skilful combination of data from palaeobotanic, molecular and field observations that show the history, evolution and contemporary status of this vitally important group of plants. It is the author's personal experience with each genus and familiarity with so much of the literature about conifers that makes this such interesting reading. There is no doubt that this book will remain a classic on the subject for many years to come."
– Sir Ghillean Prance, FRS, former Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
