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Field Guide Afghanistan - Flora and Vegetation
This book, written in English and Dari, gives a comprehensive overview of the plant
cover of Afghanistan. It is the first Field Guide and Pictorial Flora of Afghanistan ever
published. From the hot lowland deserts to the cold snow belt of the Hindu Kush and
to the monsoon influenced region in the E, this beautiful mountainous country harbours
more than 4,000 species of vascular plants, many endemic and unique. The
introductory part deals with the physical nature of the country, flora and vegetation,
economic plants, ecology and nature conservation. There are also chapters on plant
morphology and systematics, research tools, how to collect plants, as well as a comprehensive bibliography. In the pictorial part, more than 1,200 species are illustrated.
The species are arranged in 4 main groups (pteridophytes, gymnosperms, dicots,
monocots) and, within them, alphabetically by family and genus. Each plant species
has a complementary brief description giving basic information on local and general
distribution, ecology, life-form, flower and other interesting or relevant comments. The
book is aimed at anyone, student or layman, who wants an introduction to the country's
rich vegetation. The year 2010 was declared the UN International Year of Biodiversity.
The publication of this Field Guide is a meaningful contribution to this occasion
and now is the appropriate time for its distribution among Afghan schools,
universities and institutes.
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