Monitoring and surveillance of genetically modified higher plants

The monitoring and surveillance of genetically modified higher plants (GMHP) is an area that is still lacking an established international monitoring programme. This volume presents ideas and suggestions by focusing on procedures in composing such a programme and methods for detection of transgene dispersal and of environmental effects when GM plants are cultivated. Objectives and procedures for monitoring and surveying present and new types of GM plants are described, including herbicide tolerance, insect resistance and changed agronomic performance. Other issues covered in this book include: detection of GM plant dispersal and hybridisation; agricultural use and large scale effects; habitat selection and community invasibility; baseline definition and the time perspective; effects on ecosystems, vegetation and organism groups; sampling designs; data analysis and relevant statistical methods. In a final chapter, conclusions and recommendations are presented. The book is an extension of Methods for Risk Assessment of Transgenic Plants, vol. I-III (published at Birkh user Publ. Inc. in 1994, 1997 and 1999, respectively) with tools for analyses of the consequences when GM plants are released in the field. It is primarily written for researchers, administrators and biologists who are involved in planning and evaluation of field monitoring, risk assessment or management of GM plants, but also addresses anyone who takes an interest in general issues concerning monitoring plant invasion or environmental effects from new crops.