Orchid Biology VIII

Note Not long after publication of Orchid Biology, Reviews and Perspectives (OB) volume VII, my co-editor, Dr. Alec M. Pridgeon informed me that the pressure of other duties, especially the editing of Genera Orchidacearum (GO) will make it impossible for him to continue as co-editor and eventually editor ofthe series. Alec is an excellent orchid scientist and editor. I was sorry to that he had to leave OB, but glad that GO will be in his able hands. The first volume of GO attests to his considerable abilities and I wish him much success in the future. Editors of orchid publications are not the most common of species (to use a botanical analogy) and finding a replacement for Alec was not easy. However I was fortunate that Dr. Tiiu Kull agreed to become my co-editor and eventually take over the series. As is obvious from the Contributors section Dr. Kull has extensive experience as both writer and editor. My interactions with her while editing this volume have convinced me she is an excellent choice. Scientifically she brings to OB an appreciation and understanding of northern terrestrial orchids, a group, which has not received as much attention as it deserves. Another addition to OB is Dr. Tim Wing Yam who agreed to become an associate editor. Tim, who holds a position at the Singapore Botanic Gardens, will provide expertise on seed germination, hybridization, tissue culture, species and conservation.