Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 11
The Role of Ornamentals in Human Life
Jaap M. van Tuyl, Paul Arens, William B. Miller and Neil O. Anderson
Abstract
The integration of flowers in daily human life has a long history and sub-
stantiates our appreciation for their delicacy and wide variation in possible shapes
and colours. Since the very early civilizations flowers were used for medical pur-
poses and above all have been part of important cultural and religious customs.
Records of their use have been preserved over centuries in different parts of the
world and in most if not all major religions flowers have a featuring role. Whereas
in the past flower production for floral design was local and probably limited and
restricted to wealthy and powerful people that could afford gardens for pleasure,
nowadays floral production has become a knowledge and infrastructural intensive,
highly specialised industry with trading networks on a global scale and floricultural
exhibitions being organised all over the world. As with all intensive industry, con-
cerns on environmental aspects including carbon footprints as well as the well-being
of labourers have been raised and have led to certification programs that resulted
in impressive reductions in energy and resources as well as environmental impact.
It can be expected that given the global environmental and economic issues, orna-
mental production will have to even intensify these efforts substantially to provide
flowers at low environmental costs for people to enjoy in and around their homes.
Keywords
Floriculture
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Flowers
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Celebration
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Exhibition
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Carbon foot print
