Seedling Ecology And Evolution

by Edited By Mary Allessio Leck, V. Thomas Parker, Robert L. Simpson

• ISBN13: 9780521694667
• ISBN10: 0521694663
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-10-20
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

This book explores the highly sensitive seedling stage of the plant life cycle. Discussed in depth are the importance of seedlings in plant communities; environmental factors with special impact on seedlings; the morphological and physiological diversity of seedlings including mycorrhizae; the relationship of the seedling with other life stages; seedling evolution; and seedlings in human altered ecosystems, including deserts, tropical rainforests, and habitat restoration projects. Specialized groups such as orchids, bromeliads, and parasitic and carnivorous plants are also addressed. Physiology, morphology, evolution and ecology are all brought together to focus on how and why seedlings are successful. Written by authors coming from diverse fields of study and research sites from around the world, this is an essential text for graduate students and researchers in plant ecology, botany, agriculture and conservation.

Table of Contents

Foreword Peter Grubb

Preface Mary Allessio Leck, Robert L. Simpson and V. Thomas Parker

Introduction

Why seedlings? Mary Allessio Leck, Robert L. Simpson and V. Thomas Parker

Seedling Diversity

Seedling natural history Mary Allessio

Specialized seedling strategies I - seedlings in stressful environments

Specialized seedling strategies II - orchids, bromeliads, carnivorous plants, and parasites

Seedling Morphology, Evolution, and Physiology

Embryo morphology and seedling evolution

Regeneration ecology of early angiosperm seeds and seedlings - integrating inferences from extant basal lineages and fossils

Physiological and morphological changes during early seedling growth - roles of phytohormones

Seedling ecophysiology - strategies toward achievement of positive net carbon balance

The role of symbioses in seedling establishment and survival

Life History Implications

The seedling as part of a plant's life history strategy

Seedling recruitment and population ecology Ove Eriksson and Johan Ehrl_n

Seedling communities

Spatial variation in seedling emergence and establishment - functional groups among and within habitats? Johannes Kollmann

Applications

Does seedling ecology matter for biological invasions?

The role of seedlings in the dynamics of dryland ecosystems - their response to and involvement in dryland heterogeneity, degradation, and restoration Bertrand Boeken

Anthropogenic disturbance in tropical forests - towards a functional understanding of seedling responses

Seedling establishment in restored ecosystems Susan Galatowitsch

Synthesis

The seedling in an ecological and evolutionary context

References

Index

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.