Seed Ecophysiology of Temperate and Boreal Zone Forest Trees

by Farmer; Robert E.

• ISBN13: 9781574440546
• ISBN10: 1574440543
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1996-06-20
• Publisher: CRC Press

Summary

This book is perfect for any student of North American trees who is interested in the critical importance of seed production, dispersal and germination. Seed Ecophysiology is the first truly modern book solely devoted to seed reproduction of forest trees - from flowering to establishment, with emphasis on the interaction of environment with physiological process. The focus is upon seed function within natural settings and the application of information to natural regeneration of forests. Written in a breezy and humorous style, this is an easy-to-read, understandable book aimed at bringing important principles to the attention of anyone interested in the subject, along with in-depth coverage of the existing literature which is useful to both investigators and practitioners. For both professionals and lay readers, Seed Ecophysiology is well organized and permits the natural development of the theme. Coverage includes full explanations of seed production, dispersal and germination, as well as the integral roles played by water, temperature, light, chemicals, animals, pathogens, and aging. Abundantly illustrated.

Table of Contents

Preface	ix	(2)
About the Author	xi
1 Introduction	1	(4)
2 Components of Seed Production	5	(40)
Flowering and Tree Age	6	(6)
Floral Initiation and Development	6	(6)
Pollination	12	(4)
Fertilization	16	(3)
Seed Development	19	(11)
General Development Patterns	21	(1)
Loading the Seed: Seed Size	21	(1)
Loading the Seed: Pattern and Content	21	(1)
Development of Dormancy	25	(5)
Hormone Physiology	27	(2)
Genetics	29	(1)
Environment	29	(1)
Correlative Effects	30	(1)
Predispersal Predation	30	(10)
The Bottom Line	37	(3)
Literature Cited	40	(5)
3 Dispersal	45	(22)
Wind Dispersal	47	(10)
Autogyros	47	(5)
Plane-Winged Seed	52	(3)
Parachutes	55	(2)
Dispersal by Animal	57	(6)
Frugivors	58	(1)
Predators	59	(4)
Literature Cited	63	(4)
4 How Seed Germinate	67	(14)
Imbibition	68	(2)
Phases II and III	70	(9)
Literature Cited	79	(2)
5 How to Evaluate Germination	81	(8)
Components of Germination Pattern	81	(2)
Quantitative Methods of Evaluation	83	(4)
Literature Cited	87	(2)
6 Dormancy	89	(34)
Dormancy as an Environmental Requirement	89	(1)
Dormancy as a Morphological/Physiological Condition	90	(2)
Dormancy and Temperature	92	(2)
Dormancy and Light	94	(6)
Dormancy Characteristics of Major Genera	100	(15)
Pinus	100	(4)
Abies, Larix, Picea, Pseudotsuga, and Tsuga	104	(4)
Juniperus and Taxodium	108	(1)
Betula and Alnus	108	(1)
Acer	109	(2)
Quercus and Other Fagaceae	111	(1)
Prunus	112	(2)
Fraxinus	114	(1)
How to Find Out a Tree's Seed Dormancy Model	115	(1)
Literature Cited	116	(7)
7 Seed Banking Trees	123	(14)
Models	125	(2)
Investigative Methods	127	(1)
Trees and Seed Banks	127	(6)
Canopy Seed Banks	128	(1)
Soil Banks	128	(5)
Boreal Forests	128	(1)
Western Coniferous Forests	129	(1)
Northeastern Forests	129	(1)
Southern Appalachian Forests	130	(3)
Literature Cited	133	(4)
8 Germination Genetics	137	(18)
Provenance Effects	138	(4)
Variance Among Families within Provenances	142	(7)
Variance within Families	149	(3)
Literature Cited	152	(3)
9 Germination and Establishment: Temperature, Water, And Light	155	(44)
Temperature at Surfaces	158	(6)
Water at Surfaces	164	(7)
Temperature Effects	171	(12)
Water and Germinants	183	(8)
Light	191	(4)
Literature Cited	195	(4)
10 Chemical Ecology	199	(10)
Allelopathy	199	(4)
Other Chemical Influences	203	(2)
Soil Atmosphere	205	(1)
Literature Cited	205	(4)
11 Animals, Pathogens, and Aging	209	(10)
Post-Dispersal Animal Predation	210	(1)
Pathogens	211	(4)
Aging	215	(1)
Literature Cited	216	(3)
12. Forest Microsites as Regeneration Niches	219	(26)
The Undisturbed Forest Floor	219	(4)
Gaps	223	(5)
Severe Disturbances	228	(11)
Fire	228	(3)
Human Disturbances: Clearfelling, Shelterwood, and Seedbeds	231	(6)
New Ground	237	(2)
Literature Cited	239	(6)
13 Epilogue: Bottom-Up Ecology and the Tao of Natural Regeneration	245	(2)
A Small Glossary Covering Terms with Special Meaning in Seed Ecology and Technology	247	(4)
Index	251