Author: Hans Lambers::F. Stuart, III Chapin::Thijs Leendert Pons
Publisher: Springer
Edition: Corrected
Dewey Decimal Number: 571.2
Publication Date: 2000-01-14
Reading Level: 540
Description: The growth, reproduction and geographical distribution of plants are profoundly influenced by their physiological ecology: the interaction with the surrounding physical, chemical and biological environments. This textbook is notable in emphasizing that the mechanisms underlying plant physiological ecology can be found at the levels of biochemistry, biophysics, molecular biology and whole-plant physiology. At the same time, the integrative power of physiological ecology is well-suited to assess the costs, benefits and consequences of modifying plants for human needs, and to evaluate the role of plants in ecosystems. Plant Physiological Ecology begins with the primary processes of carbon metabolism and transport, plant-water relations, and energy balance. After considering individual leaves and whole plants, these physiological processes are then scaled up to the level of the canopy. Subsequent chapters discuss mineral nutrition and the ways in which plants cope with nutrient-deficient or toxic soils. The book then looks at patterns of growth and allocation, life-history traits, and interactions between plants and other organisms. Later chapters deal with traits that affect decomposition of plant material and with plant physiological ecology at the level of ecosystems and global environmental processes. Plant Physiological Ecology features numerous boxed entries that provide extended discussions of selected issues, a glossary, and numerous references to the primary and review literature. The significant new text is suitable for use in plant ecology courses, as well as classes ranging from plant physiology to plant molecular biology.
Customer Reviews
Review Summary: More About The Molecular Biophysics And Biochemistry Of Photosynthesis
Date: 2008-07-04
Details: "About the Authors
Hans Lambers is in the Department of Plant Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Utrecht University in The Netherlands and in the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of Western Australia.
F. Stuart Chapin is Professor of Ecology at the Institute of Arctic Biology at the University of Alaska.
Thijs L. Pons is in the Department of Plant Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Utrecht University."
[from the book of the back cover]
".....The book starts, appropriately, with the capture of carbon from the atmosphere.
Photosynthesis is obviously the basis of life on earth, and some of the most brilliant scientists have made it their life's work.
As a result, we know MORE ABOUT THE MOLECULAR BIOPHYSICS AND BIOCHEMISTRY OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS than we do about any other plant process....."
[from the book of the foreword by David T. Clarkson, IACR-Long Ashton Research Station, University of Bristol, April 1997]
Review Summary: Excellent reference book
Date: 2004-06-11
Details: I use this book as a starting point on specific topics in plant physiology & ecophysiology from the plant cell to plant global communities. Indeed, it is not an intro course in plant physiology and very broad but I would recommend this book for graduate students, it is helpful.
Review Summary: A complex book - not for the beginner
Date: 2000-10-10
Details: This book covers a lot of ground, beginning with photosynthesis, plant-water relations, and plant energy balances before discussing ecological aspects of plant physiology. While it follows a logical progression from the cell to the ecosystem scale, the book is very difficult to read. The authors try to cover too much material in the book, omitting basic material in order to broaden the focus of the book. Therefore, it is definitely not for those who are looking for a basic book in either plant physiology or plant ecology. As a textbook, it is difficult for undergraduate students to understand, and seems to be geared towards graduate students and those already familiar with the field.
out of 3 Reviews
