Physiological Plant Ecology - Ecophysiology and Stress Physiology of Functional Groups

Plant ecophysiology is concerned fundamentally with the physiology of plants as modified by fluctuating external influences. According to a definition agreed by the Societe d'Ecophysiologie, ecophysiology "involves both the descriptive study of the responses of organisms to ambient conditions and the causal analysis of the corresponding ecologically dependent physiological mechanisms, at every level of or ganization. The ecophysiological approach must take into account polymorphism" (that is, structural and functional diversity) "in in dividual responses, which are largely responsible for the adaptive capacity of any given population. In this respect, ecophysiological study yields information which is fundamental for an understanding of the mechanisms underlying adaptive strategies" (Vannier 1994). of the author is to convey the conceptual framework upon The aim which this discipline is based, to offer insights into the basic mechanisms and interactions within the system "plant and environ ment", and to present examples of current problems. Although physi ological ecology is currently an exciting and expanding branch of science it is by no means a recent field of research. I have tried to por tray its rich historical background in the choice of illustrations and tabular material; the results presented reflect the broadness of vision, the struggles and successes of the pioneering experimental eco physiologists, as well as the most recent advances in knowledge.

Sommario

1 The Environment of Plants.- 1.1 The Surroundings of Plants.- 1.1.1 The Atmosphere.- 1.1.2 The Hydrosphere.- 1.1.3 The Lithosphere and the Soil.- 1.1.4 The Phytosphere a Part of the Ecosphere.- 1.2 Radiation and Climate.- 1.2.1 Radiation.- 1.2.2 Climate.- 2 Carbon Utilization and Dry Matter Production.- 2.1 Carbon Metabolism in the Cell.- 2.1.1 Photosynthesis.- 2.1.2 Photorespiration: the Glycolate Pathway.- 2.1.3 Release of Energy by Catabolic Processes.- 2.2 Gas Exchange in Plants.- 2.2.1 The Exchange of Carbon Dioxide and Oxygen.- 2.2.2 Specific Capacity of Net Photosynthesis.- 2.2.3 Specific Activity of Mitochondrial Respiration.- 2.2.4 The Influence of Stage of Development and State of Activity on Respiration and Photosynthesis.- 2.2.5 The Effect of External Factors on CO2 Exchange.- 2.3 The Carbon Budget of the Whole Plant.- 2.3.1 The Gas-Exchange Balance.- 2.3.2 Dry Matter Production.- 2.3.3 Utilization of Photosynthates and the Rate of Growth.- 2.4 The Carbon Budget of Plant Communities.- 2.4.1 The Productivity of Stands of Plants.- 2.4.2 The Net Primary Production of the Vegetation of the Earth.- 2.4.3 The Carbon Balance of Plant Communities.- 2.5 Energy Conversion by the Plant Cover.- 2.5.1 Energy Conversion by Photosynthesis.- 2.5.2 The Energy Content of Plant Matter.- 2.5.3 Energy Efficiency of the Primary Production of Plant Communities.- 3 The Utilization of Mineral Elements.- 3.1 The Soil as a Nutrient Source for Plants.- 3.1.1 Mineral Nutrients in the Soil.- 3.1.2 Adsorption and Exchange of Ions in the Soil.- 3.2 The Uptake of Mineral Nutrients.- 3.2.1 The Uptake of Mineral Nutrients from the Soil.- 3.2.2 Ion Uptake into the Cell.- 3.2.3 Supplying the Root with Ions.- 3.2.4 The Transport of Ions in Roots.- 3.2.5 Long-Distance Transport of Minerals in the Plant.- 3.3 Utilization and Deposition of Minerals in the Plant.- 3.3.1 The Ash Content of Dry Matter and the Composition of Plant Ash.- 3.3.2 Nutrient Requirements and the Incorporation of Mineral Substances.- 3.3.3 Mineral Nutrient Status.- 3.4 The Elimination of Minerals.- 3.5 Nitrogen Metabolism.- 3.5.1 Nitrogen Uptake by the Plant.- 3.5.2 Nitrogen Assimilation.- 3.5.3 Nitrogen Partitioning in the Plant.- 3.5.4 Nitrogen Fixation by Microorganisms.- 3.6 Habitat-Related Aspects of Mineral Metabolism.- 3.6.1 Plants Growing on Acidic and Basic Substrates.- 3.6.2 Calcicole and Calcifuge Plants.- 3.6.3 Plants Growing in Oligotrophic Habitats.- 3.7 Mineral Cycling in Plant Communities.- 3.7.1 The Mineral Balance of a Plant Community.- 3.7.2 The Cycling of Minerals.- 4 Water Relations.- 4.1 Poikilohydric and Homoiohydric Plants.- 4.2 Water Relations of the Plant Cell.- 4.2.1 The Water in the Cell.- 4.2.2 The Water Potential of Plant Cells.- 4.2.3 The Dynamic Equilibrium of Cellular Water.- 4.3 Water Relations of the Whole Plant.- 4.3.1 Water Uptake.- 4.3.2 The Plant in the Water-Potential Gradient Between Soil and Atmosphere (Soil-Plant-Atmosphere Continuum)..- 4.3.3 Water Loss from Plants.- 4.3.4 The Water Balance of a Plant.- 4.3.5 Water Relations in Different Plant Types.- 4.4 Water Economy in Plant Communities.- 4.4.1 The Water Balance of Stands of Plants.- 5 Environmental Influences on Growth and Development.- 5.1 Regulation of Growth and Development.- 5.1.1 The Role of Phytohormones.- 5.1.2 The Effect of External Factors.- 5.2 Stages in the Life of a Plant.- 5.2.1 The Embryonic Phase: Imprinting by the Mother Plant.- 5.2.2 Germination and Establishment: to Be or not to Be.- 5.2.3 The Vegetative Phase: Period of Greatest Growth.- 5.2.4 The Reproductive Phase: Flowering and Fruiting.- 5.2.5 The Phase of Senescence: Orderly Withdrawal.- 5.3 The Seasonality of Growth and Development.- 5.3.1 Different Patterns of Life History.- 5.3.2 Synchronization of Growth and Climatic Rhythms.- 5.3.3 Winter Dormancy in Cold Regions.- 5.3.4 Phenology: an Indicator of Weather Characteristics and Changes of Climate.- 6 Plants Under Stress.- 6.1 Stress: Disturbance and Syndrome.

Dettagli sul prodotto

• Autori: Walter Larcher
• Editore: Springer, Berlin
• Lingue: Inglese
• Formato: Tascabile
• Pubblicazione: 21.11.2014
• EAN: 9783642878534
• ISBN: 978-3-642-87853-4
• Illustrazioni: XVI, 528 pp. 348 figs.
• Categoria: Scienze naturali, medicina, informatica, tecnica > Biologia > Ecologia