Conifer Reproductive Biology [Hardcover]

Claire G. Williams (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 20, 2009 | ISBN-10: 1402096011 | ISBN-13: 978-1402096013 | Edition: 1

This compendium on conifer reproductive biology is intended as a text supplement for plant biology courses. Such a volume seems timely because knowledge of model flowering plants is expanding so fast that each new plant biology text has less written on conifers than the last. Conifer Reproductive Biology seems needed as a specialized botany reference for life science professionals, graduate students and advanced undergraduates. Its content was chosen for its relevance to those working in life sciences: ecology, evolution, genomics, environmental sciences, genetics, forestry, conservation and even immunology. Its content has also been shaped by a trend towards the integrative study of conifer reproduction. "The chapters that reflect the author's expertise are masterly and I learned much from them. Bringing together this information could not have been done by anybody else." (Professor Philip Barry Tomlinson, Harvard Forest, Harvard University and National Tropical Botanical Garden, Kalaheo, HI, USA) "Conifer Reproductive Biology is a masterful compendium of the literature and a thoughtful diagnosis of what we know (and do not know) about how these fascinating, diverse, and ancient plants reproduce. I recommend it to any and all interested in plant life." (Karl J. Niklas, The Liberty Hyde Bailey Professor of Plant Biology, Dept. of Plant Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA)

Editorial Reviews

Review

From the reviews: "The chapters that reflect the author's expertise are masterly and I learned much from them. Bringing together this information could not have been done by anybody else." (Professor Philip Barry Tomlinson, Harvard Forest, Harvard University and National Tropical Botanical Garden, Kalaheo, HI, USA) "Conifer Reproductive Biology is a masterful compendium of the literature and a thoughtful diagnosis of what we know (and do not know) about how these fascinating, diverse, and ancient plants reproduce. I recommend it to any and all interested in plant life." (Karl J. Niklas, The Liberty Hyde Bailey Professor of Plant Biology, Dept. of Plant Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA) "In recent years there have been big advances in the reproductive biology of conifers, but fresh textbook coverage has been minimal. This has now been made good in an excellent, attractively presented book. … this book will be very valuable for a broad readership that includes evolutionary biologists, botanists, ecologists, conservationists, forest geneticists, tree breeders and seed-orchard managers. … each chapter begins with a Summary and ends with a Closing section, and there is a separate Concluding section. References are listed separately for each chapter." (Rowland D. Burdon, New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science, Vol. 39, 2009) “This nice little book provides a comprehensive and detailed view over the reproduction Biology of Gymnosperms with detailed descriptions of the evolution of reproductive structures from fossil records, a clear overview of the life cycle of these rather weird plants, and many other features of the reproduction of these trees. … The book will be of high use for biology and forestry post-graduate students, for forest scientists and geneticists, as well as for forest managers … . this book will be of very high value.” (Erwin Dreyer, Annals of Forest Science, Issue 4, 2010) “Williams, a forestry and conifer specialist, has compiled a state-of-the art work that details the reproductive systems of coniferous plants. … writes at a very technical level and provides numerous literature references. … The work will also have a … appreciative audience of botanists working in fields such as forestry, genetics, and evolution who are interested in the reproductive systems of conifers. … Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates, graduate students, researchers/faculty, and practitioners.” (G. D. Drever, Choice, Vol. 47 (5), January, 2010) “This slim and well-presented book is intended to be a text … for plant biology courses … . it also has a number of other interesting features. The logic of the presentation is good. … this book provides a good summary of conifer reproductive biology, especially for Pinus. … Conifer specialists will find useful information here … .” (Robert Hill, Annals of Botany, Vol. 105 (6), June, 2010) “This book has nine chapters separated into three sections. At the end of the book are the conclusion, glossary and subject index. References are provided for each chapter, as well as in the conclusion. … According to the author, this book is intended as a ‘text supplement’ for plant biology courses. … This book benefits from the authors extensive research experience on Pinus taeda, particularly in areas such as seed dispersal, breeding and embryo-lethality.” (Danilo D. Fernando, International Forestry Review, Vol. 11 (4), 2009) “The depth of coverage goes well beyond what is needed … in such a course progressing logically in seven chapters … . Coverage of these topics is thorough and up to date, with the author being an important contributor to the field so the book is recommended for its stated purpose. … it will be useful in some measure to anyone interested in plant reproduction.” (James E. Eckenwalder, The Quarterly Review of Biology, Vol. 86 (1), March, 2011)

From the Back Cover

This compendium on conifer reproductive biology is intended as a text supplement for plant biology courses. Such a volume seems timely because knowledge of model flowering plants is expanding so fast that each new plant biology text has less written on conifers than the last. Conifer Reproductive Biology seems needed as a specialized botany reference for life science professionals, graduate students and advanced undergraduates. Its content was chosen for its relevance to those working in life sciences: ecology, evolution, genomics, environmental sciences, genetics, forestry, conservation and even immunology. Its content has also been shaped by a trend towards the integrative study of conifer reproduction. "The chapters that reflect the author's expertise are masterly and I learned much from them. Bringing together this information could not have been done by anybody else." Professor Philip Barry Tomlinson, Harvard Forest, Harvard University and National Tropical Botanical Garden, Kalaheo, HI, USA. "Conifer Reproductive Biology is a masterful compendium of the literature and a thoughtful diagnosis of what we know (and do not know) about how these fascinating, diverse, and ancient plants reproduce.  I recommend it to any and all interested in plant life." Karl J. Niklas, The Liberty Hyde Bailey Professor of Plant Biology, Department of Plant Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 188 pages
• Publisher: Springer; 1 edition (May 20, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402096011
• ISBN-13: 978-1402096013
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,694,084 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Informative and interesting - well worth reading, July 17, 2009

By 

Julia G. - See all my reviews

This review is from: Conifer Reproductive Biology (Hardcover)

A well written book that is pleasant to read and has clear explanations. It starts with a comprehensive evolutionary history of the conifers, and then goes into the more specific matters of reproduction. These include issues pertaining to the diplohaplontic lifecycle, heterospory, processes leading up to embryo development and ultimately seed dispersal. There are also two interesting chapters that discuss the matters of wind pollination and the embryo lethal system.

This book is useful, whether you know what these terms mean or not! If you don't, you'll find out from reading it, and if you do, it will link them for you in new ways. As long as the reader has a biological background, this book lends itself to applications at the advanced undergraduate or graduate level and beyond.

My favourite thing about it are the interspersed gray boxes that cover points of interest. These cover a wide range of topics including the genetics of polyembryony, why individuals in the cypress family cause allergic reactions, and the culinary history of the edible pine nut, as well as many others.

This is the only book I know of that summarizes the research into conifer reproduction. Professor Williams has done an excellent job of supplying us with a much needed book that is both informative and interesting.