Plant Physiological Ecology [Hardcover]

F. Stuart Chapin (Author), F. Stuart, III Chapin (Author), Thijs Leendert Pons (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 14, 2000 | ISBN-10: 0387983260 | ISBN-13: 978-0387983264 | Edition: Corrected

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.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This book must be regarded as the most integrated, informative and accessible account of the complexities of plant physiological ecology." -- Plant Science

From the Back Cover

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 describes mechanisms that underlie plant physiological ecology at the levels of physiology, biochemistry, biophysics, and molecular biology. 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, Second Edition is significantly updated, with full color illustrations and 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 the consequences of plant physiological ecology at ecosystem and global levels. Plant Physiological Ecology, Second Edition features numerous boxed entries that extend the discussions of selected issues, a glossary, and numerous references to the primary and review literature. This significant new text is suitable for use in plant ecology courses, as well as classes ranging from plant physiology to plant molecular biology. From reviews of the first edition: ". . . the authors cover a wide range of plant physiological aspects which up to now could not be found in one book. . . . The book can be recommended not only to students but also to scientists working in general plant physiology and ecology as well as in applied agriculture and forestry." - Journal of Plant Physiology "This is a remarkable book, which should do much to consolidate the importance of plant physiological ecology as a strongly emerging discipline. The range and depth of the book should also persuade any remaining skeptics that plant physiological ecology can offer much in helping us to understand how plants function in a changing and complex environment." - Forestry "This book must be regarded as the most integrated, informative and accessible account of the complexities of plant physiological ecology. It can be highly recommended to graduate students and researchers working in all fields of plant ecology." - Plant Science ". . . there is a wealth of information and new ideas here, and I strongly recommend that this book be on every plant ecophysiologist's shelf. It certainly represents scholarship of the highest level, and many of us will find it a useful source of new ideas for future research." - Ecology --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 540 pages
• Publisher: Springer; Corrected edition (January 14, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0387983260
• ISBN-13: 978-0387983264
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,089,460 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A complex book - not for the beginner, October 10, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Plant Physiological Ecology (Hardcover)

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.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent reference book, June 10, 2004

By 

mixedman "mixedman" (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Plant Physiological Ecology (Hardcover)

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.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Nice book, October 29, 2009

By 

D. Setaro (Mesa, AZ USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Plant Physiological Ecology (Hardcover)

This book does have a lot of good info. However, some of the figures come directly from scientific articles and their legends can be difficult to follow. There is also information presented on certain topics that is not yet fully accepted in the scientific community. There are also a few topics that are presented in a confusing manner, which make them hard to follow unless you reread them. The copy that I got is made with high quality sturdy paper, so it should last for a really long time. Overall it is a decent book but I think that it could have been organized in a format that was easier to follow.