Plants and Microclimate: A Quantitative Approach to Environmental Plant Physiology [Paperback]

Hamlyn G. Jones (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 26, 1992 | ISBN-10: 0521425247 | ISBN-13: 978-0521425247 | Edition: 2

This book attempts to provide a soundly based introduction to those features of the atmospheric environment of particular relevance to plants; it also describes the physical and physiological principles required for understanding how these factors affect plants. The underlying biophysics and biochemistry are explained in the context of plants growing in their natural environment. For example, gas exchange and diffusion are considered in relation to the control both of evaporation from vegetation and of photosynthesis and productivity, while energy exchanges are examined in relation to plant temperature regulation. Throughout the text a quantitative approach is adopted and the use of mathematical models is described with some examples. Physiological and ecological aspects of adaptation to different natural environments, including mechanisms of drought tolerance, are considered, as are possible ways in which this information can be used for improving crop plants for selective breeding. Practical aspects of important measurement techniques are discussed. There is a comprehensive reference list giving an introduction to recent literature, together with appendixes listing useful physical qualities. The presentation adopted is designed to emphasize the close relationship among the biophysical, physiological, and ecological aspects of the adaptation of higher plants to their aerial environment. This second edition has been fully updated and includes information on novel techniques such as chlorophyll-a fluorescence and carbon isotope discrimination, which can be applied to plants in the field, as well as coverage of topics of current concern such as global warming and atmospheric pollution.

Editorial Reviews

Review

From the reviews of the first edition...

"...a first-class introduction to quantitative environmental physiology...." M.H. Unsworth, New Phytologist

"...plant physiologists, agronomists, ecologists, and others interested in whole plants can all find much of value here." David A. Smith, American Scientist

"...an excellent book which all agricultural meteorologists would benefit from using." M.N. Hough, Meteorological Magazine

"This book will serve modelers and quantitative physiologists admirably. As a source of information and conceptual understanding it attains the highest standards in topical balance, rigor, logical organization, and guidance to the literature....At a time when endless, uninterpreted, and poorly connected lists of effects often pass for quantitative studies in biology, Plants and Microclimates stands as a fine model." Vincent P. Gutschick, Mathematical Biosciences

From the reviews of the second edition...

"...I would recommend the text for a course geared towards advanced undergraduates and graduate students." T. R. Baker, Ecology

"...a useful quantitative approach to environmental plant physiology....The approach boils down to the biophysics of environmental factors that affect plant growth and development (i.e., radiation, temperature, water relations, energy balance, and mass transfer) and the nature of plant or canopy response to them." Cary Au Mitchell, The Quarterly Review of Biology

Book Description

This introduction to the features of the atmospheric environment is of particular relevance to plants and describes the physical and physiological principles required for understanding their interaction with the environment.

Product Details

• Paperback: 456 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press; 2 edition (June 26, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521425247
• ISBN-13: 978-0521425247
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,143,832 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best litterature review of plant physics around, April 7, 2004

By 

Armando R. Suarez (Coppell, TX, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Plants and Microclimate: A Quantitative Approach to Environmental Plant Physiology (Paperback)

All the editions of this book proved to be amazing compilations of information about the physical processes involved in plant physiology.
Jones reviews one by one, thermal, radiative, gaseous, ... properties, of plants in a clear concise yet exhaustive way.
Recommended for all serious scholars in plant sciences, environmental sciences, and agriculture

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A readable technical text, July 1, 2008

By 

Brian D. Ashman "biosystem student" (Saint Paul, MN United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Plants and Microclimate: A Quantitative Approach to Environmental Plant Physiology (Paperback)

Not a fun light read, yet accurately summarizes concepts in one coherent place that I learned from scattered and more difficult to read sources. I haven't read the whole book, but feel it would have saved me time in understanding evapotranspiration.

The book covers how plants respond to their microclimate and thus introduce climate regulation as plant communities impact the atmospheric microclimate around them. Solid references give a serious novice a firm launching point in their quantitative studies.

Do not expect tables of plant specific parameters from this book, nor how specific soil or atmospheric characteristics impact plant development and morphology (although bulk crop yield is covered). The equations presented model heat, gas, and chemical transport mechanisms between plant and air.