Dispersal Biology of Desert Plants / Edition 1

by Karen van Rheede van Oudtshoorn, Margaretha W. van Rooyen

Overview

Dispersal processes have important effects on plant distribution and abundance. Although adaptations to long range dispersal (telechory) are by no means rare in desert plants, many desert plant species do not possess any features to promote dispersal (atelechory), while others have structures that hamper dispersal (antitelechory). The high frequency with which atelechorous and antitelechorous mechanisms are present in plants inhabiting arid areas indicates the importance of these adaptations. Among the benefits derived from these adaptations are the spreading of germination over time, the provision of suitable conditions for germination and subsequent seedling establishment, and the maintenance of a reservoir of available seeds (seed bank). This book describes the ways and means - anatomical, morphological and ecological - by which dispersal in desert plants has evolved to ensure the survival of these species in their harsh and unpredictable environment.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783642084393
Publisher:	Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Publication date:	12/02/2010
Series:	Adaptations of Desert Organisms
Edition description:	Softcover reprint of hardcover 1st ed. 1999
Pages:	242
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.25(h) x (d)

Table of Contents

1 Background.- 2 Zoochory.- 3 Anemochory.- 4 Hydrochory.- 5 Auhory.- 6 Restriction of Dispersal Due to Reduction of Dispersal Structures.- 7 Restriction of Dispersal Due to Anchorage Mechanisms.- 8 Restriction of Dispersal in Time.- 9 Dispersal Spectra.- 10 Seed Dispersal and Population Dynamics.- References.- Index of Plant Names.- Index of Animal Names.

Editorial Reviews

From the reviews:

"One of the fundamental aspects in adaptation of desert organisms is the dispersal biology of the diaspores, which again is the basis for the establishment and habitat occupation by plants, the components of plant communities. With "Dispersal Biology of Desert Plants" in the series "Adaptations of Desert Organisms" there is now a comprehensive treatise on this subject available. .... This book breathes the spirit of great desert botanists, e.g. Murbeck and Zohary. It is of basic importance in dispersal biology of desert plants and certainly will be a basis for future works in diaspore dispersal." (Plant Systematics and Evolution)

From the Publisher