Ecophysiology of Coniferous Forests

by William K. Smith, Jacques Roy, Thomas M. Hinckley

Overview

Conifers—pine, fir, and spruce trees—are dominant species in forests around the world. This book focuses on the physiology of conifers and how these physiological systems operate. Special consideration is devoted to the means by which ecophysiological processes influence organismal function and distribution. Chapters focus on the genetics of conifers, their geographic distribution and the factors that influence this distribution, the impact of insect herbivory on ecophysiological parameters, the effects of air pollution, and the potential impact that global climatic changes will have upon conifers. Because of the growing realization that forests have a crucial role to play in global environmental health, this book will appeal to a developing union of ecologists, physiologists and more theoretically minded foresters.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780126528756
Publisher:	Elsevier Science
Publication date:	12/09/1994
Series:	Physiological Ecology
Pages:	338
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

Table of Contents

J.B. Mitton, Genetics and the Physiological Ecology of Conifers.
L.J. Graumlich and L.B. Brubaker, Long-Term Records of Growth and Distribution of Conifers: Integration of Paleoecology and Physiological Ecology.
W.J. Davies, Plant Hormones and Ecophysiology of Conifers.
F.I. Woodward, Ecophysiological Controls of Conifer Distributions.
W.M. Havranek and W. Tranquillini, Physiological Processes during Winter Dormancy and Their Ecological Significance.
K.M. Clancy, M.R. Wagner, and P.B. Reich, Ecophysiology and Insect Herbivory.
H. Margolis, R. Oren, D. Whitehead, and M. Kaufmann, Leaf Area Dynamics of Conifer Forests.
P.B. Reich, T. Koike, S.T. Gower, and A.W. Schoettle, Causes andConsequences of Variation in Conifer Leaf Life Span.
R. Matyssek, P. Reich, R. Oren, and W. Winner, Response Mechanism of Conifers to Air Pollutants.
H. Gucinski, E. Vance, and B. Reiners, Ecophysiology of Coniferous Forests: Potential Effects of Global Climate Change.
Subject Index.

Editorial Reviews

"These books are highly recommended additions to the literature on conifers. They contain a treasure trove of information, and a strong editorial hand has brought an unusual degree of symmetry and evenness of treatment to the topics. It is easy to find one's way around each chapter and either to browse or to focus... Both books will find substantial use for physiological ecologist and others interested in conifers and forest ecology." —TRENDS IN ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION

"Ecophysiology of Coniferous Forests is not a compendium of biological minutia; rather, it is a compilation of thought-provoking ideas and relationships assembled by teams of authors whose challenge was to provide 'a current, comprehensive, state-of-the-art treatment of the field of conifer ecophysiology... a valuable resource for research scientists, academicians, and those interested in the causes and consequences of coniferous forest ecosystem processes." —S.B. McLaughlin, Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, in BIOSCIENCE

From the Publisher

Details the physiology of pine, fir, and spruce trees, how physiological systems operate, and how the ecophysiological processes influence the function and distribution of organisms. Among the specific topics are genetics, growth, the impact of insect herbivory and winter dormancy on ecophysiological parameters, and the effects of air pollution and global climate changes on individuals and forests. Of interest to ecologists, physiologists, and theoretical foresters, which some environmentalists say will be the only kind left soon. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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