Grasslands and Climate Change


Book Description

A comprehensive assessment of the effects of climate change on global grasslands and the mitigating role that ecologists can play.




Scaling Physiological Processes


Book Description

Traditional plant physiological ecology is organism centered and provides a useful framework for understanding the interactions between plants and their environment and for identifying characteristics likely to result in plant success in a particular habitat. This book focuses on extending concepts from plant physiological ecology as a basis for understanding carbon, energy, and biogeochemical cycles at ecosystem, regional, and global levels. This will be a valuable resource for researchers and graduate students in ecology, plant ecophysiology, ecosystem research, biometerology, earth system science, and remote sensing. The integration of metabolic activities across spatial scales, from leaf to ecosystem Global constraints and regional processes Functional units in ecological scaling Models and technologies for scaling




Ecological Responses and Adaptations of Crops to Rising Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide


Book Description

The impact of rising levels of greenhouse gases—and the global consequences for crops! Carbon dioxide is a major greenhouse gas that causes global warming and directly impacts every aspect of plant life and indirectly impacts animal and human life. Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels have risen dramatically over the past century, and though this could mean opportunities for better growth and increased yield of certain crops, other factors like weather extremes and changes to plant physiology may mitigate the positive effects. Ecological Responses and Adaptations of Crops to Rising Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide comprehensively analyzes every aspect of crop responses to increasing carbon dioxide as well as their productional significance for the world. Changes in the growth rate and yield of crops are explored, with attention given to the consequences of coming weather changes on production and the expected economic impact. Ecological Responses and Adaptations of Crops to Rising Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide takes the data gleaned from careful research to provide an in-depth vision of the impact of carbon dioxide on global temperatures, plant physiology, and the ecological and economic future of our world. Respected authorities thoroughly discuss the research detailing the complete range of issues from plant growth under increased carbon dioxide levels to the impact of rising air temperatures to the evolving ecophysiological responses within various crops. Extensive references provide opportunities for further research while detailed tables and graphs clearly illustrate data. Ecological Responses and Adaptations of Crops to Rising Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide explores the effects of carbon dioxide enrichment on: plants, crops, and vegetation—is it beneficial? growth, yield, and photosynthetic responses in rice the photosynthetic capacity and productivity of rice under field conditions—and the role of nitrogen fertilization forage and grain nitrogen content potato crops crop responses including interaction with temperature the growth of maize different agricultural systems around the world—such as central and southeastern Europe, northern climates, Sudan, citrus-growing regions, and others the production ecophysiology of Hungarian green pepper and much more! The impending changes in our world make Ecological Responses and Adaptations of Crops to Rising Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide a valuable text for educators and postgraduate students in the field of plant ecology and crop production and an essential resource for researchers in the fields of plant ecology, ecophysiology, agricultural crop production, and environmental sciences.




Grassland Ecophysiology and Grazing Ecology


Book Description

This text presents edited key papers from the International Symposium on Grassland Ecophyisiology and Grazing Ecology held in Curitiba, Brazil in August 1999. It considers how plants within grasslands respond to and are adapted to grazing animals.




Carbon Dioxide and Environmental Stress


Book Description

This book focuses on the interactive effects of environmental stresses with plant and ecosystem functions, especially with respect to changes in the abundance of carbon dioxide. The interaction of stresses with elevated carbon dioxide are presented from the cellular through whole plant ecosystem level. The book carefully considers not only the responses of the above-ground portion of the plant, but also emphasizes the critical role of below-ground (rhizosphere) components (e.g., roots, microbes, soil) in determining the nature and magnitude of these interactions. * Will rising CO2 alter the importance of environmental stress in natural and agricultural ecosystems?* Will environmental stress on plants reduce their capacity to remove CO2 from the atmosphere?* Are some stresses more important than others as we concern ourselves with global change?* Can we develop predictive models useful for scientists and policy-makers?* Where should future research efforts be focused?




Plant Growth and Climate Change


Book Description

Evidence grows daily of the changing climate and its impact on plants and animals. Plant function is inextricably linked to climate and atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration. On the shortest and smallest scales, the climate affects the plant’s immediate environment and so directly influences physiological processes. At larger scales, the climate influences species distribution and community composition, as well as the viability of different crops in managed ecosystems. Plant growth also influences the local, regional and global climate, through the exchanges of energy and gases between the plants and the air around them. Plant Growth and Climate Change examines the major aspects of how anthropogenic climate change affects plants, focusing on several key determinants of plant growth: atmospheric CO2, temperature, water availability and the interactions between these factors. The book demonstrates the variety of techniques used across plant science: detailed physiology in controlled environments; observational studies based on long-term data sets; field manipulation experiments and modelling. It is directed at advanced-level university students, researchers and professionals across the range of plant science disciplines, including plant physiology, plant ecology and crop science. It will also be of interest to earth system scientists.