Flora and Vegetation of the Czech Republic


Book Description

This book provides basic information on the botanical diversity in the Czech Republic and relates the patterns in flora and vegetation to environmental factors, biogeographical history and human impact. Focusing on vascular plants, bryophytes and lichens, it summarizes the data on taxonomic diversity and provides details of relict, endemic, rare, alien and other biogeographically important species. Main vegetation types are characterized in terms of their structure, distribution, ecology and dynamics, emphasizing the long-term vegetation changes since the late Pleistocene, historical impact of humans on vegetation and current changes in vegetation including the impact of alien species. Special attention is paid to the conservation of threatened plant species and their habitats and ecological restoration. An account of the history of botanical research in this country is also provided. The book is illustrated with numerous maps, graphs and photographs of plant species and communities. The book is an essential reference for any biogeographer, botanist and plant ecologist who is working in Central Europe or is searching for both general and more specific information on this part of the world.




Flora and Vegetation of Nepal


Book Description







The Vegetation of Georgia (South Caucasus)


Book Description

The book describes richness and diversity of Georgia’s vegetation. Contrasting ecosystems coexist on the relatively small territory of the country and include semi-deserts in East Georgia, Colchic forests with almost sub-tropical climate in West Georgia and subnival plant communities in high mountains. West Georgia lacks xerophilous vegetation zone and mesophilous forest vegetation spreads from the sea level to subalpine zone. The Colchic refugium (West Georgia) ensured survival of the Tertiary’s mesophilous forest flora. Vertical profile of the vegetation is more complex in East Georgia with semi-desert, steppe and arid open forest zone. In South Georgia the montane zone represented by montane steppe is devoid of forests




Ecology of Central European Forests


Book Description

This handbook in two volumes synthesises our knowledge about the ecology of Central Europe’s plant cover with its 7000-yr history of human impact, covering Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic and Slovakia. Based on a thorough literature review with 5500 cited references and nearly 1000 figures and tables, the two books review in 26 chapters all major natural and man-made vegetation types with their climatic and edaphic influences, the structure and dynamics of their communities, the ecophysiology of important plant species, and key aspects of ecosystem functioning. Volume I deals with the forests and scrub vegetation and analyses the ecology of Central Europe’s tree flora, whilst Volume II is dedicated to the non-forest vegetation covering mires, grasslands, heaths, alpine habitats and urban vegetation. The consequences of over-use, pollution and recent climate change over the last century are explored and conservation issues addressed.




Anatomic Atlas of Aquatic and Wetland Plant Stems


Book Description

This book presents light microscopic anatomical images of aquatic and wetland plant stem. It features double-stained cross- and longitudinal sections of almost 400 species of vascular plants from the lowland to the alpine zone in Central Europe, including plants from lakes, ponds, rivers, bogs, fens, wet meadows, saline meadows, tall herb associations and alpine snow beds. The microscopic photographs at various magnifications are supplemented with detailed anatomical descriptions. For each species it provides a photo of the whole plant, a short morphological and ecological description as well as indications about its world- and Central European distribution. The book includes a hydrobotanical and an anatomical section. The hydrobotanical section describes the ecological classification of aquatic and wetland plants and explains major ecophysiological processes e.g., photosynthesis, mineral nutrition, gas exchange, adaptations to soil anoxia, turion formation and ecology. The anatomical section highlights the variety of structures and anatomical features of vascular plants in all wet environments.




Restoration of Ecosystems – Bridging Nature and Humans


Book Description

In this interdisciplinary textbook, which bridges the gap between the natural and social sciences both, the scientific principles of restoration ecology and practical aspects of ecosystem restoration are comprehensively presented. The diversity of land-use types with a focus on Central Europe is highlighted and case studies of practical restoration projects are presented. The textbook offers students who deal with the environment as well as scientists and practitioners a profound and up-to-date, but also critical overview of the state of knowledge. This book opens up the broad spectrum of degraded ecosystems of Central European natural and cultural landscapes. In further chapters, marine ecosystems and their restoration as well as development potentials and the limits of restoration are discussed in more detail. The ecological fundamentals are expanded through an interdisciplinary perspective taking into account environmental ethics, sociology, anthropology, and economics. In addition to an up-to-date overview of the various areas and fields of activity in restoration ecology and ecosystem restoration, the textbook provides a valuable basis for studies, science, and practice. The students also receive assistance in searching for literature and critical fact analysis, and the lecturers on teaching formats and interdisciplinary approaches to discussion in restoration ecology.




DEEPENDRA KUMAR ANAND


Book Description

Murophytes is a novel hybrid term, the original term “mural” stands for wall and the term “phytes” stands for “the plants” or the flora. Therefore, the term murophytes means “the plants growing over the walls or buildings”. The book deals with the various species of genus Ficus found growing over the buildings and playing a very dominant role in damaging the buildings. The three Ficus species, Ficus religiosa, Ficus benghalensis and Ficus glomerata are mostly growing over the buildings. These three Ficus species are mostly responsible for uprooting of plasters, widening of gap or cracks and crevices and deterioration of the upper surface of buildings and causing considerable and visible damage to the buildings. Seeds of Ficus species are produced by method of dispersal or by physical and biological agents. Ficus has proved to be the most successful murophyte because of its tendency of adaptability in adverse situations. Extremely high growth rate of roots of Ficus benghalensis growing murophyte was recorded. Most of the murophytes appear during the rainy season and winter seasons of the year. The study provides that the Asteraceae, Poaceae, Moraceae, Scrophulariaceae and Amaranthaceae families are represented exclusively by the most dominant murophytes. Similar to different serial stages in succession in water, and sand different serial stages are found to exist in the case of murophytes. Parallel to hydrosere and psammosere, murosere has its existence. Thus, the term “murosere” stands for different serial stages in succession and establishment of murophytes. The initial plants are ephemerals, i.e. having very short life span. Soon they die and decompose to add organic matter in the soil deposition in various points of collection. The mineral component is contributed by the deposited dust. Thus a healthy soil, rich in minerals and organic matter becomes the substratum of the second generation of plants over the buildings. Due to continuous addition of mineral and organic matters, the amount of soil accumulation shows exponential growth year after year. On some specific sites indicated in plate 2. The amount of accumulated soil forms the base and substratum to support the growth of higher plants. Thus, the primary community is algae, followed by a secondary community as bryophytes, grasses and lower angiosperms form the tertiary community and finally the higher angiosperms form the quaternary community. The point of special interest in Murosere is that one community does not replace the other; instead one community invites the other. Thus, in the final community all the communities, such as primary, secondary, tertiary as well as quaternary communities show co-existence.




Bioinvasions and Globalization


Book Description

This volume addresses the issue of biological invasions from both an ecological and economic perspective, providing an in-depth evaluation of the science and its implications for managing the causes and consequences of one of the most pressing environmental issues facing humans today.




Landscape Ecological Applications in Man-Influenced Areas


Book Description

Landscape Ecological Applications in Man-Influenced Areas not only expands the concept of landscape ecology, but also applies its principles to man-influenced ecosystems. New dimensions of landscape ecological research in a global change such as urbanization, biodiversity, and land transformation are explored in this book. The book also includes case studies concerning landscape analysis and evaluation using spatial analysis and landscape modelling for establishing sustainable management strategy in urban and agricultural landscapes.