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A detailed account of the biology and ecology of vascular wetland plants and their applications in wetland plant science, Wetland Plants: Biology and Ecology presents a synthesis of wetland plant studies and reviews from biology, physiology, evolution, genetics, community and population ecology, environmental science, and engineering. It provides a thorough discussion of the range of wetland plants adaptations to conditions such as life in water or saturated soils, high salt or high sulfur, as well as low light and low carbon dioxide levels. The authors include the latest research on the development of plant communities in newly restored or created wetlands and on the use of wetland plants as indicators of ecological integrity and of wetland boundaries. Over 140 figures, including over 70 original photographs, allow you to visualize the concepts, 40 tables give you easy access to definitions and data, and international examples provide you with a broad base of information. The growing consensus in wetlands literature and research suggests that methods are needed to assess the ecological health or integrity of wetlands, to set goals for wetland restoration, and to track the status and trends of wetlands. Wetland plants are emerging as important indicators, and becoming an important part of this research. Wetland Plants: Biology and Ecology contains up-to-date information on this increasingly important area in wetlands technology. ... Read more

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easy reading, good reference
Scientific in nature, but still easy to read.An excellent reference for anyone beginning the study of wetlands. Includes one chapter on constructed/treatment wetlands. ... Read more

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A comprehensive review guide to help you refresh your study. This guide is particularly useful for midterms and final exams, condensing a semester's worth of information into one concise volume. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (6)

Beautifully Written
This book stands out from the rest for two reasons: 1) it is nicely written for the college learner yet 2) it offers an accurate, easy-to-follow chronology of plant evolution starting with the single cell through movement of plants to land, the Paleozoic forests to the present-day seed plant. This book is an enduring classic for researchers, instructors and students.

Extremely detailed treatment
There are many natural questions that arise when considering the evolution of plants: Why did seeds evolve? How did the three separate genomes evolve in plants? How and why did plants evolve from aquatic habitats to terrestrial ones? Why do leafy plants have the leaf arrangements that they do? What is the average time scale needed for the evolution of a new plant species? What are the largest plant species that have yet evolved? How common is horizontal gene transfer in plants? What evolutionary advantages are there in pollination? From the standpoint of molecular biology, why do plants have the particular morphology that they do, as contrasted with other forms that seem plausible with respect to physical laws but do not occur? How extensive is the plant fossil record? Can the evolution of plants, indeed of living organisms in general, be simulated on a computing machine?

These questions, among many others, are addressed in this superbly written book, which despite being targeted towards readers with an advanced knowledge of botany can still be read by anyone curious about the subject matter. Unless the reader is an expert in evolutionary biology (which this reviewer is not), it would be difficult to assess the accuracy of the subject matter as compared to other works. The author does include however many references that can be consulted if readers find it necessary to gain more details on a particular topic. In addition to the quality of the writing, there are numerous diagrams and figures that illustrate the important principles. The inclusion of diagrams in any book on botany is of course a must, given the diversity of plant morphology. For readers with a background in modeling and simulation, the author includes a highly interesting discussion on how to simulate plant evolution by using computer-generated "adaptive walks" on "fitness landscapes". Simulations of course are not a replacement for sound and painstaking experimentation and scientific hypothesis building, but they can serve as a guide to understanding, at least in a general sense, of what is possible in biological evolution. In order to really appreciate the discussion on adaptive walks, the reader will need a fairly strong background in modeling and simulation, even though the discussion is purely descriptive, with no explicit mathematical formalism put down on paper.

The book is dense, being packed full of interesting information, demands the reader frequently back up and take pause so that the information can be assimilated more effectively. But the author's writing style is concise enough to keep the book at a manageable size. The different views on evolution, most of these coming down to the time scales over which changes are occurring, find their place in the book. The Darwinian view, which of course is the predominant one in the scientific community, is referred to as 'phyletic gradualism' in this book, and encapsulates the view that evolution is essentially an adaptive walk over a fitness landscape, driven by natural selection. One other view, called 'punctuated equilibrium', is at first glance a somewhat radical hypothesis, for it allows one to drop the requirement for intermediate phenotypes and view evolutionary change as "hopscotching" (in the author's words) from one fitness peak to another. The view of punctuated equilibrium is no doubt attractive to those who are wondering why the intermediate phenotypes are frequently missing observationally. Whichever of these viewpoints is closer to the truth, the wide variability in plants is quite amazing, over and above the case for other biological lifeforms in the opinion of the author. He refers to this as 'phenotypic plasticity' in the book, and alludes to the high rate of phenotypic innovation in some time periods. The concept of phenotypic plasticity is interesting for it allows a more quantitative measure of the degree to which changes are possible, i.e. a measurement of the impediments to evolutionary changes.

When contemplating the mechanisms of evolution it is easy to fall into the trap of believing that the morphology and functioning of an organism is the result of some sort of optimization process. The marvelous ingenuity of plants in dealing with their environments and their ingenious methods of reproduction sometimes begs for an explanation that is purposeful or goal-directed. There is no reason to believe however that the current morphology and functioning of a plant is the result of adaptation through natural selection. The author's view of adaptations is that they are specific to particular environmental contexts, namely that they are features that allow biological organisms to survive under very specific environmental conditions. In addition, any benefit that an organism obtains from an adaptation must assessed in relative terms. It would not be appropriate therefore to view a particular adaptation for a particular organism in a particular environment as being appropriate to another organism in another environment, even though the environments to both are similar enough that they tempt one to believe that the adaptations can be compared meaningfully. Of course, adaptations can only work by genetic transmission from one generation to the next, and there is no guarantee that they will remain efficacious for all future generations of the organism. An adaptation the author argues, is only a set of features that increases the probability that the organism will survive or reproduce successfully for a specific environment. It is natural to ask at this point whether if given a particular plant one can ascertain whether a certain feature is adaptive or not. The author is aware of this difficulty, since it requires the identification of the selection pressures that underly the functioning of the proposed adaptation. The resolution of this problem requires years of careful experimentation and observation, a course of activity that has characterized and will continue to characterize sound science.

What a fantastic book - everything you always wanted to know
A friend of mine told me about this book and said I had to read it.I am not a science student, but I found the book in my school library and read it anyway.It's a great book and I'm sure glad my friend told me about it.Plants are truly interesting, perhaps more so than animals because plantsare so different from everything we are taught about in high schoolbiology.Niklas's book is also well written.He speaks directly to thereader, using simple words to describe really complicated biologicalissues.Everything I always wondered about is found in this book.I'verecommended it to my friends.I think everybody ought to know about the'green world' that surrounds us!

This is a fascinating and well written book �� a must read.
I am a student of animal biology and this book was assigned by one of my professors as a textbook.I knew nothing about plants until I read this book, and I really dreaded the idea of having to learn about plants. Niklas's book opened my eyes to the wonder and fascination of plant biologyas well as the wonders of plant evolution, which are very different fromwhat most of us have been taught about animals.I've read this book fromcover to cover, at least twice.And each time I've picked up something newand exciting to think about.All of my friends in the class agree with me- - this is a great book and people should pay attention to it.

This is a very well written and informative book
The author has written an up to date and thoughtful book about evolution using plants as examples of all major ideas.This book should be read by any one interested in evolution or plant biology.The text is easy to read, with a minimum of jargon, and the book is well illustrated.I wasespecially interested in how the author combined information for the studyof living plants with the information from the fossil record.This is oneof the best books I've read in a long time.I recommend it highly. ... Read more

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This introductory text assumes little prior scientific knowledge on the part of the student. It includes sufficient information for some shorter introductory botany courses open to both majors and nonmajors, and is arranged so that certain sections can be omitted without disrupting the overall continuity of the course. Stern emphasizes current interests while presenting basic botanical principles. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

An Excellent Initial Botany Course Text
I find this text to be an excellent resource for a college student who is beginning to study botany. While the first three chapters provide an excellent review of entry-level biology concepts, the remaining chapters review and enhance botany understanding. The text provides excellent graphical representations and is easy, yet interesting, to read. I recommend both this text and the lab manual. Professor Stern had reviewers who were obviously proficient in both content area and in publishing in the english language. Kudos!

continuing education student
Think the book is a good text book for introductory botany--however sometimes the authors include so much detail (i.e. in the cell biology chapters) that it obstructs understanding--no one in the class was able to understand these chapters (and we have a pretty diverse and capable group).I really like the effort to utilize the web, but believe much more content could be part of this beginning effort.Also, the citations to web sites are already out of date with web pages no longer working etc.It would be easy to keep this updated ON THE WEB i would think.Great illustrations in the text. ... Read more

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Features around two dozen intriguing science projects about seed plants which are used because they're readily available, inexpensive and quickly and easily grown indoors. The experiments include topics such as the effect of acid rain on plants and growing plants in hydroponic solutions. Each project requires no unusual equipment and includes a step-by-step experiment, followed by suggestions for further investigations. ... Read more

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Written by Cherie Wetzel, this 200 page Study Guide includes chapter outlines, learning objectives, lists of key terms, multiple-choice questions, fill-in-the-blank questions, categorization questions, matching questions, and short answer questions/problems. ... Read more

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Insect-Plant Biology uncovers the highly intricate antagonistic as well as mutualistic interactions that have evolved between plants and insects. The authors discuss the operation of these mechanisms at the molecular and organismal levels and explicitly put these in the context of both ecological interactions and evolutionary processes. This multidisciplinary approach will appeal to students in biology, agricultural entomology, ecology, and indeed anyone interested in the principles underlying the relationships between the two largest groups of organisms on earth: plants and insects. ... Read more

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Plants that trap and eat animals: an amazing phenomenon that has inspired awe since before the days of Darwin. The victims may be flies and butterflies, small crustaceans, or even vertebrates the size of rats.

Lured into the danger zone by optical, tactile, and olfactory strategies, the prey succumb to ingenious traps and face their doom. But unlike plants that temporarily catch insects for pollination, the true carnivores go considerably further: they digest them for the nutrients they need to survive in extremely inhospitable sites on land and in water.

Customer Reviews (3)

Carnivorous Plants Book
This book is fantastic. I was looking for a book with with the ecology of carnivorous plants, their physiology, and their cultivation. I got all the information I needed. :) Great book with great pictures.

The Best Comprehensive Guide to Carnivorous Plants
This book covers all the basic aspects of Carnivorous Plants from their taxonomy, through ecology, physiology and evolution to how to grow them. I would say it is the one essential text for all enthusiasts. The text is illustrated with many amazing photographs and micro-photographs. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It even makes a fascinating coffee table book for the uninitiated.

There are Better Carnivorous Plants Books than this one
I will give credit to the authors on a well researched, biologically detailed book that covers the different Carnivorous Plant families. I was looking forward to getting and reading this book but was disappointed after reciving it.

I feel this is a good introductory book on the topic so if you know nothing at all about Carnivorous Plants then a purchase may be all right for you. Most of the material in the book is found in other books of CPs. So if you have other books on CPs that you like, then this becomes redundant.

I am very spoiled by two books in my collection on the topic of CPs. The first is the SAVAGE GARDEN by Peter D'Amato, and the second is PITCHER PLANTS OF THE AMERICAS by Stewart McPherson.I recommend both of these instead of the one I'm reviewing. Between the two of these you should have all you need on cultivation, biology, evolutionary trends, and notes on many species of Carnivorous Plants. ... Read more

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Plant Cell Biology is a semester long course for undergraduates and graduate students which integrates mathematics and physics, two years of chemistry, genetics, biochemistry and evolution disciplines. Having taught this course for over ten years, the author uses his expertise to relate the background established in plant anatomy, plant physiology, plant growth and development, plant taxonomy, plant biochemistry, and plant molecular biology courses to plant cell biology. This integration attempts to break down the barrier so plant cell biology is seen as an entrée into higher science.

Distinguishing this book from papers that are often used for teaching the subject which use a single plant to demonstrate the techniques of molecular biology, this book covers all aspects of plant cell biology without emphasizing any one plant, organelle, molecule, or technique. Although most examples are biased towards plants, basic similarities between all living eukaryotic cells (animal and plant) are recognized and used to best illustrate for students cell processes.

•  Thoroughly explains the physiological underpinnings of biological processes to bring original insight related to plants


• Includes examples throughout from physics, chemistry, geology, and biology to bring understanding to plant cell development, growth, chemistry and diseases


• Provides the essential tools for students to be able to evaluate and assess the mechanisms involved in cell growth, chromosome motion, membrane trafficking, and energy exchange


• Companion Web site provides support for all plant cell biology courses
  
  

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This completely revised, fourth edition of Introduction to Plant Population Biology continues the approach taken by its highly successful predecessors. Ecological and genetic principles are introduced and theory is made accessible by clear, accurate exposition with plentiful examples. Models and theoretical arguments are developed gradually, requiring a minimum of mathematics.

The book emphasizes the particular characteristics of plants that affect their population biology, and evolutionary questions that are particularly relevant for plants. Wherever appropriate, it is shown how ecology and genetics interact, presenting a rounded picture of the population biology of plants.

Topics covered include variation and its inheritance, genetic markers including molecular markers, plant breeding systems, ecological genetics, intraspecific interactions, population dynamics, regional dynamics and metapopulations, competition and coexistence, and the evolution of breeding systems and life history. An extensive bibliography provides access to the recent literature that will be invaluable to students and academics alike.

• Effective integration of plant population ecology, population genetics and evolutionary biology.
  
• The new edition is thoroughly revised and now includes molecular techniques.
  
• The genetics chapters have been completely rewritten by a new co-author, Deborah Charlesworth.

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"… I recommend this book to any plant researcher who is interested in incorporating functional genomics approaches or who is looking to expand their repertoire. I especially liked that most chapters include detailed 'recipes,' which show that anyone with a standard wet laboratory can do most of the procedures… a very useful volume…"  -The Quarterly Review of Biology, March 2010

This handbook spans over several aspects of current and emerging technologies in the field. The editors - two of the leading experts in research with a proven track record - combine their expertise to provide an invaluable reference on the topic. To make it more inclusive, this second volume in the Molecular Plant Biology Handbook Series is divided into four main parts:

• Transcriptome Analysis
• Gene Silencing, Mutation Analysis, and Functional Genomics
• Computational Analysis
• Functional Genomics and Emerging Technologies

Each chapter introduces the subject comprehensively, and provides state-of-the art experimental protocols. A handy glossary of relevant technical terms is included to facilitate reading for researchers, teachers and students. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Superb
This is a wonderful book that is very useful. It is not directed towards elementary students however. There are one or two activities that seem adaptable to elementary students. However, the most of the activities are really more for middle school and upper elem. students. Well worth the money. It provides a cheap easy to way to demonstrate many of the science lessons you need to teach. There are sections on soil, worms, composting, and more.

Enjoy. ... Read more

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With the new techniques described in this volume, a new gene can be placed on the linkage map within only a few days. Leading researchers have updated the earlier edition to include the latest versions of DNA-based marker maps for a variety of important crops.

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The second edition of Instant Notes in Plant Biology, has been both updated and reorganized and gives an insight into the whole of plant science, integrating structure, function and physiology. A major addition is the section on understanding plants which introduces the major techniques in plant science and shows how advances are made. Molecular techniques are used in all areas of plant science and are included throughout.

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This advanced textbook is the first to explore the consequences of plant dispersal for population and community dynamics, spatial patterns, and evolution. It successfully integrates a rapidly expanding body of theoretical and empirical research. · The first comprehensive treatment of plant dispersal set within a population framework · Examines both the processes and consequence of dispersal · Spans the entire range of research, from natural history and collection of empirical data to modeling and evolutionary theory · Provides a clear and simple explanation of mathematical concepts Dispersal in Plants is aimed principally at graduates interested in plant ecology, although given the strong current interests in invasive species and global change it will also be of interest and use to a broad audience of plant scientists and ecologists seeking an authoritative overview of this rapidly expanding field. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Excellent book on Plant Dispersal
This is a wonderful book and a must buy for anyone interested in plant dispersal from a population dynamics standpoint.The book is written in an engaging and easy-to-read style: due to intended minimization of highly specialized terms, and while there are equations they are clearly explained and shouldn't be feared (!) and, there are great graphics throughout.

The authors, Professors Roger Cousens, Calvin Dytham and Richard Law, have synthesized a vast array of scientific information and assembled it in a very informative manner.They have divided the book into three main sections.The first focuses on dispersal at the individual propagule level, discussing the mechanisms involved in dispersal with numerous examples from around the globe. The second section concentrates at the plant scale, how such data are collected in the field, analyzed and modelled (probability density functions).This is a great section which synthesizes many studies and elucidates differences and challenges of the different techniques which may have eluded many of us.The final section takes the step from individuals and plants to populations and communities.Discussing how plants spread at the community scale, how we can model that, and the evolutionary value of dispersal strategies etc., it too is a superb section.The final couple pages suggest areas of our knowledge that are missing and could benefit from further research, and loop holes we should avoid.

I would strongly recommend this book to senior undergraduates and graduates and anyone else interested in plant ecology and dispersal.This brings together a huge volume of literature and in so doing should serve to help this aspect of our discipline advance.
... Read more

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This book, written in 1977, brought together for the first time current knowledge of plants that might be relevant to understanding their population biology. This monumental volume did more than summarize the state of plant biology; ...it linked the conceptual and theoretical developments in population ecology, mostly derived from the study of animals, with field observations and experimental evidence of population regulation and life history evolution in plants. The author describes the processes that determine the number of plants (and the number of plant parts), examines the separate stages in a general model of population behavior, the ways in which individual plants interfere with each others growth and risk of death and aspects of the behavior of animals that influence or determine the size of plant populations. ... Read more

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This book provides a comprehensive introduction to the rapidly developing field of plant biotechnology for the advanced undergraduate and research worker. Five main areas of activity are covered: the production of commercially useful compounds by plant cell cultures, the in vitro propagation of plants by tissue culture, the maintenance and storage of plant germplasm, and the genetic manipulation and genetic engineering of higher plants. ... Read more