Roland Ennos, Liz Sheffield

Plant Life (eBook, PDF)

• Format: PDF

Produktbeschreibung

There are almost one third of a million species of plants which range in form from unicellular algae a few microns in diameter to gigantic trees that can grow to a height of 100 meters. Plant Life makes sense of the bewildering diversity of plants by treating them not just as photosynthetic factories, but as living organisms that are the survivors of millions of years of evolutionary struggle. The book examines plants from an evolutionary perspective to show how such a wide range of life forms has evolved and continues to thrive. The book is divided into three main sections. The first introductory section sets out the necessary background of evolutionary and taxonomic theory and introduces a classification of living plants based on the ways in which they have evolved. The second part investigates how the challenges of life in the water and on land have led to the evolution of the major taxonomic groups of the plants, and describes the key adaptations that have contributed to the success of each group. The final section shows how the contrasting environments of the world's major climatic zones have led to the evolution of such different floras as those of tropical rainforests, prairies and deserts. This section introduces a fascinating range of plants with ingenious and often bizarre methods of survival and reproduction. The book is enriched by detailed case studies, points for discussion and suggestions for further investigation. In addition, extensive color plates and line drawings bring the world of plants vividly to life. Clear classification charts and a full glossary are also useful. Plant Life is an essential elementary text for undergraduate students and should prove a breath of fresh air for jaded botanists who are accustomed to the traditional taxonomic grind through the plant kingdom. * * New, environmental approach in keeping with modern course content. * Beautifully written in a clear, concise and accessible style. * Extensive colour plates, electron micrographs and line drawings bring the world of plants vividly to life. * Uses carefully chosen examples of species in each group, so that students are not overwhelmed with excessive information and species lists. * Discussion questions at the end of chapters encourages further reading and provides essay topics for teachers. * Clear classification charts and a full glossary provide useful material for revision.

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Produktdetails

• Verlag: John Wiley & Sons
• Seitenzahl: 232
• Erscheinungstermin: 1. April 2009
• Englisch
• ISBN-13: 9781444311372
• Artikelnr.: 38308905

Autorenporträt

Roland Ennos and Liz Sheffield are the authors of Plant Life, published by Wiley.

Inhaltsangabe

Part I: .

1. Evolution and Plant Diversity.

2. The Evolutionary History of Plant Life.

Part II:.

3. Life Afloat.

4. Life on the Rocks.

5. Life on the Ground.

6. Life above the Ground.

7. Life from Seeds.

Part III:.

8. Life in the Wet Tropics.

9. Life in Seasonal Climates.

10. Life on the Edge.

11. Life back in the Water.

Appendix: A Classification of Plants.

Glossary.

Index

Rezensionen

"In recent years, there have been two landmark books extolling thewonders of plant life in a way we can all appreciate: RichardMabey's Flora Britannica and David Attenborough's The Private Lifeof Plants. This is another in the same mould, and it is a must foranyone who takes delight in the world of plants." February 2000,BBC Wildlife Magazine

"This is an enjoyable book for its novel and refreshing approachto plant diversity."
30 November 2001, Michael Black, Times Higher EducationSupplement

"The authors have made an interesting attempt to present theinformation in a fresh and more easily digested manner by departingfrom the traditional approach. The book is introductory and it isunfair to want more; indeed, it should be a mark of its success ifit encourages students to find out more. I am sure that the bookwill find a place as a text in schools and at introductory level inuniversities. I shall be recommending it to my students." MIngrouille, Annals of Botany, May 2002