Seeds ( Ecology, Biogeography, And Evolution Of Dormancy And Germination )

Seeds: Ecology, Biogeography, and Evolution of Dormancy and Germination differs from all other books on seed germination. It is an all-encompassing volume that provides a working hypothesis of the ecological and environmental conditions under which various kinds of seed dormancy have developed. It also presents information on the seed germination of more than 3500 species of trees, shrubs, vines and herbaceous species, making this a valuable reference for anyone studying germination.
This book delivers information on characteristics of each type of seed dormancy, how each type of dormancy is broken in nature, and what environmental conditions are required for germination after dormancy is broken. It explains how studies should be done to distinguish persistent from transient seed banks, and covers which species should be controlled, propagated, and conserved. Seeds gives the reader insight and guidelines for doing ecologically meaningful studies on the biogeography and evolution of seed dormancy and germination in order to better understand plant reproductive strategies, life history traits, adaptations to habitats, and physiological processes.

Key Features
* Evolutionary/phylogenetic origins and relationships of various kinds of seed dormancy
* A world biogeographical perspective on seed dormancy and germination
* Ecophysiology of seeds with each type of dormancy
* Critical evaluation of methodology used in soil seed bank studies
* Germination ecology of plants with specialized habitat and life cycle types
* Genetic and maternal preconditioning effects on seed dormancy and germination
* Guidelines for doing ecologically-meaningful germination studies

The evolution of seeds has contributed to one of the most astonishing explosions of biodiversity in history. Indeed, most plants employ seeds as reproductively crucial structures. Everything about seeds involves timing. Seeds result from fertilization occurring when conditions are favorable, i.e., after sufficient resources have been devoted to reproductive tissues. Furthermore, seeds help ensure that there are the necessary stored materials for the early growth and development of the next generation of plants. And finally, seeds allow the next generation to wait in a form of suspended animation until conditions for the next generation are once again favorable.
This book about seeds focuses upon their two most important functions-dormancy and germination. The topics covered include the types of dormancy, theories of the relationship between dormancy and germination, the timing of germination, the various factors that control germination, and the general aspects of germination in different sorts of habitats. Ecologists, plant scientists, agriculturists, foresters-indeed, anyone interested in plants and their life cycles will want to add this title to his or her library.