Physiological Ecology of North American Desert Plants (Adaptations of Desert Organisms)

This book begins with the physical and biological characterization of the four North American deserts and a description of the primary adaptations of plants to environmental stress. In the following chapters the authors present case studies of key species representing dominant growth forms of the North American deserts, and provide an up-to-date and comprehensive review of the major patterns of adaptations in desert plants. One chapter is devoted to several important exotic plants that have invaded North American deserts. The book ends with a synthesis of the adaptations and resource requirements of North American desert plants. Further, it addresses how desert plants may respond to global climate change. Following a description of the physical and biological characterization of the four North American deserts together with the primary adaptations of plants to environmental stress, the authors go on to present case studies of key species. They provide an up-to-date and comprehensive review of the major patterns of adaptation in desert plants, with one chapter devoted to several important exotic plants that have invaded these deserts. The whole is rounded off with a synthesis of the resource requirements of desert plants and how they may respond to global climate change. Front Matter....Pages I-VIII Prologue....Pages 1-3 North American Deserts: Environments and Vegetation....Pages 5-44 Plant Processes and Responses to Stress....Pages 45-71 Evergreen Shrubs....Pages 73-108 Drought-Deciduous Shrubs....Pages 109-123 CAM Succulents....Pages 125-140 Perennial Grasses....Pages 141-164 Phreatophytes....Pages 165-177 Desert Annuals....Pages 179-189 Poikilohydric Plants....Pages 191-198 Exotic Plants....Pages 199-227 Epilogue....Pages 229-236 Back Matter....Pages 237-287 Desert environments are among the harshest on earth. Nevertheless many organisms live there. The book describes the adaptations of plants to the extreme conditions in North American deserts.