Physiological Plant Ecology Iv: Ecosystem Processes: Mineral Cycling, Productivity And Man's Influence (encyclopedia Of Plant Physiology)

O. L. LANGE, P. S. NOBEL, C. B. OSMOND, and H. ZIEGLER In the last volume of the series 'Physiological Plant Ecology' we have asked contributors to address the bases of ecosystem processes in terms of key plant physiological properties. It has often been suggested that it is not profitable to attempt analysis of complex living systems in terms of the properties of component individuals or populations, i. e. , the whole is more than the sum of its parts. Nevertheless, assessments of ecological research over the last century show that other approaches are seldom more helpful. Although it is possible to describe complex systems of living organisms in holistic terms, the most useful descriptions are found in terms of the birth, growth and death of individ­ uals. This allows analysis of performance of the parts of the whole considering their synergistic and antagonistic interrelationships and is the basis for a synthe­ sis which elucidates the specific properties of a system. Thus it seems that the description of ecosystem processes is inevitably anchored in physiological under­ standing. If enquiry into complex living systems is to remain a scientific exercise, it must retain tangible links with physiology. Of course, as was emphasized in Vol. 12A, not all of our physiological understanding is required to explore ecosystem processes. For pragmatic purposes, the whole may be adequantely represented as a good deal less than the sum of its parts. O.L. LANGE, P.S. NOBEL, C.B. OSMOND, and H. ZIEGLER In the last volume of the series 'Physiological Plant Ecology' we have asked contributors to address the bases of ecosystem processes in terms of key plant physiological properties. It has often been suggested that it is not profitable to attempt analysis of complex living systems in terms of the properties of component individuals or populations, i. e., the whole is more than the sum of its parts. Nevertheless, assessments of ecological research over the last century show that other approaches are seldom more helpful. Although it is possible to describe complex systems of living organisms in holistic terms, the most useful descriptions are found in terms of the birth, growth and death of individƯ uals. This allows analysis of performance of the parts of the whole considering their synergistic and antagonistic interrelationships and is the basis for a syntheƯ sis which elucidates the specific properties of a system. Thus it seems that the description of ecosystem processes is inevitably anchored in physiological underƯ standing. If enquiry into complex living systems is to remain a scientific exercise, it must retain tangible links with physiology. Of course, as was emphasized in Vol. 12A, not all of our physiological understanding is required to explore ecosystem processes. For pragmatic purposes, the whole may be adequantely represented as a good deal less than the sum of its parts Front Matter....Pages I-XI Introduction....Pages 1-3 Nutrient Allocation in Plant Communities: Mineral Cycling in Terrestrial Ecosystems....Pages 5-45 Nutrient Cycling in Freshwater Ecosystems....Pages 47-84 Nutrient Cycling in Marine Ecosystems....Pages 85-115 Modeling of Growth and Production....Pages 117-150 Productivity of Agricultural Systems....Pages 151-172 Productivity of Grassland and Tundra....Pages 173-203 Productivity of Desert and Mediterranean-Climate Plants....Pages 205-231 Productivity of Temperate, Deciduous and Evergreen Forests....Pages 233-280 Productivity of Tropical Forests and Tropical Woodlands....Pages 281-303 Phytoplankton Productivity in Aquatic Ecosystems....Pages 305-327 Effects of Biocides and Growth Regulators: Physiological Basis....Pages 329-391 Effects of Biocides and Growth Regulators: Ecological Implications....Pages 393-411 Eutrophication Processes and Pollution of Freshwater Ecosystems Including Waste Heat....Pages 413-464 Ecophysiological Effects of Atmospheric Pollutants....Pages 465-502 Ecophysiological Effects of Changing Atmospheric CO 2 Concentration....Pages 503-526 Man’s Influence on Ecosystem Structure, Operation, and Ecophysiological Processes....Pages 527-548 Back Matter....Pages 549-646