Plants and UV-B: Responses to Environmental Change (Society for Experimental Biology Seminar Series (No. 64))

One of the predicted consequences of the depletion of stratospheric ozone is an increase in the amount of ultraviolet light reaching the surface of the earth, in particular UV-B (320-280nm). Although the real effects are as yet unknown, this change in radiation could have profound consequences for plant growth and productivity. The need for information concerning the relationship between plants and UV-B is therefore pressing. This volume brings together authoritative contributions from leading experts in UV-B/plant studies and is unique in considering interactions at various scales, ranging from the level of the cell through to the level of the community. Information concerning ozone depletion and physical aspects of UV-B radiation complements the biological information to provide a thorough and comprehensive review of the present status of knowledge. Cover......Page 1 Frontmatter......Page 2 Contents......Page 8 List of contributors......Page 10 Preface......Page 14 PART I - The ozone layer and UV-B radiation......Page 22 Global ozone depletion: observations and theory......Page 24 Monitoring changes in UV-B radiation......Page 34 Action spectra for UV-B effects on plants: monochromatic and polychromatic approaches for analysing plant responses......Page 52 PART II - Effects of UV-B on plants at the cellular level......Page 72 DNA damage and repair in plants......Page 74 Genetic analysis of DNA repair in plants......Page 98 Photosynthesis and photoinhibition......Page 116 UV-B effects on the expression of genes encoding proteins involved in photosynthesis......Page 134 UV-B perception and signal transduction......Page 156 Ultraviolet radiation as a stress factor and the role of protective pigments......Page 178 PART III - Effects of UV-B at the whole plant and community level......Page 190 Effects of solar UV-B radiation on aquatic ecosystems......Page 192 Assessing the impact of UV-B radiation on the growth and yield of field crops......Page 216 Effects of UV-B radiation on plants from agro- and natural ecosystems......Page 234 Effects on subarctic vegetation of enhanced UV-B radiation......Page 254 Impacts of elevated UV-B on forest ecosystems......Page 268 Effects of elevated UV-B radiation and elevated CO2 on heathland communities......Page 304 Alterations in competitive balance......Page 326 Interations between trophic levels......Page 338 Index......Page 361 A review which considers studies at a range of scales, from the level of the cell through to the level of the community. Information on ozone depletion and physical aspects of UV-B radiation complements the biological information to provide comprehensive coverage of this important aspect of environmental change. It is now well known that ozone concentrations in the stratosphere have declined during the last 25 years as a consequence of the emission into the atmosphere of a variety of chlorine- and bromine-containing compounds.