Plants in Alpine regions: cell physiology of adaption and survival strategies / Cornelius Lütz, editor

This book brings together experts from different fields, who used a broad spectrum of methods to investigate the physiological and cellular adaptation of alpine plants from the tree line to the upper limits. Some articles link alpine plant physiology with physiological adaptations observed in polar plants. Tolerance against often high light intensities (including UV), cold or freezing temperatures, in addition to the need for fast tissue development, flowering, and propagation that is managed by alpine plants are to some extent underrepresented in recent research. This volume considers ice formation and winter conditions in alpine plants; the fate of cryophilic algae and microorganisms; cell structural adaptations; sexual reproduction in high altitudes; the physiology of photosynthesis, antioxidants, metabolites, carbon and nitrogen; and the influences of microclimate (temperatures at the plant level, heat tolerance), UV light, weather and ozone. Further information on life processes in alpine extreme environments may additionally yield new insights into the range of adaptation processes in lowland plants. ¡ Front Matter....Pages i-xii Rain and Snow at High Elevation....Pages 1-10 Solar Radiation of the High Alps....Pages 11-20 Bioclimatic Temperatures in the High Alps....Pages 21-27 Physiological and Ultrastructural Changes in Alpine Plants Exposed to High Levels of UV and Ozone....Pages 29-42 Cell Organelle Structure and Function in Alpine and Polar Plants are Influenced by Growth Conditions and Climate....Pages 43-60 Dynamics of Tissue Heat Tolerance and Thermotolerance of PS II in Alpine Plants....Pages 61-74 Photosynthesis and Antioxidative Protection in Alpine Herbs....Pages 75-97 Specificities of Metabolite Profiles in Alpine Plants....Pages 99-120 Interaction of Carbon and Nitrogen Metabolisms in Alpine Plants....Pages 121-134 From the Flower Bud to the Mature Seed: Timing and Dynamics of Flower and Seed Development in High-Mountain Plants....Pages 135-152 Plant Water Relations in Alpine Winter....Pages 153-162 Ice Formation and Propagation in Alpine Plants....Pages 163-174 Cell Structure and Physiology of Alpine Snow and Ice Algae....Pages 175-185 Psychrophilic Microorganisms in Alpine Soils....Pages 187-198 Back Matter....Pages 199-202 This book brings together experts from different fields, who use a broad spectrum of methods to investigate the physiological and cellular adaption of alpine plants to the extreme environemts in high altitudes. The combination of high light intensities, with cold freezing temperatures, overlaid by the demand of fast tissue development, flowering and propagation, has been managed by alpine plants but so far not presented in a context of most resent research