Trees at their Upper Limit: Treelife Limitation at the Alpine Timberline (Plant Ecophysiology Book 5)

Emerging from decades of intensive research into alpine timberlines, **Trees at their Upper Limit** presents a complete modern synthesis of current knowledge on the ecophysiology of tree growth and survival on high mountains in Europe. Including chapters on soil properties and the role or mycorrhiza, carbon assimilation and allocation, phytopathogens, and the impact of global change on photooxidative stress, the book builds on Tranquillini’s landmark 1979 publication, Physiological Ecology of the Alpine Timberline. By combining new techniques and insights with existing core knowledge the authors explore a range of current hypotheses on tree life limitation to promote a greater understanding of the underlying mechanisms determining the upper timberline. Amid growing realization that high elevation forests have a crucial role to play in protection against natural hazards, this book represents a timely contribution to the current literature on timberline research. Drawing together more than 25 years of work, this unique book sets a new standard on the ecophysiology of trees growing at the alpine timberline. Edited by field leaders Gerhard Wieser and Michael Tausz, the book will appeal to researchers and advanced students in the fields of botany, ecology and plant ecophysiology, as well as to a wider audience interested in understanding the responses of the timberline ecotone to climatic and demographic change.

Emerging from decades of intensive research into alpine timberlines, Trees at their Upper Limit presents a complete modern synthesis of current knowledge on the ecophysiology of tree growth and survival on high mountains in Europe.

Including chapters on soil properties and the role or mycorrhiza, carbon assimilation and allocation, phytopathogens, and the impact of global change on photooxidative stress, the book builds on Tranquillini’s landmark 1979 publication, Physiological Ecology of the Alpine Timberline. By combining new techniques and insights with existing core knowledge the authors explore a range of current hypotheses on tree life limitation to promote a greater understanding of the underlying mechanisms determining the upper timberline.

Amid growing realization that high elevation forests have a crucial role to play in protection against natural hazards, this book represents a timely contribution to the current literature on timberline research. Drawing together more than 25 years of work, this unique book sets a new standard on the ecophysiology of trees growing at the alpine timberline. Edited by field leaders Gerhard Wieser and Michael Tausz, the book will appeal to researchers and advanced students in the fields of botany, ecology and plant ecophysiology, as well as to a wider audience interested in understanding the responses of the timberline ecotone to climatic and demographic change.

Emerging from decades of intensive research into alpine timberlines, Trees at their Upper Limit presents a complete modern synthesis of current knowledge on the ecophysiology of tree growth and survival on high mountains in Europe. Including chapters on soil properties and the role of mycorrhiza, carbon assimilation and allocation, phytopathogens, and the impact of global change on photooxidative stress, the book builds on Tranquillini’s landmark 1979 publication, Physiological Ecology of the Alpine Timberline. By combining new techniques and insights with existing core knowledge the authors explore a range of current hypotheses on tree life limitation to promote a greater understanding of the underlying mechanisms determining the upper timberline. Amid growing realization that high elevation forests have a crucial role to play in protection against natural hazards, this book represents a timely contribution to the current literature on timberline research. Drawing together more than 25 years of work, this unique book sets a new standard on the ecophysiology of trees growing at the alpine timberline. Edited by field leaders Gerhard Wieser and Michael Tausz, the book will appeal to researchers and advanced students in the fields of botany, ecology and plant ecophysiology, as well as to a wider audience interested in understanding the responses of the timberline ecotone to climatic and demographic change. Current Concepts for Treelife Limitation at the Upper Timberline....Pages 1-18 Climate at the Upper Timberline....Pages 19-36 Soils - Heterogeneous at a Microscale....Pages 37-56 Mycorrhiza in the Alpine Timberline Ecotone: Nutritional Implications....Pages 57-66 Vegetation at the Upper Timberline....Pages 67-78 Limitation by an Insufficient Carbon Assimilation and Allocation....Pages 79-129 Limitation by Growth Processes....Pages 131-143 Limits in Water Relations....Pages 145-162 Phytopathogens at the Alpine Timberline....Pages 163-170 Frost Resistance at the Upper Timberline....Pages 171-180 Photo-Oxidative Stress at the Timberline....Pages 181-195 Global Change at the Upper Timberline....Pages 197-217 Synopsis....Pages 219-223 Presents a synthesis of knowledge on the ecophysiology of tree growth and survival on high mountains in Europe. This work includes chapters on soil properties and the role of mycorrhiza, carbon assimilation and allocation, phytopathogens, and the impact of global change on photo-oxidative stress