Synopses & Reviews
How many seeds should a plant produce, and how often? Why and how are seeds dispersed, and what are the implications for the diversity and composition of vegetation? These are some of the questions tackled in this extensive review of the role of seeds in plant ecology. The text encompasses a wide range of concepts of relevance to plant ecology, reflecting the central role of seed ecology in clarifying many fundamental aspects of plant community function.
Review
"Reading this book will provide a person with the background to proceed further into the seed ecology literature, and the references will point him/her in the right direction to do this. This book is an excellent starting point for those interested in seed ecology."
Jerry M. Baskin"The Ecology of Seeds is written in a lively style, is well edited and attractively laid out, and is very readable. I highly recommend The Ecology of Seeds to anyone interested in seeds, germination ecology, and regeneration of plant communities."
Journal of the Torrey Botanical Society"presents everything there is to know on seeds and their relationship to plant life, diversity, and ecology."
Connie Krochmal, editor of BellaOnline's Cacti and Succulents
Synopsis
A succinct review of the ecological aspects of seed biology which encompasses a wide range of concepts of general relevance to plant ecology, reflecting the central role that the study of seed ecology has played in elucidating many fundamental aspects of plant community function.
Synopsis
How many seeds should a plant produce, and how often? Why and how are seeds dispersed, and what are the implications for the diversity and composition of vegetation? These are some of the questions tackled in this extensive review of the role of seeds in plant ecology. The text encompasses a wide range of concepts of relevance to plant ecology, reflecting the central role of seed ecology in clarifying many fundamental aspects of plant community function.
About the Author
Michael Fenner is senior lecturer in ecology in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Southampton, UK.Ken Thompson is a research fellow and an honorary senior lecturer in the Department of Animal and Plant Sciences at the University of Sheffield, UK.
Table of Contents
Preface; 1. Life histories, reproductive strategies and allocation; 2. Pre-dispersal hazards; 3. Seed dispersal; 4. Soil seed banks; 5. Seed dormancy; 6. Germination; 7. Post-dispersal hazards; 8. Seedling establishment; 9. Gaps, regeneration and diversity; References; Index.