Botany and plant sciences Books

Book SynopsisThis book introduces a literature review of research conducted on Quercus analysed by species, country and topic, and the main biological processes related to the oak's response to global change are reviewed. An extensive review on the uses of acorn oils, flours, extracts, and beverages is presented. The nutritional composition and bioactive compounds naturally present in acorn are described, as well as the effects of their bioactivities on human health. Some research on pollination characteristics and acorn production in determined species of this taxon is examined, highlighting aerobiological data as an important aspect to be considered in reproduction studies. Additionally, deciduous species of the Quercus L. genus are studied during their introduction in the botanical garden of Southern Federal University in Russia. The ecological parameters of 17 species were evaluated, including winter hardiness, drought resistance, phenology, genetic data, and resistance to diseases and pests. The authors aim to determine whether Q. crassipes and Q. castanea can be recognized as foundation species, denoting that both species are dominant oaks of Mexican temperate forests. Next, this compilation discusses the most widely explored phytochemical group in oak leaves, polyphenols, of which condensed and hydrolysable tannins have been reported in high concentrations in different Quercus species. The authors consider the habitat and species diversity of oak forests in Bulgaria. The flora of studied oak forests, their structure and functionality, production, chemistry, intensity of biological turnover, and caloric content of phytomass fractions are presented in detail. An extensive study is conducted to access the population status of Quercus leucotrichophora seedlings in a part of Garhwal Himalaya Oak forest through the establishment of permanent plots in different altitudes.Table of ContentsPreface; Iberian Oaks Coping with Global Change: Ecological Processes and Management Strategies; Quercus Spp. Nuts for Human Consumption; Phenology and Aerobiology of the Quercus Genus: Reproductive Implications; Complex Studies on the Quercus L. (Fagaceae) Genus Species During Their Introduction in the Botanical Garden of the Southern Federal University, Rostov-On-Don, Russia; Mexican Oaks as Foundation Species: The Case of Quercus crassipes and Q. Castanea; Phytochemical Potential and Biological Activities of Extracts from Oak Leaves (Quercus Spp); Ecological Aspects of Oak Ecosystems with Dominance of Quercus cerris L. and Q. Frainetto Ten. in Bulgaria; Study on Seedling Population Response to Disturbance of a Garhwal Himalayan Oak (Quercus Leucotrichophora A. Camus) Forest; Expert Commentary; Index.

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Book SynopsisThis book summarises the results of numerous research experiments on the biomineralization of rocks and minerals carried out with the participation of the fungus Aspergillus niger. This compilation reviews recent advances in biocompounds and products with the most relevant biological and biocatalytic activities produced by Aspergillus niger. The challenges and future perspectives of biotechnological process extensions using Aspergillus niger will also be discussed. The closing study focuses on how Aspergillus niger may be utilized as a bioadsorbent for the detoxification and decolorizing of wastewater. In industrial and pharmaceutical applications, it can similarly be utilized in the creation of some costly and helpful biopolymers, such as chitin, chitosan, and nourishment enhancements like chitin-glucan and glucosamine.

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Book SynopsisChapter 1 focuses on taxonomic, cultivation and the pharmacological and other uses of Origanum species. In Chapter 2, Origanumâs role in synthesising the metal nanoparticles such as titanium dioxide,palladium, silver, gold, palladium nanoparticles supported on magnetic graphene oxide has been discussed in detail. Hence, researchers are using Origanum as a precursor in plant-mediated synthesis. In the last chapter, the authors discuss Origanum, the Turkish spice, which has a history dated back to centuries. This herb has found wide applications due to the presence of primary and secondary metabolites.Table of ContentsPreface; Origanum: A Brief Review on Taxonomy, Cultivation and Uses; Origanum Mediated Green Synthesis of Nanoparticles; The Role of Origanum in Wound Healing; Index.

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Book SynopsisPart I, Physiology, deals with the life processes of plants, such as absorption, transpiration, conduction, photosynthesis, nutrition, assimilation, digestion, respiration, growth, and irritability. Part II, Morphology and Life History of Representative Plants, includes a rather careful study of representative examples among the algae, fungi, liverworts, mosses, ferns and their allies, gymnosperms and angiosperms, with especial emphasis on the form of plant parts, and a comparison of them in the different groups, with a comparative study of development, reproduction, and fertilization, rounding out the work with a study of life histories and noting progression and retrogression of certain organs and phases in proceeding from the lower to the higher plants. Part III, Plant Members in Relation to Environment, deals with the organization of the plant body as a whole in its relation to environment, the organization of plant tissues with a discussion of the principal tissues and a descriptive synopsis of the same.

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Book SynopsisThis natural world, so to speak, is the raw material of the spiritual. Therefore, before man can understand the spiritual, he must understand the natural. This book explores the theory that all animals and plants have a soul and will survive death.

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Book SynopsisThis book covers selected topics on research methods in modern ecology, through the lens of 8 chapters, focusing on animal ecology, landcover assessment and habitat change, human perspectives and management, and research techniques, with examples taken from the Indian subcontinent. This area has emerged as one of the pivotal zones where cutting edge applications may be tested. Topics examined include the development and management of computer software techniques and the syntheses of these into pre-existing research methods, chemical analyses, including studies of animal dietary and foraging patterns, landcover, habitat and plant ecological change and even human/animal relations, and genetic studies. Remote sensing and geographical information systems are considered as cutting-edge research methods, at small, medium and large-scale levels, including more accurate positioning systems, more sensitive tracking systems, the removal of obstacles to clearer observation and species identification, such as darkness and poor lighting, dense vegetation and coarse image resolution and more comparative studies across different local contexts and global ecosystems. The topics cover geoinformatics applications to forest management in India, the paradigm shifts in this area, and the promotion and integration of sustainable forest management (SFM) and geoinformatics within the National Working Plan Code. Another case study is of Geoinformatics, Climate Change, Habitat Dynamics and a Case of Vultures in Central India, focusing on vulture ecology and related climatic variables, assessed with geoinformatics, Species Distribution Models (SDMs) and Global Circulation Models (GCMs). Other topics concern the use of tracking technologies including drones, the use of thermal and infrared drones in the study of large mammalian carnivores, the role of remote sensing and GIS in the assessment of natural resource development, clustering around the central concept of change detection, and the monitoring of agricultural development using socio-cultural parameters. This book presents these issues as some factors among the vast number of current ecological issues.Table of ContentsPreface; Forest Management in India: A Paradigm Shift and the Use of Geoinformatics; Biogeography as an Ecological Science and Methodology; Landuse-Landcover Dynamics Analysis using Remote Sensing and GIS: A Case of Central Himalayan Terai, India; Geoinformatics, Climate Change, Habitat Dynamics and a Case of Vultures in Central India; A Symbiosis of Habitat Conservation and Eco-Tourism Development: A Case Study of the Valmiki Tiger Reserve, India; Technology in Good Governance: A Case of FRA and Geoinformatics; Similar Yet Different Rice-Farming Ecosystems: UNESCO Associated Cases of Two Culturally Rich Asian Nations; Thermal Drones and Large Mammalian Carnivores; Rehabilitation of Mine Spoils: A Review on Problems and Strategies with Cases of Indian Mines; What could be the Present and Future Habitats of Residents and Wintering Vultures for Conservation in the Indian Subcontinent; Index.

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Book SynopsisThe first chapter details the different techniques of molecular markers, emphasizing genetic aspects, because these determine the type of use one can put it to. The construction of genetic linkage maps is the subject of the second chapter, where the advantages and disadvantages of the most common mapping populations are specified. The particular case of mapping of major genes, especially for the purpose of positional cloning, is addressed in the third chapter. Detection and applications of QTLs controlling the expression of quantitative traits are presented in the fourth chapter, which also tackles the complex question of their identification. The fifth chapter underscores the major contribution of molecular markers in the analysis of the structure and evolution of natural populations. Finally, the advantages of markers in selection, for studies of diversity and in the context of marker-assisted selection, are discussed in the last chapter. The authors have attempted to highlight the principles of markers, anTable of ContentsINTRODUCTIONPRINCIPAL SOURCES OF MOLECULAR MARKERS: D. de Vienne, S. Santoni et al. and M. Falaque: Criteria of Classification; Codominant Markers Detected Individually; Patterns of Multiple Dominant Markers: Genetic Fingerprinting; Polymorphism of Number of Tandem Repeats; Gene Markers: cDNA and Proteins; What Markers are Suitable for What Purpose? CONSTRUCTION OF GENETIC LINKAGE MAPS: D. de Vienne: The Concept of Genetic Distance; Comparing the Most Commonly used Populations; F2 Populations; Recombinant Inbred Lines; Populations Derived from Non-fixed Parents; Comparing the Various Types of Populations; Fundamentals of Genetics MapsMAPPING OF MAJOR GENES: D. de Vienne: Approaches to Mapping of Major Genes; Use of Markers for Cloning Major GenesMAPPING AND CHARACTERIZING QUANTITATIVE TRAIT LOCI: D. de Vienne and M. Causse: Principle of QTL Mapping; Genetic and Molecular Bases of Quantitative Trait VariationMOLECULAR MARKERS IN POPULATION GENETICS: A. Kremer and S. Mariette: Specific Contributions of Molecular Markers in Comparison to Enzyme Markers; Analysis of Molecular Diversity; Polymorphism within a Population; Differentiation between Populations; Gene FlowAPPLICATION OF MARKERS IN SELECTION: A. Charcosset and A. Gallais: Contribution of Diversity Studies to Selection; Marker-assisted Selection; Marker-assisted Recurrent SelectionAPPENDICES

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Book SynopsisThis book presents 847 compounds isolated and identified from plants that present antioxidant activity. These substances have been classified by chemical groups and each provides the most relevant information of its pharmacological activity, action mechanism, chemical structure, spectroscopic date and other properties. Chemical structures have been drawn to indicate the stereochemistry. In this handbook the summary of the scientific information of plants that present biological activity and the compounds responsible for this activity is presented, which introduces the reader to the study of medicinal plants and also providing bibliographic references, where a detailed study of its chemistry and pharmacology can be found. This dictionary will be of great help for pre and post-graduate students, as well as professors, research of the medical industry, who work in some way with isolates bioactive compounds obtained from plants.

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Book SynopsisPlant biotechnology and renewable resources are the driving forces behind a more sustainable development of agriculture and other related industries in the world. Until the 21st century, the main task for most industries was to raise the volume of production to gain the highest profits possible. Non-renewable natural resources, such as oil, were the most profitable sources of energy. This tendency not only exploited these resources but had harmful side effects: growing environmental pollution and changing the earth into a desert, suitable neither for animals nor human beings. At the beginning of the 21st century, both scientists and "green movements" warn that it is necessary to change this philosophy of economic progress towards a more intensive exploration of renewable resources. Biotechnology is one of the very important and novel tools for obtaining diversified materials on the base of renewable resources. They can serve as a source for production of energy, novel materials, fibres, food, agrofine chemicals and composites. It is believed that diversified possibilities for using natural green resources and their processing can ensure balanced progress without side effects on the earth''s environment. This book presents research on the possibilities of creating progress in the processing of renewable resources within the study of biotechnology.

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Book SynopsisForest ecology includes within its scope the components and functions of forest ecosystems -- a community of organisms interacting with each other and with their physical environment. Forest ecosystems, which consist of bacteria, plants, birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, soil, water and air, differ from other ecosystems in that they are dominated by trees and other woody vegetation. Each of these components plays an important role in the function and health of the forest. This book presents important new research in the field.

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Book SynopsisThe word auxin has a Greek origin: auxein means to enlarge or to grow. Auxins are an important category of plant hormones, regulating many aspects of plant growth and development throughout the plant cell cycle, from cell division, cell elongation and vascular differentiation to root initiation, somatic embryogenesis, apical dominance, tropistic responses, flowering, fruit ripening, senescence, parthenocarpy, dormacy and pollen maturation. Common purification procedures for the determination of auxins include column chromatography, solid phase extraction, liquid-liquid and mass spectrometric detection. This book discusses the production, biosynthesis and role of auxin in plant development. The topics include the effects of inoculation of auxin producing bacteria on root development in model plants and semi-ardwood olive cuttings; auxin''s role in plant defence; auxin''s influence on plant developmental responses during salinity; the history, synthesis, transport, determination, metabolism, properties and physiological effects of auxins in plant growth; and the inclusion compounds of auxins in cyclodextrins.

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Book SynopsisCyanobacteria are ubiquitous photoautotrophic prokaryotes commonly found in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Some can even thrive under immense oxidative stress in extreme environments, such as hot/cold deserts and hot springs. Formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cyanobacteria not only occurs in the respiratory metabolism, but also involved in the receptorside of the electron transport chain during photosynthesis. This book discusses the ecological importance of cyanobacteria. It also discusses some biotechnological uses and risk management.

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Book SynopsisPlant pathogenic geminiviruses have been proliferating world-wide and have, therefore, attracted considerable scientific interest during the past three decades. A widespread occurrence and vast spreading of geminivirus, resulting in yield losses of economically important food and fibre crops, poses a serious threat to sustainable agriculture. The major concerns about the frequent evolution and recombination of new viruses or strains lead to failure of resistance over time and space. This book reviews recent developments in the study of geminiviruses and the progress made in this field.

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Book SynopsisMangrove ecosystems are tropical or subtropical communities of mainly tree species which can be found on low, muddy, usually intertidal coastal areas. They cover an area of approximately twenty million hectares throughout the world, with the largest expanses occurring in Malaysia, India, Brazil, Venezuela, Nigeria and Senegal. Mangrove communities are of great ecological importance due to the role they play as habitat builders and shoreline stabilisers. They typically grow in saline coastal soils, which develop through a combination of two processes: mineral sediment deposition and organic matter accumulation. This book presents topical research from across the globe in the study of mangroves, including the eco-biology of mangroves; the mangrove ecosystem of Sundarbans, India; mangrove wetland ecosystem modelling in the Everglades; and the microbial diversity from mangrove sediments.

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Book SynopsisThis book covers a topic of current interest in flora, and it can be considered as a specialised work that will not go out of date for a long time. This book provides new insights into the area of plant taxonomy with respect to xeric conditions. This area, being a hostile and harsh climate, has been neglected for the comprehensive and scientific study point of view. This book is thus a contribution of over 10 years exploration and collection of plant specimens from the whole study area.

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Book SynopsisIn this book, the authors present topical research in the study of the properties, medicinal uses and health benefits of alfalfa and clover. Topics discussed in this compilation include the position of alfalfa oxidoreductases in soil enzymology and biotechnology; alfalfa properties and livestock nutrition and phytoestrogen use in menopausal patients.

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Book SynopsisPlants whose DNA is modified using genetic engineering techniques are known as transgenic plants. In most cases the aim is to introduce a new trait to the plant which does not occur naturally in this species. Examples include resistance to certain pests, diseases or environmental conditions, or the production of a certain nutrient or pharmaceutical agent. This book gathers and presents current research on transgenic plants including an examination of the release, persistence and transport of transgenic plant DNA in saturated and unsaturated mediums, such as soils and sediments; high-efficient plant cultivation with artificial light sources; the impact of three antibiotics on seed germination, hydroponic growth and nutritional qualities of vegetables; growth responses of Bt and non-Bt cottons to soil phosphorous, copper and cadmium levels; site-specific recombination systems for genome manipulation in transgenic plants; and amplification of small interfering RNAs in transgenic plants.

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Book SynopsisThis new book is a collection of research and review articles from authors involved in diverse aspects of cultivar research. This volume discusses the agronomic, biochemical and nutritional aspects of a wide range of plant cultivars, including aspects related to the use of genetic tools for the production of vaccines as well as new molecular techniques available for product traceability. Also reviewed is the comprehensive treatment of the physiological effects of foods and food components capable of promoting good health and preventing or alleviating disease. Moreover, this volume will be of great help to undergraduate and graduate level students in Genetics, Agriculture, Phytochemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmacy, Plant Physiology and Crop Development, and an excellent reference material for plant researchers.

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Book SynopsisQuantum biology is a wide area of research closely connected with almost all parts of biology. It is based on experimental data of biological sciences and the fundamental laws of physics (de Broglie law of corpuscular-wave dualism of the matter, the conservation laws, including the laws of thermodynamics). At this time, our knowledge in this area is fragmentary. The usual corpuscular biology studies only one plane of living matter organisation, the structure and function of which is determined by the DNA-particle. That is why the theory often does not agree with experience, the physics laws don''t work. It leads to frequent changes of concepts. Many phenomena (division of living matter into cells, restoration and loss of totipotency of cell systems, etc.) do not find an explanation within the corpuscular theory framework. This book includes nine chapters. In Chapter 1 the insight of a cell as a quantum-mechanical system, an equilibrium system, an open and closed system; the notion of biological harmonic oscillator, as an elementary and indivisible unity of the wave properties of a living matter; the principle and regimes of oscillator work in plants; two internal energy sources and their physical nature; the role of DNA-particles and DNA-wave at different hierarchical levels of living matter organisation are discussed. In Chapter 2 the changes of DNA particles, DNA-waves, the cell physical state, its basic components and physiological functions are analysed during cell cycle of proliferating plant cell. In Chapter 3 seven types of cell division (mitosis, differentiative mitosis, free-nucleus mitosis, meiosis, endomitosis, crushing and promitosis) are described. The dependence of the principle of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell development from its condition is shown in Chapter 4. In Chapter 5 physical models of gamete sexual differentiation and fertilisation are considered. The manifestation of the low of total impulse conservation in evolution processes is examined in Chapter 6. In Chapter 7 the mechanisms and manners of biological protection and the reasons for their change during evolution are discussed. How and why a DNA-particle and a DNA-wave change during reproductive development of future plant initial cells is described on Pinus sylvestris L. example in Chapter 8. In Chapter 9 a short overview of quantum biology tasks and problems is given.

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Book SynopsisIn this book, the authors present current research in the study of the ecology, production and disease management of the Alfalfa plant. Alfalfa appears to be one of the most interesting of the green crops, since it has high protein content and belongs to a group of major forage crops due to this high productive potential and excellent quality of green biomass. It is an important leguminous crop grown in many countries and has several important roles in different aspects of agriculture which include livestock feed and soil conservation. The authors of this book also explore the biological nitrogen fixation, symbiosis, which contributes greatly to the nitrogen nutrition source on earth.

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Book SynopsisThis book presents a broad number of recent discoveries, advances and important results concerning sunflower (Helianthus annus) crops and its related fields, with emphasis on the detailed study of several diseases and pests that can affect sunflowers (production, water resources needed, economy impact) in different regions of the globe, including Russia, both North and South America, Africa, India and Europe. We are all well aware of the increasing importance, as well as the economic impact that these plants have reached in recent years, not only in the food industry but also in the western energy market, with the increasing use of sunflower oil as a natural energy resource for biodiesel and biofuel. Apart from the interesting recent advances, results and conclusions presented in every chapter, plenty of visual and graphical content comprised of tables, charts, graphs, pictures and high quality detailed photographs and images showing different issues and problems regarding sunflower crops are also included. The manuscript chapters have been authored by experts in the field and in addition all of them underwent a stringent peer review process by expert reviewers to assure a high final scientific quality.

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Book SynopsisAn "invasive" species (alternatively known as an alien, exotic, injurious, introduced or naturalised, non-native, non-indigenous, nuisance or noxious species) refers to an animal or plant that is introduced into an environment where it is not native. The introduction of invasive species to the United States -- whether deliberate or unintentional -- from around the globe can pose a significant threat to native animal and plant communities. It may result in extinctions of native animals and plants, species disruptions as native and non-native species compete for limited resources, reduced biodiversity, and altered terrestrial or aquatic habitats. This book provides an overview of the federal laws and directives in the United States that govern invasive species, and the role of selected federal agencies. This book also examines the Lacey Act which addresses illegal wildlife trade to protect species at risk and bars importing species found to be injurious to the United States.

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Book SynopsisTerrestrial moss communities are widely distributed among the Earth''s major biomes, including equatorial to polar latitudes. Because of their high primary productivity, relatively dense vegetative structure, and alteration of the substratum through deposition of organic matter, moss communities often support rich and diversified microbial communities. This book examines microbial communities in terrestrial moss in further detail. It also discusses terrestrial mosses as trace element bioindicators; moss bioreactors; the ecological diversity and application for agricultural microbiology; small scale area investigation for heavy metals air pollution; biomonitoring of atmospheric pollution using mosses; the impact of forest decline on fine-scale vertical distribution of epiphytic bryophytes; and the use of mosses in criminal investigations.

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Book SynopsisThe book deals with one type of molecular markers, Cleaved Amplified Polymorphic Sequences (CAPS). This is based on PCR and polymorphism of recognition sites for restriction enzymes. The chapters are written by specialists and cover different ranges of plants: from model Arabidopsis and ferns to more important crops such as oil-crops, peas, tomato, tobacco, grasses, barley and wheat. Separate chapters discuss more exotic ramie plants; wild emmer wheat and micro-rhyzosphere in plants; but all the chapters are combined together in one book with the same topic: CAPS markers development and applications. A reader can find answers to questions such as: how can CAPS markers be easily developed for their research and how can they be applied to a wide range of plants? This book will respond to the quickly growing interests of scientists and students working with molecular markers for genetic, physiological and molecular-biological researches.

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Book SynopsisMycorrhizae represent a symbiotic relationship between a fungus and plant roots. The fungus colonises the roots of the host plant, either intracellularly in arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, or extracellularly in ectomycorrhizal fungi. Host plants enhance the defense of mycorrhizal fungi against fungivores. Mycorrhizae mediate host plant-insect interactions. Arbuscular mycorrhiza play a crucial role in augmenting plant resistance to stressful conditions like diseases, drought, heavy metal toxicity, high temperatures, salinity, and waterlogging. They are also important in enhancing decomposition of toxic organic substances, in remediating polluted environments, and in keeping a stable ecosystem and sustainable productivity. This book discusses the structure, development and function of mycorrhizas.

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Book SynopsisAquatic plants play a significant role in maintaining water quality, due to their ability of absorbing nutrients. This book aims to show the value of macrophyte use as a tool for biological water treatment of aquaculture farms and also as a culture medium for microalgae. It also discusses the translocation and monitoring of wetland plants; responses of floating macrophytes to different environmental stressors; and vegetation structure of lagoon environments as a result of sediment biogeochemical dynamics and organic matter load.

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Book SynopsisHarsh environments found around the world harbour unique organisms adapted to extreme ranges in climatic, edaphic, and other environmental variables. Whether they occur in extreme climates such as alpine summits or inland deserts, in habitats frequently disturbed by fire or floods, or on edaphic islands created by unique geologies or anthropogenic contamination, the adaptations demonstrated by organisms found in such environments shed light on basic and applied aspects of ecology and evolution. This volume brings together current research on plants, fungi and microbes from harsh environments to reveal underlying patterns and common themes of these especially challenging habitats. Topics include the role of bedrock geochemistry and soil evolutionary processes in generating extreme habitats; the biology, ecology, and evolution of non-vascular and vascular plants, lichens, herbivores and pathogens, mycorrhizal fungi, and other beneficial microbes found in extreme environments. Habitats discussed in the book include alpine and arctic settings, fire-prone Mediterranean climates, serpentine outcrops, gypsum soils, metal-rich mine tailings, and saline soils. In addition to summarizing current research, we highlight new tools and emerging techniques in high-throughput phenotyping, genomics, and phylogenetics that are being used to develop our understanding of evolution in harsh environments. We also emphasise results gained from classical ecological approaches which have allowed us to examine adaptation to and evolution in harsh environments. In addition to discussing basic research, we cover applied work focusing on the threats posed by climate change and other anthropogenic impacts as well as efforts to restore and protect extreme habitats and the unique organisms they harbour. Finally, we discuss the uses of plant species found in extreme environments for agriculture and biotechnology, including the relatively new fields of phytoremediation and phytomining. The work highlighted in this volume demonstrates what these species and their environments have taught us about ecological and evolutionary theory, conservation, and restoration: knowledge that can be applied well beyond the habitats and species described in this book.

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Book SynopsisPhotosynthesis is a well-regulated process utilising solar energy for storage as chemical energy to meet the plant''s metabolic needs. It is the key phenomenon that augments plant growth and development under all conditions and is considered as the ultimate source of life for all plant and human life. Although the basic processes of photosynthesis and their importance to the agricultural system for food security have been recognised about two centuries ago, there is an increasing need for intense research considering the population explosion. As the demand for food is expected to increase twofold by 2030, the efforts by plant scientists are necessary to improve the yield of food crops for sustainable development. The improvements in yield of crops can be attained by the protection of photosynthetic apparatus in the current changing environment, where degradation of soil, air and water quality has posed challenges to photosynthetic potential of plants. It has been estimated that the increasing salinization of land will result in the loss of 50% cultivated land by 2050. The situation will further aggravate with the contamination of soil and water by heavy metals. The concentration of CO2 is expected to rise to as much as 500-1000 ppm by 2100 which can lead to increases in global mean temperature by approximately 1C to 3C above the present value by 2025 and 2100, respectively. Photosynthesis is one the first processes inhibited under the changing environment leading to reduction of growth and productivity of plants.

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Book SynopsisThe current presence of plant species in a particular area is explained by a series of events and processes of a diverse nature -- mainly geological and climatic, but also anthropozoogenic -- which have occurred over millions of years at different spatial levels. Sunlight is the energy source for plant photosynthesis and one of the major environmental factors influencing the growth and distribution of plant species. Most ferns live in moist and shady environments; however, some are able to recruit energy under high-irradiance conditions. Ferns are much utilised by people, namely for use as ornamental plants, as raw material to make handicrafts, in cosmetics, in foods and in popular medicine. This book discusses the biology, cultivation and implications for the environment of ferns, and also examines the Iberian Peninsula''s shrub species.

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Book SynopsisFloral nectar is a sweet, aqueous secretion that mainly consists of sugars and to a lesser extent amino acids. It is offered by plants to entice pollinators and to ensure pollination and thus sexual reproduction. This book discusses several benefits of plant nectar. It also discusses the production and chemical composition of nectar.

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Book SynopsisMicroalgae are primary producers of oxygen and exhibit an enormous potential for biotechnological applications. Microalgae cultivation is also an interesting option for wastewater treatment. These microorganisms are efficient in recovering high amounts of nitrogen, inorganic phosphorus, and heavy metals from effluents. Furthermore, microalgae are responsible for the reduction of CO2 from gaseous effluent and from the atmosphere, reducing the greenhouse gases effect. On the other hand, microalgae biomass can be used for the production of pigments, lipids, foods, and renewable energy. The culture of microalgae is not a new issue, since for many decades they have been employed with aquaculture purposes. In fact, some species of Nostoc, Arthrospira (Spirulina) and Aphanizomenon species have been used as food for thousands of years for food applications. The treatment of wastewaters employing microalgae has been reported for decades (specifically for the elimination of phosphorus and nitrogen compounds). Nowadays, there is an increasing interest in the production of biofuels. Bioethanol, biohydrogen, bio-methane, biodiesel and other novel products can be obtained using microalgae as biomass or metabolic products (sugars, lipids, etc). In the near future, microalgae can be oriented (via molecular engineering) to the production of the hole biofuels, such as biodiesel or bio-turbosins. Microalgae and Other Phototrophic Bacteria is a book which will provide information for academics students, policy makers and the general public regarding the state of the art in the field, as well as detailed descriptions of the methodologies employed for culture, processing, recovery and new products. Aspects covered by this book are the microalgae and other phototrophic bacteria.

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Book SynopsisThe main mesological factors that determine vegetation activity are moisture and temperature (Ferreras Chasco, 2000). Under certain conditions of moisture and temperature a limitation in growth can appear and, if these conditions do not improve, plants can enter into a state called vegetative paralysis. This book discusses the land surface of the basin of the Guadaíra River, and it pays attention to the study of riparian vegetation on different channels that belong to its countryside stretch. It also presents research on the modern spatiotemporal variability of the morphology of High Arctic proglacial rivers; and provides a review on the general properties of ancient Martian systems, focusing on possible issues related to the lack of biogenic effects on Mars, and analysing mainly riverbank related erosional and depositional structures.

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Book SynopsisCrop nutrition is an essential discipline of plant science of crop production. The importance of crop nutrition for increasing yield and the quality of crops is difficult to explain. In simple words, crop nutrition is the study of uptake and utilization of elements for the growth and development of crop plants. This book includes the classification of essential nutrients in various aspects with special emphasis on the physiological and biochemical functions, and their uptake process through the membrane. Much emphasis has been given on the root structure and rhizosphere in relation to nutrient uptake and their assimilation in the cellular level. The goal of this book is to establish a thorough understanding of plant nutrition. It is a textbook for agriculturists, researchers in the field of crop science, students'', and academicians and for crop cultivators as a whole. Finally, it is a consolidated book, comprising different areas of plant nutrition and the stakeholders will benefit from a book like this.

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Book SynopsisJatropha curcas Linnaeus is a multipurpose plant belonging to the Euphorbiaceae family. It has social, agricultural, environmental, industrial, pharmaceutical and energy production potentials. It has high amounts of oil in its seeds, which can be converted to biodiesel. This book begins with a discussion on the use of Jatropha curcas as a biofuel. It continues by exploring other potential uses of Jatropha curcas.

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Book SynopsisNowadays, the world is turning toward herbal medicine for health improvement. This system of medicine is not new; it has roots in the beginning of human civilization, perhaps as early as the time of the Neanderthals. Evidence of early herbal remediation dates back over 4,000 years ago; examples include the Chinese Empire (2800 BCE), Babylon (1770 BCE), and Ancient Egypt (1550 BCE). Islamic and Indian physicians also wrote many works prior to 1100 AD and the seals from the Harappan site in Pakistan (2000 BC) also indicate the use of plants. The first step in quality control of botanical preparations is ensuring the correct identification of the plant intended for use. While there are several methods for identification, the most direct and least expensive is macroscopic identification. The foliar epidermis is one of the most striking taxonomic characteristics from the biosystematic point of view, and the taxonomic studies of a number of families are made on the basis of the leaf epidermis. The role of anatomical data in traditional taxonomy has been long recognized since the variations within the species, genera or a family is usually reflected in anatomical features as well. Leaf epidermal anatomical features such as stomata, trichomes and other characteristics are useful identification tools. Such characteristics in plants show great diversity and could be very effective for the resolution of existing taxonomic problems of medicinal plant species.

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Book SynopsisAllelopathy refers to the beneficial or harmful effects of one plant on another, including both crop and weed species. Mushrooms is one such example which provides various effects to their curcumjacent plants by releasing allelochemicals. The authors'' of this book examine the allelopathy of mushrooms and showed that all mushrooms have allelopathic activity without exception. Furthermore, rice, barley, wheat, rye, sorghum and sunflower are known to be allelopathic crops. The authors focus on buckwheat in particular, to determine whether or not it is allelopathic as well. Other chapters examine the allelopathic effects of macrophytes in subtropical shallow lakes; and the invasive potential of parthenium weed, a herbaceous plant, and one that has now invaded over 44 countries worldwide, having an impact upon both crop and pasture production, natural community biodiversity and human and animal health.

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Book SynopsisAquatic biomass are a promising source for bioethanol production as they can be grown in aquatic environments to avoid the competition with food crops on land. Research on bioethanol production from aquatic biomass is still at an early stage due to the technical and economic barriers. The first chapter of this book reviews various aquatic species, pretreatment methods, and processing techniques that were used for bioethanol production. Chapter two reviews recent anaerobic digestion studies regarding to biogas production from different aquatic plants, the basic operations for biogas production from aquatic plants, reactor design issues, and operational parameters. Chapter three provides a brief review of literature related to water remediation potential of important aquatic plant species, mechanisms of aquatic macrophytes in nutrient and contaminant removal and water purification, and management of aquatic macrophytes for sustainable ecological remediation. Chapter four discusses the stress response of freshwater aquatic plants in particular oxidative stress responding to fluctuations in abiotic environmental stresses. The final chapter examines the catalytic fast pyrolysis of Lemnoideae spp. for production of industrious chemicals.

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