Description
Book SynopsisThis book contains current knowledge and the most recent developments in the field of halophyte biology, ecology, and potential uses. Halophytes are characterised as plants that can survive and complete their life cycle in highly saline environments. This book explores the adaptive mechanisms and special features of halophytes that allow them to grow in environments that are unsuitable for conventional crops and considers their role as a source of food, fuel, fodder, fibre, essential oils, and medicines. Halophytes and Climate Change includes coverage of: - Special morphological, anatomical, and physiological features of halophytes - Ion accumulation patterns and homeostasis in halophytes - Potential use of halophytes in the remediation of saline soil - Growth and physiological response and tolerance to toxicity and drought - Mangrove ecology, physiology, and adaptation Written by a team of international authors and presented in full colour, this book is an essential resource for researchers in the fields of plant physiology, ecology, soil science, environmental science, botany, and agriculture.
Table of ContentsSection I: Ecophysiology 1: Defining Halophytes: a Conceptual and Historical Approach in an Ecological Frame 2: Habitats of Halophytes 3: Intra-habitat Variability of Halophytic Flora of North-west India 4: Halophytic Vegetation in South-east Europe: Classification, Conservation and Ecogeographical Patterns 5: South African Salt Marshes: Ecophysiology and Ecology in the Context of Climate Change 6: Seagrasses, the Unique Adaptation of Angiosperms to the Marine Environment: Effect of High Carbon and Ocean Acidification on Energetics and Ion Homeostasis 7: Ecophysiology of Seed Heteromorphism in Halophytes: an Overview 8: Salt Marsh Plants: Biological Overview and Vulnerability to Climate Change Section II: Mechanisms of Adaptation 9: Ion Accumulation Pattern of Halophytes 10: Morpho-anatomical Traits of Halophytic Species 11: ROS Signalling, and Antioxidant Defence Network in Halophytes 12: Antioxidant Defence in Halophytes under High Salinity 13: Soil Chemical Composition Modifies the Morpho-physiological Responses of Prosopis strombulifera, a Halophyte Native to South America 14: Elimination of Salt by Recretion: Salt Glands and Gland-supported Bladders in Recretohalophytes 15: Synergic Effects of Rhizobacteria: Increasing Use of Halophytes in a Changing World 16: Arsenic Tolerance Mechanisms in Halophytes: the Case of Tamarix gallica 17: Thylakoid Electron Transfer in Salicornia veneta under Different Salinity Levels: a Fluorescence-based Study Section III: Practical Uses 18: Introgression of Halophytic Salt Stress-responsive Genes for Developing Stress Tolerance in Crop Plants 19: Halophytes: Potential Resources of Coastal Ecosystems and their Economic, Ecological and Bioprospecting Significance 20: Practical Uses of Halophytic Plants as Sources of Food and Fodder 21: Use of Halophytes as Medicinal Plants: Phytochemical Diversity and Biological Activity 22: Lipids in Halophytes: Stress Physiology Relevance and Potential Future Applications
