Plant Physiological Ecology

Physiological plant ecology is primarily concerned with the function and performance of plants in their environment. Providing the researcher with the methodology appropriate to field experiments and useful analytical techniques this book includes both measurements of the environment itself and of the physiological and morphological responses of plants to this. In some cases, for example stable isotope measurements and investigations are performed in the laboratory on samples collected under field conditions, while other chapters cover analytical techniques for use in the field. Many techniques reviewed are based around the central theme of the acquisition of resources such as carbon, light, water and nutrients, and the use of these resources for plant growth. Methods for estimating some of the costs of allocation of these resources to particular functions are also covered. A methodological framework is provided for extending from organ level measurements to whole plants on root system and canopy structure, and to ecosystem level processes.