Dispersal Biology of Desert Plants [electronic resource] /

Dispersal processes, i.e. those processes occurring between the time of seed maturation and germination, have important effects on plant distribution and abundance. Although adaptations to long range dispersal (telechory) are by no means rare in desert plants, many desert plant species do not possess any features to promote dispersal (atelechory), while others have structures that hamper dispersal (antitelechory). The high frequency with which atelechorous and antitelechorous mechanisms are present in plants inhabiting arid areas indicates the importance of these adaptations. Among the benefits derived from these adaptations are the spreading of germination over time, the provision of suitable conditions for germination and subsequent seedling establishment and the maintenance of a reservoir of available seeds. This book describes the ways and means - anatomical, morphological and ecological - by which dispersal in desert plants has evolved to ensure the survival of these species in their harsh and unpredictable environment.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Rheede van Oudtshoorn, Karen van. author., Rooyen, Margaretha W. van. author., SpringerLink (Online service)
Format:	Texto biblioteca
Language:	eng
Published:	Berlin, Heidelberg : Springer Berlin Heidelberg : Imprint: Springer, 1999
Subjects:	Life sciences., Agriculture., Ecology., Forestry., Plant science., Botany., Life Sciences., Plant Sciences.,
Online Access:	http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-03561-0
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