Plants and UV-B: Responses to Environmental Change

by Peter Lumsden

Overview

One of the predicted consequences of the depletion of stratospheric ozone is an increase in the amount of ultraviolet light reaching the surface of the earth, in particular UV-B (320-280nm). Although the real effects are as yet unknown, this change in radiation could have profound consequences for plant growth and productivity. The need for information concerning the relationship between plants and UV-B is therefore pressing. This volume brings together authoritative contributions from leading experts in UV-B/plant studies and is unique in considering interactions at various scales, ranging from the level of the cell through to the level of the community. Information concerning ozone depletion and physical aspects of UV-B radiation complements the biological information to provide a thorough and comprehensive review of the present status of knowledge.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521114110
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	06/18/2009
Series:	Society for Experimental Biology Seminar Series , #64
Pages:	376
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.20(d)

Table of Contents

Preface; Part I. The Ozone Layer and UV-B Radiation: 1. Ozone depletion in the Northern Hemisphere J. Pyle; 2. Monitoring changes in UV-B radiation A. Webb; 3. Action spectra for UV-B effects on plants: monochromatic and polychromatic approaches for analysing plant responses G. Holmes; Part II. Effects of UV-B on Plants at the Cellular Level: 4. DNA damage and repair in plants R. Taylor; 5. Genetic analysis of DNA repair mechanisms A. Britt; 6. Photosynthesis and photoinhibition N. Baker; 7. UV-B effects on the expression of genes encoding proteins involved in photosynthesis S. Mackerness; 8. UV-B perception and signal transduction G. Jenkins; 9. Ultraviolet radiation as a stress factor and the role of protective pigments J. Bornman; Part III. Effects of UV-B at the Whole Plant and Community Level: 10. Effects of UV-B on aquatic ecosystems D. Hader; 11. Assessing the impact of UV-B radiation on the growth and yield of field crops J. Corlett; 12. Effects of UV-B radiation on plants from agro-ecosystems and natural ecosystems J. Rozema; 13. Effects on subarctic vegetation of enhanced UV-B radiation L. Bjorn; 14. Impacts of elevated UV-B on forest ecosystems A. McLeod; 15. Effects of ultraviolet radiation and elevated CO2 on heathland communities S. Moody; 16. Alterations in competitive balance M. Caldwell; 17. Interactions between trophic levels N. Paul; Index.

Editorial Reviews

"...my highlighted, underlined, and annotated review copy of Plants and UV-B has become my principal reference on this fascinating topic. It's an expensive book, but one that I enthusiastically recommend." Forrest M. Mims III, BioScience

"Plants and UV-B is a fascinating volume, as much for its ability to highlight the gaps in current knowledge as for its broad and integrative approach. By raising so many questions, it should serve as a catalyst for much future work. I highly recommend it for plant biologists and for graduate students who are interested in biochemistry, physiology, ecology, and environmental sciences." Thomas J. Herbert, Plant Science Bulletin

"Until now, those wanting to learn about this topic have had to rely on hard-to-find conference proceedings and searches of the various ecology, horticulture, and photobiology journals and Web sites. Now, there is Plants and UV-B, a comprehensive collection of 17 tightly edited survey articles on virtually every key aspect of this timely topic... Editor Peter J. Lumsden's deft editorial touch is clearly evident throughout the text, and the technical content and organization are excellent...Although the book is directed to plant biologists, biologists of all persuasions and the geophysicists who monitor ozone and UV-B will likely find much of interest." BioScience

"This book constitutes an excellent review of current knowledge in the area of the changing UV-B environment and plant responses. This is an excellent source of information and further references on the subject of plants and UV-B." Dawn Gordon, CBA/ABC Bulletin

...this book is amazingly complete on the possible future effects of increased UV-B levels on plants and the effect this could have on the entirety of life on planet Earth...'Plants and UV-B: Responses to Environmental Change' has information to enhance the work of physicists, photobiologists, cell and whole plant physiologists...I believe it fills a void in that it is a comprehensive review of our current knowledge of the subject of UV-B and plants and would be an excellent addition for the library of any institution offering advanced degrees in the sciences or to a researcher's bookshelf."-Renée M. Schloupt, HortScience

From the Publisher