Seeds: Ecology, Biogeography, and, Evolution of Dormancy and Germination

by Carol C. Baskin, Jerry M. Baskin

Overview

The new edition of Seeds contains new information on many topics discussed in the first edition, such as fruit/seed heteromorphism, breaking of physical dormancy and effects of inbreeding depression on germination. New topics have been added to each chapter, including dichotomous keys to types of seeds and kinds of dormancy; a hierarchical dormancy classification system; role of seed banks in restoration of plant communities; and seed germination in relation to parental effects, pollen competition, local adaption, climate change and karrikinolide in smoke from burning plants.

The database for the world biogeography of seed dormancy has been expanded from 3,580 to about 13,600 species. New insights are presented on seed dormancy and germination ecology of species with specialized life cycles or habitat requirements such as orchids, parasitic, aquatics and halophytes. Information from various fields of science has been combined with seed dormancy data to increase our understanding of the evolutionary/phylogenetic origins and relationships of the various kinds of seed dormancy (and nondormancy) and the conditions under which each may have evolved. This comprehensive synthesis of information on the ecology, biogeography and evolution of seeds provides a thorough overview of whole-seed biology that will facilitate and help focus research efforts.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780124166776
Publisher:	Elsevier Science
Publication date:	03/13/2014
Edition description:	2nd Revised ed.
Pages:	1600
Product dimensions:	8.80(w) x 11.00(h) x 2.30(d)

About the Author

Over 50 years’ experience in seed germination ecology, biogeography, and evolution of seed dormancy and germination. Dr Baskin has a Ph.D. in biology from Vanderbilt University and has held several teaching posts in the fields of agricultural sciences and biology in the US and Europe. Dr Baskin’s current research at the University of Kentucky focuses on the life cycle and germination ecology of woody and herbaceous species of angiosperms; biology, conservation, and geographical ecology of plant taxa endemic to cedar (limestone) glades of unglaciated eastern United States; and plant geography of Kentucky.

She has written several publications on the subject of seed germination, most notably Seeds: Ecology, biogeography, and evolution of dormancy (Elsevier), in collaboration with her husband Dr Jerry M. Baskin.

Dr Baskin received his Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University in June 1967 and after 1 year of postdoctoral work at the University of Florida joined the University of Kentucky (UK) Biology faculty in 1968. He was promoted to Full Professor in 1981and retired from UK in June 2011. Almost all of his publications are co-authored with Carol C. Baskin. He has approximately 520 journal articles plus 14 book chapters and 10 publications in symposium and conference proceedings. The first edition of “Seeds” was published in 1998 and the second edition in 2014. The book on rock outcrops and barrens (co-edited with J. Fralish and R. Anderson) was published in 1999.

Table of Contents

Seeds: Ecology, biogeography, and evolution of dormancy and germination

Second Edition

Carol C. Baskin and Jerry M. Baskin

Chapter 1. Introduction

Chapter 2. Ecologically Meaningful Germination Studies

Chapter 3. Types of Seeds and Kinds of Seed Dormancy

Chapter 4. Germination Ecology of Seeds with Nondeep Physiological Dormancy

Chapter 5. Germination Ecology of Seeds with Morphophysiological Dormancy

Chapter 6. Germination Ecology of Seeds with Physical Dormancy

Chapter 7. Germination Ecology of Seeds in the Persistent Seed Bank

Chapter 8. Variation in Seed Dormancy, Germination and Size Within and Between Individuals and Populations of a Species

Chapter 9. A Geographical Perspective on Germination Ecology: Tropical and Subtropical Zones

Chapter 10. A Geographical Perspective on Germination Ecology: Temperate and Arctic Zones

Chapter 11. Germination Ecology of Plants with Specialized Life Cycles and/or Habitats

Chapter 12. Biogeographical and Evolutionary Aspects of Seed Dormancy

References

Subject Index

Taxonomic Index

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

Winner of the New York Botanical Garden's Henry Allen Gleason Award (given annually for "...an outstanding recent publication in the field of plant taxonomy, plant ecology, or plant geography)

Editorial Reviews

"Researchers, students, and professionals will find it invaluable, particularly if they are interested in plant ecology, evolution, diversity, biogeography, or conservation . Summing Up: Highly recommended." —Choice

From the Publisher

This textbook, suitable for ecologists, plant scientists, agriculturists, and foresters, synthesizes a diverse body of knowledge on seed germination with a focus on the two most important functions: dormancy and germination. Topics covered include the types of dormancy, theories of the relationship between dormancy and germination, the timing of germination, the various factors that control germination, and the general aspects of germination in different sorts of habitats. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

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