Seeds Ecology, Biogeography, and Evolution of Dormancy and Germination

The evolution of seeds has contributed to one of the most astonishing explosions of biodiversity in history. Indeed, most plants employ seeds as reproductively crucial structures. Everything about seeds involves timing. Seeds result from fertilization occurring when conditions are favorable, i.e., after sufficient resources have been devoted to reproductive tissues. Furthermore, seeds help ensure that there are the necessary stored materials for the early growth and development of the next generation of plants. And finally, seeds allow the next generation to wait in a form of suspended animation until conditions for the next generation are once again favorable. This book about seeds focuses upon their two most important functions--dormancy and germination. The 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. Ecologists, plant scientists, agriculturists, foresters--indeed, anyone interested in plants and their life cycles will want to add this title to his or her library. Praise for the Book: "...it should be on the bookshelf of any ecologist, evolutionist, or theoretician who needs to know how seeds can be coaxed to get on with the rest of their life." --SCIENCE "...the wealth of information as filtered through the decades of experience that the Baskins have make this an important book. For anyone interested in any aspect of seed germination, this is the place to start." --ECOLOGY "It is not often that a text may be viewed as a source book for an entire subject. Yet...that is exactly what this is. The book contains an exhaustive coverage of the subject and will undoubtedly become the fundamental reference on seed ecology for many years to come. It is a book that should be found in every scientific library and in the personal collections of anyone interested in the importance of seeds in ecology." --TROPICAL ECOLOGYBaskin, Carol C. is the author of 'Seeds Ecology, Biogeography, and Evolution of Dormancy and Germination' with ISBN 9780120802630 and ISBN 0120802635.