Overview

Emerging from decades of intensive research into alpine timberlines, Trees at their Upper Limit presents a complete modern synthesis of current knowledge on the ecophysiology of tree growth and survival on high mountains in Europe. Including chapters on soil properties and the role of mycorrhiza, carbon assimilation and allocation, phytopathogens, and the impact of global change on photooxidative stress, the book builds on Tranquillini’s landmark 1979 publication, Physiological Ecology of the Alpine Timberline. By combining new techniques and insights with existing core knowledge the authors explore a range of current hypotheses on tree life limitation to promote a greater understanding of the underlying mechanisms determining the upper timberline. Amid growing realization that high elevation forests have a crucial role to play in protection against natural hazards, this book represents a timely contribution to the current literature on timberline research. Drawing together more than 25 years of work, it sets a new standard on the ecophysiology of trees growing at the alpine timberline.

Full Product Details

Author:   Gerhard Wieser ,  Michael Tausz
Publisher:   Springer
Imprint:   Springer
Edition:   Softcover reprint of hardcover 1st ed. 2007
Volume:   5
Weight:   0.403kg
ISBN:  

9789048172757

ISBN 10:   9048172756
Pages:   232
Publication Date:   20 November 2010
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Manufactured on demand  
We will order this item for you from a manufactured on demand supplier.

Table of Contents

Preface. Contributors.- 1. Current concepts for treelife limitation at the upper timberline. 1.1 Introduction. 1.2 Altitudinal position of the upper timberline and its relation to climate. 1.3 Current concepts of upper tree life limits. 1.3.1 Climatic stress. 1.3.2 Disturbance. 1.3.3 Insufficient carbon balance. 1.3.4 Limitation to cell growth and tissue formation. 1.3.5 Nutritional limitation. 1.3.6 Limited regeneration. References.- 2. Climate at the upper timberline. 2.1 Introduction. 2.2 Effects of altitude. 2.3 Effects of topography. 2.4 Canopy and soil temperatures. References.- 3. Soils - heterogeneous at a microscale. 3.1 Introduction. 3.2 Specific pedogenetic factors at the timberline. 3.2.1 Parent material. 3.2.2 Precipitation. 3.2.3 Soil moisture. 3.2.4 Soil temperature. 3.2.5 Erosion processes and soil age. 3.2.6 Permafrost. 3.2.7 Vegetation and soil. 3.2.8 Timberline fluctuations. 3.2.9 Grazing. 3.3 Soil types and humus forms. 3.3.1 Soils on siliceous parent material. 3.3.2 Soils on calcareous parent material. References.- 4. Mycorrhiza in the alpine timberline ecotone: nutritional implications. 4.1 Introduction. Mycorrhizal symbioses in the alpine-treeline ecotone. 4.3 Nutritional aspects with special reference to organic nitrogen. 4.4 Concluding remarks. References.- 5. Vegetation at the upper timberline. 5.1 Introduction. 5.2 Growth forms at the timberline. 5.3 Plant communities at the timberline. 5.3.1 Spruce forests (Picea abies communities). 5.3.2 Fir forests (Abies alba communities). 5.3.3 Larch-Swiss stone pine forests (Larix decidua-Pinus cembra communities). 5.3.4 Larch forests (Larix decidua communities). 5.3.5 Pinus uncinata forests. 5.3.6 Prostrate pine scrub (Pinus mugo communities). 5.3.7 Sycamore-beech forest (Acer pseudoplatanus-Fagus sylvatica communities). 5.3.8 Green alder and willow scrub. 5.3.9 Dwarf shrub heath. 5.3.10 Substitutional communities due to human landuse at the timberline. References.- 6. Limitation by an insufficient carbon assimilation and allocation. 6.1 Introduction. 6.2 Uptake and loss of carbon dioxide. 6.2.1 Net photosynthetic capacity and specific respiratory capacity of trees in the timberline ecotone. 6.2.2 Net photosynthetic capacity and specific respiratory activity with respect to altitude. 6.2.3 Environmental constraints of carbon dioxide gas exchange. 6.3 Carbon balance and allocation. 6.3.1 The carbon balance. 6.3.2 Carbon allocation. 6.4 Carbon accumulation of trees in the timberline ecotone. 6.4.1 Dry matter accumulation patterns. 6.4.2 Changes in carbon accumulation with tree age. 6.5 Net ecosystem production at timberline. References.- 7. Limitation by growth processes. 7.1 Introduction. 7.2 Shoot growth at low temperatures. 7.3 Root growth at low soil temperature. 7.4 Threshold temperature for growth. References.- 8. Limits in water relations. 8.1 Introduction. 8.2 Precipitation, soil moisture and evaporation. 8.3 Transpiration. 8.4 Water Transport. 8.5 Water uptake. 8.6 Water balance. References.- 9. Phytopathogens at the alpine timberline. 9.1 Introduction. 9.2 Fungal pathogens at the alpine timberline. 9.3 Effects of the needle rust Chrysomyxa on Norway spruce. References.- 10. Frost resistance at the upper timberline. 10.1 Introduction. 10.2 Frost damage. 10.2.1 Winter. 10.2.2 Frost hardening capacity. 10.2.3 Summer. 10.2.4 Rate of temperature change. References.- 11. Photo-oxidative stress at the timberline. 11.1 Introduction. 11.2 Mechanisms of ROS production in green plant cells under stress. 11.3 Antioxidative and photoprotective systems in plant cells. 11.4 Factors causing photo-oxidative stress at the timberline. 11.5 Antioxidative and photoprotecti

Reviews

"Aus den Rezensionen: ""Die Ursachen fur die allmahliche Auflosung des Waldes mit zunehmender Hohe der Gebirge beschaftigt seit langem Geographen und Okologen. ... Im vorliegenden Band ... fassen elf Autoren die neuesten Befunde zu diesem Problem zusammen. In den ersten funf Kapiteln werden ... Forschungskonzepte und grundlegende Eigenschaften fur das Pflanzenleben an der Baumgrenze vorgestellt ... Danach folgen detaillierte Darstellungen der Grenzfaktoren. ... Das ... Schlusskapitel fasst die wesentlichen Ergebnisse dieser grundlichen, mit zahlreichen Literaturnachweisen ausgestatteten Studie zusammen. ... Das Werk ist einwandfrei hergestellt, die ... Abbildungen sind gut verstandliche Graphiken ..."" (Ernst Rohrig, in: Forstarchiv, 2007, Vol. 78, Issue 3, S. 103)"

Aus den Rezensionen: Die Ursachen fur die allmahliche Auflosung des Waldes mit zunehmender Hohe der Gebirge beschaftigt seit langem Geographen und A-kologen. ! Im vorliegenden Band ! fassen elf Autoren die neuesten Befunde zu diesem Problem zusammen. In den ersten funf Kapiteln werden ! Forschungskonzepte und grundlegende Eigenschaften fur das Pflanzenleben an der Baumgrenze vorgestellt ! Danach folgen detaillierte Darstellungen der Grenzfaktoren. ! Das ! Schlusskapitel fasst die wesentlichen Ergebnisse dieser grundlichen, mit zahlreichen Literaturnachweisen ausgestatteten Studie zusammen. ! Das Werk ist einwandfrei hergestellt, die ! Abbildungen sind gut verstandliche Graphiken ! (Ernst Rohrig, in: Forstarchiv, 2007, Vol. 78, Issue 3, S. 103)

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