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Showing papers in "Advances in Ecological Research in 1971"


Book ChapterDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors illustrate the literature on those plants and micro-organisms which can combat excessive quantities of heavy metal ions, which are poisonous and can cause death of most living organisms.
Abstract: Publisher Summary This chapter illustrates the literature on those plants and micro-organisms which can combat excessive quantities of heavy metal ions. Heavy metals include those metals which have density greater than five. Their common feature in regard to biological life is that in excessive quantities they are poisonous and can cause death of most living organisms. However, certain organisms possess an ability to survive under conditions of metal contamination which can prove toxic to other living things. Toxic levels of heavy metals can occur under several circumstances. The chapter focuses on the type of contamination in which the soil itself contains large quantities of these metals. The contamination results from the presence of undisturbed metal ore near the soil surface causing anomalies or from the actual mining of ore bodies. The vegetation in such areas is influenced by one overriding factor, namely, metal concentration. The habitats are usually spatially distinct and clear cut. It is observed that the sequence and pattern of genetic change responsible for colonization of metal-contaminated areas serves as a unique record of natural selection in action.

1,209 citations


Book ChapterDOI
TL;DR: This chapter describes the data which supports the concept of dividing plants in distinct groups in order to analyze some ecological implications and consequences of a particular division and describes various criteria's based on which the plants are divided in distinct group.
Abstract: Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the ecological implications of dividing plants in groups with distinct photosynthetic production capacities. The productivity of photosynthetic organisms is a fundamental factor in ecological relationships. It is observed that data on plant anatomy, plant physiology, and plant biochemistry have largely converged with the recognition of distinct groups of plants with several distinct characteristics including photosynthetic production capacity. One of the distinguishing characteristics of each plant group is the rate of net photosynthesis which in one major group of plants is two to threefold higher than the second major group of plants. This chapter describes the data which supports the concept of dividing plants in distinct groups in order to analyze some ecological implications and consequences of a particular division. The chapter also describes various criteria's based on which the plants are divided in distinct group. These include anatomical, physiological, and biochemical criteria's. In specific, the chapter considers photosynthetic capacity as a dominating factor in ecology. It states that solar energy is the major energy source and a plant which can add energy two to three times faster into an ecosystem than another plant must be considered when explaining or studying that ecosystem.

225 citations


Book ChapterDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a more precise description of long term climatic trends can help in evaluating some of the changes in vegetational distribution and plant growth which can then be related to these trends.
Abstract: Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the vegetational distribution, free growth, and crop success in relation to recent climatic change It is noted that a more precise description of long term climatic trends can help in evaluating some of the changes in vegetational distribution and plant growth which can then be related to these trends Changes in plant growth and vegetational distribution for which a climatic explanation is possible, are largely synchronous throughout the world Temperature trends indicated by the botanical data, parallel those of the physical indexes with a cooling beginning in the 13 th century, a very minor recovery evidenced by a few studies in the 15 th or 16 th centuries, a minimum in the 17 th century and a subsequent increase to the 20 th century with a secondary minimum in the 19 th There is a certain sensitivity of vegetation to climatic change on the order of centuries This sensitivity is in marked contrast to the failure to establish vegetation-climate relationships based on yearly or decadal means which has led some scientists to consider climatic change of little significance in interpreting vegetation dynamics

61 citations


Book ChapterDOI
TL;DR: The impact of conservation and management on the fishing industry, the scientific conclusions, or the most important aspects can be summarized by using a single curve relating the amount of fishing to the average catch.
Abstract: Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the ecological aspects of fishery research. It is noted that most fishery research is carried out in government laboratories, so that the research is expected to produce results of clear practical value. It is important for a fishery research worker to be able to visualize the results of work that can be applied in the interests of the fishing industry. In context to the applications of fishery research, the immediate effects are concerned mainly with direct improvement of catches. Fishing is still in the hunting or primitive pre-agricultural phase, however hunting is done with very advanced weapons. The modern fishing vessel has a wealth of modern equipment for detecting, catching, or processing the fish. Ecologists can give guidance on the most promising areas for fishing. The biggest impact on the ecological sciences on the fishing industry is produced by conservation and management of fishery resources. Essentially, the impact of conservation and management on the fishing industry, the scientific conclusions, or the most important aspects, can be summarized by using a single curve relating the amount of fishing to the average catch.

29 citations