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Gurevitch, J., S. M. Scheiner, & G. A. Fox, 2006. The Ecology of Plants. Second Edition. Sinauer Associates, xvii + 574 p., 22 × 28 cm, hardcover, US$96.50, ISBN 0-87893-294-1.
In this second edition of their book, The ecology of plants, Gurevitch, Scheiner and Fox were able to improve significantly an already very well written and illustrated textbook. The high quality of color figures and photos makes this book very enjoyable to read.
The ecology of plants is divided into 5 sections starting from a small scale perspective of how individuals perceive and respond to the environment that surround them to global patterns and processes that determine the causes of large-scale vegetation patterns. In the first three chapters, readers will find up-to-date information on local processes that influence plant growth. Photosynthesis rate limitations, evolution of the different photosynthetic pathways, water relations, energy balance and mineral nutrition are covered in details. Some spectacular photos (see the Poor's man umbrella, p. 66) contribute to the learning experience proposed by the authors. They also present some controversial research questions such as: do sun and shade adaptations exist within species? Moreover, Chapter 4 on soils is particularly interesting and will allow undergraduate students to realize the importance of having good knowledge in pedology to adequately study plant communities.
In the next four chapters (section 2), the reader...