The Evolutionary Biology of Plants - Softcover

Niklas, Karl J.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0226580830 ISBN 13: 9780226580838

Publisher: University of Chicago Press, 1997

Synopsis

Although they are among the most abundant of all living things and provide essential oxygen,
food, and shelter to the animal kingdom, few books pay any attention to how and why plants
evolved the wondrous diversity we see today. In this richly illustrated and clearly written book,
Karl J. Niklas provides the first comprehensive synthesis of modern evolutionary biology as it
relates to plants.

After presenting key evolutionary principles, Niklas recounts the saga of plant life from its
origins to the radiation of the flowering plants. To investigate how living plants might have
evolved, Niklas conducts a series of computer-generated "walks" on fitness "landscapes,"
arriving at hypothetical forms of plant life strikingly similar to those of today and the distant
past. He concludes with an extended consideration of molecular biology and paleontology.

An excellent overview for undergraduates, this book will also challenge graduate students and
researchers.

About this title

From the Publisher:

Book Reviews:
"This much-needed review of the evolution of plants from the origin of life on earth to the most advanced flowering plants is more than a textbook. As a paleobotanist, Niklas has provided an excellent insight into the history of the plant kingdom, but the text is brought to life through many fascinating facts about living plants, by molecular and genetic information, and by a balanced review of such topics as the species concept and of cladistic methods." – Sir Ghillean Prance, Director, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

"This book conveys a brilliant, up-to-date vision of evolutionary plant biology. Every biologist, from the student to the experienced specialist, should profit from its fresh outlook." - Peter Endress, Institute of Systematic Botany, University of Zürich

"Plant biologists have in one sense been waiting many years for this book, and yet perhaps its real importance lies in the fact they did not realize it was coming." - Nature

"So well does the author explain as he goes along that The Evolutionary Biology of Plants should be accessible to all biologists and interested non-biologists. It is not easy reading, but the text is both authoritative and enjoyable." - Times Literary Supplement

"Those interested in the evolution of plant life, and in evolution in general, will certainly find this work insightful and well worth reading." - American Scientist

"Karl Niklas, a brilliant student of evolutionary plant morphology, has presented a work that ties together the major themes of evolution in an impressive and extraordinarily useful synthesis." - Peter Raven, Director, Missouri Botanical Garden

"Niklas draws masterfully from population biology, physiology, mechanics, and paleontology in fashioning a distinctive perspective on plant evolution. Don;t read this book unless you want to think." - Andrew Knoll, Harvard University

"This book is very well written, especially current, thought provoking, and an excellent synthesis. Niklas not only highlights some of the major evolutionary innovations involving plants, but also presents a fresh, synthetic perspective on the role that both extant and fossil plants may play in interpreting evolution. The entire text can used by undergraduate students with minimal background in the biological sciences." - Thomas Taylor, University of Kansas

Synopsis:

This text provides a comprhensive synthesis of modern evolutionary biology as it relates to plants. It recounts the saga of plant life from its origins to the radiation of the flowering plants. Through computer-generated "walks" the book arrives at plant forms strikingly similar to actual living plants and those of the distant past, showing how living plants might have evolved. It concludes with an extended consideration of molecular biology and paleontology.

About this edition

• Publisher: University of Chicago Press
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 0226580830
• ISBN 13: 9780226580838
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 469