Ecophysiology of Tropical Plants: Recent Trends and Future Perspectives

Plants in tropical region are coping with enormous challenge of physiological stresses owing to the changing environmental and climatic conditions. Rapid growth of human population and rampant exploitation of fossil fuels and other developmental activities are actively contributing to such perturbations. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has projected a sustained increase in CO2 and thereby rise in global temperature in the coming decades. The resultant changes in precipitation pattern are now evident across the globe due to intensification of hydrological cycle. Moreover, gaseous, and particulate pollutants are also an immense challenge for tropical plants. Such vagaries in environmental conditions have significant impact on the eco-physiological traits of plants, resulting from altered interactions of tropical plants with each other as well as other biotic and abiotic components within the ecosystem. Books available in the market that particularly focuses on eco-physiological responses of tropical plants to abiotic and biotic environmental factors under climate change are limited. This book intends to fill this knowledge gap and provides a detailed analysis on eco-physiological responses of tropical plants to these environmental challenges as well as suggest some approachable measures for plant adaptations to these challenges. The book is equally applicable to undergraduate and postgraduate students, researchers, teachers and forest managers, and policy makers. Salient features of the book are: Provides a comprehensive discussion on adaptive mechanisms of plants through their eco-physiological responses to various biotic and abiotic stresses. Elaborates upon the recent techniques involved in eco-physiological research. A detailed account on evolutionary responses of plants to changing climate is provided. Recent research results and some pointers to future advancements in eco-physiological research. Information presented in an accessible way for students, researchers and teachers practicing in plant physiology and ecology.