Bookreviews

PAUL A. C0LINVAUX INTRODUCTIO~

TO

ECOLOGY

J o h n W i l e y a n d Sons, Ill(;., New York, L o n d o n , S y d n e y et T o r o n t o 1973, pp. ix-" 621. A t first, one is t e m p t e d to say: " W e l l , a n o t h e r ecological t e x t b o o k " . B u t t h e a u t h o r ' s a p p r o a c h c o n t r a s t s w i t h t h e holistic a p p r o a c h m o s t p o p u l a r n o w a d a y s w h i c h p l a c e s t h e e c o s y s t e m a n d t h e s t u d y o f its s t r u c t u r e , f u n c t i o n i n g a n d d y n a m i c s a t t h e v e r y c e n t r e of ecology. F o r CO~r t h e e c o s y s t e m is a useful c o n c e p t arid art e x t e n s i o n of t h e earlier c o n c e p t of t h e c o m m u n i t y , h u t it is n o t a " w o n d e r f u l o r g t a i z o d boast". I n h i s o w n words, t h e g r a n d e s t q u e s t i o n for ecology t o a n s w e r is: " W h y does t h e world c o n t a i n t h e n u m b e r of p l a n t s a n d a n i m a l s w h i c h it d o e s ? " W i t h s o m e simplification, one m a y s a y t h a t t h e whole book traces t h e p a t h s a l o n g w h i c h ecolog i s t s h a v e been t r y i n g to a n s w e r t h i s as well as o t h e r related crucial q u e s t i o n s s u c h as competition, succession, a n d t h e species c o m p o s i t i o n of biotic c o m m u n i t i e s . L e a d i n g t h e reader t h r o u g h t h e m a z e of t h e s e p r o b l e m s , COLLN'VXtrXd i s c a r d s as r e d u n d a n t q u i t e a few a s s u m p t i o n s s t e m m i n g from t h e holistie a p p r o a c h to ecology. H i s s t a r t i n g p o i n t is t h e D a r w i n i a n view of e v o l u t i o n b y n a t u r a l selection o p e r a t i n g a t t h e level of i n d i v i d u a l o r g a n i s m s . H e n c e t h e m a i n s t r u c t u r a l a n d f u n c t i o n a l u n i t s of living n a t u r e a r e i n d i v i d u a l s a n d t h e i r p o p u l a t i o n s . All a t t r i b u t e s o f c o m m u n i t i e s or e c o s y s t e m s c a n be derived f r o m t h e s t r a t e g i e s w h i c h t h e i r c o n s t i t u e n t biota a d o p t w h e n s t r i v i n g to m a k e t h e best use of t h e resources offered b y t h e h a b i t a t . C o n s e q u e n t l y , v e g e t a t i o n a n d w i t h it t h e whole o f living n a t u r e , are r e g a r d e d as a c o n t i n u u m ; d i s j u n c t i o n s are r a t h e r e x c e p t i o n a l a n d are e a u ~ d either b y d i s r u p t i o n s a n d c a t a s t r o p h e s or b y s o m e clear-cut e n v i r o n m e n t a l b o u n d a r i e s . I n t h e v a r i o u s b l e n d s of p o p u l a t i o n s , w h i c h are called c o m m u n i t i e s e a c h species p o p u l a t i o n develops its n i c h e b y i n t e r a c t i n g w i t h o t h e r p o p u l a t i o n s . E v a s i o n from c o m p e t i t i o n t h r o u g h c h a r a c t e r d i s p l a c e m e n t a n d choice of t h e m o s t s u i t a b l e microhabitar is p r o b a b l y m o r e c o m m o n t h a n c o m p e t i t i v e exclusion. T h e s t r a t e g i e s for s u r v i v a l , a d o p t e d by p o p u l a t i o n s in r e s p o n s e to t h e p r e s s u r e s of b o t h e n v i r o n m e n t a n d o t h e r b i o t a r a n g e f r o m a n o p p o r t u n i s t i c b o h a v i o u r s u c h as t h a t of p i o n e e r p l a n t species, to a m o r e stabilized b e h a v i o u r in e q u i l i b r i u m species. T h e f o r m e r p r e v a i l in e a r l y a n d t h e l a t t e r in late s u c c e s s i o n a l stages. T h e clim a x is viewed o n l y as a relatively l o n g - l a s t i n g stage, a n d s u c c e s s i o n is m o s t l y denied a n y selfr e g u l a t o r y m e c h a n i s m s . N e i t h e r do c o m m u n i t i e s or e c o s y s t e m s possess a n y s u c h m e c h a n i s m s in a d d i t i o n to t h o s e w h i c h c a n be p r e d i c t e d -- a t l e a s t in t h e o r y -- f r o m t h e s t r a t e g i e s o f t h e i r c o n s t i t u e n t s . I n c o n n e c t i o n w i t h t h e a u t h o r ' s m a i n i n t e r e s t in e x p l a i n i n g t h e d i v e r s i t y a n d species r i c h n e s s of t h e l i v i n g world, a n a t t r a c t i v e h y p o t h e s i s is p u t forward, n a m e l y t h a t of t h e a n a l o g T b e t w e e n t h e p r e d a t o r -- p r e y a n d h e r b i v o r e -- p l a n t r e l a t i o n s h i p s . M u c h of t h e p a t t e r n a n d v a r i e t y o f v e g e t a t i o n c a n be e x p l a i n e d in t e r m s of a p e r p e t u o u s h i d e - a n d - s e e k g a n m b e t w e e n p a r t i c u l a r p l a n t s a n d t h e i r h e r b i v o r e s or p a r a s i t e s . O n e m a y d i s p u t e s o m e of t h e a u t h o r ' s s t a t e m e n t s a n d p e r h a p s p o i n t to s o m e p r e m a t u r e gen e r a l i z a t i o n s t h a t h e h a s been q u i c k to m a k e . Y e t , h i s p r e s e n t a t i o n of ecological p r o b l e m s h a s a s t r a i g h t f o r w a r d logic. T h e r e a d e r is also m a d e to t h i n k a l o n g w i t h t h e a u t h o r . O n e i n c o n s i s t e n c y , lo~ u s h o p e a s e m a n t i c one, o c c u r s w h e n C,OLI.'~VAVX a p p e a r s to be d e a l i n g w i t h species a s if t h e y were real entities, n o t m e r e l y a b s t r a c t categories. B u t w h y s h o u l d t h e species be a c a t e g o r y b ~ i c a l ] y different f r o m a n y o t h e r categories u s e d b y m a n in order to u n d e r s t a n d t h e p a t t e r n s of living n a t u r e ? I n m a n y i n s t a n c e s , species a r e easier to define, of course, b u t t h a t is t h e o n l y difference. I n p u r s u i t of h i s logic, COLISVAUX h a s s t r e s s e d s o m e a s p e c t s o f ecology w h i l e o t h e r s a r e only o u t l i n e d . I t is m a i n l y s t r u c t u r e s , p a t t e r n s a n d t h e i r d y n a m i c s t h a t a r e d i s c u s s e d a t l e n g t h . T h e processes w h o s e o u t c o m e is t h e f u n c t i o n i n g o f e c o s y s t e m s receive less a t t e n t i o n . T h i s is p r o b a b l y

442

FOLIA GEOBOTANICA ET PHYTOTAXONOMICA. 10, 1975

also consistent with the a u t h o r ' s a t t i t u d e , a n d one can only welcome a book which represents, at least in t h e eyes of a Continental E u r o p e a n , a non-conventional introduction to ecology. I t is also pleasant to read, a n d ecology is still t r e a t e d as a subject which a t t r a c t s keen observers a n d lovers of living nature. T h e book is only modestly loaded w i t h m a t h e m a t i c a l formulae, equations, c o m p a r t m e n t a l models, chemistry, physics, etc. -- briefly all t h e stuff for which m a n y a naturalist finds it difficult to come to t e r m s w i t h c o n t e m p o r a r y ecology. Those approaching ecology from t h e other side, t h a t of the more exact sciences, m a y regard t h i s a shortcoming. The t e x t of the book is divided into four m a i n parts: 1 -- " T h e Ecological Side of Geology" (7 chapters, 119 pp.), w i t h due stress on t h e development of ecology as a scientific discipline; 2 -- " A n i m a l s a n d P l a n t s as P a r t s of N a t u r a l S y s t e m s " (12 c h a p t e r s , 167 pp.), n o t forgetting t h e microbes (despite the title), a n d describing n a t u r e ' s h u s b a n d r y with a strong e m p h a s i s on t h e relationship between an o r g a n i s m a n d its energy and raw material supply; 3 -- " T h e Natural Cheeks on N u m b e r s " (16 chapters, 206 pp.), m o s t l y dealing w i t h populations a n d their interactions; 4 -- " A n E v o l u t i o n a r y View of t h e P a t t e r n of Life" (5 chapters, 72 pp.), which discusses the principal problems s u c h as the c o m m o n n e s s a n d rarity of species, species v a r i e t y of communities, a n d succession, a n d gives a final synthesis. The previews preceding each of t h e 41 chapters are useful for all readers of t h e book. I t s whole setup a n d p r i n t are clear, only a few m i s p r i n t s or misspellings of n a m e s could have been perhaps spared. E a c h page h a s a broad margin, appar e n t l y for t h e s t u d e n t s ' notes and c o m m e n t s . T h i s need not be regarded as waste of paper as t h e book is p r i n t e d on 40 per cent. recycled paper. As t h i s review h a s been written for a geobotanieal journal, it m a y well end b y r e c o m m e n d i n g ~he book in t h e first place to those who would benefit if their u n q u e s t i o n e d belief in their particular approach to vegetaion s t u d y were a little shattered. Nor will either p l a n t or s y s t e m ecologists h a v e read t h i s book in vain if they come to agree with COLL'~VAUXt h a t t h e y m u s t n o t " m i s s t h e trees for t h e wood". JAx KvitT

K. S~ZR~ a n d L. RocHE GENETICS

OF FOREST

ECOSYSTEMS

Ecological Studies 6. -- Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg et New York 1974, 330 pp., 70 figs The series of "Ecological Studies" included several pioneer works on terrestrial a n d marine ecosystems. T h e forests have already been t r e a t e d in 2 volumes: one of t h e m , edited b y D. E. REIOHLE, was s t r e a m l i n e d to t h e analysis of biotic a n d e n v i r o n m e n t a l components, t h e other, edited by H. ELLEN~'RG, contained the m e t h o d i c a l results of integrated I B P research in Germany. This 6th volume is a noticeable s y n t h e s i s of classical forest biology a n d modern genetics. Forest trees and forests s y s t e m s are described here b y m e a n s of the latest n o t i o n s and concepts, a n d illustrated by highly sophisticated e q u a t i o n s a n d diagrams. I n the first c h a p t e r the a u t h o r s introduce t h e concept of the ecological niche, as applied to forest tree species. The long a n d confused h i s t o r y of t h i s concept was c u t short by the authorB' decision to stick to t h e definition proposed b y HUTCHr~so~ in 1958: niche is a n n . d i m e n s i o n a l hyperspaee of e n v i r o n m e n t a l factors. [Though STERN a n d ROCHE do quote t h e later work of ItUTCHINSON, t h e y fail to complete t h e niche by " a relevant variable in t h e life of a species of o r g a n i s m " (HuTcHINSO.W 1965; 32) which m a k e s t h e niche concept reasonably separated from the " h a b i t a t " concept and, also, brings the niche closer to the original definition by ELTON, GRINNEL, ete.] The n e x t c h a p t e r describes the a d a p t a t i o n s of forest trees, b o t h in t h e "vegetative cycle" a n d t h e "reproductive cycle", the two aspects distinguished by STZRN a n d ROCHE. These pages are not only a reiteratioI~ of p'aenotypie modifications a n d genotypic a d a p t a t i o n s observed in forest trees, with regard to climatic, edaphie a n d biotic factors. W h e n e v e r possible, t h e a u t h o r s have utilized information on controlled genetical experiments which are, however, still scarce. In a few cases t h e y used examples of better explored herbaceous plants. I n a chapter called "Genetic S y s t e m s " t h e a u t h o r s deal with t h e mode of reproduction of t h e tree species (bisexual, haploid, etc) its population d y n a m i c s (population size, sex ratio, vagility, extent of p a n m i x i a or inbreeding, etc.), its chromosome cycle (meiosis nozmal in both sexes

443

BOOKREVIEWS

or anomalous in one or both), its recombination index, the presence or absence of va~ipns forms of genetic or cytological polymorphism in the r~atural population, and other characteristics which determine its hereditary bohaviour. This review of the main characteristics o f genetic systems among forest trees discloses a number of correlations which have normally escaped the attention of ecologists and sylvieulturists. The most detailed and original chapter contains the description of adaptive strategies in forest trees. The authors regard the adaptive value as equivalent to "mean fitness", a concept elaborated by CROW and KIMURA, TURHER and LEVlHS. Using the models of the last author, STF,RN and ROCHE explain the formal concept of adaptive strategy and give an illustrating example of the relationships between the population of Quercus rebut and Tortri~ viridana. Other divisions of the chapter deal with fitness set and optimum population, and with optimum populations in heterogeneous environments, i.e. continuous clines, discontinuous races, polymorphisms, the consequences of germ f e w , g*aetic drift, marginal populations, linkage and introgression. Those pages arc full of g.~netical symbols and mathematical equations, and will be properly understood only by students who are well versed irt genetics. The two concluding chapters analyse the general model of evolution in forest ecosystems, and describe the principal forest types occurring in the humid tropics, the temperate and the subarctic zone. Finally, they describe M~u's effect on forests. The three chosen examples summarize all available knowledge on the internal mechattisms controlling species composition and the structure of forest stands. This reviewer appreciated the discussion of the evolutionary explanation of the wealth of sp.~cies encountered in the tropical forests: in order to find a most objective explanation, STER~" and R o c h e confronted the 2 opposing theories published by FEDOROV (1966) and ASKTOY (1969), aud added the very balanced opinion provided by PIANKA (1966). Man's impact on the forest is described in a rather usual manner but there are many instructive details, such as the list of species t h a t are in danger of extinction, etc. This clearly written and useful book will provide all educated foresters and ecologists with a deeper insight into the life of forest trees and forest ecosystems. 70 figures, a long list of references, and the species index wilt assist in promoting current forestry investigations. JAN JRNix

~klLBRECIKTGERLACH METHODISCHE UNTERSTJCHUNGEN STICKSTO FFNETTOMINERALISATION

ZUR

BESTIMMUNG

DER

Scripts Geobotanica 5. -- Verlag Erich Goltze KG, GSttingen 1973, 115 S., 26 Abb. Der Stickstoffhaushalt des Bodens gehSrt zu den wichtlgsten 5kologischen Faktoren. Da der Stickstoff im Boden sehr mobil ist und seine Nachlieferung yon der T~tigkeit der Bodenmikroflora abh~ngt, bringt die Bestimmung des Stickstoffhaushaltes spezielle Probleme mit sich. Fiir die Bestiramung der Nettoproduktion des Mineralstickstoffes wird der yon HF_~SELMAHeingef'tihr~ Brutversuch zunehmend angewandt. Dieser Versuch beruht auf der Bestimmung des Mineralstickstoffzuwachses in der Bodenprobe, die im Plastikbeutel am Standort in der Entnahmetiefe f'ttr eine Periode gelagert wird. U m verliissliche und reproduzierbare Ergebnisse zu bekommen, ikberpriifte A. GERLACHsorgf92tig das gauze Verfahren yon der Probenahme, tiber die Behandlung der Bodenprobe bis zu den analytischen Methoden. Der &utor uutersuchte die Beeinflussung der Stickstoffmineralisation im Brutversuch dutch verschiedene Behandlung der Bodenprobe (z. B. dutch die ZerstSrung der Bodenstruktur, durch Mischung yon Bodenmaterial verschiedener Stellen eines Horizontes und Standorts und durch Auswirkuag dcr WLtrz~lm~sse). Zur analytischen B~stimmung des Mineralstickstoffes verwendete der Autor das Mikrodesti||ationsverfahren. Bet diesem Verfahren wird atLs dem Bodenauszug [in 1 % KAl(SO4)2] der Ammonium-Stickstoff nach der Zugsbe des Magaeeiumoxids mit Wasserdamlef abdestilliert, und nachher, nach der Zugabe yon Devardas Reagenz, die zum Ammonium reduzierte NO~/NO2-Stickstoffmenge. Der Stickstoff wurdo im Destillat titrimctriseh bestimmt. Der Autor veglich dieses Verfahren mit dem Mikrodiffusicmsverfahron nach Conway zur Ammoniumbestimmung mud dem Xylenolverfahren zur Nitrat-/Nitritbestimmung. Das Mikrodestilla,

444

FOLIA GEOBOTANICA ET PHYTOTAXONOMICA, 10, 1O7f~

tlonsverfahren sell bei einem halben Zeitaufwand dieselbe Resultate wie die beiden Verfahren liefern. Des kritische, statistisch gete~tete (:'berpriifung der Methoden zur Bestimmung der Nettoproduktion des Mineralstickstoffes bereichert bedeutend die 6kologisehe Methodik und wird bestimmt zur Vertiefnng unserer Kenntnisse fiber Stickstoff als 6kologischer Faktor beitragen. ~AROSLAV MORAVEC

I-L DIERSCHKE

SAUMGESELLSCHAFTEN IM V E G E T A T I O N S STAND()RTSGEFALLE AN W A L D I : t ~ N D E R N Seripta Gcobotaniea 6.

UND

- Vcrlag Erich GoItzc KG, GSttingen 1974, 246 S., 81 Abb., 23 Photos.

I n den letzten zehn Jahrcn sind wir Zeugon rasch wachsenden Interesses an sog. Saumgesell. schaften, die g~wShnlich in einer schmalen Zone am Kontakt zwischen den Waldbestanden und dera auliegondvn Freilandentwickelt sind. Die Einwirkung eines steilen Gef~lles yon 5kologisehen Faktoren, und nicht in letztcr P~ihe einige anthropische Einfliisse, spiegeln sich ia der spezifischen Artenz~tsammensetzung dieser ZSnosen wider. Die an der Grenzzone des Waldes und des Freilands vorkommenden Gesellschaften bieten so einen a~mserordentlich geeigneten Gegenstand fiir dan St udium d~,r Einwirkungen yon sehnell sich ver~,ndernden Lebensbedingungen sowohl auf Einzelpflanzen ulld ihre Populationen, als such a u f i h r e Vergesellschaftung. Die mcthodische Beschwerliehkeiteinerrichtigen Erfassung der Saum-Untersuchungen ist eine der Ursachen, class diese Ges~llschaftell verh~ltnismiissig lang fast ansser Aeht der ZSnologen und 0kologen gelassen wurden. Eine griimlliche A~alyso des floristischen Gef~lles, des I)ominantenweehsels und der Bildung neuer Artenverbindungen iu Abh/~ngigkeit yon dem Gef/i,lle der Standortsbedingungen bildet einen wertvollen Beitrag nicht nur zur enger spezialisierten Saumvegetationsforschung, sondern bezieht sich such auf die Syntaxonomie und Syn6kologie der Pflanzengesellchaften im allgemeinen Sinne. Von diesem Standpunkt aus gesehen, kann die Arbeit yon DnSaS('KKV. u n t e r die bedcut/mgvollen Vegetationsstudien eingereiht werden. Zahlreiche 5kologische Beobachtungen erm6gliehten dem Verfasser nieht nut mehrere hochinteressante SchhLssfolgerungen zu formulieren, sondern reihen die Arbeit unter die wichtigen Fachquellen ftir jeden Autor, der sich mit ~hnlicher Problematik befassen wird, ein. Die Studie bietet eine allseitige Charaktcristik dcr Saumvegetation und der Saumstandorte an Waldr/indern im Gebiet des Leine-Werra-Berglandes (Westdeutschland). lh'ach kurzer Besehreibung der Naturverh~ltnissc des Untersuchungsgebietes (S. 9--13)geht der Verfasser zur L6sung spezifischer Problematik der Saumvegetation fiber. Bemerkenswerte Ergebnisse enth~lt~ daa Kapitel fiber die Untersuehungen des floristischen Gef/~lles an ausgew/ihlten Transekt.en, dan eine treffende Charakteristik der Verbreitung hSherer Pflanzen an der Kontaktzone Wald-Freiland bringt. Die Ergebnisse stellen die Grundlage einer neuen Auffassung der Artengefiige yon Wald-Grenzbereichen und der Waldrandzonierung dar, die yon entscheidender Bedeutung ffir methodische Vorg/~nge der analytisehen Gel/indearbeiten ist. In naehfo|gendem Kapitel (S. 4 2 - 1 0 9 ) ist die syntaxonomische Charakteristik der Waldrandund Kontaktgesellschaf~n angeFfihrt, die dureh reiches Aufnahmenmaterial belegt wird. Die Einheiten in der Rangstufe yon Assoziationen werden in die Trifolio-Geranie~ea und Artemisietea vulgaris eingereiht, Aus den K o m m e n t a r e n zu einzelnen Einheiten und Einheitengruppen sind die Ansiehtsuntersehiede verachiedener Autoren auf die syntaxonomische Giiederung der Saumvegetation Mitteleuropas gut ersichtlich. Es ist nur zu bedauern, dass die thooretisehen Aspekte einer befriedigenden Abgrenzung der z6nologischen Einheiten vorn Verfasser nur kurz erw~hnt wurden (S. 44--45). Wertvollea analytisehes und synthetisohes Material enthiilt dan Kapitel tiber des Standortugef/~lle an Waldriindern (S. 112--208}, das durch den Versueh einer 6kologisehen Gesamtbewert~ung der Waldrandvegetation auf S. 212 bis 220 beendet wird. Die Standortsuntersuehungen wurden an 20 Orten und 67 ProbenfllLchen durehgeffihrt. Die Ergebnisse der Boden- lind Mikroklima-Untersuchungen, die als Grundlage fiir eine aUaeitige Au~wertung der Beziehungen zwisehen

BOOKREVIEWf5

445

9lem Standort u n d der A r t e n z u s a m m e n s e t z u n g des Beutandes ausgentitzt wurden, sind s u c h iusg e s a m t g r a p h i s c h sehr troffend boarbeitet. D u r c h die Broite des a n g e s a m m e l t e n Materials sowie d u t c h seine A u s w e r t u n g iiberschreite~ DIERSCHKE'S Studio den Rah~nen einer regionalen Arbeit. Sio k a n n nicht n u t sis eine wichtigo Informations- u n d Iimpirationsquelle f'tir enger gefasste U n t e r s u c h u n g e n der Saum- u n d Mantelvegetation der Waldr~nder dienen, sondern wird s u c h in anderen Oebieten der Vegetationsfors c h u n g weitgehend anwondbar sein. KARRL KO~2OKX~

R. HEOI~AUER CI-IEMOTAXONOMIE

DER

PFLANZEN

B a n d 6: Dicotyledoneae: Raffiesiaceae -- Zygophyllaceae Birkhiiuser Verlag, Basel e t S t u t t g a r t 1973, 882 pp. T h e a i m of Prof. H~O~A(rER'S m o n u m e n t a l work is to provide a comprehensive survey of a specialized field of botanical inquiry which is c u r r e n t l y in t h e process of rapid development. By drawing a t t e n t i o n to gaps in our knowledge t h e work m a y also help to direct t h e course of future research towards areas where it is m o s t needed. The series is now nearing completion, only one (the seventh) volume r e m a i n i n g to be published. The volume under review continues discussion of the e h e m o t a x o n o m y of t h e Dicotyledons. The major of the s i x t y families included are the Ranunculaceae (exel. Paeon4aceae), Rhamnaceae, Rosaceae, Rubiaceam, Rutaceae, Salicaceae,

Santalaceae, Sap4ndaceae, Sapotaesae, Saxifragaceae. Scrophulariacea~, Solanaceae, Ste~culiaceae (incl. Byttneriaceae), Symplocaceae, Theac~e, Thymelaeaceae, Tiliaceae (incl. Elaeocarpaceae), Umbelliferae, Urticaceae, Valerfanaceae, Verbenaceae, Violaceae, a n d V itaceae. As in t h e preceding volumes the families are arranged alphabetically. The t r e a t m e n t of each family is presented u n d e r t h e following headings: description including information on t h e k n o w n distribution, classification, anatomical characters, chemical characters, remarks, a n d s u m m a r y ; it is completed w i t h references to p e r t i n e n t literature. I n t r y i n g to be really up-to-date t h e a u t h o r added numerous s u p p l e m e n t a r y notes t a k i n g into a c c o u n t t h e newest literature available. The book is well indexed. W i t h respect to the favourable reception of t h e first five volumes of t h i s series the volume concorned was awaited with keen interest. I t is difficult to evaluate t h e t r e m e n d o u s a m o u n t of inform a t i o n contained in a m a n u a l of t h i s scope. Where I a m familiar with t a x a I find their t r e a t m e n t adequate. The t e x t is well w r i t t e n in a s m o o t h flowing m a n n e r which allows a n easy grasp of the ~ubject matter. There is no point in quarrelling over details when the ilfformation contained is so a b u n d a n t , well-organized, and easily useful. U n d o u b t e d l y the v o l u m e u n d e r review m a i n t a i n s the high scientific a n d technical s t a n d a r d of its predecessors. The series " C h e m o t a x o n o m i e der Pflanzen" is of t h e u t m o s t scientific value in various branches of b o t a n y a n d allied sciences, 9a n d should also be of great interest to c h e m i s t s a n d pharmacologists. I t should be a m o n g the basic works of a n y botanical library. JOSF.F MitstS~.x

M. I~DVES PALEOGENE P A R T II

FOSSIL

SPOP~OMORI'HS

Studia Biologica H u n g a r i c a 1 3 . -

OF THE

BAKONY

MOUNTAINS.

Akad6miai Kind6, Budapest 1974. 124 t)p., 35 Figs., 17 Plates.

I n a relatively short period of t i m e one year after the publication of the first part of t h e work, ~he ~ e o n d p a r t of t h e five-volume m o n o g r a p h o11 fossil sporomorphs of t h e B a k o n y Mountains ~n western H u n g a r y appeared in 1974. While the first p a r t was more or less general a n d offered a systematic stLrvey of spores only, the second p a r t deals w i t h all G y m n o s p e r m o u s a n d some Angle)st}orisons (Brevaxones) pollen grains. The sections concerning indiu sporomorphs are arran-

FOLIA GEOBOTANICA ET PHYTOTAXONOMICA, 10, 197~

446

ged in the same way as before: the name (and synonyms) is followed by taxonomic notes or, in newly described fossil species, by their diagnosis and typification. Whenever possible, relations between the fossil pollen species and the botanical taxonomic unit are established. The occurrence of fossil sporomorphs is treated both from the stratigraphic and topographic points of view. The author introduces a considerable number (30) of new pollen fossil species and seven new fossil genera ( Urkutipolleni~e~, Z~rc~polleniSes, Kopekipollenites, PorsniaglnaepoUenites, Xexapolle. n i ~ , Soaipollen~es, Greg~ssipolleni~es). I n addition, he displays ten new nomenclatorie combinations, many of which concern the fossil genera TriaSr~opolleni~s; in this group the author newly classifies the types originally dc~scribed by GLJLDKOVAas Alyrica and Cornp~nia. The author's conception of new fossil pollen species is very narrow, as is t h a t of most other pollen taxonomists working with fossil material. Sometimes it is so narrow t h a t the morphological differences between two taxa cannot be observed on the pictures of a pollen grain; they could be considered as differences caused by various degrees or kinds of fossilization (cf.e.g. Triporopollenites urkutensi~ n. fsp. and T. balinkaen~e n. fsp., mlbfsp, balinkaense). The whole monograph represents an i m p o r t a n t contribution to knowledge of palasogenous pollen flora in Europe. We arc all looking forward to the three remaining parts which, we hope, will appear in the not too distant future. The Hungarian Akad6miaei Kiad5 publishes the monograph in a practical form, with excellent printing. ELI~KA RYBNi~KOV.~

ERNA WEBER EINF~rHRUNG

IN DIE

FAKTORENANALYSE

V E B G. Fischer Verlag, Jena 1974, 192 pp., 20 fig. This is a concise as well as precise textbook of factor analysis in the rather broad sense. The first two chapters arc devoted to general concepts and essential mathematical treatments with the structure of multivariate observations. Chapter 3 is concerned with the basic computational problem of factor analysis (in the narrow sense): estimation of factor loadings by maximum likelihood method. The next chapter is called ,,Die Zcntroidmethode". I t includes the simple THURSTONE approach and its several modifications. An independent chapter is dedicated to principal component analysis. This method which in fact represents statistical application of an eigenproblem well known in mathematical physics is suitable for the analysis of the structure of multivariate observations, especially when no a priori patterns of interrelationships can be estimated. Frequent usage of principal component analysis in morphometrics and vegetation research appears t o be the outcome of this advantage. The last two chapters consider orthogonal and oblique rotation of extracted factors. There are t w e n t y further pages of appendices for possible introduction to matrix algebra and related topics. The lack of some excellent textbooks of multivariate statistical analysis for biologists (e.g. SEAL H, L. 1964) in the list of references will remain a deficiency for the reader of this journal. Nevertheless, WEBE~t'Sbook should be of considerable interest for everybody who wants to use multivariate statistical methods in various fields. MARCEL I~F.JMX~:X Dlm-x~mm LEUSCHN~a

EI~F~HRUNG

IN DIE

NUMERISCHE

TAXONOMIE

VEB Gustav Fischer Verlag, J e n a 1974, 139 pp., price 29.70 M Does numerical taxonomy substantially differ from the classical one ? Are the results of the b e t h comparable a t all? Does the "objectivity and reproducibility" of data processing justify t h e apparent subjectivity involved in the choice of characters, algorithms and threshold values of similarity? Is the "black box" ( = no a priori hypothesis) approach of numerical taxonomy desirable or even attainable T

BOOKREVIEWS

447

Questions of this kind which are so often fired on the battlefieldof the classicalvs. numerical taxonomies remain to be answered definitivelyin the introductory text of Dr. DXETER LE~:SCHr~rm just as elsewhere although his treatment of the problems seems to be less orthodox than in the bible of taxometries (80~rAL et S.W~T~: Principles of numerical taxonomy, San Francisco 1963). Nonetheless, for a reader w h o has enough motivation to go through allthose matrices, n-dimensional spaces and similarity measures, and lacks the abilitiesof tricky mathematical thinking, this book is a very good introductory text. Its didactical merits must be ment~ioned first.As to the numerical techniques the author follows consistentlythe substance-instruction-numericalexampleevaluation (pro and con) pattern of explanation, all the neces~ry terms are clearly defined, the factographie material is logically structured and one could hardly find a single redundant word in the whole book. Completeness (either of assumptions, methods or literature)is out of the question on a space limited to 139 pages; the author's success consists in the selection of facts: an attentive reader will gain a solid base for further study and even for some easier tricks to perform with his own data. The firsttwo chapters deal with basic definitions and the philosophy of numerical taxonomy (old ABISlXrrLE and LINNAEUS are brought in for support). The main topics: systematics, taxonomy, characters,phonetics, four axioms of numerical taxonomy (allof them unattainable ideals-a fact which should have been emphasized more explicitly),O T U , coding of characters, selection of OTUs, characters etc. The survey of methods (chapter three) constitutes the most important part of the book. Its structure follows the traditional split of the taxometrical process into two steps -- those of reduction and aggregation. Firstly various measures of similarityin the character spac~ are presented such as correlation coefficient, coefficients for Boolean characters, distance measures (the importance of metric axioms is stressed), distance weighted by correlation coefficient, information distance and one probability meAasure. Also the substance of factor analysis (principal components and varimax rotation) is explained as far as possible within the span of ten pages. The aggregation step is represented by three methods of cluster formation and the graphic representation of results (shaded similarity matrix, dendrogram). Devoted to supervised learning (i.e. classification with known prototypes) the next chapter is too brief to even outline the problem. The last two chapters serve merely an illustrative purpose: a complete example and three computer programs, all of t h e m written in PL/1. The appendix dealing with some basic statements of logic, set theory, m a t r i x algebra, graph theory and statistics will undoubtly be welcomed by absolute beginners although for anyone who is about to start seriously on taxometry these 13 pages cover far less t h a n the necessary minimum. The book is terminated by a list of literature (90 items) and a four language subject index. My personal view on soma formal shortcomings are these: ( 1) at least for the numerical methods reference should be made i n t h e t e x t to the p s r t i n e n t authors cited in the bibliography, (2) the didactical value of the "Atuslassangen" seems to be dobutful, (3} for a potential user the language PL/1 is rather impractical being exclusive for late IBM 360 and 370 installations. The book is worth reading for the supporters of both camps; no side will alter its primary view (the true motivation for acceptance/rejection of numerical taxonomy lies deeper, perhaps outside the sphere of the science itself) but beth will surely gain new sound arguments presented in a very intelligent manner. EDUARD BRABEC

PHYTOCOENOLOGIA, Journal of the International Society for Plant Geography and Ecology C~briider Borntra~ger, Berlin et Stuttgart -- Verlag v. J. Cramer, Lehre This new journal, whose Volume 1 appeared in 1974, was greatly welcome. The well established journal "Vegotatio" published in The Hague thus acquires a sister journal "Phytocoenologia" also published by the International Society for Plant Geography and Ecology. I n a short preface written in English, German, :French and Spanish, the editors outline their editorial policy. The journal intends to cover articles about concepts and methods, and especially those works that convey new phytosociological information. Papers from marginal disciplines are also welcome.

448

F O L I A G E O B O T A N I C A ET P H Y T O T A X O N O M [ C A ,

10, 1 9 7 5

One point mentioned in the preface deserves attention: "The new journal should serve to tmite oar science, which has become increasingly productive." The first volume, obviously, reflects only partly the intentions and general concepts of the j~t~a--nal. Nevertheless, certain conclusions can be drawn from the finished Volume 1. There are altogether 12 papers in the 4 issues of this volume. The length of the papers suggests t h a t monographs of medium size can be considered for publication. There are no strictly theoretical works in the first volume, but all of t h e m belong to detailed phytocenological studies referring to a particular region. As for the diversity of plant communities and biomes, all of them are equally represented. Three papers refer to aquatic and marsh vegetation, viz. "The aquatic vegetation of Lake George, Uganda" by J. M. LOCK, "Cber die Phragmitetea. mad Molinietalia. Gesellschaften in der Thaya-, March- m~d Donau-Aue 0sterreiehs" by E. BALkTOvA-TuL/LdKowk and E. HtiBL, and "Marine Phytobenthos of the Ca~tellabate/Cilento/Natural Park, Salerrno, Italy" by P. EDWXaDS et al. The topic of forest and scrub communities is examined in the following works: "Die PhOnologic der europ/~ischen Buehenw~lderu auf pflanzeneoziologischer Grtmdlage" by D. LausI and S. Pm.'~s "'Estudios fit~sociol6gicos en el norte de Patagonia. I. Investigacion de algtmos factores de ambiente en communidades de bosque y de chaparral" by U. ESKUCHE, and "A phytosociological study of the Albizzia amara Borv. community of India" by V. M. MEgE~t-Ho~JI. The biome of grasslands is represented by "Phytosociological studies on grassland vegetation in western J a p a n " by S. TTOW, and partly also in the above quoted work of BAI~TOvI-Tu. Lk~KOV/L and H~3BL. The communities of the desert region are described in the paper "Phytosoeiological studies of Ghurfa desert, central Iraq" by K. H. BATA.~OIYNy and M. R. H m ~ . Quite a few papers refer to mountain vegetation, viz. "Vergleiehende Studien tiber die alpine Vegetation J a p a n s " I. Carici rupestris-Kobresietea bellardii" by T. O~BA, "Les pelouses 6eorch~es des montagnes Circum-M~doterran~ennes" by M. BJauaEao, G. B o ~ and P. Qu~z~'L, and "Contribution h la connais~nee des Ononido-Rosmarinetea BR.-BL. 1947 des Alpes maritimes suivi de quelques remarques ~ propos du Calycotomo-Myrtetum GU~_~OCH~'r1944" by M. Gv~rocm~T. One paper presented by P. QUI~:ZEL "Contribution h l'~tude phytosociologique du massif du Taurus" contains a survey of various types of plant communities. W i t h regard to the geographical aspect, Europe and Asia are well represented, while Africa and both North and South America are less frequently quoted. With regard to the languages used: in the volume, 5 works use English, 3 are in German, 3 in French and one in Spanish. The division called "Review" remains rather small: only three works have been reviewed hitherto. We wish a good start for the new journal and full snccess in future volumes. SLXVO MIL HEJN~ r