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BOOKREVIEWS Recent books in vegetation science A. Oanin & G. Orshan (eds.): VEGETATION OF ISRAEL. I. Desert and coastal vegetation; Backhuys Publishers, Leiden, 1999, 346 pp. Price NLG 250.00, USD 139.00, ISBN 90-73348-99-4 The new series "Vegetation of Israel" starts with the aim "to revise the phytosociological work carried out so far in Israel, determine the plant communities and give them legitimate names according to the Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature". A brief introduction to the whole series (by Danin and Orshan) presents the history of botanical investigations in Israel and gives an overview of the environment, flora and principal vegetation types of the country. The main part of the book includes a syntaxonomical description of the desert and coastal vegetation types (by Danin and Solomeshch), which include 124 associations, grouped in 25 alliances and 9 orders, within the classes Ballotetea undulatae, Artemisietea sieberi, Anabasietea articulatae, Chiliadenetea iphionoidis, Retametea raetam and Ammoptu'letea arenariae. Most of these syntaxa are newly described or validated in this book. The methods used in the vegetation survey are basically similar to those used in the Braun-Blanquet approach; a few modifications were made to adjust this approach for use in an arid environment with a high proportion of therophytic species. Each vegetation unit is characterized by a group of diagnostic species (the authors refrained from using character and differential species), nomenclatural notes, habitat description and remarks on the dynamics and conservation. Each association description is associated with a distribution map, a histobar showing a chorotype spectrum and a relev6 table. It is suprising that most of the associations, including the newly described ones, are based on only a few (usually less than 10) relev6s. The floristic composition of groups of related associations is compared in synoptic tables. The book ends with a useful list of species with an indication of chorotypes, life forms, summer shedding, habitat affinities and affinities to man-made habitats. Undoubtedly, the series "Vegetation of Israel" is an ambitious project which will become an important reference source among the so-far rather scarce botanical literature covering the Middle East.

Milan Chytr~ J. Balevi6iene, B. Kiziene, A. Lazdauskaite, D. Patalauskaitd, V. Ralomavi6ius, Z. Sinkevi61en6, A. Tu6ien6 & Z. Venckus: UETUVOS AUGALIJA 1. PIEVOS (Vegetation of Lithuania 1. Meadows); ~viesa, Kaunas/Vilnius, 1998, 269 pp. Price not given, ISBN 5-430-02445-7 The 1990s has been a period in European phytosociology during which several research teams in different countries have met the challenge of compiling comprehensive and detailed national surveys of vegetation types, based on the tradition of floristic classification (Braun-Bianquet approach). Well-known projects in the UK, Austria, the Netherlands, SIovakia and Germany were recently followed by the first volume of the Lithuanian vegetation survey, compiled by a group of researchers of the Viinius Institute of Botany, and edited by Valerijus Ragomavi~ius. The first volume of the monograph "Vegetation of Lithuania" contains detailed treatments of five phytosociological classes of grassland vegetation (Asteretea tripolii, Molinio-Arrhenatheretea, Festuco-Brometea, Trifolio-Geranietea, and Nardetea strictae) with l I alliances (Armerion maritimae, Calthion,

Alopecurion, Molinion, Arrhenatherion, Cynosurion, Mesobromion, Geranion sanguinei, Trifolion medii, Juncion squarrosi, and Violion caninae) and 34 associations, including 3 newly described ones. Each association description includes a list of character/differential species, characterization of species composition and vegetation structure, description of subassociations and variants, habitat characteristics, distribution in Lithuania, syntaxonomical discussion and evaluation of the vegetation type in economic and conservational terms. A very valuable aspect of the book is the documentation of each association by synoptic tables. Although the number of relev6s synthetized (about 1600 in total) is not particularly high compared to the extensive datasets used in some other national projects of vegetation survey, it is quite sufficient to provide a good floristic characterization of the Lithuanian grassland vegetation. Seventeen pages of English summary, which includes brief characteristics of all vegetation units from classes to associations, makes the book easily accessible to foreign colleagues.

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The vegetation of Lithuania, as well as of the other Baltic countries and of the European hemiboreal zone, has been very poorly known to vegetation scientists from western and central Europe up to now. The series "Vegetation of Lithuania" draws a lot of methodological inspiration from the specific historical tradition of vegetation research in that country. It includes early studies from the period before the Soviet occupation, influences of Russian geobotany, and local developments that, for political reasons, were often achieved in isolation from the main research centres and paradigms of European vegetation science. Nevertheless, the authors have consistently attempted to follow the tradition of the western and central European vegetation classification system. In this respect, the series "Vegetation of Lithuania" will be not only a basic handbook for Lithuanian field naturalists but it will also serve European vegetation scientists as an important source of reference to the vegetation of the eastern and north-eastern part of the continent. It will probably also become one of the basic elements of more widely based projects, such as the European Vegetation Survey.

Milan Chytw H. Ellenberg: VEGETATION MITTELEUROPAS MIT DEN ALPEN IN 0KOLOGISCHER, DYNAMISCHER UND HISTORISCHER SICHT. F(infte, stark verSnderte und verbesserte Auflage; Eugen Ulmer, Stuttgart, 1996, 1095 pp. Price DEM 128.-, ISBN 3-8252-8104-3 The fifth, considerably updated and improved edition of this milestone book was printed shortly before the decease of Professor Heinz Ellenberg (1913-1996). The author has created an immortal synthesis on vegetation cover of Central Europe. Not surprisingly, an earlier version of this book was translated into English in 1988. The information provided on the vegetation of our continent appears to be appealing to students in countries outside the realm of classical approaches to vegetation description, such as in Britain. I have found this book in Lancaster University Library - a much handled specimen witnessing frequent passage from hand to hand... so high esteem was given to this work and its author. Although the first edition was published in 1963, the chapters were updated in each edition with remarkable patience and amazing stroke. The book is divided into 7 general chapters bearing the same tires as in the previous editions. In comparison to the 1986 edition a brief chapter on vegetation complexes and application of "sigma-sociology" is included. Some parts of the book have been updated by current literature sources. It is symptomatic that a majority of the new papers cited here feature the most topical problems of today: soil acidification, global climate change and the role of air-borne pollutants on the Central European forests. Many chapters must have been widened from this point of view. The 33 years of history of this book reflect the changes in vegetation and the need to respond by shifting the emphasise to urban and village ecology, nature conservation and management, problems of surveying and protection of biodiversity and the like. The 5th edition contains 623 figures (pen-drawings, maps, photos) and 170 tables, each highly informative. The absence of colour photograph is not considered to be serious and is remedied by high quality black-and-white photos. Numerous references listed on 78 pages and large taxon and subject indices on 72 pages close the book. A survey of higher rank vegetation units with selected characteristic species is also added - now mirroring acceptance of recent syntaxonomical knowledge. Ellenberg's book is a really remarkable opus, a true masterpiece. This instructive and comprehensive textbook should not be missing from the shelf of any student or professional vegetation scientist.

Milan Valachovi6 G. Coldea (ed.): LES ASSOCIATIONS VEGI~TALES DE ROUMANIE. TOME 1. Les associations herbac~s naturelles; Presses Universitaires de Cluj, 1997, 261 pp. ISBN 973-9261-30-2 Phytosociological research into Romanian vegetation has a long tradition. It was initiated by Borza as early as in the 1920s, and includes several classical monographs published during the 1930s and 1940s by Borza, Morariu, PaucS, Safta, ~erb~escu and Topa. The leaders of Hungarian phytosociology, So6 and Z61yomi, also contributed to knowledge of Romanian vegetation at that time. Since the 1950s, the rich diversity of Romanian vegetation has been surveyed systematically throughout the country, and a number of regional vegetation monographs or treatments of individual vegetation types were published by well-known vegetation scientists

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such as Baraba~, Bo~aiu, Coldea, Csfirrs, Dihoru, Dobrescu, Gergely, Hodi~an, Mititelu, Nedelcu, Pop, Popescu, Ral~iu, Resmerii~i, Sanda, Schneider-Binder and many others. It is, therefore, not suprising that vegetation classification in Romania has reached a synthesis with the publication of the first volume of "The vegetation associations of Romania". The first of the three planned volumes was compiled by the leaders of current vegetation research in the country: G. Coldea of Cluj-Napoca, V. Sanda and A. Popescu of Bucharest, and N. ~tefan of Ia~i. It includes natural herbaceous vegetation types, notably aquatic vegetation (classes Lemnetea, Chareteafragilis, Zosteretea marinae, Ruppietea maritime, Potamogetonetea pectinati), vegetation of wetlands, mires and springs

(Phragmitetea, Isod'to-Nanojuncetea, Littorelletea, Scheuchzerio-Caricetea nigrae, Oxycocco-Sphagnetea, Montio-Cardaminetea), and high-mountain vegetation (Asplenietea trichomanis, Thlaspietea rotundifolii, Salicetea herbaceae, Juncetea trifidi, Carici rupestris-Kobresietea bellardi, Seslerietea albicantis, Betulo-Adenostyletea). Characteristics of each vegetation type from the class to association (distribution, habitat, diagnostic species, rare species) are briefly presented on a half or third of a page. Associations and subassociations are documented by synoptic tables. Two associations (within the Cancion davallianae and the Seslerion rigidae) are described as new; for several associations nomenclatural lectotypes or neotypes are newly designated. A few plates with colour photographs are included in the volume to show selected vegetation types. An interesting fact is that the volume is written in French, unlike the recently published national vegetation survey monographs in other European countries, which have all been published in the national languages. In the case of Romania, however, French was probably a good choice, because knowledge of this language is widespread among Romanians, and for most foreigners, French is much more accessible than Romanian. The only drawback of the book is the large number of printing errors, including those in plant names and author names. Also, the absence of Romanian diacritics in names is suprising, but is probably due to technological constraints. These facts, however, by no means degrade the high scientific quality of the first volume of "'The vegetation associations of Romania", which is an excellent guide to the plant communities of the country.

Milan Chyl~

~. Korpel: DIE URW~,LDER DER WESTKARPATEN; Gustav Fischer Verlag, Stuttgart, Jena, New York, 1995, 310pp., 148 Figs., 16 Color plates, 39 Tabs. Price DEM 98.-, ATS 765.-, SFR 94.50. ISBN 3-437-30702-9 Prof. Korpel is the outstanding forest specialist who has studied the virgin forests of Central Europe for many years. The detailed investigation carried out with co-workers was summarized in a monograph published in 1989 in SIovak. The observations on about 100 selected permanent plots in the virgin forest reserves in the Western Carpathians (mainly in SIovakia but also in Moravia) have continued and the previous results have been revised and completed. The virgin forests under investigation belong to the best preserved natural forests of Central Europe and the conclusions are published in the book reviewed. The introductory chapters define virgin forests in general and the diagnostic characteristics, structure, composition and the developmental cycle, from the regeneration phase to decay, are described. A concise history of the virgin forests and the ecological properties of the main tree species are also given. The methods of investigation are treated in a separate chapter. The main part of the book starts with a survey of the virgin forests of the Western Carpathians with the principal data on their area, altitude, stand composition, vegetation belts, production, and degree of threat. The virgin forest ecosystems of 22 native reserves are described in special chapters. These reserves occur in seven vegetation belts from the oak vegetation belt in the lowlands to the spruce vegetation belt in the mountains. The characteristics described for each ecosystem include: the natural conditions of the site, typology, structure and development of the stands, production and natural regeneration. Many graphs, maps, tables and photos of typical stands accompany the text. The concluding chapter summarizes the knowledge of the virgin forests of the Western Carpathians. This serves as a theoretical basis for forest management, nature conservation and landscape management and can be used for forest restoration in Central Europe.

Mlroslava Husov4

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Other b o o k s H. Rernmert: SPEZIELLE OKOLOGIE - TERRESTRISCHE SYSTEME; Springer-Ver/ag, Berlin, Heidelberg, 1998, 257pp., 70 Figs., 14 Tabs. Price DEAl 48.-, USD 30.-, ISBN 3-540-58264-9 At the first sight, the reviewed book resembles the earlier concise but substantial and comprehensive compendium-like handbooks, edited by German publishing houses (e.g. SCHUBERT 1966, WALTER 1970) in the past. However, this is only an impression based on its size and arrangement resulting from a cursory dip into the book. Only when read or studied in more detail, does the book reveal the concept of the author, which bears a certmn resemblance to that of Walter but differs in its width and scope. Though logically relying primarily on vegetation, it also frequently uses zoological data and the conclusions are interpreted as complexes (the role of man is not omitted here). The word "ecology" in the title of the book is therefore properly used. The book is a part of the trilogy called "Special ecology" devoted to marine (GERLACH 1994), limnetic (BOHLE 1995) and terrestrial systems (the part reviewed). Hermann Remmert died in 1994, and a number of his colleagues from the University of Marburg, where the author was professor of animal ecology (REMMERT 1980, 1992) took part in its preparation for print. This deed, certainly an excellent example of solidarity, has borne fruit - a remarkable, clearly drafted book with a German sense of thoroughness, good arrangement and system. The basic chapters deal with the forest and non-forest ecosystems of tropics and subtropics, Mediterranean systems, inhabited regions of the temperate zone, natural non-forested areas of Central Europe, boreal and arctic zones, remarkable conditions of the environment, and cultural landscapes. Except for the last two chapters, the others are extensive in terms of pages and content. Each chapter on ecosystems is accompanied by a table of specific, characterizing data, e.g. on the height or tree crowns, weight of the plant mass in the respective environment, total area of assimilating foliage in m 2, primary production, pollination of flowers, methods of seed dispersal, primary consumers, reminemlization, amounts of precipitation, mean annual temperatures, seasons of the year, sometimes also the number of species, etc., which enables interesting comparisons to be made. In the chapter on the tropics and subtropics the structure and significance of the tropi~.al forest, the role of root ribs, the mosaic of light and shade, the saprophytes and root parasites (e.g. the Balanophoraceae in Amazonia), dispersal of diaspores, and repeated succession in natural forests are considered. The activity of the soil fauna, the role of animals in the flow of minerals and energy, the irreplaceable role of termites and ants or phytophagous animals, etc. are also examined. The causes of ecological and taxonomic heterogeneity of the tropical rain forest and of its regional differences are commented upon. A brief, but informative chapter deals with the mangrove forests and the cloud forests of tropical mountain ranges. The semi-deciduous tropical forests with their transition to dry forests are considered and compared on different continents. A relatively large part of the book is occupied by the descriptions of tropical and subtropical savannas, by the significance of fires, soil quality and, of course, the fauna. The influence of pasturage and the tropical and subtropical deserts with an explanation of their origin and distribution are also included. A surprisingly small part of the book has been devoted to Mediterranean systems; this is a great pity, because the literature, at least on the vegetation of the Mediterranean area, is very rich. In this section the book should be more inspiring and compare factors in the following regions: South and North America, the Mediterranean, Cape Province, and South Australia. In the temperate zone the remains of the natural virgin forests and the cycle of their restoration (mainly illustrated using the example of the Bialowie~.a Virgin Forest) are mentioned; however, it is to be regretted that only very brief information on the biomes of broadleaved forests of the Southern Hemisphere and on the coniferous and mixed forests is given. One passage deals with the steppes. The non-forest formations of Central Europe are represented by saline meadows on seashores, meadows of alluvial plains and dry grasslands (with

Bromus erectus and Brachypodium pinnatum). The boreal and arctic zones are characterized by their climate, soils, forest vegetation (taiga and its fauna), by peatbog ecosystems and by polar tundra: here is an important attempt to compare the arctic and the subantarctic tundra! A special chapter is devoted to the tundra vegetation in the high mountains of the tropics (Paramo, Puna). In my opinion these two chapters are excellent, in summarizing existing knowledge. The book is attractive not only in the summary of our knowledge of vegetational botany and zoology, but also by very successfully drawing together and interpreting this knowledge in a relatively small number of

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pages. I can warmly recommend it as a very good manual for the study of ecology (especially the study of interrelations) at universities, but also for all naturalists.

REFERENCES BOHLEH. W. (1995): Spezielle Okologie -Limnische Systeme. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, Tokyo. GERLACHS. A. (1994): Spezielle Okologie -Marine Systeme. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, Tokyo. REMMERT H. (1980): Arctic animal ecology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York. REMMERT H. (1992): Okologie. Ed. 5. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, Tokyo. SCHUBERTR. (1966): Pflanzengeographie. Akademie-Verlag, Berlin. WALTER H. (1970): Vegetationszonen und Klima. VEB Gustav Fischer Verlag, Jena.

Jiff Kolbek R.T.T. Forman: LAND MOSAICS. The ecology of landscapes and regions; Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, t995, xx + 632 pp. Price GBP 65.-, USD ti0.-, ISBN 0-521-47462-0 (hardback), Price 24.95, USD 39.95, ISBN 0-521-47980-0 (paperback) The second half of the 20th century has been characterized by great changes in land use, production technologies and lifestyle, which not only bring benefits but also result in serious environmental problems. Sustainable development seems to be essential for the future, and landscapes and regions are at just the right scale for sustamability, as is clearly expressed in this important book by the renowned specialist Prof. R.T.T. Forman (Harvard University). This volume follows an earlier widely accepted textbook which he wrote together with M. Godron (FORMAN & GODRON 1986), and which presented the basic principles, theories and definitions in this field. It contains many new methods and approaches and brings together examples from a wide range of ecosystems and geographic regions. The book consists of five mmn parts: Part 1 (Landscapes and regions) defines the subject - in the author's words, the land as seen from the window of an aeroplane or on an aerial photograph. The resulting mosaic of landscape elements is the principal feature of the Earth's surfaces; the ecological structure, function, and change of the mosaic is the central paradigm of the book. This is followed by particular types, characteristics and processes in the landscapes and regions. An overview of the rich spectra of methods used in landscape ecology are given: measurements, experiments, modelling, remote sensing, analytical and statistical approaches, and even population-genetic techniques illustrate how extensive the field is. The following two parts present the main components of the mosaic - patches, corridors and networks, including matrices. For all of these structures, not only the main descriptive characteristics (size, structure, number, origin, persistence, particular types, ...) are shown, but also the ongoing processes are discussed (size impact on biodiversity, edge effect, interactions, major functions in the landscape, ...). Part 4 (Mosaics and flows), brings together the above mentioned elements and views them as a system with its spatial pattern and specific processes, and presents the resulting basic landscape types. Processes occurring both at spatial and temporal scales are discussed (wind and water flows, disturbance, species movemenL incl. gene flow, seed dispersal, plant invasions, -0, and the processes caused by mankind are emphasized. Temporal changes are also the main topic of Part 5. Not only natural processes but also major anthropic modifications are shown and their consequences at all organizational scales (from genes to ecosystem functions) are explained. The following widespread major causes of land transformation and fragmentation caused by man are discussed in detail: deforestation, urbanization, construction of "corridors", desertification, agricultural intensification, and reforestation. At the end of most of the parts there are appendices containing glossaries of common terms and/or basic equations used in landscape ecology.The volume closes with an almost unbelievable list of two thousand references. The book under review gives a good idea of the present state of the art of landscape ecology. It contains theories, observations, models and experiments. It gives countless examples from all over the world, summarizes the methods practiced, and pinpoints some of the possible drawbacks of using them (e.g., in the case of the currently very popular GIS). It explains what is known, what is not known (but why it would be highly important to know), and where the findings and results are controversial. The book is weU-arranged. Although its size may be a deterrent, it offers very interesting and enjoyable reading. I believe it would be a valuable textbook for students, a source of knowledge and practical instructions

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for nature conservationists, a source of many facts and examples for those involved in landscape ecology, and all readers will find it very inspiring. This book is definitely worth reading and it is well worth while having within easy reach.

REFERENCES FORMAN R.T.T. & GODRON M. (1986): Landscape ecology. John Wiley & Sons, New York.

Jarm Nov~kov,~ K. Horn: VERBREITUNG, ~KOLOGIE UND GEF.~HRDUNG DER FLACHBARLAPPE (DIPHASIASTRUM SPP., LYCOPODIACEAE,PTERIDOPHYTA)IN NIEDERSACHSEN

UND BREMEN; Naturschutz und Landschaftspflege in Niedersachsen 38: 1--83, Hannover 1997. Price not given, ISBN 3-922321-81-X Lycopodiopsida belong to the oldest vascular plants, of which only a small remnant has survived and they fascinate many botanists, including the present reviewer (a continuous attention is paid to this group also most recently). The author of the reviewed publication, Karsten Horn, has studied this group of taxa for a long time. Recently the group studied has been re-classified into a separate genus Diphasiastrum HOLUB, which has become generally accepted in present-day taxonomic classifications. The author has studied the interesting taxonomy of the group (which includes hybridization) and also the decline in the distribution of the species, many of which appear on Red Lists of threatened taxa of various countries. The author discusses problem of morphology and systematics of representatives of the genus. The most important diagnostic characters (ventral side of stems) are clearly illustrated in a photograph on the title page of the publication. The problems of the origin of Diphasiastnan issleri is discussed here in detail; its origin by hybridogenesis of D. alpinum and D. cornplanatum is accepted. The author's study area is Lower Saxony (with Bremen). The distribution maps are differentiated according to the period in which the plants were found. The sites ofDiphasiastrum taxa are described both ecologically (with graphically depicted data) and phytosociologically (with two tables of phytosociological relev~s). Important information is given on the occurrence ofDiphasiastrum taxa on damaged soil surfaces, e.g. on ski tracks. The comparison of data on the historical distribution with that of the present day distribution provides good evidence for the threat to individual species, as well as making a case for their conservation. The publication of K. Horn presents results of his complex field studies. The species of Diphasiastrum occur on acid soils (pH values 3.7--4.2) and in open habitats - only D. complanatum may be found also in slightly shaded sites. The greatest decline is recorded in species occurring at lower altitudes; the montane species, such as D. alpinum and D. issleri, do not show such a great decline in their distribution. At lower altitudes the dramatic decline of heathlands and the general euthrophication of the landscape has reduced the occurrence of Diphasiastrum taxa in the study area. At the end of the publicatzon a list of studied herbarium specimens is given as well as a list of historical localities summarized from the literature. The publication represents a perfect regional study on the representatives of a genus with both taxonomically critical and threatened taxa and it brings together many data contributing to our knowledge of the genus. It may be recommended to all who are interested in the taxonomy and ecology of Pteridophyta.

Josef Holub T.R. Hanlin: ILLUSTRATED GENERA OF ASCOMYCETES; Ed. 3; APS Press, St. Paul, Minnesota, 1992, 263 pp. Price USD 32.- (USA), USD 40.- (elsewhere), ISBN 0-89054-107-8 Ascomycetes are not only the largest group of fungi in terms of the number of genera and species, but also the group with very important phytopathological, medical and nutritional applications. Identification of even the most common Ascomycetes at both species and genera level has always been a difficult task not only for beginners. Hanlin's book is designed for students and not fully experienced mycologists (phytopathologists, microbiologists, etc.). The book provides generic descriptions and informative illustrations of 100 of the most important ascomycete genera. Descriptions are complemented by habitat, names of anamorphs, comments on related genera and selected references. The genera selected include 65 common plant pathogens and some

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other genera usually associated with plant material. An additional 134 genera are discussed and listed in the index. No cleistothecial Plectomycetes or Hemiascomycetes are included. The illustration of each genus is based on drawings of representative (not the type) species. The drawings are schematic to a certain degree, but clearly depict the essence of the fungus. Habitus on the host, ascomata, asci, ascospores and other diagnostic features are drawn by C.G. Hahn and in some cases microphotographs are provided. The book is intended for students to learn how to identify Ascomycetes. The dichotomous key comprises 108 steps, composed of short and clearly formulated distinctive characters. The primary arrangement of all genera is based on Saccardoan artificial but effective distinguishing of spore types. The key appears to work well, although a certain basic knowledge and experience, of course, are expected. In the introduction some useful information about the effective application of the key are given. Only a very few critical notes may be noted. In the case of Ascomycetes both parts of the life cycle (anamorph and teleomorph) are now used for determination. Associated genera of anamorphs are only mentioned in the text, but are not described and illustrated. For students it may be difficult to search out details on anamorphs in specialized literature. Considering the fact that the book is intended for beginners, a glossary with the basic terminology would be expected, as is usual in this type of literature. Concerning the illustrations some small omissions may be noted, of which the absence of the conspicuous apical ring of the ascus in some Xylariaceae (Hypoxylon, Daldinia, Xylaria) may be misleading for readers. Summing-up: the spiral-bound book will be a very useful aid to anyone who has an interest in this extensive group of fungi. A serviceable overview and a key of common genera in a form available for several types of users are given: the book can be recommended for all those interested in Ascomycetes and not just students.

Karel Prliiil M. Moser & W. J(ilich in collaboration with C. Furrer-Ziogas: FARBATLAS DER BASIDIOMYCETEN (Colour Atlas of Basidlomycetes), 15. Lieferung; Guztav Fischer Verlag, Stuttgart, 1995. Price DEM 98.-, SFR 89.-, ATS 715.-, ISBN 3-437-25506-1 The fifteenth volume of the well known mycological iconography deals with fungi of the orders Polyporales, Boletales and especially Agaricales. It consists of 71 colour plates presenting photographs of 132 species from 24 genera. The genera Boletus, Clitocybe, Conocybe, Cortinarius, Entoloma, Hebeloma, lnocybe, Mycena, Psathyrella and Tricholoma are represented by many species. Apart from other genera, interesting species of Xerocomus, Leucocoprinus, Leucopaxillus, Mythicomyces, Phaeogalera and Pseudoomphalina are also included. The text presents short characteristics of the following genera written in German: Faerberia, Arrhenia, Haasiella, Hypsizigus, Mythicomyces, Ossicaulis and Rickenella complemented by selected literature and English, French and Italian summaries. With one exception (Inocybe rivulat~s) all photographs were made in the studio on a neutral background, mainly by M. Moser or A. Hausknecht, exceptionally also by E Bellu and J. Vauras. The main problem of any reviewer of this volume is that most fungi included here belong to taxonomically difficult genera requiring careful microscopic examination so that the correctness of determination can not be evaluated according to photographs only. However, in controversial cases a revision can be made because all fungi depicted are stored in herbaria (IB, WU). The content of the fifteenth volume is very interesting, especially thanks to the presence of many rare or less known species. The photographs of several common fungi are complemented by those of such rare species as e.g. Mycena pearsoniana, Mythicomyces corneipes, Pseudoomphalina kalchbrenneri or uncommon representatives of the genera Conocybe or Entoloma. The publishing of photographs of recently described species (e.g. Conocybe nig rodisca, C. cettoiana, C. roseipes, Entoloma nausiosme, E. wehohii, E. atrocoeruleum, Hebetoma malenconii, Leucopaxillus malenconii) is also of great importance. For readers from Central Europe, photographs of Southern or Western European species are very interesting (e.g. Boletus comptus, B. depilatus, Xerocomus ichnusanus, Psathyrella dunensis, etc.). From the photographical viewpoint, this volume contains many photographs of A. Hausknecht (especially species of the genera Conocybe, Entoloma, Psathyrella and Pholiotina) that are excellent in most cases. All details are distinctly visible, the shadows are soft, the well-preserved and typically developed fruitbodies are aesthetically arranged on a neutral background. However, in Mycena flavescens the lamellae should have a yellow edge. The photographs of M. Moser are of lower quality in some cases owing to the following facts: shadows too sharp, indistinct details or some parts of the frnitbodies (Hypsizygus ulmarius - lamellae not

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visible), use of too young, too small (Clitocybe clavipes, Hygrophorus capreolarius) or poorly preserved fruitbodies (Boletus fechmeri, Hypsizygus ulmarius). Fruitbodies of Clitocybe vibecina are not beige but in fact much more greyish. Consequently, the species on such photographs look atypical. The photographical approach of both authors can be easily compared in the first table of this volume showing Faerberia carbonaria. There are small but unpleasant typographic omissions in the spelling of some fungal names and their authors: Hypsizygus ulmarius (not Hpsizygus), Inocybe rivularis JACOBSSON et VAURAS (not JAKOBSSON) and Tricholoma bresadolanum (not bresdolanum). In such a well-established work the proofs should be read more carefully. In spite of small and negligible shortcomings, the fifteenth volume of the "Colour atlas of Basidiomycetes" represents a very valuable contribution to mycological iconographies, especially owing to the fact that it brings photographs of many rare, less known or recently described species so that some species included here are depicted by good colour photographs for the first time. I wish the authors, as well as the publisher, success in the preparation of the sixteenth volume. I am looking forward to the next "portion" of marvellous shots of A. Hausknecht and unique species on the photographs of M. Moser.

Jan Holec Krause: CHARALES (CHAROPHYCEAE). SUSSWASSERFLORA VON MITrELEUROPA, Vol. 18; Gustav Fischer Verlag, Jena etc., 1997, 202 pp., 77 Figs. Price DEM

W.

98.-, ISBN 3-437-25056-6 The stoneworts are conspicuous inhabitants of freshwater ponds and lakes, where they form extensive subaquatic meadows that extend down to a considerable depth below the surface of the water. In mountains they grow in waters up to the subalpine level. Some species can be found in brackish water or on the marine littoral. The stoneworts are sensitive to environmental changes, especially to increasing levels of water pollution, which Krause considered to be the main reason for the restriction or disappearance of stoneworts in their classic localities. The stoneworts can be about 50 cm high, but exceptionally they reach 200 cm. With their erect axis differentiated into nodes and internodes they resemble Equisetum. Each node bears a whorl of several branches, (the "leaves"), that cease to grow when they have attained a certain length. The oogamy, which is the distinctive feature of this group, has many unique characters among the green algae. Fossil zygospores, covered with spirally wound outer cells (the sporostegium) are often found in sedimentary rocks. Records of such zygospores, called "gyrogonits", have been found in rocks from the upper Silurian onwards, but the ancestors of the contemporary genera lived in the Mesozoic era 0 3 0 - 2 0 0 million year ago). The volume reviewed is dedicated to the order Charales DUMORT., which includes one family, 6 genera and 56 species. The distribution of the species among the genera is as follows: Chara - 33, NitteUopsis - l, Lychnothamnus - l, Lamprotharanium - 1, Nitella - 12, and Tolypella - 8 species. One of the species (C. ohridana) and some of the subspecies taxa are endemic (Ohrid Lake, Macedonia). In a similar treatment of stoneworts, devoted mainly to Poland, DAMBSKA (1964) described 33 species and 5 genera. The stability of the stoneworts associations facilitates the application of plant sociological methods for the description of orders. Krause determined three such orders: Charetalia hispidae, which comprises European calciphilic species, order Nitelletaliaflexilis comprises the European calciphobic species, and the third order, Charetalia canescentis was established for the association which inhabits brackish water. The descriptions of individual species are carefully written. Besides the species description with quantitative data about the important morphological features, they include information about their phenoplasticity (variability), distribution (in Europe and elsewhere, localities in Europe, and the contemporary status of the species. Every species is perfectly depicted. The volume reviewed is one of the most informative books published among the eleven volumes of the Si.isswasserfiora edition up to now. It will be important not only for phycologists, who are involved in the study of stoneworts, but also for non-specialists concerned with phytogeography, environmental indicators and environmental changes.

Ton~i Kalina

Bookreviews

285

F.H. Schweingruber: TREE RINGS AND ENVIRONMENT AND DENDROECOLOGY; Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research, Birmensdo~ and Paul Haupt Publ. Berne, Stuttgart, Vienna, 1996, 609 pp., 948 Figs., 15 Tabs. Price SFR 59.-, DEM 66.-, ATS 482.-, ISBN 3-258-05458~4 Tree-ring analysis is flourishing at the present time, and the new book by Fritz H. Schweingruber presents a detailed survey of multidisciplinary achievements in its widest and most rapidly developing field, i.e. its ecological applications or dendroecology. The reviewed book is the third volume in a series of books on wood-science topics which the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research publishes in collaboration with Paul Haupt Publishers. The first volume was the Anatomy of European woods by the same author, the second volume was a Multilingual glossary on dendrochronology. The contents can be divided into two parts comprising a total of 20 chapters. The first part, consisting of seven chapters, presents the theoretical (namely morphological, anatomical and physiological) basis of this branch of science. These chapters represent an excellent textbook on dendroecology. The second part, including the remaining chapters 8 to 20, is closely related to practical applications of tree-ring analysis, namely: the influence of water (dendrohydrology, chapter 8), snow (9), wind (10), fire (11), glacial movement (12), tectonic and volcanic activity (13), mass movement (14), animals (15), fungi and mistletoe (16), the mutual influence of competition (17), the influence of man (18), climate (dendroclimatology, 19), and isotope ratios in tree rings as temporal and ecological indicators (20). Chapters 18 and 19, devoted to anthropic and climatic influences, are very extensive; they constitute more than one third of the book. Each of the applications is documented by a large number of examples from all over the world, almost always in graphic form. The total number of examples is vast; there are 1008 titles presented in the list of literature cited, and 757 figures accompany chapters 8 to 20! The reviewer can pick only a few examples which are very interesting. Growth changes are most obvious among woody species in inundated forests in the Amazon Basin. The oxygen supply in soils declines during the several-month-long flood period so much so that even trees in this zone form rings. For example, in Tabebuia barbata (Bignoniaceae) the borders of the incremental zones are marked by marginal parenchyma bands and smaller vessels. The tree-ring widths correspond more or less to the length of the flood period and have some potential for reconstructions. In the extremely humid climate of the Pacific Coast of southern Alaska, Picea sitchensis populated the forefield of a glacier that retreated in the early 19th century. Increased leaching sealed the ground and prevented water from being absorbed which resulted in the formation of ponds. Tree rings can be used to trace the swamp history of sites with different levels of moisture. Results of a dendroecological study on Adesmia horrida (Fabaceae) at the tree limit in the Argentinian Cordillera, showed in certain years a close relationship between shrubs which died from snow pressure, and precipitation (snow) and the runoff of the Mendoza River. The effects of competition are easily recognized and have been the subject of many studies. These effects are also very easily observed in shrub and dwarf shrub formations, e.g. in Empetrum nigrum, Rhododendron hirsutum, Dryas octopetala and Salix reticulata in the subalpine zone of the Alps. Climatological reconstructions are a very well developed field now. The sample network of 45 sites of Cedrus atlantica in the Atlas Mts. of Morocco was dendroelimatologically analyzed by two research groups. The groups developed seven chronologies. Both groups, working independently, used multivariate data analysis to determine the importance of heavy precipitation on tree growth. Using the longest chronology (A.D. 1082-1981), they reconstructed winter precipitation curves (October to March), from humid regions in the north to semi-arid regions in the south. Currently, the best dendroelimatological reconstructions come from timberline trees in Tasmania and New Zealand. Nothofagus solandri and N. menziesii from 10 sites on the rain-abundant northern side of New Zealand's South Island were used to reconstruct summer temperatures. The comparisons between actual temperatures from 1853 to 1979 and the extremely wide-ranging chronologies show both species of Nothofagus to be extraordinarily good indicators of summer temperatures. Similarly, samples from 26 Lagarostrobus franklini trees from Tasmania were used to reconstruct summer temperatures for the past 1090 years (A.D. 898-1987). Samples from old living trees of Pinus sylvestris along the polar tree limit in Scandinavia were collected and cross-dated with fossilized wood from bogs and lakes to build a 2146-year ring-width and density chronology (back to 165 B.C.) that were used to reconstruct summer temperatures.

286

Bookreviews

The Tectona grandis (Verbenaceae) chronology, 1514-1929, from Kajoemas (both recent and historical material) in Indonesia is the only long chronology from the tropics known to date. A more or less close relationship between the number of months of low precipitation in June-October and the tree-ring widths were determined. Tree-ring widths also appear to be linked to air pressure, ocean surface temperature and, to the El Nifio phenomenon. Other chronologies, but only 180 years long, namely from Cedrela australis (Meliaceae) and Juglans australis in subtropical Argentina, proved to be useful for the reconstruction of precipitation in summer months. The book summarizes the current state of research and presents the latest achievements in dendroecology. Therefore, it can be recommended to everyone interested in this or allied fields of research activity.

JosefKyncl C. Westerkamp & H. Demmelmeyer: BLArFOBERFLACHEN MITI'ELEUROP,~,ISCHER LAUBGEHOLZE - Atlas und Bestimmungsschl(issel (LEAF SURFACES OF CENTRAL EUROPEAN WOODY PLANTS - Atlas and Keys); Gebriider Borntraeger, Berlin, Stuttgart, 1997, 632 pp., 250 Figs. Price DEM 168.-, USD 99.-, ISBN 3-443-01034-2 The book is a unique atlas of leaf surfaces of Central European woody plants accompanied by keys for their identification. Publication of the book was promoted by the need for such an atlas in criminology. However, it could be a very useful reference book for pharmaceutical biologists, paleobotanists, palynologists and also for zoologists investigating samples from the alimentary tract or from excrement in order to determine plants which had been ingested. The method used for obtaining images of leaf surfaces complies with the original intention to prepare a reference atlas for forensic examinations. The illustrations used are scanning-electron-microscopic images of air-dried specimens of leaf fragments, thus allowing a fast processing of samples without time-consuming preparations. To generate standardized descriptions of species-specific leaf surfaces and the keys the data were processed using the computer-aided DELTA system (DEscription Language for TAxonomy). The generated keys also included in the book allow identification independently of the approach to the DELTA system. The keys allow a fast identification of leaf surfaces of 301 woody species, only nine species of which cannot be definitely separated. The book consists of three main units. The first includes an introductory text to the following parts and consists of the preface, the introduction, the material and the methods, the character list for using the DELTA system, the glossary with remarks on character weighting, and the keys for manual identification. The main body of the book is a standardized atlas of leaf surfaces. Photographically documented species are presented alphabetically at the beginning of this unit. A double page is devoted to one species and has a standard arrangement: The first page gives the images of adaxial and abaxial surfaces, including the total view on the surface (first row) then the detail of a standard area, and the detail of the outer periclinal wall of the stoma(ta) (second row) and details of additional epidermal structures, such as hairs and domatia, if present (third row). The second page gives a written description of the characters of the particular leaf surfaces for a given species consisting of the description of the macro-morphology, the abaxial surface, the adaxial surface, the indumentum, and the habitat of the species. The atlas part continues with the alphabetically arranged remaining woody species, whose leaf surfaces were not illustrated in the first part. This list corresponds in its arrangement to the second page of the species accounts of the first part of the atlas, i.e. it includes the same descriptive sections. The last part of the atlas includes references and an index with German, English and Latin names of included species. The big advantages of the book are firstly its bilingual text in German and English, and secondly the unusual format, which is very advantageous for this purpose. The book could be of use not only for the above-mentioned specialists, but also as a reference book for the study of plant anatomy, as it gives the whole range of variability of leaf surfaces of woody plants. It is important to add that the atlas does not contain coniferous species (e.g. genera Picea and Pinus).

Jana Albrechtovd