Bookreviews

It. PERSSO~ DECIDUOUS WOODLAND AT ANDERSBY, EASTERN FIELD-LAYER AND BELOW-GROUND PRODUCTION

SWEDEN:

Acta Phytogeographma Suecica 62, edidit Svenska V~xtgeografiska S~llskapet, Uppsala 1975; 71 pp., 32 Fig., 26 Tab. This volume gives another set of results of the integrated I B P s t u d y at Andersby ~ngsbackar. The work was closely coordinated with t h a t of I-I. HYTTEBOR~ (Acts Phytogcographica Suecica 61, 1975, see review on p. 280 of volume 11 of Folia Geobotanica et Phytotaxonomica). The same three main sampling areas were investigated in detail. Their field-layer comprised 2 species of dwarf shrubs (Vaccinium myrtillus and V. vitis.idaea), 89 herbaceous species, 25 species of graminaceous plants, 23 moss species and 4 species of lichens. The sampling areas are dominated by woody species, and the spatial distributions and densities of the differently developed plant communities vary even within the sampling areas themselves. This pattern, largely determined by microhabitat conditions, complicated the technique of sampling for biomass and production estimates. The seasonal periodicity of the field layer was also taken into account, and a comprehensive phenological spectrum covers 58 important herbaceous and graminaceous plant species. Altogether 7 methods of calculating the field-layer net primary production were compared, a n d one method was selected for extensive study of all the sampling areas. The method consists in the summation of the biomass values of all species taken from one of two harvests, either in late May or in late July to early August, depending on which period is regarded a s optimum phenologically. This method is the least laborious one, and the data obtained by it do not differ significantly from those obtained by the other 6 methods. The basic biomass values were obtained by harvesting 10 to 20 paired quadrats (0.5 m • 0.5 m) in each sample area twice a year during three growing seasons. All three were rather dry, hence the field-layer annual net production was rather low (in tons per hectare): 1.3 to 1.6 in a Betula pastureland with Calamaffrostis arundinacea, 1.0 to 1.3 a t h i n n e d mixed wood with A n e m o n e nemorosa accounting for a half of the production, and 0.5 to 0.8 in an unthinned woodland comprising half-open former glades. Further estimates (1.0 to 1.6, 0.9 to 1.4 and 0.6 to 1.2, rcspectively) were obtained from weight-to-cover relationships followed for four years of which two were different from the three mentioned before. The cover estimates and frequency determinations in the field layer are analyzed in detail and applied to a structural description of the vegetation in the main sampling areas. Both horizontal and vertical structure of the root and rhizome systems were assessed for the whole field layer in three sampling areas adjacent to the main ones. Detailed studies were made in 36 important species. Estimates of the total field-layer underground biomass were accomplished in autumn: the resulting values varied between 50 and some 300 g.m -2, according to the sampling area. In the mixed ~-oodlar~d, the ratio between above-ground annual production and underground biomass was about 0.5. Detailed assessments of underground production were made in several rhizomatous plants, particlflarly in A n e m o n e nemorosa: tree and shrub cover affected unfavourably its ratio of underground to above-ground production. The laborious work reported oll in this paper is of great methodological value. Anyone undertaking production ecological studies iu herbaceous vegetation ought to become acquainted with it. The data further elucidate the ecology of the woodland field layer whose importance is gradually becoming more appreciated. A large part of the credit for this again goes to the I B P . JAN KV~T

F O L I A GEOBOTANICA ET P t t Y T O T A X O N O M I C A , 12, 1977

216 C. A. STACE (ed.) HYBRIDIZATION

AND

THE

FLORA

OF THE

BRITISH

ISLES

A c a d e m i c P r e s s L o n d o n , :New Y o r k , San F r a n c i s c o (in c o l l a b o r a t i o n w i t h T h e B o t a m c a l S o c i e t y o f t h e :British Isles); 1975 (25 J u l y ) ; 626 p.; s 14,80, $ 39,25. M u c h a t t e n t i o n h a s been p a i d in t h e l i t e r a t u r e to t h e h y b r i d i z a t i o n of v a s c u l a r p l a n t s . M a n y c o n t r i b u t i o n b o t h of a d e s c r i p t i v e a n d a n e x p e r i m e n t a l c h a r a c t e r are s c a t t e r e d t h r o u g h v a r i o u s b o o k s a n d periodicals, b u t t h e g e n e r a l k n o w l e d g e of t h e s e p r o b l e m s is insufficient. T h e goal o f t h e b o o k reviewed is t h e r e f o r e to b r i n g t o g e t h e r t h e i n f o r m a t i o n k n o w n h i t h e r t o . T h e b o o k s h o u l d s e r v e professional b o t a n i s t s as a s o u r c e of i n f o r m a t i o n a n d all b o t a n i s t s as a s t i m u l u s to s t u d y h y b r i d s i t u a t i o n s m o r e i n t e n s i v e l y . B e c a u s e h y b r i d s a r e o f t e n o m i t t e d or o n l y i n s u f f i c i e n t l y m e n t i o n e d in p u b l i c a t i o n s o f a floristic character, t h i s s u m m a r i z i n g work is p a r t i c u l a r l y welcome. Since t h e p u b l i c a t i o n of FOCKE'S " P f l a n z e n m i s c h l i n g e ' " in 1881, t h i s is t h e first c o m p r e h e n s i v e reference b o o k on t h e topic. I t is possible to a s s e n t to t h e o p i n i o n of Prof. VALE~-TINE in h i s foreword t h a t t h i s work will h a v e a wide circulation a n d s t i m u l a t e i n t e r e s t in p r o b l e m s o f h y b r i d i z a t i o n t h e world over. T h e b o o k is d i v i d e d i n t o t w o p a r t s , a n i n t r o d u c t o r y (general) one a n d a s y s t e m a t i c (special) one. T h e g e n e r a l p a r t , i n c l u d i n g 90 p a g e s a n d w r i t t e n b y t h e editor, deals w i t h v a r i o u s p r o b l e m s o f h y b r i d i z a t i o n ; it is a well b a s e d review of t h e s e p r o b l e m s w h e r e all i m p o r t a n t f a c t s on h y b r i d s a n d h y b r i d i z a t i o n processes a r e s u m m a r i z e d in several c h a p t e r s . T h e n u m b e r of h y b r i d s c o n t u t u e s to i n c r e a s e b o t h b y t h e s t u d y o f n a t u r a l h y b r i d s a n d b y t h e i r artificml p r o d u c t m n . I n t h e Orchidaceae it e x c e e d s 45 000. F a m i l i e s o v e r r e p r e s e n t e d b y h y b r i d s a r e Bettdaceae, Onagraceae, Orchidaceae, Pinaceae, Rosaceae a n d Salicaceae. H y b r i d s c o n s i s t i n g of m o r e t h a a two species are k n o w n i n t h e g e n e r a Epilobium, Mentha, Rosa, Salix, Symphgtum a n d Ulmus (Cirsium s h o u l d be a d d e d here). A h y b r i d c o n s i s t i n g o f 13 p a r e n t a l species (some o f t h e m v e r y d i s t a n t l y related) w a s artificially c o n s t r u c t e d in Salix. A c c o r d i n g to earlier d a t a t h e r e a r e a b o u t 3500 intergeneric h y b r i d s , 2500 o f t h e m belonging to t h e Orchidaeeae; in t h i s f a m i l y artificial h y b r i d s c o n s t r u c t e d f r o m m e m b e r s o f five g e n e r a are also k n o w n . I n t h e i n t r o d u c t o r y p a r t o f t h e book o t h e r p r o b l e m s o f h y b r i d i z a t i o n are also d i s c u s s e d : h y b r i d i z a t i o n as a species criterion; isolation m e c h a n i s m s ; biological f e a t u r e s of h y b r i d s (sterility, fertility); i n t r o g r e s s i v e h y b r i d i z a t i o n ; n o m e n c l a t u r e ; d i s t i n g u i s h i n g h y b r i d s ; i m p o r t a n c e o f h y b r i d i z a t i o n for e v o l u t i o n etc. T h e s y s t e m a t i c p a r t a i m s a t a s y a t h c s m of t h e i n f o r m a t i o n on h y b r i d s b e t w e e n n a t i v e a n d b e t w e e n n a t u r a l i z e d species o f t h e flor~ of t h e B r i t i s h Isles. E r r o n e o u s a n d d u b i o u s r e p o r t s are i n c l u d e d for t h e sale of c o m p l e t e n e s s . H y b r i d s w h i c h m i g h t be f o u n d in t h e B r i t i s h Isles a r e also m e n t i o n e d . H o w e v e r , fertile h y b r i d s b e t w e e n g e o g r a p h i c a l races w i t h t h e s a m e c h r o m o s o m e n u m b e r s a r e excluded. W i t h s o m e e x c e p t i o n s , e v e r y h y b r i d is t r e a t e d a c c o r d i n g to t h e s a m e s y s t e m : a) v a l i d b i n o m i a l a n d i m p o r t a n t s y n o n y m s ; b) basic c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of t h e h y b r i d ; e) ecol o g y a n d d i s t r i b u t i o n in t h e B r i t i s h Isles, w i t h d a t a on t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n in o t h e r c o u n t r m s (especially in E u r o p e ) ; d) review o f e x p e r i m e n t a l work; e) c h r o m o s o m e n u m b e r s of t h e h y b r i d a n d o f i t s p a r e n t s ; f) special l i t e r a t u r e ( v e r y useful!). I l l u s t r a t i o n s a r e n o t included, b u t if a n y e x i s t in earlier l i t e r a t u r e , references to t h e m a r e given. 626 a c c e p t e d h y b r i d s a n d 122 possible h y b r h l s a r e d e a l t w i t h b y 86 specialists. T h e m a t e r i a l g a t h e r e d in t h i s p a r t o f t h e book is v e r y v a l u a b l e n o t o n l y f r o m t h e v i e w p o i n t o f t h e flora of t h e Brutish Isles. b u t also fi)r k n o w l e d g e o f t h e flora of t e m p e r a t e E u r o p e . T h e p u b l i c a t i o n h a s only few s h o r t c o m i n g s (except for overlooked d a t a on t h e g e n e r a l d i s t r i b u t ion o f t h e h y b r i d s ) . I t is a p i t y t h a t b i n o m i a l s for h y b r i d s a r e g i v e n w i t h o u t t h e i r whole l i t e r a r y c i t a t i o n . Valid b i n o m i a l s e x i s t or s e e m to e x i s t for s o m e h y b r i d s , s u c h as e.g. Epilobiam hirsutum • E. parviflorum (251) ~ E. • subhirsutum GENh'ARIS: Polygala amarella • P. vulgaris (163) = P. • skrivanekdi PODP.; Viola reichenbachiana >: V. riviniana (156) -- V, • dubia WI~:SB. T h e c o n c e p t o f s o m e g e n e r a , e.g. Rorippa (150), Helictotrichon (575), is too broad. Filago galllca • Gnaphalium uldginosum (411) does n o t s e e m to be a d u b i o u s h y b r i d ; t h i s h y b r i d c o m b i n a t ion r e s u l t e d in t h e e x i s t e n c e of "ffilago neglecta (So~'.-W~LL.) DC.", a v e r y i n t e r e s t i n g a n d n o w p e r h a p s e x t i n c t W e s t E u r o p e a n t a x o n . T h e r e are r e p e a t e d errors in t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n a l r e c o r d s o f h y b r i d s f r o m c o n t i n e n t a l E u r o p e ; d a t a f r o m C z e c h o s l o v a k i a were overlooked in m a n y cases. E x a m p l e s o f o m i t t e d h y b r i d s f r o m t h i s c o u n t r y r e c o r d e d in earlier l i t e r a t u r e a r e g i v e n in t h e following p a r a g r a p h ( t h e y a r e t a k e n o v e r f r o m m a t e r i a l s o r i g i n a l l y prepared for m y " C a t a l o g u e o f t h e Czechoslovak flora"):

B00KREVIEWS

217

Betula n a n a • B. pubescens (300); Carex demis*a • C.flava (520); Chenopodlum album • Ch. striatum (182); Chenopodium album • Ch, suecicum (180); Dactylorhiza fuchsii • D. incarnata (496); Dactylorhiza fuchsii • Gymnadenia conopsea (484); Dactylorhiza fuchsii • Pseudorchis albida (488); Dryopteris carthusiana • D. cristata (116); Dryopteris carthusiana • D. dilatata (117); Gnaphalium norvegicum • G. sylvaticum (411); Gymnadenia conopsea • Pseudorchis albida (482); Hypericum maeulatum • H. perforatum (165); Lolium multiflorum • L. perenne (555); Orchis militaris "/ O. purpurea (491); Potentilla anglica • P. erecta (207); Primula elatior )< P. vulgaris (347); Rorippa (Nasturtium) microphyllum • J~. nasturtium.aquaticum (150); Rorippa pal ustris • R. sylvestris (151); R u m e x eonfertus • R. crispus (280); Rumex conglomeratus • R. maritimus (290); Rumex conglomeratus • R. sangulneus (289); R u m e x crispus • R. san. guineus (285); Salix purpurea • S. viminalis (312); S y m p h y t u m asperum • S. officinale (353); S y m p h y t u m officinale • S. tuberosum (355); Senecio vernalis • S. vulgaris (409); Ulmus carpinifolza • U. glabra (294); Verbaseum blattaria • V. densiflorum (362) etc. Further hybrids known to me from Czechoslovakia (but perhaps not mentioned in the literature till now) are: Cirsium acaule • C. palustre (423); Dryopteris filix-mas • 1). pseudomas (113); L~ilobium lanceolatum • E. montanum (257); Primula veris • P. vulgaris (346). The book represents a very valuable contribution to European botanical literature. Let us hope t h a t it will stimulate the compilation of similar publicatmns in other countries. I t is the pleasant duty of the revmwer to congratulate the authors, the Editor and t h e Academic Press on their very successful work.

JOSEF HOLUB

A. HASLEIr [ed.] COUPLING

OF LAND AND WATER SYSTEMS

Ecological Studies 10. -- Springer Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg et New York 1975, 309 pp., 90 Fig., 42 Tables. At the X V I I I t h International Congress of Limnology in Leningrad in 1972, the International Association for Ecology (INTECOL) convened a meeting dedicated to the highly important topic of interactions betweei~ aquatic and their surrounding terrestrial ecosystems. Altogether 18 papers presented at t h a t meeting by 25 authors from 9 countries have been put together in the present volume of Springer's "Ecological Studies" series. Inevitably, proceedings of scientific meetings tend to become less coherent in both contents and presentation t h a n monographs by only one or a few authors; gaps are to be expected and excused in the coverage of the subject. All this is true of the preser~t book; yet, it provides interesting insights into two aspects of land-water interactmns: (a) mutual inputs and outputs between land and water; (b) functioning of wetlands, which represent intermediate ecosystems forming a natural buffer zone between water and land. The editor has divided up the mosaic of particular investigations reported upon in the book into 12 sections, each comprising from one to three papers. The following 8 sections are mainly concerned with the mutual transfers of m a t t e r and energy between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Section 1, Nutrient--Hydrologic Interactions, comprises 3 papers, all based on evidence from quantitative watershed studms conducted in different parts of the eastern Unite~I States. All three studies (by G. E. LIKENS and F. H. Bo~MA~T~, J. W. ELwooD and G. S. HE~-DEESO~, and by O. L. Loucxs) provide excellent examples of ecological investigations based on t h e systems approach and directed towards clearly defined aims, with important practical implications, e.g., the ecological effects of deforestation. Sectmn 2, Balances in Man-Made Lakes, contains 2 papers (by L. P~OCHAZKOVs and J. C~ALVPA, respectively), both based on evidence on nitrogen and phosphorus, or iron and phosphate balances m two artificial lakes in Bohemia. A clear-cut and worrying correlation has been fitted between the annual mean nitrate concentration in a reservoir and the amount of nitroge~ fertilizers applied to the drainage area of t h a t reservoir (L. PI~OCHs

218

FOLIA GEO]3OTANICA ET PHYTOTAXONOMICA, 12, 1977

Section 6, Food Relations and Behavior of Salmonid Fishes, which comprises 2 papers, is not as remote from the botanists' interest as the title may indicate. One of the papers (R. L. HUNT) deals with the food dependence of salmonid fishes on terrestrial invertebrates which, in turn, thrive only on river and stream banks with an undisturbed vegetation. The other paper (E. M. KROKHIN) analyzes the positive effects on lake production, both primary and at higher trophic levels, of the originally marine mineral nutrients whose vectors are migrating salmon spawners. Section 7, Natural and Modified Plant Communities, as Related to Runoff and Sediment Yields, contains only one paper (F. A. BRANSSON) which, however, is of great interest to plant ecologists. I t relates the precipitation, biomass and cover of the altitudinally differentiated principal vegetation types (from saltbush through grassland and forest to alpine meadows) occurring in the Upper Colorado River basin, to the runoff, sediment yields and relative erosion in these communities. The effects of various treatments, especially those of vegetation conversioit {through fire, deforestation, grazing, modifications of soil surface and chemical treatment) are also discussed. Section 8, Landscapes of River Basins, presents two splendid surveys of the two largest South American river basins: the Paran~ river basin (A. A. BONETTO), with stress on vegetation p a t t e r n s and chemical water characteristics along the main river valley, and the Amazon region (H. SIOLI) with stress on geomorphological aspects and on the relationship between soil properties in the drainage area and the outflowing water quality. A logical follow-up is the only paper (A. B. VINER) contained in Section 10 giving a detailed account of mineral nutrient supplies to tropical rivers and lakes in Uganda, relatively undisturbed b y m a n ' s activities. On the other hand, Sections 9 and 12, each containing one paper, analyze t h e trophic conditions in temperate lakes more or less profoundly affected by eutrophication resulting from human activities. Several Italian lakes and the Laurentian Great Lakes serve as examples in the two papers concerned (L. TONOLLI et al., and C. L. SCHELSKE). The remaining four sections of the book predominantly pay attention to certain problems of wetland ecology. The development of bog mires and their influence on landscapes are t r e a t e d in Section 3, which comprises 2 papers (N. MALMER, and M. L. HEINSELMAN). Section 4 consists of only one paper (G. F. LEE et al.) evaluating the effect of marshes on water quality as studied in t h e Wisconsin lake area. The beneficial effects are linked with t h e storage of water-plant nutrients, precipitation of certain ions and denitrifieation taking place in a marsh while the frequently intense nitrogen fixation and increased organic m a t t e r content m a y be regarded as adverse effects additional to the more conspicuous ones of water eolour a n d odour. I n general, however, the beneficial effects outweigh the detrimental effects while drainage of a marsh will enhance the eutrophication of the outflowing water. Mangrove forests and their importance for aquatic productivity are treated in a paper (W. E. ODUM and E. J. HEALD) which constitutes Section 5 of the book and proves the hypothesis t h a t mangrove detritus acts as the energy source for an extensive aquatic food web. The last primarily wetland-oriented Section 11 comprises a single paper (E. PIECZYI~SKA) dealing with lake littorals in the Mazurian Lakeland, Poland, as t h e y interact with the surrounding land. The author distinguishes 6 types of interactions identifiable, in general terms, also in other lake and pond littorals. The littoral vegetation plays a key role in m a n y of these interactions. This survey of the contents of the book gives an idea of the variety of problems encountered when evaluating land-water interactions. No book seems to have treated these problems comprehensively so far, however needful this may be. Bearing this circumstance in mind, one can only welcome the monograph reviewed hereby, as the first step towards elaborating a systematic approach to the study of the interactions, and the "Ecological Studies" series is to be thanked for this book. The presentation, language and style of the book are attractive, its layout and print are clear as is usual with Springer's scientific books; only a few photographs would have benefited if they had been printed on glossy paper. This minute drawback, of course, does not invalidate the book as a most useful starting-point for anyone wishing to learn about the varied links coupling together terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. At the same time, however, the book enhances our desire for a more thorough t r e a t m e n t of the subject. Will the "Ecological Studies" series take up this challenge? JAN KV~T

~00KaEWEWS

219

JkVORKA--CSAI~ODY ICONOGRAPHIA CENTRALIS

FLORAE

PARTIS

AUSTRO-ORIENTALIS

EUROPAE

A k a d ~ m i a i K i a d 6 , B u d a p e s t 1975; p. 73 -b 578 p l a t e s + 40 colour p l a t e s . - - P r i c e : 85 dollars T h e well k n o w n i c o n o g r a p h y , , I c o n o g r a p h i a florae h u n g a r i c a e " b y S. JJ~VORKA a n d V. CSAPODY w a s p u b l i s h e d in 1929--1934. I t is n o w r e - e d i t e d u n d e r a different title d u e to c h a n g e s in t h e political a r r a n g e m e n t of t h e a r e a covered. T h e first e d i t i o n w a s a n i l l u s t r a t i o n s u p p l e m e n t to J X v o ~ A ' s p l a n t d e t e r m i n a t o r , , M a g y a r fl6ra (Flora h u n g a r i c a ) " p u b l i s h e d in 1924--1925. T h e n e w e d i t i o n o f t h e , , I c o n o g r a p h i a is p u b l i s h e d i n d e p e n d e n t l y fifty y e a r s a f t e r t h e e d i t i o n of JIVORKA'S book. T h i s b o o k w a s m u c h in d e m a n d n o t o n l y in H u n g a r y b u t also on t h e intern a t i o n a l b o o k m a r k e t , i n d i c a t i n g t h a t i t s scientific v a l u e h a s n o t decreased. T h e b o o k w a s t h e r e s u l t of c o l l a b o r a t i o n b e t w e e n t w o e m i n e n t personalities, c o m b i n i n g t h e careful scientific w o r k of S. JIVO~KA w i t h t h e excellent d r a u g h t s m a n s h i p o f V. Cs~a'ODY. I t covers t h e area o f h i s t o r i c a l H u n g a r y , i.e. i n a d d i t i o n to p r e s e n t - d a y H u n g a r y also Slovakia, T r a n s c a r p a t h i a n U k r a i n e , T r a n s s y l v a n i a , t h e B a n a t , N o r t h J u g o s l a v i a (to t h e n o r t h e a s t e r n p a r t of t h e A d r i a t i c Sea) a n d E a s t A u s t r i a ( B u r g e n l a n d ) . T h e m a j o r i t y o f r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s of t h e C e n t r a l E u r o p e a n flora a n d n e a r l y all species f r o m t h e C a r p a t h i a n s a n d f r o m t h e P a n n o n i a n l o w l a n d s (total n u m b e r , 4090) a r e i l l u s t r a t e d in t h i s I c o n o g r a p h y . U s u a l l y t h e whole or p a r t i a l h a b i t u s o f p l a n t s is s h o w n , o f t e n in t h e original size (or t h e r e d u c t i o n is g i v e n in e a c h case); i m p o r t a n t differential c h a r a c t e r s a r e o f t e n a d d e d to t h e i l l u s t r a t i o n s of t h e h a b i t u s . I n closely allied t a x a h a v i n g t h e s a m e h a b i t u s o n l y d r a w i n g s o f t h e i r d i a g n o s t i e c h a r a c t e r s a r e given. R e f e r e n c e to J~VOR~A'S , , M a g y a r fl6ra'" is b y u s e of t h e species n u m b e r s ; in b o t h b o o k s species are ordered a c c o r d i n g t o E~OLF-a~'S s y s t e m . E x c e p t for 25 p h o t o g r a p h i c p l a t e s i n c l u d i n g 72 species all i l l u s t r a t i o n s f r o m t h e first e d i t i o n r e - a p p e a r in t h i s e d i t i o n ; o n l y t e c h n i c a l c o r r e c t i o n s h a v e been m a d e . T h a n k s to t h e e x c e l l e n t g u i d a n c e o f V. Csn2oDY b y S. JIVORXA, a l m o s t all t a x a were i l l u s t r a t e d v e r y a c c u r a t e l y a n d t h e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c f e a t u r e s a r e s h o w n as e x a c t l y a s possible, m a k i n g t h e b o o k a n i m p o r t a n t d e t e r m i n a t i o n aid. O n l y few d r a w i n g s are less a c c u r a t e or i n a d e q u a t e (e.g. Bromusramosus, Dorycnium herbaceum, Z a m i u m galeobdolon). T h e b o o k is i m p o r t a n t also f r o m t h e n o m e n c l a t u r a l v i e w p o i n t , a s it i n c l u d e s s o m e n e w n o m e n c l a t u r a l c o m b i n a t i o n s for subspecies, in w h i c h -- in c o n t r a d i s t i n c t i o n to JXVOlCKA'S " M a g y a r fl6ra" -- t h e r a n k u s e d is d i s t i n c t l y d e s i g n a t e d (except for t h o s e in T h y m u s serpyllum). T h e n e w e d i t i o n o f t h e " I c o n o g r a p h i a " w a s p r e p a r e d b y R . So6 a n d S. P~ISZTER, w h o s u p p l e m e n t e d t h e o r i g i n a l t e x t b y c o r r e c t i o n s o f a t a x o n o m i c a n d n o m e n c l a t u r a l c h a r a c t e r (So6 25 p.), precise p u b l i c a t i o n d a t e s of i n d i v i d u a l p a r t s of t h e first e d i t i o n a s well as b y a H u n g a r i a n -L a t i n -- E n g l i s h d i c t i o n a r y of t e r m s u s e d in t h e t e x t to t h e i l l u s t r a t i o n s a n d a n e x p l a n a t o r y list of H u n g a r i a n g e o g r a p h i c a l n a m e s (S. PRISZTER). T h e t e x t s to t h e i l l u s t r a t i o n s are i d e n t i c a l w i t h t h o s e in t h e first edition; R . So6 rectifies t h e r e f o r e s o m e o f t h e d a t a i n c l u d e d t h e r e in h i s corrections, to be c o n s i s t e n t w i t h t h e p r e s e n t t a x o n o m i c classification a n d n o m e n c l a t u r e . T h e r e are s o m e s h o r t c o m i n g s in h i s v a l u a b l e c o n t r i b u t i o n a n d several o f t h e m will be d i s c u s s e d in t h e following p a r a g r a p h . iycopodiella o u g h t to h a v e b e e n u s e d a s t h e c o r r e c t generic n a m e i n s t e a d of t h e illegitimate Lepidotis. I n c l u s i o n o f t w o m e m b e r s of Helictotrichon s.s. -- H. convolutum a n d H. decorum -- i n t o Avenochloa is e r r o n e o u s f r o m t h e t a x o n o m i c v i e w p o i n t . Carduus lobulatus h a r d l y b e l o n g s to C. 8plnulosus; in f a c t it is a p r o d u c t of h y b r i d i z a t i o n b e t w e e n C. acanthoides a n d C. glaucinus. B e c a u s e t h e p u b l i c a t i o n of t h e generic n a m e Eragrostis b y WOLF p r o v e d to be valid, E. minor h a s a g a i n b e c o m e t h e v a l i d n a m e for E. poaeoides. Veronica crassifolia WIERZB. ex HEUFF. 1835 c a n n o t be t h e c o r r e c t n a m e of t h e p l a n t f r o m t h e B a n a t as a n earlier h o m o n y m V. crassifolia KIT. a p u d ROEM. et SCHULT. 1817 e x i s t s for a t a x o n o m i c a l l y different t a x o n . C h a n g e s of a u t h o r s h i p h a v e to be m a d e in s o m e n a m e s of subspecies, e.g. in Botrychium virginianum s u b s p , europaeum -(A~GSTR.) J~VOI~KA; Bupleurum falcatum s u b s p , dilatatum -- S C H ~ ; Jovibarba hirta s u b s p . glabrescens -- (SABR.) HOLUB; Libanotis pyrenaica s u b s p , montana -- (CR.) LEMKE et ROTHM. T h e c o r r e c t n a m e for t h e last m e n t i o n e d t a x o n in t h e classification a c c e p t e d is L. pyrenaica s u b s p , bipinnata (CELAX.) HOLUB. T h e s e l e c t i o n of a n a m e f r o m t w o n a m e s p u b l i s h e d s i m u l t a n e o u s l y in t h e s a m e p u b l i c a t i o n for one t a x o n c a n n o t be m a d e on t h e b a s i s o f t h e i r serial s e q u e n c e {as c o n s i d e r e d b y So5 in t h e case of Ambrosia elatior); a c c o r d i n g to t h e Code, t h e selection m u s t follow t h e a u t h o r w h o first c o m b i n e d t h e t w o n a m e s u n d e r t h e one o f t h e m . E p i t h e t s d e r i v e d

220

F O L I A G E O B O T A N I C A 1IT PHYTOTAXONOl~IICA, 1 2 , 1 9 7 7

f r o m p e r s o n a l n a m e s e n d i n g in " - e r " m i g h t h a v e b e e n c o r r e c t e d to r e a d besseranus, kerneranus, sadleranus, i n s t e a d of besserian~*s etc. T o g e t h e r w i t h JJ~VORKA'S d e t e r m i n a t i o n book " M a g y a r fldra" a n d t h e five v o l u m e s o f S o 6 ' s S y n o p s i s , t h i s I c o n o g r a p h y r e p r e s e n t s a basic w o r k o n t h e flora of H u n g a r y a n d n e i g h b o u r i n g c o u n t r i e s : t h e y all give a s u m m a r y of i m p o r t a n t i n f o r m a t i o n o n i n d i v i d u a l species of t h a t area. T h e re-edition of t h e I c o n o g r a p h y w a s p r e p a r e d b y t h e e d i t o r s a n d t h e p u b l i s h e r s e x e m p l a r i l y a n d t h e b o o k will c e r t a i n l y be a c c e p t e d w i t h a g r e a t s u c c e s s b y t h e i n t e r n a t i o n a l b o t a n i c a l public, as w a s t h e first edition. W e c a n o n l y be grateful to t h e e d i t o r s as to t h e p u b l i s h i n g h o u s e f o r this praiseworthy publication. Jos~ ttOLVB

A. POLJAKOFF-MAYBER a n d J. GALE (ed.) PLANTS

IN

SALINE

ENVIRONMENTS

Ecological S t u d i e s 15. -- S p r i n g e r - u

Berlin, t t e i d e l b e r g et N e w Y o r k 1975, 213 pp., 54 Figs.

Successive w a t e r p o l l u t i o n in t h e b i o s p h e r e is closely r e l a t e d to t h e e c o n o m i c a l l y i m p o r t a n t q u e s t i o n o f r e c l a m a t i o n a n d c u l t i v a t i o n of saline soils a n d t h e u s e of w a t e r w i t h a r e l a t i v e l y h i g h c o n c e n t r a t i o n of soluble salts. S a l i n i t y p r o b l e m s h a v e b e e n t r e a t e d in r e c e n t t i m e s i n n u m e r o u s h a n d b o o k s a n d reviews. I n c o m p a r i s o n w i t h p r e c e d i n g l i t e r a t u r e d e a l i n g w i t h t h e effects o f s a l i n i t y o n p l a n t hfe, t h i s b o o k p r e s e n t s a general r e v i e w i n c l u d i n g several n e w special aspects. of t h e r e s p o n s e of p l a n t s to a saline e n v i r o n m e n t . M a n y o f t h e p r o b l e m s d i s c u s s e d c o n c e r n agric u l t u r a l crops, b u t m o r e t h a n h a l f t h e b o o k deals w i t h v a r i o u s r e a c t i o n s to s a l i n i t y i n different p l a n t s b o t h wild a n d d o m e s t i c a t e d . T h e book, w h i c h o p e n s u p n e w a s p e c t s o f p r o b l e m s r a i s e d b y s a l i n i t y therefore p r e s e n t s freely c o n n e c t e d s h o r t s t u d i e s a s well as t h e a u t h o r ' s o w n experim e n t a l r e s u l t s , on m o r p h o l o g y of t h e cellular or s u b c e l l u l a r level, t h e m e t a b o l i s m a n d bioc h e m i s t r y of salt tolerance, g a s e x c h a n g e , w a t e r r e l a t i o n s a n d g r o w t h as well as special s t r u c t u r a l and flmetional adaptations such as the functmning of salt glands. T h e first c h a p t e r (The s a l i n i t y p r o b l e m in general. I t s ~ m p o r t a n c e a n d d i s t r i b u t i o n ) , b y V . J . C~AP~IAX, gives a g e n e r a l r e v i e w of t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n of saline h a b i t a t s w i t h h M o p h y t i e v e g e t a t i o n t h r o u g h o u t t h e world. T h e a u t h o r e m p h a s i z e s t h e e c o n o m i c v a l u e o f saline l a n d s , e s p e c i a l l y o f large m a r i t i m e a r e a s s u c h as estuaries, m a r s h e s a n d m a n g r o v e s w a m p s . I f t h e e x c e s s of s a l t c a n ]co r e m o v e d , s u c h l a n d s a c q u i r e h i g h a g r m u l t u r M value. F i r s t , h o w e v e r , a n e c o n o m i c a p p r a i s a l m u s t be g i v e n o f t h e t o t a l v a l u e o f saline a r e a s u n d e r wild c o n d i t i o n s in c o m p a r i s o n w i t h t h e i r v a l u e a f t e r r e c l a m a t i o n , to a v o i d t h e r i s k o f d a m a g i n g t h e overall e n v i r o n m e n t . I n v i e w of t h e n e e d s o f a g r i c u l t u r a l r e c l a m a t i o n s of s u c h h a b i t a t s , C~APMAN d i s c u s s e s m a n y p r o b l e m s c o n c e r n i n g t h e f u n c t i o n s of p l a n t s a d a p t e d to excess of salt: t o l e r a n c e of s a l i n i t y in p h y s i o l o g i c a l races, s a l t e x c r e t i o n , m i c r o o r g a n L ' m s p r e s e n t in saline soils, seed g e r m i n a t i o n , etc. I n e o n c l u m o n CHAPMAN s u m m a r i z e s t h e c o n t e m p o r a r y s i t u a t i o n a n d p e r s p e c t i v e s in t h e e c o n o m i c u s e of saline a r e a s s u c h a s m a n g r o v e swaps, m a r i t i m e s a l t m a r s h e s , a n d i n l a n d s a l i n e soils w~th r e s p e c t to t h e chorea o f a p p r o p r i a t e p l a n t species a n d crop r o t a t i o n in r e c l a i m e d soils. T h e s e c o n d c h a p t e r b y D. L. CARTER ( P r o b l e m s o f s a l i n i t y in agriculture), d i s c u s s e s t h e difficulties of m o d e r n a g r i c u l t u r a l p r a c t i c e in c o m b a t t i n g d a m a g e c a u s e d b y s a l i n i t y s u c h a s s a l t a c c u m u l a t i o n in t h e .~od as r e l a t e d to salt c o n c e n t r a e i o n m irrigation w a t e r a n d f r e q u e n c y o f i r r i g a t i o n in relation to l e a c h i n g ; d e v e l o p m e n t of s a l i n i t y in fertile l o w l a n d s as a r e s u l t o f excessive i r m g a t i o n ; selection of a p p r o p r m t e crops a n d c r o p - s t a n d e s t a b l i s h m e n t w i t h r e s p e c t to s e n s i t i v i t y to s a l i n i t y d u r i n g g e r m i n a t i o n ; l e a c h i n g r e q u i r e m e n t s a n d d r a i n a g e , etc. T h e following t w o c h a p t e r s b y I. SHm~BERG a n d L. D. D05-EESr, respectively, deal w i t h t h e p h y s i c s a n d c h e m i s t r y of saline a n d alealine (scdic) soils, t h e h y d r a u h e c o n d u c t i v i t y o f salt-aff e c t e d soil a n d ion e x c h a n g e e q u i l i b r m , a n d t h e q u a l i t y of i r r i g a t i o n w a t e r a n d s a l i n i t y c o n t r o l during irrigation. T h e n e x t (fifth) c h a p t e r b y A. J. PEeK (Effects of l a n d u s e on s a l t d i s t r i b u t i o n in t h e soil) e x a m i n e s t h e f e e d b a c k of l a n d u s e on t h e p h y s m s a n d c h e m i s t r y a n d s a l t equilibria i n t h e soils, t h e i n c r e a s e in t h e g r o u n d w a t e r r e c h a r g e , t h e d i s t u r b a n c e s c a u s e d b y i r r i g a t i o n a n d r e p l a c e m e n t o f forest v e g e t a t m n b y c r o p s or p a s t u r e s , etc. T h e t~me scale for a t t a i n i n g n e w w a t e r a n d salt b a l a n c e s m a y be e s t i m a t e d to r a n g e up to several h u n d r e d s o f y e a r s in s o m e f a r m e d areas.

B00KREVIEWS

221

As the mineral nutrition and ion uptake by plants in relation to salimty have recently been reviewed by other authors, the editors give only brief introductory remarks to the second part of the book, dealing mainly with the physiological problems of salinity in plants. The various mechanisms, by which plants react to enhanced salinity vary considerably depending on the plant species, its developmental stage, the salt regime in the soil and climatic factors such as temperature, rain, atmospheric humidity, etc. Chapter six by A. POLJAKOFFMAYBER discusses various effects of salinity on plant growth and structure, on succulence and on leaf a n a t o m y of both crops and halophytie wild-growing species; on the stem and root structure, on the microscopic and submicroscopic structure of leaf cells and arrangement of assimilatory tissues, changes of chloroplast and mitochondria structure, etc. However, all the reactions of plants subjected to high salt concentrations in experimental conditions have been mainly assessed in typical crop plants commonly used in experimental physiology, such as tomato, beans or barley. The comparisons with natural halophilous species, treated b y similar exposures to raised salinity, are not sufficiently exhaustive and specific to provide differentiated knowledge of the various responses of different plants to different types of salinity stress. Chapter Seven by W. W. THOMSON dealing with the structure, ultrastructure, functioning, physiological role and metabolism of salt glands occurring in wild-growing halophytes is a supplementary report on sophisticated research into the ultrastructure and functioning of secretory organs. I t presents m a n y interesting hypotheses of different secretory mechanisms. However, the highly theoretical and basic investigations of this problem cannot elucidate so many problems of agriculture in saline environments. The same can be said about Chapter Eight by A. I~YLIIq and R. S. QUATRANO, describing the metabolic and biochemical aspects of salt tolerance mainly on the cellular level. On the other hand, the last Chapter Nine and Ten, both by J. GALE, discussing the water balance, gas exchange and combined effect of environmental factors and salinity on plant growth, are focussed on physiological functions at the level of the plant as a whole in its natural environment. This more ecological approach can give some summarizing knowledge of the metabolism and reactions of plants in saline environments. In conclusion, it can be said that the book presents good several chapters on the problems of salinity and many new experimental findings or confirmations of the response of plants to salinity. But it contains few connecting remarks elucidating salinity problems and helpful for agriculture in saline environments. The careful technical setup customary in Springer's "Ecological Studies" series makes this volume a valuable addition to knowledge of the problems of salinity in plant life. D A G M A R DYKYJOV.~.

F. E. WIEL(~OLASKI (ed.)

FENOSKANDIAN

TUNDRA

ECOSYSTEMS

PART

2

Ecological Studies 17. -- Springer Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg et New York 1975 The first part of Fonnoscandian Tundra Ecosystems dealt with environmental conditions, vegetation, plant production, decomposers and nutrient cycling in the Felmoscandian I B P Tundra ecosystems. This second volume deals with faunal structure, organization and dynamics of populations, bioenergetics, herbivory aspects, conservation and recreation in the tundra, and finally with models for integration and prediction. There are in all 36 contributors to this p a r t from Norway, Sweden and Finland. The primary production of the Fennoscandian tundra ecosystems was found to be 100-900 g/m 2 or t/kin 2. On this relatively low production a remarkable number of species of consumers live. The number of vertebrate species breeding within the Fennoscandian tundra is 84 in Hardangervidda, 65 in Kevo and 147 in Stordalen, including e.g. reindeer, hare, moose, ptarmigans etc. among the herbivores, wolf, wolverine and lynx (all of t h e m rare), as well as foxes, arctic foxes and weasels among the carnivores. The number of invertebrates is difficult to determine, for obvious reasons. I t was found t h a t the invertebrate fauna of various systematic groups shows a decrease of diversity along the gradient from the arctic continental Kevo to the Atlantic-maritime Hardangervidda. The faunal structure of the individual I B P Tundra sites was thoroughly studied. Especially

222

FOLIA GEOBOTANICA ET PHYTOTAXONOMICA, 12, 1977"

interesting were t h e studies of d y n a m i c s of various i n v e r t e b r a t e as well as vertebrate groups, s u c h as Oribatei, Collembola, Spiders, or Passerines. The a d a p t a t i o n of invertebrates to Arctic or Alpine conditions was studied, e.g. t h e h i g h e r respiratory rates or a prolonged life cycle in Arctic or Alpine biota, compared with lower s i t u a t e d sites. Cycles of productivity of some vertebrates were s t u d i e d d u r i n g a series of years. I t w a s shown f u r t h e r t h a t the range size of birds increases t o w a r d s t h e n o r t h , corresponding to lower resources. Special a t t e n t i o n was paid to wild reindeer a n d to sheep food habits. I t is typical for I B P projects t h a t t h e y t r y to give t h e necessary information on t h e h u m a n influence on t h e studied bioms, a n d on the possibilities of conservation of t u n d r a landscapes. F o r b o t a n i s t s t h e m o s t i n t e r e s t i n g chapters are " A m a t h e m a t i c a l s i m u l a t i o n model for terrestrial t u n d r a ecosystems" a n d t h e " F u n c t i o n i n g of F e n n o s c a n d i a n t u n d r a ecosystems". T h e p r e s e n t book is very useful as a source of solid i n f o r m a t i o n on t h e F e n n o s c a n d i a n t u n d r a as a model for working out other, more complicated bioms. T h e book h a s 81 figures a n d 97 tables, illustrating t h e individual chapters. I t is well p r i n t e d a n d represents a valuable contribution to general ecological knowledge. EMIL HADA~

LARS RODENBORG BODENNUTZUNG, IN EINEM ALTEN

PFLANZENWELT WEIDEGEBIETAUF

UND IHRE VER~-NDERUNGEN MITTEL-0LAND, SCHWEDEN

Vaxtekologiska studier 7. -- S v e n s k a Vi~xtgeografiska Sallskapet, U p p s a l a 1976, 210 S., 34 A b b . Diese komplexe Arbeit fiber ein verhaltnismSssig kleines Weidegebiet (14 ha) stellt keine gewohnliche, okologische oder v e g e t a t i o n s k u n d l i c h e Studie vor, obwohl die Vegetation i m B r e a n p u n k t des Interesses des Autors steht. E s w u r d e n a u c h historische M e t h o d e n zur E r m i t t l u n g der Z u s a m m e n h a n g e zwischen Vegetation u n d S t a n d o r t a u s g e n u t z t . A u f G r u n d der topographischen Beschreibung des g a n z e n Gebietes, der l~utzungsgeschiehte, der Bodenverhi~ltnisse u n d des K l i m a s h a t der Autor ein gcsetzmassiges Bild der gegcnw~rtigen Vegetation gebildet. Gerade die komplexe LSsung der Probleme u n d die B i n d u n g der einzelnen Standortsfaktoren u n d wirtschaftlichen Eingriffe h a t die zuf~tlligen Momente y o n den regelm~ssig u n d gcsetzm~ssig wirkenden F a k t o r e n zu unterscheiden ermbglicht. D a d u r c h g e w i n n t diese kleinr~tumige Studie eine die Grenzeu dcr Inse] 01and weir iiberschreitende B e d e u t u n g . D a s ganze U n t e r s u c h u n g s g e b i e t wird m homogene Teile m i t unterschiedlichen t o p o g r a p h i s c h e n u n d pedologischen Bedingungen eingeteilt. Diese Gliederung b c r u h t a u c h a u f versehiedener wirtschaftlicher N u t z u n g in der Vergangenheit (z. B. der Wechsel y o n Weiden-, Acker- u n d ~Viesenvegetation), welche die Differcnzierung der Bodeneigenschaften ruckwirkend [beeinflu2t. Ftlr das S t u d i u m der Vegetation h a t der A u t e r dm Ztirich-Montpellier-Methodcn beniitzt (din phytozonologische A u f n a h m e u n d die Transekte fiir die t~bcrgangs- u n d K o n t a k t z o n e n ) . Fiir die Schlussbewertung u n d Klassifizierung der Vegetation h a t er abet n u r die breiten F o r m a tionseinheiten a n g c w a n d t (Kalkfelsenrasen, Trittrasen, S a u m v e g e t a t i o n usw.) u n d die Mdglichkeiten der E i n r e i h u n g zu den Klassifikationseinheiten der Ztirich-Montpellier-Schule h a t er i m A b s a t z ,,Soziologische Vergleiche" diskutiert. Die H a u p t a u f m e r k s a m k e i t , wird der Trockenr a s e n v e g e t a t i o n (Festuco-Brometea) gewidmet, abcr ftir den Vergleich m i t den m i t t e l e u r o p ~ i s c h e n Verh~ltnissen sind a u c h die Gesellschaften der Sedo.Scleranthetea, Trifolio-Geranietea u n d Querco-Fagetea von Bedeutung. Bei jeder Vegetationseinheit werden Verbreitung, S t a n d o r t s v e r h~ltnisse, K e n n - u n d T r e n n a r t e n , S t r u k t u r , Lebensformen, Variabilitat, Soziologische Vergleiche, D y n a m i k u n d K o n t a k t v e g e t a t i o n behandelt. Besondere A u f m e r k s a m k e i t verdient die t e r m i n o logische Analyse im m e t h o d i s c h e n Kapitel {Termini Heide, Troekenwiese, R a s e n usw.) u n d das Kapitel, das die Einfltisse des Weideganges a u f Flora u n d Vegetation z u s a m m e n f a s s t . M a n m u s s n u r bedauern, dass die Reihe der weiteren wertvollen E r k e n n t n i s s e , sicher y o n breiterer Giiltigkeit, in den beschreibenden K a p i t e l n sich verlieren. Sehr verdienstvoll ist d a s eingehende S t u d i u m der Moosschicht bei allen Einheiten. Die Moosschicht stellt nicht n u t einen A n h a n g der A u f n a h m e n dar, sondern bildet a u c h ein Glied der g a n z e n k a u s a l e n Kette: S t a n d o r t -- Histotie -- Vegetation.

223

BOOKREVIEWS

Die A r b e i t k a n n m a n a u c h als eine wertvolle vergleichende B a s i s fiir zahlreiche gegenwArtigo B r a c h f e l d e r s t u d i e n e m p f e h l e n . Die s t u d i e r t e n F l g c h e n s i n d h i s t o r i s c h p t i n k t l i c h d a t i e r t ; e h e m a l s b e a c k e r t e u n d n i e b e a c k e r t e F l ~ c h e n w e r d e n n i c h t n u r in V e g e t a t i o n a b e r a u c h in B o d e n v e r h a l t n i s s e n verglichen. D a s W c r k ist sieher n i c h t n u r fiir s e i n e n p h y t o z S n o l o g i s c h e n u n d pedolog i s c h e n I n h a l t , s o n d e r n v o r allem f u r seine k o m p l e x e L S s u n g der P r o b l e m e a u s g e s u c h t w e r d e n . DE~ISA BLA~KOV&

F.B.

GOLLEY a n d E. MEDINA (ed.)

TROPICAL ECOLOGICAL TRENDS IN TERRESTRIAL

SYSTEMS AND AQUATIC

RESEARCH

Ecological S t u d i e s 11. - - Springer-Verlag, Berlin, H e i d e l b e r g et N e w Y o r k 1975, 398 p p . F l o u r i s h i n g ecological r e s e a r c h in t h e T r o p m s has. s t a r t e d p r o d u c i n g f r u i t f u l results. I n r e c e n t y e a r s s e v e r a l b o o k s h a v e a p p e a r e d w h i c h p r e s e n t t h e n e w e s t d a t a d e r i v e d f r o m d e t a i l e d ecological work. O n e c o u l d e v e n a s s u m e t h a t t h e g a p b e t w e e n t e m p e r a t e a n d t r o p i c a l ecology h a s b e e n successfully filled. T h i s is far f r o m t r u e . T h e u r g e n t n a t u r e of t a s k s i n t r o p i c a l ecology is d u e to t h e f a c t t h a t w i t h i n a f e w decades t r o p i c a l n a t u r e will suffer m o r e c h a n g e s t h a n t h a t of t h e t e m p e r a t e lands. F A O e s t i m a t e s s h o w t h a t t o w a r d s t h e e n d of t h i s c e n t u r y t h e r e will be n o n a t u r a l forest in t h e h u m i d Tropics. T a x o n o m i c a l e x p e r t s p r e d i c t t h a t s e v e r a l m i l l i o n s f o r m s w h i c h h a v e n o t y e t b e e n d e s c r i b e d b y science live in t h e Tropics. M o s t t r o p i c a l t a x a are k n o w n o n l y b y n a m e a n d e v e n t h i s n a m e h a s b e e n m e n t i o n e d o n l y once in t h e p a p e r w h e r e t h e species w a s first described. T h e e x t i n c t i o n of t h o u s a n d s a n d p r o b a b l y e v e n m i l l i o n s of tropical f o r m s a p p e a r s i n e v i t a b l e a n d we m u s t h u r r y w i t h ecological research. T h i s r e s e a r c h s h o u l d g e t first p r i o r i t y a n d s h o u l d n o t be d i s p l a c e d b y cosmic r e s e a r c h : indeed, t h e M o o n will o u t l a s t t h e Tropics. T h e book e d i t e d b y F. B. GOLLEY a n d E. MEDINA covers a wide v a r i e t y of tropical e c o s y s t e m s a n d a wide v a r i e t y of ecological m e t h o d s . A t t h e v e r y b e g i n n i n g t h e r e is a c h a p t e r on physio-ecological a s p e c t s in t h e Tropics. F. ~OA~TNIERu s e d h i s experience to r e v i e w i m p o r t a n t w o r k done in w a t e r b a l a n c e a n d g r o w t h p h y s i o l o g y o f t r o p i c a l p l a n t s . N e c e s s a r i l y t h i s review is n o t c o m p l e t e a n d is to be r e g a r d e d as first a p p r o x i m a t i o n . T h e n e x t t w o c h a p t e r s c o n t a i n five p a p e r s c o n s i d e r i n g t h e d y n a m i c s o f p o p u l a t i o n s a n d t h e i n t e r a c t i o n b e t w e e n species. G. HAI~TS~IOI~N'S p a p e r e x p l a i n s h o w a p r o j e c t i o n m a t r i x m o d e l c a n be u s e d to describe t h e p o p u l a t i o n d y n a m i c s in t r o p i c a l trees. H i s m e t h o d m a y serve a s a useful tool in d e t e r m i n i n g t h e socmlogical s t a t u s of tree p o p u l a t i o n s . T h e r e a d e r will be a m u s e d b y t h e c a p t i o n of t h e p a p e r b y G. G. MONTGOMERY a n d M. E. SUXQIJIST: " I m p a c t of s l o t h s in n e o t r o p i c a l forest e n e r g y flow a n d n u t r i e n t c y c l i n g " . T h e t i t l e looks like a joke b u t it m a r k s a serious piece of ecological work. W o r k i n g o n B a r r o Colorado, t h e ecologically f a m o u s i s l a n d in t h e P a n a m a C a n a l Zone, t h e a u t h o r s e x a m i n e d t h e t e r r i t o r y , h a b i t s a n d n u t r i t i o n of t w o species of s l o t h s in t h e r a i n forest. T h e s l o t h s were r a d i o m a r k e d b y t r a n s m i t t e r s a n d t h e i r mov e m e n t s a n d h a b i t s were t r a c e d d u r i n g m o r e t h a n one y e a r of field work. T w o c h a p t e r s refer to v a r i o u s k i n d s o f forest a n d s a v a n n a h . A l t o g e t h e r 10 p a p e r s s h o w a v a r i e t y o f s o p h i s t i c a t e d m e t h o d s a n d g o o d r e s u l t s of ecological r e s e a r c h in r e m o t e p a r t s of t h e Tropics. Ch. HUTTEL'S p a p e r on r o o t d i s t r i b u t i o n a n d r o o t b i o m a s s in t h e r a i n forest o f t h e lower I v o r y C o a s t is a good c o n f i r m a t i o n of deep p e n e t r a t i o n o f t r e e r o o t s in tropical soils; t h e idea of t h e , , s h a l l o w r o o t e d n e s s " s h o u l d be crossed o u t o f all ecological t e x t b o o k s . T h e v i g o r o u s effect of fire o n s a v a n n a h v e g e t a t i o n is t h o r o u g h l y a n a l y s e d b y J. J. SAN J o s ~ a n d E. MEDI~A. A n o t h e r l o n g c h a p t e r o f t h e b o o k c o n s i d e r s t h e ecology of r i v e r s a n d m a n g r o v e s . A g r o u p of A m e r i c a n ecologists r e p o r t n e w d a t a o n d i u r n a l r a t e s of p h o t o s y n t h e s i s , r e s p i r a t i o n a n d t r a n s p i r a t i o n . V a l u a b l e d a t a o n p r o d u c t i v i t y in A m a z o n i a n w a t e r bodies a r e p r e s e n t e d b y a G e r m a n t e a m . T h e p i o n e e r w o r k of H. SIOLI is c o n t i n u e d . I n t h e o p i n i o n o f t h e reviewer t h e b o o k c o n t a i n s m u c h i n t e r e s t i n g d a t a w h i c h could t r i g g e r off f u r t h e r r e s e a r c h in little k n o w n p a r t s o f t h e world. T h e b o o k is a c o n f i r m a t i o n of earlier e x p e c t a t i o n s t h a t s o o n e r or later t h e T r o p i c s will p r o v i d e f u n d a m e n t a l biological d a t a a n d replace t e m p e r a t e - o r i e n t e d knowledge. JAN ,TENiK

224

FOLIA GEOBOTANICA ET PHI'TOTAXONOMICA, 12, 1977

R. C. BURNS et R. W. F. H.~mDY

NITROGEN

FIXATION

IN

BACTERIA

AND

HIGHER

PLANTS

Springer Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg et New York 1975, 189 pp., 27 Figs. and 21 Tables. The book was written by two scientists of the Central Research Department of Du Pont. I t summarizes the most important aspects and the latest knowledge on symbiotic as well as asymbiotic nitrogen fixation, covering in full the whole field from the ecological to the molecular level. The material is arranged in two main parts. The first, on "diazotrophs", comprises three chapters and is mostly ecological. The term diazotrophs is introduced here as a new one, referring to any nitrogen fixing organisms or symbiotic association. The history, importance a n d methods of study of nitrogen fixation are treated in Chapter 1. The classification of diazotrophs, their taxonomy and characteristics, and the various biological interrelations involved m N2-fixation are described in Chapter 2. The processes of transfer, transformation, and cycling of nitrogen within different systems are quantitatively evaluated and the world's nitrogen cycling budget is assessed in Chapter 3. I n the second part of the book, longer than the first, the authors present the results of nitrogen fixation studies on the molecular, biophysical and biochemical levels, starting with theoretical premisses and equations describing the processes (Chapter 4). The biophysical and biochemical research is shown to have proceeded along two main routes. The first concerns the physical and chemical characteristics of the enzyme nitrogenase (Chapter 5), the second with the catalytic activity of the enzyme (Chapter 6) and the respective mechanisms (Chapter 7). The cellular accomodation of nitrogenase, the electron donating systems as well as the processes connected with N2-fixation are discussed in Chapter 8. The condensed text is supplemented by a number of instructive tables, graphs, diagrams schemas and photographs and by numerous references. The book is readable and reflects the professional competence of its authors. The detailed information on recent biophysical and biochemical achievements in the study of nitroger~ fixation will undoubtly be helpful to all specialists working deep in enzymology and biochemistry. Nonetheless the book may equally satisfy more generally oriented biologists and ecologists as the first monograph covering all i m p o r t a n t aspects of nitrogen fixation. BLA.~XA I~LEH~OVX