Plant Responses to Hyperarid Desert Environments

Description

This book provides a comprehensive discussion on plant responses in hyperarid regions of Egypt, China, Mexico, and Pakistan. It describes their location, physiographic features, accidental vegetation along two transects, endangered vegetation species, human impact, and variety of plant types (e.g. climbing, succulent, and parasitic). Studies on biotic and abiotic interactions, plant biodiversity, and soil-plant relationships are also covered. Covering a wide range of plant conditions and adaptations, this book analyzes what happens when plants must endure very high temperatures and aridity. Plants have adapted by evolving their physical structure to store and conserve water. Examples are the absence of leaves which reduces transpiration and the growth of extremely long roots, allowing them to acquire moisture at, or near the water table. Plants in hyperarid habitats have also made behavioral adaptations in order to survive by synchronizing with the seasons of greatest moisture and/or coolest temperatures. For example, desert perennials remain dormant during dry periods of the year, then spring to life when water becomes available. The book includes many color illustrations, and has extensive and up-to-date references for further reading. Front Matter ....Pages i-xv Arid Deserts of the World: Origin, Distribution, and Features (Monier M. Abd El-Ghani, Francisco Martín Huerta-Martínez, Liu Hongyan, Rahmatullah Qureshi)....Pages 1-7 Front Matter ....Pages 9-9 The Desert of Egypt (Monier M. Abd El-Ghani, Francisco Martín Huerta-Martínez, Liu Hongyan, Rahmatullah Qureshi)....Pages 11-20 The Coastal Desert of Egypt (Monier M. Abd El-Ghani, Francisco Martín Huerta-Martínez, Liu Hongyan, Rahmatullah Qureshi)....Pages 21-81 The Inland Eastern Desert of Egypt (Monier M. Abd El-Ghani, Francisco Martín Huerta-Martínez, Liu Hongyan, Rahmatullah Qureshi)....Pages 83-177 The Inland Western Desert of Egypt (Monier M. Abd El-Ghani, Francisco Martín Huerta-Martínez, Liu Hongyan, Rahmatullah Qureshi)....Pages 179-256 The Sinai Desert (Monier M. Abd El-Ghani, Francisco Martín Huerta-Martínez, Liu Hongyan, Rahmatullah Qureshi)....Pages 257-319 Human Impacts (Monier M. Abd El-Ghani, Francisco Martín Huerta-Martínez, Liu Hongyan, Rahmatullah Qureshi)....Pages 321-413 Plant Responses to Desert Environment (Monier M. Abd El-Ghani, Francisco Martín Huerta-Martínez, Liu Hongyan, Rahmatullah Qureshi)....Pages 415-470 Front Matter ....Pages 471-471 The Deserts of Mexico (Monier M. Abd El-Ghani, Francisco Martín Huerta-Martínez, Liu Hongyan, Rahmatullah Qureshi)....Pages 473-501 Plant–Environment Relationships in Mexican Arid and Semiarid Regions (Monier M. Abd El-Ghani, Francisco Martín Huerta-Martínez, Liu Hongyan, Rahmatullah Qureshi)....Pages 503-527 Front Matter ....Pages 529-529 The Deserts of China (Monier M. Abd El-Ghani, Francisco Martín Huerta-Martínez, Liu Hongyan, Rahmatullah Qureshi)....Pages 531-536 Vegetation and Environment (Monier M. Abd El-Ghani, Francisco Martín Huerta-Martínez, Liu Hongyan, Rahmatullah Qureshi)....Pages 537-544 Front Matter ....Pages 545-545 The Deserts of Pakistan (Monier M. Abd El-Ghani, Francisco Martín Huerta-Martínez, Liu Hongyan, Rahmatullah Qureshi)....Pages 547-573 Back Matter ....Pages 575-598