Plants first colonized the land over 430 million years ago, having
evolved from some of the most primitive forms of life. Since then,
plants have played a major role in supplying the atmospheric oxygen we
all need to survive. But how did plants evolve, how has their
distribuion and diversity been affected by changes in climate over
millions of years - and how can these processes be studied?
The Evolution of Plants blends evidence from the fossil record and
data from biomolecular studies to tell the story of plant evolution from
the earliest forms of life to the present day. Focusing on the key
events during the evolution of plants - from the colonization of land to
the first forests, the emergence of seed plants to the evolution of
flowering plants - its straightforward explanations and clear
illustrations provide the reader with the most accessible introduction
to plant evolution available.
With stunning biome maps illustrating the global distribution of plants
during the different periods of life on Earth, the book explains how the
diversity of vegetation has changed in response to climate, reinforcing
the close link between climate change and the process of biological
evolution.
It is a contemporary account of a dynamic field, which is perfect for
any student looking for a broad, balanced introduction to the subject.
Online Resource Centre
The Online Resource Centre to accompany The Evolution of Plants
features
- figures from the book in electronic format, for use by registered
adopters;
- Journal Clubs, which encourage students to critically evaluate and
engage with published research related to topics explored in the book
