Photosynthesis in Bryophytes and Early Land Plants [Paperback]

Bryophytes, which are important constituents of ecosystems globally and often dominate carbon and water dynamics at high latitudes and elevations, were also among the pioneers of terrestrial photosynthesis. Consequently, in addition to their present day ecological value, modern representatives of these groups contain the legacy of adaptations that led to the greening of Earth. This volume brings together experts on bryophyte photosynthesis whose research spans the genome and cell through whole plant and ecosystem function and combines that with historical perspectives on the role of algal, bryophyte and vascular plant ancestors on terrestrialization of the Earth. The eighteen well-illustrated chapters reveal unique physiological approaches to achieving carbon balance and dealing with environmental limitations and stresses that present an alternative, yet successful strategy for land plants.This book reveals unique physiological approaches to achieving carbon balance and dealing with environmental limitations and stresses that present an alternative, yet successful, strategy for land plants.From the Series Editors.- Preface.- The Editors.- Contributors.- Author Index.- 1. What Can We Learn From Bryophyte Photosynthesis?; David T. Hanson, Steven K. Rice.- Summary.- I. Introduction.- II. Terrestrialization.- III. Biochemical and Cellular Biology.- IV. Organization of the Bryophyte Photosynthetic System.- V. Ecophysiology of Bryophyte Photosynthesis: Adapting to Environmental Stress.- VI. Conclusions.- Acknowledgements.- 2. Early Terrestrialization: Transition From Algal to Bryophyte Grade; Linda Graham et al.- Summary.- I. Introduction.- II. Molecular Systematics Provides a Reasonably Well-resolved Framework For Investigations of Terrrestrialization Process and Pattern.- III. Early-evolved Physiological Traits Likely Fostered the Process by Which Streptophytes Made the Transition to Land.- IV. Comparison of Early-diverging Modern Photosynthesizers to Precambrian-DelÂ