Wood Structure and Environment [Paperback]

The primary aim of Wood Structure and Environment is to reveal the hidden ecological richness in stems and roots from trees, shrubs and herbs. The detailed, lucid text will inspire researchers to consider the anatomic microcosm of wood plants and use it as a retrospective source of information, solving problems related to ecophysiology, competition, site conditions, population biology, earth science, wood quality and even human history.

Dendrochronology and wood anatomy developed for decades as two independent scientific fields. It was only in the last decade that it was made clear that the dimension of time is the fourth dimension for both sciences and that it was demonstrated that wood anatomy and dendrochronology are perfect partners.

The main aim of this book is to show the hidden ecological richness in stems and roots from trees, shrubs and herbs. It should encourage researchers to consider the anatomic microcosm of wood plants and use it as a retrospective source of information, solving problems related to ecophysiology, competition, site conditions, population biology, earth science, wood quality and even human history.

Preparation of Wood and Herb Samples for Microscopic Analysis.- Growth Zones and Stems in Relation to Genetic Ecological Factors.- Modification of the Tree-Ring Anatomy Due to Ageing and the Position Within the Tree.- Modification of the Tree-Ring Structure Due to Extreme Site Conditions.- Modification of the Tree-Ring Structure Caused by Compression and Tension.- Modification of the Tree-Ring Structure Due to Defoliation and Pollarding.- Modification of the Tree-Ring Structure Due to Destructive Agents in Wood and Bark.- Modification of the Tree-Ring Structure Due to Deformed Stems and Anastomosis.- Modification of the Tree-Ring Structure Due to Wood Decay.- Conclusions.

Dendrochronology and wood anatomy developed for decades as two independent scientific fields. It was only in tlSw