ALBERT

Note: Contents 1 Introduction References Part I Molecular Stress Physiology 2 General Themes of Molecular Stress Physiology 2.1 Definitions and Concepts 2.1.1 Stress 2.1.2 Quantification of Stress 2.1.3 Escape–Resistance–Avoidance–Tolerance 2.1.4 Stress Responses–Acclimation–Adaptation 2.1.5 Filters Determining Species Distribution 2.2 Activation of Stress Tolerance and Avoidance Mechanisms 2.2.1 Stress Sensing and Signal Transduction 2.2.2 Transcriptional Control 2.2.3 Oxidative Stress 2.2.4 Long-Distance Stress Signalling 2.2.5 The Model System Arabidopsis thaliana 2.3 Stress and Growth Regulation 2.4 Molecular Basis of Escape and Anticipation of Stress 2.4.1 Circadian Rhythms 2.4.2 Anticipation of Seasonal Changes in Environmental Conditions 2.4.3 Developmental Switches Triggered by Favourable Conditions 2.4.4 Trans-Generational Stress Memory Summary References 3 Light 3.1 The Dual Significance of Light 3.2 Visible Light 3.2.1 Avoidance of Light Stress and Permanent or Dynamic Acclimation 3.2.2 Overexcitation and Damage to Photosynthetic Membranes. 3.2.3 Flexible Acclimation to Changes in Light Intensity 3.2.4 Continuous Light 3.2.5 Light Triggers Plant Adaptation and Acclimation to the Environment 3.3 UV-B Radiation 3.3.1 Ranges of Ultraviolet Radiation and Biological Activity 3.3.2 Ultraviolet-B Damage and Repair Mechanisms 3.3.3 Avoidance of Ultraviolet-B-Induced Stress 3.3.4 Ultraviolet-B Perception and Signalling 3.3.5 Crosstalk Between Ultraviolet-B and Visible Light Responses Summary References 4 Temperature 4.1 The Temperature Challenge 4.1.1 Temperature Dependence of Life 4.1.2 Plants as Poikilothermic Organisms 4.1.3 Variations in Temperature Range 4.1.4 Strategies to Cope with Temperature Fluctuations and Temperature Extremes 4.2 Cold Acclimation and Freezing Tolerance 4.2.1 Adjustment of Membrane Fluidity 4.2.2 Prevention of Photoinhibition 4.2.3 Cryoprotective Proteins 4.2.4 Control of Ice Formation 4.2.5 Signalling Networks Involved in Cold Acclimation 4.2.6 Freezing Avoidance and Freezing Tolerance in Tropical High Mountain Plants 4.3 Heat Stress 4.3.1 Heat Stress Avoidance 4.3.2 Acquired Thermotolerance 4.3.3 The Heat Shock Response 4.4 Temperature Sensing 4.4.1 Sensing of Extreme Temperatures 4.4.2 Sensing of Ambient Temperature Changes Summary References 5 Oxygen Deficiency 5.1 Conditions of Flooded Soil 5.2 Hypoxia-Induced Damage: Energy Metabolism of Plants Under Oxygen Deficiency 5.3 Natural Variation in the Ability to Endure Inundation by Water 5.4 Adaptations to Flooding-Prone Habitats 5.4.1 Anatomical–Morphological Adaptations and Modifications 5.4.2 Biochemical Modifications 5.5 Sensing of Flooding and Ensuing Signal Transduction 5.5.1 Ethylene Signal Transduction 5.5.2 Oxygen Sensing 5.6 Regulation of Avoidance and Tolerance Strategies Summary References 6 Water Deficiency (Drought) 6.1 The Properties of Water 6.2 Water Acquisition and Movement: Cellular Aspects 6.2.1 The Water Potential 6.2.2 Facilitation of Intercellular and Intracellular Water Flow: Aquaporins 6.3 Drought Stress Responses: Avoidance and Tolerance 6.3.1 Control of the Osmotic Potential 6.3.2 Protective Proteins 6.3.3 Regulation of the Stomatal Aperture 6.4 Acclimation of Growth 6.4.1 Inhibition of Shoot Growth 6.4.2 Stimulation of Root Growth 6.5 Sensing of Water Status and Signal Transduction 6.5.1 Sensing of Water Status 6.5.2 ABA Signal Transduction 6.5.3 ABA-Independent Signalling 6.6 Photosynthesis Variants with Improved Water Use Efficiency 6.6.1 C4 Photosynthesis 6.6.2 Evolution of C 4 Photosynthesis 6.6.3 Crassulacean Acid Metabolism 6.6.4 Evolution of Crassulacean Acid Metabolism Photosynthesis Summary References 7 Adverse Soil Mineral Availability 7.1 Mineral Nutrients 7.2 The Mineral Nutrition Challenge 7.2.1 Elements in the Soil 7.2.2 Element Toxicity 7.3 Nutrient Acquisition and Responses to Nutrient Scarcity 7.3.1 Modulation of Nutrient Availability 7.3.2 Cellular Ion Transport Mechanisms 7.3.3 Modulation of Nutrient Uptake in Response to Deficiency 7.3.4 Intracellular Transport and Cellular Aspects of Long-Distance Transport 7.3.5 Plasticity of Root Architecture and Responses to Nutrient Deficiency 7.3.6 Sensing of Nutrient Availability and Nutrient Status . 7.4 Nutrient Acquisition Symbioses 7.4.1 Mycorrhizae 7.4.2 Nitrogen Fixation 7.4.3 The Common Sym Pathway 7.5 Responses to Element Toxicity and Tolerance Mechanisms 7.5.1 Essential Metal Toxicity and Tolerance 7.5.2 Metal Hyperaccumulators as Models for Adaptation to Extreme Environments 7.5.3 Sodium Toxicity 7.5.4 Aluminium Toxicity and Tolerance 7.5.5 Non-Essential Toxic Metals Summary References 8 Biotic Stress 8.1 Plant Disease Caused by Pathogens 8.1.1 Types of Pathogens: Viruses, Bacteria, Fungi, Oomycetes and Nematodes 8.1.2 Pathogenicity Mechanisms 8.2 Plant Defences Against Microbial Pathogens and Viruses 8.2.1 Preformed Defences Against Bacteria, Fungi and Oomycetes 8.2.2 Inducible Local Defences 8.2.3 Inducible Systemic Resistance 8.2.4 Defence Against Viruses via Gene Silencing 8.3 Herbivory 8.3.1 Constitutive Defences 8.3.2 Inducible Defences Against Herbivores 8.3.3 How Plant–Herbivore Interactions Drive Genetic Diversity 8.4 Parasitic Plants 8.5 Allelopathy Summary References Part II Physiological and Biophysical Plant Ecology 9 Thermal Balance of Plants and Plant Communities 9.1 Energy Balance of the Atmospheric Boundary Layer 9.2 Microclimate Near the Ground Surface 9.2.1 Daily Changes in Temperature Near the Ground 9.2.2 Modification of Environmental Radiation and Temperature by Abiotic Factors 9.2.3 Modification of the Radiation Budget and Temperature by Biotic Factors 9.3 Energy Balance of Leaves 9.4 Acclimation and Adaptation to Temperature Extremes 9.4.1 Acclimation and Adaptation to High Temperatures 9.4.2 Acclimation and Adaptation to Low Temperatures Summary References 10 Water Relations 10.1 Water as an Environmental Factor 10.1.1 Water Use by Plants and Animals 10.1.2 Availability of Water on Earth 10.1.3 Drivers of Water Flow Between the Soil and the Atmosphere 10.2 Water Transport from the Soil to the Plant 10.2.1 Water Uptake 10.2.2 Xylem Water Transport 10.2.3 Phloem Water Transport 10.3 Transpiration 10.3.1 Stomatal Responses to Plant-Internal Factors 10.3.2 Stomatal Responses to Environmental Factors Summary References 11 Nutrient Relations 11.1 Availability of Soil Nutrients and Ion Use 11.1.1 Plant Nutrients 11.1.2 Availability of Nutrients in Soil 11.1.3 General Aspects of Plant Nutrition 11.1.4 Nutrient Deficiency and Excess 11.2 Nitrogen Nutrition 11.2.1 Nitrogen in Plant Metabolism 11.2.2 Nitrogen Uptake and Nutrition 11.2.3 Nitrogen Requirements for Growth 11.2.4 Nitrogen Storage 11.2.5 Insectivorous Plants 11.2.6 Nitrogen Deficiency and Excess 11.3 Sulphur Nutrition 11.3.1 Sulphur in Plant Metabolism 11.3.2 Sulphur Uptake and Plant Requirements 11.3.3 Indicators of Sulphur Deficiency and Excess 11.4 Phosphate Nutrition 11.4.1 Phosphorus in Plant Metabolism 11.4.2 Phosphate Uptake and Plant Requirements 11.4.3 Indicators of Phosphorus Deficiency and Excess 11.5 Alkaline Cation Nutrition 11.5.1 Magnesium 11.5.2 Calcium 11.5.3 Potassium Summary References 12 Carbon Relations 12.1 Photosynthetic CO2 Uptake: Physiological and Physical Basis 12.1.1 Photosynthesis as a Diffusion Process 12.1.2 Evolution of C 3, C4 and Crassulacean Acid Metabolism Plant Species 12.2 Photosynthesis Models and Calculation of 13C/12C Fluxes (Contribution by A. Arneth) 12.2.1 RubisCO-Limited or RuBP-Saturated Rate (Av) 12.2.2 RuBP Regeneration–Dependent and Electron Transport–Limiting Rate (Aj) 12.2.3 Supply of CO 2 Through Stomata 12.2.4 13C/12C Discrimination 12.3 Specific Leaf Area, Nitrogen Concentrations and Photosynthetic Capacity 12.3.1 Specific Leaf Area 12.3.2 Maximum Rates of CO2 Assimilation 12.4 Response of Photosynthesis to Environmental Variables 12.4.1 Light Response of CO 2 Assimilation 12.4.2 Temperature Response of CO2 Assimilation 12.4.3 Relative Air Humidi