A History of Atmospheric CO2 and Its Effects on Plants, Animals, and Ecosystems - (Ecological Studies) (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Based in extensive research in geology, atmospheric science, and paleontology, this book offers a detailed history of CO2 in the atmosphere, and an understanding of factors that have influenced changes in the past. The text illuminates the role of atmospheric CO2 in the modern carbon cycle and in the evolution of plants and animals, and addresses the future role of atmospheric CO2 and its likely effects on ecosystems.

From the Back Cover

Extensive research in geology, atmospheric science, and paleontology provides a detailed history of CO2 in the atmosphere and an understanding of factors that have influenced changes in the past. This knowledge is used to illuminate the role of atmospheric CO2 in the modern carbon cycle and in the evolution of plants and animals. With an understanding of the history and dynamics of the biosphere, the authors address the future role of atmospheric CO2 and its likely effects on ecosystems. This book incorporates the advances of various earth science, environmental, and ecological fields into an overall account of global change and the changing dynamics of life on Earth.

Review Quotes

From the reviews of the first edition:

"A history of atmospheric CO₂ grew out of an interdisciplinary symposium that brought together scientists working on many facets of atmospheric CO₂ across a range of spatial and time scales. ... A history of atmospheric CO₂ is well written and very readable. ... A history of atmospheric CO₂ is recommended reading for anyone working on any aspect of atmospheric CO₂, and may be particularly helpful for graduate students just beginning research in this area. ... the book is interesting, dense with information ... ." (Laurel J. Anderson, Ecology, Vol. 87 (1), 2006)

"Section two, consisting of nine chapters, reports on the effects of biological responses to past changes in atmospheric CO2 concentration. It is the breadth of this section that makes the book an extremely valuable resource for both readers with a peripheral interest in paleoecology and the researcher submersed in this type of work....Finally, the section culminates with an excellent chapter ("CO2, grasses, and human evolution" by N.J. van der Merwe) detailing the effects of atmospheric CO2 on the relationship between the abundance of plants that use the C3 photosynthetic pathway versus those that utilize the C4 photosynthetic pathway and the effects of these differences in hominid evolution....Chapter 18 ("Modern and future forests in a changing atmosphere" by R.J. Norby et al.) does an excellent job of synthesizing the large amount of work recently performed on the responses of forest ecosystems to elevated CO2. Chapter 20 ("Effects of CO2 on plants at different timescales" by B.E. Medlyn and R.E. McMurtrie) provides a fresh perspective on the conclusions drawn from elevated CO2 studies considered across different timescales....Overall, Ehleringer and colleagues have provided an excellent addition to the Springer "Ecological Studies" series. The organization of thevolume is extremely well done, allowing the reader to transition naturally from one chapter to the next. Each chapter is exceptionally well written by authors respected in their various fields of study. I highly recommend the book to both students and professionals alike." (Clint Springer, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas)