Serpentine Geoecology of Western North America : Geology, Soils, and Vegetation.
Title:
Serpentine Geoecology of Western North America : Geology, Soils, and Vegetation.
Author:
Alexander, Earl B.
ISBN:
9780195343687
Personal Author:
Physical Description:
1 online resource (521 pages)
Contents:
Contents -- 1. Introduction -- I. Geology and Hydrology -- 2. Nature of Ultramafics -- 3. Mineralogy and Petrology of Serpentine -- 4. Water in Serpentine Geoecosystems -- Part I: References -- II. Soils and Life in Them -- 5. Nature of Soils and Soil Development -- 6. Serpentine Soil Distributions and Environmental Infuences -- 7. Animals, Fungi, and Microorganisms -- 8. Serpentine Soils as Media for Plant Growth -- Part II: References -- III. Plant Life on Serpentine -- 9. Responses of Individual Plant Species to Serpentine Soils -- 10. Serpentine Plant Assemblages: A Global Overview -- 11. Serpentine Plant Life of Western North America -- 12. Serpentine Vegetation of Western North America -- Part III: References -- IV. Serpentine Domains of Western North America -- 13. Baja California, Domain 1 -- 14. Sierra Motherlode, Domain 2 -- 15. Southern California Coast Ranges, Domain 3 -- 16. Northern California Coast Ranges, Domain 4 -- 17. Klamath Mountains, Domain 5 -- 18. Blue Mountains, Domain 6 -- 19. Northern Cascade-Fraser River, Domain 7 -- 20. Gulf of Alaska, Domain 8 -- 21. Denali-Yukon, Domain 9 -- 22. Northern Alaska-Kuskokwim Mountains, Domain 10 -- Part IV: References -- V. Social Issues and Epilogue -- 23. Serpentine Land Use and Health Concerns -- 24. Synthesis and Future Directions -- Part V: References -- Appendices -- A. Nature of Minerals in Serpentine Rocks and Soils -- B. Characteristics of the Chemical Elements-Ionic Properties and Toxicities -- C. Soil Classification -- D. Kingdoms of Life -- E. Water Balance by the Thornthwaite Method -- F. Western North America Protected Areas with Serpentine -- G. California Plant Taxa Endemic to Serpentine -- Glossary -- A -- B -- C -- D -- E -- F -- G -- H -- I -- K -- L -- M -- N -- O -- P -- R -- S -- T -- U -- V -- W -- X -- Plant Index -- A -- B -- C -- D -- E -- F -- G -- H -- I -- J.
K -- L -- M -- N -- O -- P -- Q -- R -- S -- T -- U -- V -- W -- X -- Y -- General Index -- A -- B -- C -- D -- E -- F -- G -- H -- I -- J -- K -- L -- M -- N -- O -- P -- Q -- R -- S -- T -- U -- V -- W -- Y -- Z.
Abstract:
This book is about geology, soils, and plant communities in serpentine landscapes of western North America. Aspects of the interaction of geology and soils reveal a fascinating symbiosis relating the structure, composition, and distribution of plant communities. The plants that survive are a unique group. There are some entire genera or even families of plants that are common throughout California that are poorly represented on serpentine, while other genera are more diverse on serpentine than on other soils. Serpentine rocks have dramatic effects on the vegetation that grows on them. Many common plants cannot grow on serpentine soils, leaving distinctive suites of plants to occupy serpentine habitats. The floristic diversity associated with serpentine soils formed above ultramafic rocks is surprising considering that these soils are toxic to many plants. Serpentine barrens of California often look like moonscapes but here we find numerous species of plants of low biomass that produce a richness of species rarely found in the world.
Local Note:
Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, Michigan : ProQuest Ebook Central, 2017. Available via World Wide Web. Access may be limited to ProQuest Ebook Central affiliated libraries.
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