Plant Variation And Classification

Explains how our plant classification system works and looks at how scientists use it to identify and group plant species. The book also examines the variation between and within plants species and discusses how and why such variations have occurred.

Considers how the study of variation in plants has developed over the last 300 years.

Explains how our plant classification system works and looks at how scientists use it to identify and group plant species. The book also examines the variation between and within plants species and discusses how and why such variations have occurred.

We are in the midst of a biological revolution. Molecular tools are now providing new means of critically testing hypotheses and models of microevolution in populations of wild, cultivated, weedy and feral plants. They are also offering the opportunity for significant progress in the investigation of long-term evolution of flowering plants, as part of molecular phylogenetic studies of the Tree of Life. This long-awaited fourth edition, fully revised by David Briggs, reflects new insights provided by molecular investigations and advances in computer science. Briggs considers the implications of these for our understanding of the evolution of flowering plants, as well as the potential for future advances. Numerous new sections on important topics such as the evolutionary impact of human activities, taxonomic challenges, gene flow and distribution, hybridisation, speciation and extinction, conservation and the molecular genetic basis of breeding systems will ensure that this remains a classic text for both undergraduate and graduate students in the field.

Considers how the study of variation in plants has developed over the last 300 years. Copyright © Libri GmbH. All rights reserved.

Find out how our plant classification system works and look at how scientists use it to identify and group plant species. This book examines the features required to classify a plant, the key plant kingdoms and the plants that fall within them. This also looks at the variation between and within plant species and debates how and why such variations have occurred. Includes fieldwork investigations that show students at Key Stage 3 how to classify plants in their area and fascinating fact boxes that offer in-depth information on topics such as mutation. An activity project shows students how to create their own classification key. The six books in the Living Processes series look at the processes all living organisms must carry out in order to stay alive. From feeding and drinking through to breathing and reproducing, it explores the differing ways in which organisms carry them out.

"Our world is incredibly diverse, but why are living things so different, and how do we make sense of the vast range of life forms? This book tackles the issues of variation - how and why it occurs - and classification, looking at how we organize plants and animals into groups." --Publisher's description.