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Introduction to Plant Population Biology

Jonathan Silvertown author Deborah Charlesworth author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:John Wiley and Sons Ltd

Published:25th Sep '01

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

Introduction to Plant Population Biology cover

This completely revised, fourth edition of Introduction to Plant Population Biology continues the approach taken by its highly successful predecessors. Ecological and genetic principles are introduced and theory is made accessible by clear, accurate exposition with plentiful examples. Models and theoretical arguments are developed gradually, requiring a minimum of mathematics.

The book emphasizes the particular characteristics of plants that affect their population biology, and evolutionary questions that are particularly relevant for plants. Wherever appropriate, it is shown how ecology and genetics interact, presenting a rounded picture of the population biology of plants.

Topics covered include variation and its inheritance, genetic markers including molecular markers, plant breeding systems, ecological genetics, intraspecific interactions, population dynamics, regional dynamics and metapopulations, competition and coexistence, and the evolution of breeding systems and life history. An extensive bibliography provides access to the recent literature that will be invaluable to students and academics alike.


  • Effective integration of plant population ecology, population genetics and evolutionary biology.
  • The new edition is thoroughly revised and now includes molecular techniques.
  • The genetics chapters have been completely rewritten by a new co-author, Deborah Charlesworth.

Reviews of the fourth edition:

"This book covers topics in depth and is really outstanding; it is also one of the best-written textbooks of any kind that I have ever read. I've owned all four editions of this book, which has undergone considerable evolution as co-authors have come and gone, and it has always been very clear, concise, readable and full of ideas." Professor Don Drake, University of Hawaii

"...the fourth edition...is still doing a good job of filling its expanded niche as a concise and engaging up-to-date introduction to plant population ecology and evolution written by two knowledgeable leaders in the field" D. Lawrence Venable, University of Arizona, American Journal of Botany 90 (1) 2003.

Reviews of the Third Edition:

"In upgrading this text, Silvertown and Lovett Doust have performed an important service for plant population biologists, plant ecologists, and others needing an introduction to this fast-growing field. the only book available to accompany an upper-level or beginning graduate course in plant population biology, and it fits in niche well. Plant ecologists are likely to find this book useful as a reference." Review from previous edition, BioScience 1995

"Plant population biology is both desperately important and subtly complex, forming the basis for much ecological work, and the authors are to be congratulated in managing to cram an enormous amount of detail into this wide-ranging text, [...] The use of contemporary examples helps to give the book a fresh and urgent appeal. It should be useful reading for undergraduates whose courses have a plant ecology component, but will also provide a very succinct introduction for postgraduates moving into this field."
Roger Delpech, Journal of Biological Education, 2002, 36(4)

"The clarity of text, plentiful examples and extensive literature survey make this book indispensable for all students of population biology." Folia Geobotanica, 2002, (37)

ISBN: 9780632049912

Dimensions: 246mm x 173mm x 20mm

Weight: 798g

368 pages

4th edition