Ebook: Ecosystems, Evolution, and Ultraviolet Radiation

Much has been written about the effects of increased UV radiation caused by stratospheric ozone depletion on the weather, but there has been a dearth of publications on the role of UV on ecosystems as a whole. Now that much more is known about the effects of UV radiation at the organism level, we are gaining an understanding of how this impacts on specific ecosystems. From microbial to plant ecosystems, the book examines how changes in UV radiation, caused by anthropogenic ozone depletion, as well as changes in radiation levels throughout the evolution of life on Earth, can alter species composition and interspecies competitiveness. Two foci of the book are the evolutionary aspects of the effects of UV and also the various synergistic interactions of UV radiation with other environmental factors. Because our knowledge of UV effects on whole ecosystems is still at a relatively early stage, an important part of each chapter is an overview of future research directions and indications of where new data and knowledge are needed.

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Much has been written about the effects of increased UV radiation caused by stratospheric ozone depletion on the weather, but there has been a dearth of publications on the role of UV on ecosystems as a whole. Now that much more is known about the effects of UV radiation at the organism level, we are gaining an understanding of how this impacts on specific ecosystems. From microbial to plant ecosystems, the book examines how changes in UV radiation, caused by anthropogenic ozone depletion, as well as changes in radiation levels throughout the evolution of life on Earth, can alter species composition and interspecies competitiveness. Two foci of the book are the evolutionary aspects of the effects of UV and also the various synergistic interactions of UV radiation with other environmental factors. Because our knowledge of UV effects on whole ecosystems is still at a relatively early stage, an important part of each chapter is an overview of future research directions and indications of where new data and knowledge are needed.

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Much has been written about the effects of increased UV radiation caused by stratospheric ozone depletion on the weather, but there has been a dearth of publications on the role of UV on ecosystems as a whole. Now that much more is known about the effects of UV radiation at the organism level, we are gaining an understanding of how this impacts on specific ecosystems. From microbial to plant ecosystems, the book examines how changes in UV radiation, caused by anthropogenic ozone depletion, as well as changes in radiation levels throughout the evolution of life on Earth, can alter species composition and interspecies competitiveness. Two foci of the book are the evolutionary aspects of the effects of UV and also the various synergistic interactions of UV radiation with other environmental factors. Because our knowledge of UV effects on whole ecosystems is still at a relatively early stage, an important part of each chapter is an overview of future research directions and indications of where new data and knowledge are needed.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-x
A Photobiological History of Earth....Pages 1-35
Physical Factors Determining Ultraviolet Radiation Flux into Ecosystems....Pages 36-62
Ultraviolet Radiation and Amphibians....Pages 63-79
Ultraviolet Radiation and Plant Ecosystems....Pages 80-117
Ultraviolet Radiation and Coral Communities....Pages 118-149
Ultraviolet Radiation and Aquatic Microbial Ecosystems....Pages 150-169
Ultraviolet Radiation and the Antarctic Coastal Marine Ecosystem....Pages 170-194
Ultraviolet Radiation and Exobiology....Pages 195-217
Back Matter....Pages 219-221

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Much has been written about the effects of increased UV radiation caused by stratospheric ozone depletion on the weather, but there has been a dearth of publications on the role of UV on ecosystems as a whole. Now that much more is known about the effects of UV radiation at the organism level, we are gaining an understanding of how this impacts on specific ecosystems. From microbial to plant ecosystems, the book examines how changes in UV radiation, caused by anthropogenic ozone depletion, as well as changes in radiation levels throughout the evolution of life on Earth, can alter species composition and interspecies competitiveness. Two foci of the book are the evolutionary aspects of the effects of UV and also the various synergistic interactions of UV radiation with other environmental factors. Because our knowledge of UV effects on whole ecosystems is still at a relatively early stage, an important part of each chapter is an overview of future research directions and indications of where new data and knowledge are needed.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-x
A Photobiological History of Earth....Pages 1-35
Physical Factors Determining Ultraviolet Radiation Flux into Ecosystems....Pages 36-62
Ultraviolet Radiation and Amphibians....Pages 63-79
Ultraviolet Radiation and Plant Ecosystems....Pages 80-117
Ultraviolet Radiation and Coral Communities....Pages 118-149
Ultraviolet Radiation and Aquatic Microbial Ecosystems....Pages 150-169
Ultraviolet Radiation and the Antarctic Coastal Marine Ecosystem....Pages 170-194
Ultraviolet Radiation and Exobiology....Pages 195-217
Back Matter....Pages 219-221
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