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Physiological Ecology of Ferns

  • Living reference work entry
  • First Online:
Bioactive Compounds in Bryophytes and Pteridophytes

Part of the book series: Reference Series in Phytochemistry ((RSP))

  • 68 Accesses

Abstract

This is a review of research on the physiological ecology of ferns encompassing aquatic, terrestrial, and epiphytic species. Each of these is addressed within a focus of three themes: (i) development, growth, and life cycles, (ii) environmental adaptations such as desiccation resilience and stress tolerance, and (iii) physiological aspects of light, photosynthesis, and respiration. To complement other contributions in this volume on bioactive compounds, fern research articles that included the role of biologically active compounds such as phytohormones and regulatory molecules were particularly chosen for review. Fern species have a long geological history. They evolved in the Middle Devonian, 390 million years ago (mya), and expanded in diversity during the Cenozoic (65 mya), when angiosperms were becoming dominant. The increasing presence of forests provided suitable, shady habitats where ferns adapted and flourished beneath tree canopies and some diversified to become epiphytes on the trunks and branches of the overlying trees. During evolutionary history, and radiation into diverse environments spanning deserts and drylands to tropical rain forests, ferns have developed a wide range of adaptations to survive and succeed in these sometimes challenging habitats. This chapter explores some of these remarkable adaptations and concludes with recommendations for future research strategies that capitalize on emerging molecular genetic methods that promise to bring a greater depth of insight into the role of bioactive compounds in the physiological ecology of ferns.

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Abbreviations

ABA:

Abscisic acid

Amax:

Maximum rate of carbon dioxide assimilation

AN:

Maximum net photosynthesis

Asat:

Light-saturated rate of photosynthesis

CAM:

Crassulacean acid metabolism

CRY:

Cryptochrome

DS:

Desiccation sensitive

DT:

Desiccation tolerant

Fv/Fm:

Ratio of variable photosynthesis to maximum photosynthesis

GA:

Gibberellic acid

GID1:

GA-insensitive dwarf 1

gm:

Mesophyll conductance to CO2

gs:

Stomatal conductance for gas exchange

IAA:

Indole-acetic acid

JA:

Jasmonic acid

LHC:

Light-harvesting complex

mRNA:

Messenger RNA

mya:

Million years ago

PAR:

Photosynthetically active radiation

PHY:

Phytochrome

pI:

Isoelectric point

Pmax:

Maximum rate of photosynthesis

POD:

Peroxidase

PPO:

Polyphenol oxidase

Rd:

Dark respiration rate

RWC:

Relative water content

SC/O:

Rubisco specificity factor

T90:

Time to reach 90% maximum net photosynthetic rate

TCA:

Tricarboxylic acid

TDLAS:

Tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy

Vc,max:

Apparent in vivo carboxylation activity

VPD:

Vapor pressure deficit

WUE:

Water use efficiency

μS:

Microsiemens

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biology and Paleo Environment, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University, Palisades, NY, USA

    O. Roger Anderson

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  1. O. Roger Anderson
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Correspondence to O. Roger Anderson .

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  1. Department of Botany, Karnatak University, Dharwad, Karnataka, India

    Hosakatte Niranjana Murthy

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Anderson, O.R. (2022). Physiological Ecology of Ferns. In: Murthy, H.N. (eds) Bioactive Compounds in Bryophytes and Pteridophytes. Reference Series in Phytochemistry. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-97415-2_33-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-97415-2_33-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-97415-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-97415-2

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Biomedicine and Life SciencesReference Module Biomedical and Life Sciences

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