Ferns are an integral part of the world's flora, appreciated for their beauty as ornamentals, problematic as invaders and endangered by human interference. They often dominate forest understories but also colonize open areas, invade waterways and survive in nutrient-poor wastelands and eroded pastures. Presented here is the first comprehensive summary of fern ecology, with worldwide examples from Siberia to the islands of Hawaii. Topics include a brief history of the ecological study of ferns, a global survey of fern biogeography, fern population dynamics, the role of ferns in ecosystem nutrient cycles, their adaptations to xeric environments and future directions in fern ecology. Fully illustrated concepts and processes provide a framework for future research and utilization of ferns for graduate students and professionals in ecology, conservation and land management.

Ferns are an integral part of the world's flora, appreciated for their beauty as ornamentals, problematic as invaders and endangered by human interference. They often dominate forest understories, but also colonize open areas, invade waterways, and survive nutrient-poor wastelands and eroded pastures. This is the first comprehensive summary of fern ecology, with worldwide examples from Siberia to Hawaii. Topics include a brief history of the ecological study of ferns, their biogeography and population dynamics, their role in ecosystem nutrient cycles and adaptations to xeric environments, and their responses to disturbance and interactions with other organisms. Fully illustrated concepts provide a framework for students and professionals in ecology, conservation, and land management, and a wealth of information for anyone interested in ferns.

In this compilation, the authors examine the possible effects of three aspects of global climate change (elevated atmospheric CO2, increasing temperatures, and changes in precipitation), focusing on how each of these may affect fern reproductive adaptation and success; especially with respect to: spore vitality and germination, gametophyte growth and reproductive success, and sporophyte growth and maturation. Next, the important aspects of Bracken chemical ecology are highlighted, beginning with a description of global distribution pattern of Bracken delineating its ubiquitous nature followed by its interplay with abiotic factors such as soil-nutrients and fire. The book also provides a review of modern studies based on chloroplast markers, BEAST analysis, and etc., including ecology of ferns throughout their history until recently. A study is presented that investigates the presence of allelochemical composition and content from the fern leaves of Acrostichum aureum, Stenochlaena palustris and Dicranopteris linearis using maceration extraction method for further analysis of allelochemicals. In closing, an overview of the most important taxa of Permian ferns of Angaraland and its adjacent regions is given, supported by evidence on some Carboniferous and Triassic ferns as well.

"With their team of contemporary scholars, the editors present a thorough coverage of fundamental topics necessary for obtaining an up-to-date understanding of the biology of ferns and lycophytes. The book is organized into major topics that build from the individual and its biochemistry and structure, to genetics and populations, to interactions among individuals and the conservation of species, and concludes with perspectives on evolutionary history and classification. Each chapter is organized to review past work, explore current questions, and suggest productive directions for continued discoveries about these fascinating groups of organisms. Written for upper undergraduates, graduates and academic researchers, Biology and Evolution of Ferns and Lycophytes fills a major gap in biological, organism-level, evolutionary literature by providing a review of the biology and evolution of this important group of vascular land plants."--NHBS Environment Bookstore.

The Complete Book of Ferns is filled with botanical information, indoor and outdoor growing and care information, details on propagation, display ideas, and even craft projects. This gorgeous book is authored by Mobee Weinstein, the Foreman of Gardeners at the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx and a veteran guest on the Martha Stewart Living TV show and other media outlets. Houseplants in general are in ascendance, but no category is hotter than ferns. From the otherworldly Staghorns—mounted like antler trophies in homes throughout the world—to the classic Boston Ferns and newer varieties like Crispy Wave, ferns are definitely back in fashion. And to no one’s surprise. After all, ferns are among the very oldest plants on the planet, with a long and storied history. There are tens of thousands of known varieties of ferns. In the Victorian Era, ferns created an absolute craze for more than 50 years. They re-emerged as integral home décor accessories in the '50s and '60s, and who didn’t spend time in a "Fern Bar" back in the '80s? And they are back again. This comprehensive reference starts its examination of ferns 400 million years ago, when the first species of this group of spore-reproducing plants appeared on Earth, exploring their evolution and eventual incorporation into human culture, including the powers associated with them and their practical and ornamental uses. Then, after an exploration of fern botany—its parts, how it grows, its variability in size and form, habitats, propagation, etc.—you'll learn how to green your indoor and outdoor environments with ferns. Every aspect of fern care is covered: potting/planting, watering, fertilizing, pest and disease control, and more. With this knowledge absorbed, explore creative planting projects, like terrariums, vertical gardens (living walls), mixed tabletop gardens, and moss baskets. To make your survey of ferns complete, create pressed fern art, fabric wall hangings with chlorophyll-stained designs, cyanotypes, and hand-made fern-decorated paper. In the end, you will understand why this ancient plant class continues to be all the rage.

This systematic treatment of the ferns and allied plants provides a modern classification of the Pteridophyta based on an assess ment of the wealth of new data published during the last few decades as well as on our own research. The accounts of the gen era include systematics, ecology, geography, spores and cytology and often other aspects of their biology. The scope of the work has involved all genera and the Old World species of those gen era represented in America. For a few American genera, that are especially complex in the Old World, it has been necessary to limit their treatment to the American representatives and this is specifically indicated in those cases. The eight American genera that do not occur in the tropics are treated in less detail. They are Camptosorus, Gymnocarpium, Matteuccia and Onoclea of North America, Arthropteris and Thyrsopteris of the Juan Fernandez Islands, Pleurosorus of southern South America, and the amphi tropical Cryptogramma. The complete generic nomenclature is included, except in a few specified cases where taxonomic complexities of the Old World elements have not been resolved. The synonyms and ac cepted names of subgeneric and sectional taxa are included only when pertinent to the generic nomenclature or to an infrageneric classification. Only the name of a publishing author is cited. There is no bibliographic purpose served by including the name of a person who was the source of, but did not validly publish, a name or epithet.

Ferns are representative of genetic inheritance of great value as they include species of ancient vascular plants, which have direct connection with the evolution of plant life on Earth. This volume brings a selection of chapters covering a range of themes on fern biology, its development and growth, useful protocols for propagation and conservation purposes, genetic diversity, as well as medicinal and environmental applications. The content is organized into four parts: Biotechnology of Ferns Propagation of Ferns Ferns in Medicines Environmental Regulation This wide spectrum of the contributions provides quick access to information on the enormous potential of this plant group. This book brings together most recent research work and novel techniques, which is far from the traditional perspective usually followed. It is of interest to teachers, researchers, and botanists. Also the book serves as additional reading material for undergraduate and graduate students of agriculture, botany, forestry, and ecology.