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This book focuses on morphological and anatomical strategies developed by halophytes during evolution that allow them to survive in high-salt environments. These adaptive strategies refer to well integrated structural features, such as succulence, salt secretion (salt glands and vesicular hairs), aerenchyma, Kranz anatomy, bulliform cells, successive cambia, tracheoidioblasts and endodermis with pronounced Casparian strips. The authors present cross sections of the roots, stems and leaves of 62 halophyte species belonging to 18 families from different habitats and climates (temperate, Mediterranean). They also discuss the ecological, physiological and evolutionary aspects of the various adaptive structures in an integrative way. Beginning with the structural level, this book offers novel insights into the ecology of halophytes and opens new perspectives for the identification of salt-tolerant crop plants or halophytes that can be used for ecological purposes, such as bio-remediation and revegetation.

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Introduction

PART I: General Considerations on Halophytes

Halophytes definition and classification

Halophytes and their habitats. Finding a place within plant ecological classes

General morphological and anatomical adaptations in halophytes

Halophytes and salt stress. Histo-anatomical features in halophytes: formative effect, adaptation or a simple response to an intensely abiotic factor?

PART II: An Integrative Anatomical Study of Halophytes: Anatomical Structure in Different Family Species

Material and Methods

Caryophyllaceae

Chenopodiaceae (Amaranthaceae)

Polygonaceae

Plumbaginaceae

Fabaceae

Lythraceae

Apiaceae

Frankeniaceae

Brassicaceae

Primulaceae

Plantaginaceae

Asteraceae

Juncaginaceae

Cymodoceaceae

Iridaceae

Juncaceae

Cyperaceae

Poaceae

Part III: Conclusions

An Overall View on Halophytes Adaptations and Their Ecological Significance.

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"This book, unique in its own way, focuses on the study of halophytes, plants able to survive in highly saline and arid conditions. Characterized by a great diversity and widespread in the plant world, they have a great theoretical and practical significance. ... In this way it represents a work of reference, a valuable scientific information instrument in the field of theoretical and practical biology, generally." (Aurelia Brezeanu, Romanian Journal of Biology, Vol. 58 (2), 2013)

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