Document: MOO-3-99-166

Where are we, how did we get here and where are we going in plant physiological ecology?

MOONEY, H.A.*

Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-1926 USA ¹

Abstract:
A decade ago it was noted that the field of plant physiology consolidated around models of carbon, water and energy balances, growth models and optimization theory. Since that time there has been a shift in research activity, away from continuing to build this foundation, toward the application of these tools for predicting the consequences of global change. Although there is intense activity by physiological ecologists in global change research there has been a relative lack of development of molecular plant physiological ecology, an area of enormous potential. The basis for this dichotomy will be discussed along with a discussion of the consequences of the relative loss of the foundation fields of plant physiology and plant biochemistry. Finally, some predictions about the next decade of activity for this field will be made.

Keywords: global change

This abstract is being presented at: 1:00 PM in session:
Symposium # 16: Plant Physiological Ecology: Linking the Organism to Scales Above and Below.