Evolutionary Ecology of Plant Reproductive Strategies [Hardcover]

This book places the wealth of data that have been collected on plants into the unifying framework of game theory.Evolutionary biologists have produced a solid body of evidence to explain patterns of diversification, both within and among species. Recent textbooks are weighted towards studies of animals, although many studies have also been carried out on plants. This book aims to set the record straight by placing the wealth of data that have been collected on plants into the unifying framework of game theory. This allows testing of the theory of natural selection in some cases, while in other cases highlighting the need for additional data collection and theoretical development.Evolutionary biologists have produced a solid body of evidence to explain patterns of diversification, both within and among species. Recent textbooks are weighted towards studies of animals, although many studies have also been carried out on plants. This book aims to set the record straight by placing the wealth of data that have been collected on plants into the unifying framework of game theory. This allows testing of the theory of natural selection in some cases, while in other cases highlighting the need for additional data collection and theoretical development.Evolutionary biologists have produced a solid body of evidence to explain patterns of diversification, both within and among species. Recent textbooks are weighted towards studies of animals, which is surprising given that plants are ideally suited for answering evolutionary questions. This book places the wealth of data that have been collected on plants into the unifying framework of game theory. It is the authors' hope that many students will take on this challenge and help the study of the evolutionary ecology of plants to develop as a mature, predictive science.1. Optimisation models; 2. Investments, returns and proportionality; 3. Gain curves: efficiency factors; 4. Evolutionary stable strategies: sex allocation strategil³/