Plant Behaviour and Intelligence - Rilegato

Trewavas, Anthony

Rilegato

ISBN 10: 0199539545 ISBN 13: 9780199539543

Casa editrice: OUP Oxford, 2014

Riassunto

This novel book is the first to properly address the controversial issue of plant intelligence, arguing convincingly that cells and whole plants growing in competitive wild conditions exhibit aspects of plant behaviour that can be accurately described as 'intelligent'. The author expands on three main insights drawn by the Nobel Prize winning botanist Barbara McClintock: firstly that plant cells may have knowledge of themselves; secondly that they receive challenges which lead to behavioural changes; finally, that they do so in a manner which implies assessment and intelligent behaviour. By equating the concept of intelligent behaviour with that of adaptively variable behaviour, the book provides a novel integration of signalling, behaviour, and behavioural ecology, all set within the context of plant studies. Plant Behaviour and Intelligence begins with chapters on the origins and multicellular nature of plant life, before going on to discuss novel behaviours such as branch initiation and growth, unusual behaviour of leaves, and how roots reconstruct their sensing systems and are capable of self-recognition. An entire chapter is devoted to the nature of intelligence and another to the vexed question of 'consciousness', as applied to plant life. This advanced textbook will be suitable for senior undergraduate and graduate level students taking related courses in plant ecology and evolution. It will also be of relevance and use to a broader audience of professional plant ecologists seeking an authoritative reference text to help them navigate the complexity and controversy of plant behaviour.

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Recensione

The fact that the ideas presented in this book will probably not always be easy to accept gives it a unique value. There are oceans of data papers and books, but many fewer intriguing and inspiring ones. Given the, in general, historically wrong view about plants as almost inanimate creatures, they have not been studied as deeply as have animals. Therefore, there are many aspects of plant biology, especially those that can illuminate their behavior and intelligence, that have been left almost untouched. If this book stimulates researchers to address descriptively, theoretically, and experimentally these many overlooked or neglected aspects of plant biology, the book will be a great success, because it is certainly not a typical scientific book, but rather a manifesto. (Simcha Lev-Yadun, Trends in Ecology & Evolution)

[E]ngaging, interesting, and thought provoking, with a deep commitment and introspection into the world of plant behavior and intelligence from a multi-disciplinary and multi-dimensional perspective and is, most possibly, the first volume of its kind. ... The volume will be useful for both undergraduate and graduate students of botany, plant science, forestry, plant ecology, and evolution. This could also be helpful for introductory courses in biology, biological sciences, life sciences, and environmental sciences and as an introductory resource for agriculture courses. Enthusiastic readers outside academia interested in plant life, ecology, and evolution will also find this volume engaging. (Plant Science Bulletin)

I recommend this volume to any student at any level, and any amateur or professional clinician or bench scientist who is interested in what living organisms do (and perhaps think about) to survive in the natural world. (Randy Wayne, Quarterly Review in Biology)

... we believe that applying the rich theoretical perspectives of behavioral ecology to plants can only help scientists to appreciate and better understand the evolutionary significance of plant behavior. And at the very least, this book will likely inspire a bit more respect for a kingdom of master problem-solvers who happen to march to the beat of their own (very slow) drum. (Andrew G. Zink and Zheng-Hui He, Science)

Anthony Trewavas at the University of Edinburgh became the first person to seriously broach the topic of plant intelligence. Trewavas defines intelligence as the ability to sense one's environment, to process and integrate such sensory perceptions and decide on how to behave ... You'll stop doubting that plants aren't intelligent organisms because they are behaving in ways that you expect animals to behave (Anil Anathaswamy New Scientist)

Biologists everywhere (but especially zoologists or zoo-minded botanists) should read and heed this book. (Nigel Chaffey, Annals of Botony)

L'autore

Anthony Trewavas obtained his B.Sc and Ph.D from University College, London in Biochemistry and went to do post doctoral research at the University of East Anglia and the University of Edinburgh, where he became Professor of Plant Biochemistry, as well as undertaking numerous visiting professorships abroad. He has published 250 papers and two books, and is an elected Fellow of the Royal Society of London, the Royal Society of Edinburgh, and Academia Europea and has been elected as a Life Member of the American Society of Plant Biology.

Dettagli dell?edizione

• Editore: OUP Oxford
• Data di pubblicazione: 2014
• ISBN 10: 0199539545
• ISBN 13: 9780199539543
• Rilegatura: Copertina rigida
• Lingua: Inglese
• Numero di pagine: 304