Fritz Hans Schweingruber Livres

Dendrochronology and wood anatomy developed for decades as two independent scientific fields. It was only in the last decade that it was made clear that the dimension of time is the fourth dimension for both sciences and that it was demonstrated that wood anatomy and dendrochronology are perfect partners. The main aim of this book is to show the hidden ecological richness in stems and roots from trees, shrubs and herbs. It should encourage researchers to consider the anatomic microcosm of wood plants and use it as a retrospective source of information, solving problems related to ecophysiology, competition, site conditions, population biology, earth science, wood quality and even human history.

This unique and attractive open access textbook combines the beauty of macroscopic pictures of plant stems with the corresponding colorfully stained images of anatomical micro-structures. In contrast to most botanical textbooks, it presents all the stem characteristics as photographs and shows the microscopic reality. The amount of text is reduced to a minimum, and the scientific information is highlighted with short legends and labeled photographs, allowing readers to focus on the pictures to easily understand how the anatomical structures relate to genetic, ecological, decomposition and technical influences. It includes a chapter devoted to simple anatomical preparation techniques, and further chapters showing the cell content, cell walls, meristematic tissues and stem structures of all major taxonomic units and morphological growth forms in various ecological and climatic regions from subarctic to equatorial latitudes, as well as structures of fossil, subfossil and technically altered wood. This textbook appeals to students and researchers in the fields of plant anatomy, taxonomy, ecology, dendrochronology, history, plant pathology, and evolutionary biology as well as to technologists.

Here we present 104 features of culms and 103 features of rhizomes of crosssections of monocotyledonous plants occurring in the temperate and Mediterranean zone along altitudinal gradients from the lowland to the alpine zone. It is the first time that a synthesis of monocotyledonous-anatomical features of Western European plants is presented. The feature list is based on microslides from 580 species within 28 families. Included are culms of grasses, sedges and rushes and flower stalks of many other plants. Culms of grasses can be made of dry, herbarium material. For all other species only fresh material allows to make sections without drying artefacts. Blue-red color photographs in magnification of 100 and 400 times contain information about lignification and many structural features. The list of features clearly shows, that the anatomical variability with monocotyledonous plants is almost as high as in dicotlyedons. The features indicate relations to taxonomy and ecological conditions.

The book highlights the anatomy of flower stalks of 161 species of central European Monocotyledonae. Excluded are the Poaceae and Cyperacea. They are characterized in volume I and II of this series. All sections of fresh material are double stained with the red stain Safranin and the blue stain Astrablue. Therefore lignified and unlignified parts can be differentiated. The high-quality photograph with magnifications of 100 and 400 times are based on permanent slides, preserved in Canada Balsam. The variability within the 24 families greatly varies. Therefore it is possible to differentiate many taxa. An identification key demonstrate specific features. The detailed taxonomic value is limited, because all descriptions are based on one individual. Described are species for the Families of Alismataceae, Amarilidaceae, Araceae, Asoaragaceae, Bambusae, Butomaraceae, Commelinaceae, Dioscoraceae, Hoydrocharidaceae Hydrochariadaceae, Iridaceae, Juncaceae, Juncaginaceae, Liliaceae, Melanthiaceae, Orchidaceae, Potamogetonaceae, Smilaceae, Sparaginaceae, Streliziaceae, Tofieldiaceae, Typhaceae, Xynthorraceae, Zingibergaceae and zosteraceae. A few species demonstrate prinical structures of Bambusae, Palmae and Draceanaceae. The fresh material is primarily collected and taxonomically determined by the first author.

The book highlights the anatomy of culms and rhizomes of most central European Cyperaceae. Integrated are 13 genera and 120 species. All sections are double stained with safranin and astrablue, preserved in Canada Balsam and documented by high quality photographs with magnifications of 100 and 400 times. The book is different from all other monographs. First it clearly demonstrates the anatomical variability of the culm. The form and the internal structure of cross-sections is taxonomically of great value especially the distribution and amount of lignified parts and the arrangement of and detailed structure of vascular bundles. A photographic presentation of all useful characteristics, a new anatomical coding system and simple keys demonstrate the taxonomic importance. Second, the book demonstrates the first time the anatomy of the perennial parts, the rhizome, of all genera. Since the study is based on one individual per species and the structural variability of rhizomes is enhanced in relation to culms, nevertheless we codify them and described the anatomical structure. The anatomical sections are based on fresh material primarily collected and determined by the first author.

This atlas offers anatomical descriptions of 19 Dalbergia and 31 Diospyros species, most of them endemic to Madagascar. Each species is illustrated with color micrographs of double-stained sections through the xylem, bark, and pith of stems, branches, and twigs. Further, a photograph of each plant and information on its height, DBH, habit, and geographical and elevational distribution in Madagascar are included. Dalbergia and Diospyros species provide highly-priced woods, which are intensively traded across the world and therefore highly endangered by illegal trade and harvesting. This book represents a response to the action plan for Diospyros and Dalbergia species regarding the establishment of a reference collection and reliable identification system for species listed by CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. Bringing together a wealth of material recently collected in different biogeographical regions of Madagascar and identified by the Missouri Botanical Garden, the book will appeal to plant scientists, taxonomists and practitioners involved in wood identification, and will help to safeguard the legacy of precious wood trading through proper identification. 

This work, published in two volumes, describes the wood and bark anatomies of 3000 dicotyledonous plants across 120 families, showcasing the anatomical and phylogenetic diversity within the Northern Hemisphere. The first volume focuses on Early Angiosperms, Eudicots, Core Eudicots, and Rosids, while the second volume is dedicated to Asterids. Volume 1 includes microsections of xylem and phloem from 1200 species across 85 families, representing various life forms in temperate zones, spanning altitudinal gradients from Mediterranean lowlands to alpine regions in Western Europe. The findings are globally significant, analyzing 500 species from diverse areas such as the Caucasus, Rocky Mountains, Andes, Canary Islands, Sahara, Eurasia, Arabia, Southwest North America, and boreal/arctic regions in Eurasia and Canada. The presence of annual rings in all life forms indicates that herbs and dwarf shrubs are valuable for reconstructing annual biomass production and understanding interannual dynamics of plant associations. The commonality of secondary growth anatomy is crucial for comprehending evolution and adaptation across life forms, from the 2 cm tall whitlow grass (Draba arctica) to the 40 m tall beech (Fagus sylvatica) in Central European forests. This study paves the way for extensive research in dendrochronology, wood anatomy, taxonomy, and ecology.

This atlas provides anatomical descriptions of the xylem, bark, and pith for 264 species across 71 families, showcasing the anatomical diversity of trees, shrubs, dwarf shrubs, woody lianas, and notable perennial herbs from the Eastern Mediterranean, particularly Cyprus. The island's varied topography and biogeographic history contribute to a rich array of habitats and flora, featuring widespread, endemic, and ornamental species. Each species entry includes detailed descriptions of the anatomical structures of the stem and twig xylem, along with the twig's bark and pith, complemented by color micrographs of double-stained sections. Additionally, each entry features a photograph and a brief overview of the plant, covering aspects such as stem wood density, height, habit, and characteristics of flowers, leaves, and fruits, alongside a map of its geographic and altitudinal distribution. Xylem descriptions adhere to IAWA lists for hardwood and softwood identification, while a new coding system is utilized for bark and pith. The atlas also includes a key for wood identification, designed to distinguish between species groups using a limited number of clear, visible features. This resource will serve as an essential guide for botanists, ecologists, foresters, archaeologists, horticulturists, and paleobotanists.