Plants Invade the Land: Evolutionary and Environmental Perspectives (The Critical Moments and Perspectives in Earth History and Paleobiology) - Hardcover

"This book focuses on our present day understanding of the fossil record of land plants and other organisms. Presents a detailed overview of the diversificaion of the plant kingdom... Very interesting book for students and researchers." -- Southeastern Naturalist "This is an excellent volume that should be purchased not only by all geological libraries but also by anyone with an interest in the evolution of the biosphere-atmosphere system." -- Andrew C. Scott, Geological Magazine "This book contributes to our knowledge of the exciting story of the origin of plants on land, from an evolutionary and environmental perspective... recommended for advanced researchers in paleobotany and paleoecology of the age of plants invading land." -- Stanislav Mihulka, Folia Geobotanica

What do we know about the origins of plants on land, from an evolutionary and an environmental perspective? The essays in this collection present a synthesis of our present state of knowledge, integrating current information in paleobotony with physical, chemical, and geological data. Stretching from the Ordovician to the Upper Devonian (500-360 million years ago), the book covers the period of major global change as a result of diversification of plants and their impact on the environment. The essays include the interplay of plants and their environments and other coeval organisms (animals, fungi) and suggest further avenues of investigation.