James R. Ehleringer is a Distinguished Professor of Biology at the University of Utah. Throughout his career, Jim's research has focused on the ecology and ecophysiology of plants in arid, semi-arid, and forest ecosystems. His contributions have included photosynthesis, water relations, and stable isotopes. Jim's focus on stable isotopes has revealed the utility of this measurement as a natural recorder and tracer in both plants and animals on a spatial and temporal basis for improving our understanding of processes ranging from physiological through global scales.

Russell K. Monson is Professor Emeritus of Distinction in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Colorado. Russ's research has focused on the evolutionary ecology of C4 photosynthesis, the nitrogen cycle in alpine ecosystems, carbon cycling in forest ecosystems, the reconstruction of climate patterns using tree ring stable isotopes, and the biochemistry and ecology of plant volatile compounds. Russ recently retired from a second career, serving as Louise Foucar Marshall Professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Laboratory for Tree Ring Research at the University of Arizona.

Part I: The World as We See it Today. 1. Evolution, Plant Ecology, and Climate. 2. Biomes and Climate Relationships. 3. Arid Land Biomes. 4. Grasslands. 5. Rainforests. 6. Temperate Forest Biomes. 7. Subalpine and Boreal Forest Biomes. 8. Tundra Biomes. Part II: Ecophysiology and Principles of Plant Adaptation. 9. Microclimate - The Physical Environment Experienced by Plants. 10. Water Relations are Fundamental to Sustaining Plant Life. 11. Plants Exchange Energy with Their Environment. 12. Plants Respond to Water Deficits. 13. Plants Acquire Carbon and Energy Through Photosynthesis. 14. C4 and CAM are Novel Forms of Photosynthesis. 15. The Environment Influences Photosynthesis. 16. Plants Acquire Nutrients Via Roots and Microbes. Part III: Resource Utilization, Plant Function, and Traits. 17. Plant Life History is a Matter of Timing. 18. Growth, Carbon Allocation, and Resource Storage. 19. Canopy Structure. 20. Trait-based Ecology and Trait Economic Spectra. 21. Plant Defenses Against Biotic Stress. 22. Canopy to Global Scale Net Primary Productivity. Part IV: Plants in a Changing World. 23. Global Change is Not Just Climate Change: Our Current Environmental Challenges. 24. Invasive Species Impact Ecosystems. 25. Warming Impacts Plants: Phenology, Thermotolerance, and Fires. 26. Today's World of Land-use Change, Managed Ecosystems, and Restoring Plant Communities. 27. Urban Ecosystems are Where We Live. Glossary. Index.