Recommended Citation
Published in Northeastern Naturalist, Volume 16, Issue sp5, June 1, 2009, pages 422-440.
The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1656/045.016.0530.
Abstract
In absence of a text abstract the introduction of the article is provided.
Introduction
At this, the 6th International Conference on Serpentine Ecology, it seems timely to review briefl y the present status of the fi eld and to project the needs for future research. Although a great deal of serpentine research was done prior to 1960, as summarized by Krause (1958) and discussed briefl y by Brooks (1987), much of our progress in learning how serpentine geology affects plant and animal life occurred in the mid- to late 20th century. In that era, it was the landmark studies of several scientists worldwide that initiated a meteoric increase in published serpentine research. Key players in setting the stage for this burgeoning output included pioneers in Europe (e.g., John Proctor, Stan Woodell, Ornella Vergnano, and Olof Rune), North America (e.g., Herbert Mason, Robert Whittaker, Hans Jenny, Richard Walker, and Arthur Kruckeberg); and elsewhere (e.g., Robert Brooks, Alan Baker, Roger Reeves, and Tanguy Jaffré). All made notable contributions to understanding the “serpentine syndrome.”Despite the flourishing of serpentine studies in recent years, there is much “unfinished business.” After all, an axiom of science is that there is an unending quest for answers. In the many subdisciplines of geology and the soil and plant sciences, serpentine areas still hold mysteries—unsolved questions and challenges for the future. We now examine some of them, organized by the five major topic areas covered by the conference (Geology and Soils, Biota, Ecology and Evolution, Physiology and Genet-ics, and Applied Ecology), and point out how some of the contributions at the conference, and some that are included in this Proceedings Special Is-sue, address them.
Disciplines
Biology
Copyright
Copyright © 2009 Eagle Hill Institute.
Number of Pages
19
Publisher statement
NOTE: At the time of publication, the author Nishanta Rajakaruna was not yet affiliated with Cal Poly.
URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/bio_fac/516