The southwestern Australian flora is unique in the world not only for its biodiversity and
endemism but also for its functional biodiversity. It also contains the world's most
nutrient-impoverished soils has a prolonged-summer period and the vegetation is extremely
fire-prone. These conditions have engendered an array of survival adaptations that have evolved
in these harsh conditions across a diverse range of species. It is well recognised that the
southwest flora has the toughest and most spiny vegetation of the world the greatest number of
species that store their seeds in woody fruits and the most specialised means of obtaining
limited soil nutrients and water.This book focuses on the survival mechanisms adaptations and
ecology of the unique Southwest Australian flora (restricted here to flowering plants). The
book begins with an examination of how the flora has evolved into the present forms. It
describes further in detail the adaptive responses of the flora to the main environmental
pressures influencing survival - fire summer drought nutrient-impoverished soils pollination
and seed dispersal agents. Specialised responses to obtain essential nutrients are presented in
three chapters - carnivorous plants parasitic plants and specialised roots. An entire chapter
is devoted to leaves with an insight into how leaves may assist in protecting flowers and
fruits from herbivores and seed-eaters. The book provides an ecological perspective on how the
flora has evolved complex strategies to ensure species survival in the relatively harsh
seasonal climate of a Mediterranean-type ecosystem.
