Paleobotany has enormously expanded the documentation of fossil plant groups, floras and vegetation types, supporting its conclusions by technically much improved analyses of microfossils (pollen) and anatomical details. An increasing quantity and quality of all these informations from the geosciences is available when we follow the history of the biosphere up to the present. Simultaneously, research from the biosciences on the morphology, ecology, distribution, systematics and evolution of extant vascular plants, and on the ecogeographical differentiation of the vegetation cover of our planet, has made enormous progress. Thus, a synthetic geo- and bioscientific approach becomes more and more feasible and urgent for further advances in the many problems of common concern. A symposium organized by the "Deutsche Akademie der Naturforscher LEOPOLDINA", attractive to paleo- and neobotanists, stimulated the discussion between specialists of the two disciplines. The main results of the symposium are now presented in this volume: Sixteen international contributions outline the current knowledge about the historical differentiation and evolution of woody plant groups and forests, covering the whole biosphere. This survey, from the beginning of the Tertiary up to the present, is a first systhesis of relevant data from the geo- and biosciences.

Paleobotany has enormously expanded the documentation of fossil plant groups, floras and vegetation types, supporting its conclusions by technically much improved analyses of microfossils (pollen) and anatomical details. An increasing quantity and quality of all these informations from the geosciences is available when we follow the history of the biosphere up to the present. Simultaneously, research from the biosciences on the morphology, ecology, distribution, systematics and evolution of extant vascular plants, and on the ecogeographical differentiation of the vegetation cover of our planet, has made enormous progress. Thus, a synthetic geo- and bioscientific approach becomes more and more feasible and urgent for further advances in the many problems of common concern. A symposium organized by the "Deutsche Akademie der Naturforscher LEOPOLDINA", attractive to paleo- and neobotanists, stimulated the discussion between specialists of the two disciplines. The main results of the symposium are now presented in this volume: Sixteen international contributions outline the current knowledge about the historical differentiation and evolution of woody plant groups and forests, covering the whole biosphere. This survey, from the beginning of the Tertiary up to the present, is a first systhesis of relevant data from the geo- and biosciences

Paleobotany has enormously expanded the documentation of fossil plant groups, floras and vegetation types, supporting its conclusions by technically much improved analyses of microfossils (pollen) and anatomical details. An increasing quantity and quality of all these informations from the geosciences is available when we follow the history of the biosphere up to the present. Simultaneously, research from the biosciences on the morphology, ecology, distribution, systematics and evolution of extant vascular plants, and on the ecogeographical differentiation of the vegetation cover of our planet, has made enormous progress. Thus, a synthetic geo- and bioscientific approach becomes more and more feasible and urgent for further advances in the many problems of common concern. A symposium organized by the "Deutsche Akademie der Naturforscher LEOPOLDINA", attractive to paleo- and neobotanists, stimulated the discussion between specialists of the two disciplines. The main results of the symposium are now presented in this volume: Sixteen international contributions outline the current knowledge about the historical differentiation and evolution of woody plant groups and forests, covering the whole biosphere. This survey, from the beginning of the Tertiary up to the present, is a first systhesis of relevant data from the geo- and biosciences.

A 2014 Choice Magazine "Outstanding Academic Title" An Atlas of the World's Conifers is the first ever atlas of all known conifer species. It is based on locality information of ca. 37,000 collected herbarium specimens held in scientific institutions. As well as providing natural distribution maps for each species, Farjon and Filer give the reader comprehensive insight into the biogeography, diversity and conservation status of conifers on all continents, dispelling the widely held view that they are primarily a northern boreal plant group. Conifer diversity is analysed and presented with a taxonomic and geographic perspective. Distribution patterns are interpreted using the latest information on continental drift, dispersal and phylogeny. The entire dataset supporting the Atlas can be consulted and verified online. These data can also be used for further research and are an invaluable resource for anyone working on conifer systematics, biogeography or conservation. An Atlas of the World’s Conifers indicates the known distribution of all conifers including an analysis of their biogeography, diversity and conservation status. Also available from Brill is Aljos Farjon’s A Handbook of the World's Conifers, published in 2010 (ISBN 978 90 04 17718 5) which is a 2017 Choice Magazine "Outstanding Academic Title".

This seris keeps scientists and advanced students specialized on a particular subject informed of the latest developments and results in all different areas of botany. The present volume includes reviews on structuralbotany, physiology, genetics, taxonomy, geobotanic, as well as a contribution treating seed dispersal.