This atlas presents anatomical descriptions of the xylem, bark and pith of 264 species belonging to 71 families. It highlights the anatomical diversity of trees, shrubs, dwarf shrubs, woody lianas and several of the prominent perennial herbs from the Eastern Mediterranean region, with a focus on the island of Cyprus. The island’s topography and biogeographic history combine to provide a wide range of habitats and diverse flora including widespread, endemic, and ornamental species. The monograph for each species includes a description of the anatomical structures of the stem and twig xylem and the twig’s bark and pith, as well as color micrographs of double-stained sections of each of these plant parts. These entries are accompanied by a photograph and a brief description of the plant including stem wood density, height, habit, flower, leaf and fruit characteristics, and a map showing its geographic and altitudinal distribution in the region. Xylem descriptions follow the IAWA lists of microscopic features for hardwood and softwood identification. For bark and pith descriptions, a new coding system developed by the authors is applied. Lastly, the work offers a key for wood identification that was developed to differentiate between groups of species by using a small number of features that are unambiguous and clearly visible. The atlas will be a valuable guide for botanists, ecologists, foresters, archeologists, horticulturists and paleobotanists.

This book presents the microscopic and macroscopic bark structure of more than 180 different tree and shrub species from Europe, Asia and North America. It is the first compendium to demonstrate the anatomical variability in bark since almost 70 years (Holdheide 1951). The introductory chapter explains with high-quality microphotographs the anatomical traits most important for identification and ecological interpretation of barks, and the monographic part demonstrates in text and pictures the species-specific patterns. The species treatments are grouped by their main biomes. Each species description first characterizes the macroscopic aspects with its main form, features and habitat with text and pictures of the whole plant and the barks in a young and old stage. This is followed by the microscopical description of each species. The microscopic photographs are based on double-stained slides, revealing the quality and distribution of unlignified and lignified tissues in low and high magnification. The book fills a scientific gap: Archeologists and soil scientists want to identify prehistoric and historical remnants. Ecophysiologists are interested in the distribution of conducting and non-conducting tissues in the phloem and xylem along the stem axis and the internal longevity of cells. Ecologists get information about internal defense mechanisms and technologists are enabled to recognize indicators relevant in biophysics and technology.

This atlas presents macroscopic descriptions, macro cross section pictures, general characteristics and identification keys of 335 wood species currently introduced in the European timber market from all over the world. Overall 292 different genera are represented and CITES-listed timbers are also included. Macroscopic descriptions are based on a recently proposed list of macroscopic features for wood identification. Macroscopic features and their codes are defined and illustrated in the atlas. Wood descriptions also include information about natural durability, physical and mechanical properties, end uses, environmental sustainability and possible related misleading commercial names. Furthermore, each genus is described in terms of number of species, geographical distribution and main commercial timbers, and details are given about to what extent timbers within the genus can be typically identified through macroscopic and microscopic analysis, if any. The atlas will be a valuable guide for all agents in charge for timber verification, those involved in the European Timber Regulation enforcement and CITES inspections, as well as wood scientists, foresters, wood sellers, wood restorers, and any wood worker and wood passionate interested in a fast and reliable tool for wood identification.

This atlas presents technical information for professionals who process and use temperate or tropical timber. It combines the main technical characteristics of 283 tropical species and 17 species from temperate regions most commonly used in Europe with their primary uses.

This second edition has been completely revised and has incorporated significant changes that have occurred in wood anatomy over the past years. "This book is recommended to all who are interested in a modern, stimulating, competent, and well illustrated work." (Holzforschung).

With more than 500 species distributed all around the Northern Hemisphere, the genus Quercus L. is a dominant element of a wide variety of habitats including temperate, tropical, subtropical and mediterranean forests and woodlands. As the fossil record reflects, oaks were usual from the Oligocene onwards, showing the high ability of the genus to colonize new and different habitats. Such diversity and ecological amplitude makes genus Quercus an excellent framework for comparative ecophysiological studies, allowing the analysis of many mechanisms that are found in different oaks at different level (leaf or stem). The combination of several morphological and physiological attributes defines the existence of different functional types within the genus, which are characteristic of specific phytoclimates. From a landscape perspective, oak forests and woodlands are threatened by many factors that can compromise their future: a limited regeneration, massive decline processes, mostly triggered by adverse climatic events or the competence with other broad-leaved trees and conifer species. The knowledge of all these facts can allow for a better management of the oak forests in the future.