This book reviews established methodologies that have provided new insights into ecosystem function and adaptations of plants in Mediterranean climate zones. New methodologies are examined which have been used in recent ecological studies and which have supplied information of a new kind. Chapters include studies on plant water relations, photosynthesis and production, mineral nutrition, plant growth and development, and response to fire. Gas exchange techniques, advances in chlorophyll fluorescence techniques, root function analysis, leaf orientation and canopy function are discussed at...