"Two modes of photosynthesis predominate in terrestrial plants: the C[subscript 3] mode, used by most of the estimated 250,000 higher plant species; and the C[subscript 4] mode, used by only 10,000.

This work synthesizes the latest developments in C[subscript 4] biochemistry, physiology, systematics, and ecology and concludes with chapters discussing the role of C[subscript 4] plants in future development of the biosphere, particularly their interactive effects on soil, hydrological, and atmospheric processes.

Because of the many issues related to long-term carbon dynamics, an improved understanding of the biology of C[subscript 4] photosynthesis is required by an audience larger than the traditional audience of crop scientists, plant physiologists, and plant ecologists and will also be needed by agricultural policy makers, economists, researchers, and executives in agrobusiness."--BOOK JACKET.