Recent developments and future research

Abstract

The previous nine chapters exemplify the wealth of new information on the function and functioning of stomata that has accumulated over the last decade. It should be apparent by now that guard cells are highly specialized cells and they have adopted an array of cellular and meta- bolic processes which enable stomata to be exquisitely tuned to the environment and the demands within the plant. Stomata can be viewed as one of the major adaptations that allow plants to survive in virtually all terrestrial environments on our planet. However, there still remains much to be elucidated. Progress in some areas of research, such as ’patchy’ stomatal responses, has challenged previously accepted views, whilst other areas of research await development of simplifying con- cepts to harmonize the apparent profusion of conflicting data. Equally, there are key topics, such as the molecular basis of stomatal responses to CO₂, where there has been relatively little research. In addition, new fields of research are just opening up with the application of molecular biology techniques to stomatal research.