ABSTRACT
The specific conditions of the karst environment may produce physiological adaptations in plants which advantage them in this harsh environment. Reduced vegetation cover, and thus increased exposure to sunlight, enhance photosynthesis, often leading to an excess of carbon. This excess may be stored as protective structures such as thorns and woody stems, or as plant defensive compounds such as volatile oils (lavender and rosemary), phenols, and tannins. These render the leaves unpalatable to grazers, whether arthropods or vertebrates. These compounds may have value for pharmaceuticals or perfume manufacture.
