Ecology of Woodlands and Forests

Description, Dynamics and Diversity
Erscheinungsjahr 2011
ISBN: 978-0-521-83452-0
Verlag: Cambridge University Press

Buch, Englisch, 542 Seiten, Format (B × H): 183 mm x 260 mm, Gewicht: 1206 g

concise, non-technical account of the structure and evolution of woodlands and forests.

Taking a functional rather than an ecosystem or a utilitarian approach, Thomas and Packham provide a concise account of the structure of woodlands and forests. Using examples from around the world - from polar treelines to savannahs to tropical rain forests - the authors explain the structure of the soil and the hidden world of the roots; how the main groups of organisms which live within them interact both positively and negatively. There is particular emphasis on woodland and forest processes, especially those involving the flow and cycling of nutrients, as well as the dynamics of wooded areas, considering how and why they have changed through geological time and continue to do so. This clear, non-technical, text will be of interest to undergraduates, foresters, ecologists and land managers.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Thomas, Peter

Packham, John R.

Fachgebiete

• Geowissenschaften Geographie | Raumplanung Wälder
• Naturwissenschaften Biowissenschaften Botanik Pflanzenökologie

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Preface; 1. Introduction: forest basics; 2. Forest soils, climate and zonation; 3. Primary production and forest development; 4. Reproductive strategies of forest plants; 5. Biotic interactions; 6. Biodiversity in woodlands; 7. Decomposition and renewal; 8. Energy and nutrients; 9. Forest change and disturbance; 10. Working forests; 11. The future - how will our forests change?; References.

Über Autor(innen)

Thomas, Peter
Peter A. Thomas is Senior Lecturer in the School of Life Sciences at Keele University.

Packham, John R.
John R. Packham is Emeritus Professor in the School of Applied Sciences at the University of Wolverhampton.