Wirth / Gleixner / Heimann Old-Growth Forests

Function, Fate and Value
2009
ISBN: 978-3-540-92706-8
Verlag: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Format: PDF
Kopierschutz: 1 - PDF Watermark

E-Book, Englisch, Band 207, 512 Seiten

Reihe: Ecological Studies

Many terms often used to describe old-growth forests imply that these forests are less vigorous, less productive and less stable than younger forests. But research in the last two decades has yielded results that challenge the view of old-growth forests being in decline. Given the importance of forests in battling climate change and the fact that old-growth forests are shrinking at a rate of 0.5% per year, these new results have come not a moment too soon. This book is the first ever to focus on the ecosystem functioning of old-growth forests. It is an exhaustive compendium of information that contains original work conducted by the authors. In addition, it is truly global in scope as it studies boreal forests in Canada, temperate old-growth forests in Europe and the Americas, and global tropical forests. Written in part to affect future policy, this eminently readable book is as useful for the scientist and student as it is for the politician and politically-interested layman.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Wirth, Christian

Gleixner, Gerd

Heimann, Martin

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1;Homage to Ernst-Detlef Schulze;7
2;Preface;9
3;Contents;11
4;Contributors;20
5;Part I Introduction;26
5.1;Chapter 1 Old-Growth Forests: Function, Fate and Value – an Overview;27
5.1.1;1.1 Old-Growth Forest Perception;27
5.1.2;1.2 Old-Growth Forest Services;29
5.1.3;1.3 Aims and Scope;29
5.1.4;References;33
5.2;Chapter 2 Old-Growth Forest Definitions: a Pragmatic View;35
5.2.1;2.1 Introduction;35
5.2.2;2.2 Old-Growth Forest Definitions and their Limitations;36
5.2.3;2.3 Use of the Term ‘‘Old-Growth’’ – a Literature Survey;43
5.2.4;2.4 Old-Growth and the Disturbance Spectrum;48
5.2.5;2.5 Identifying Old-Growth – the Conservation Perspective;51
5.2.6;2.6 Conclusions and Pragmatic Considerations;53
5.2.7;References;55
5.3;Chapter 3 Old Trees and the Meaning of ‘Old’;58
5.3.1;3.1 Introduction;58
5.3.2;3.2 Longevity of Conifers and Angiosperms;58
5.3.3;3.3 What Limits the Life Span of a Tree?;62
5.3.4;3.4 Concluding Remarks;75
5.3.5;References;76
6;Part II Aboveground Processes;78
6.1;Chapter 4 Ecophysiological Characteristics of Mature Trees and Stands – Consequences for Old-Growth Forest Productivity;79
6.1.1;4.1 Introduction;79
6.1.2;4.2 Increased Respiratory Demand;79
6.1.3;4.3 Limitations of Photosynthesis;80
6.1.4;4.4 Stand-Level Controls;85
6.1.5;4.5 Community and Ecosystem Constraints on Age/Size-Productivity Relationships;87
6.1.6;4.6 Conclusions;97
6.1.7;References;98
6.2;Chapter 5 The Imprint of Species Turnover on Old-Growth Forest Carbon Balances – Insights From a Trait-Based Model of Forest Dynamics;102
6.2.1;5.1 Introduction;102
6.2.2;5.2 A Trait-Based Model of Forest Carbon Dynamics;104
6.2.3;5.3 The Spectrum of Traits;110
6.2.4;5.4 Model Performance and Lessons from the Equilibrium Behaviour;112
6.2.5;5.5 The Spectrum of Carbon Trajectories in North American Forests;115
6.2.6;5.6 Determinants of Old-Growth Carbon Stock Changes;117
6.2.7;5.7 Discussion;120
6.2.8;5.8 Conclusions;130
6.2.9;References;131
6.3;Chapter 6 Functional Relationships Between Old-Growth Forest Canopies, Understorey Light and Vegetation Dynamics;135
6.3.1;6.1 Introduction;135
6.3.2;6.2 Structural and Compositional Features of Old-Growth;135
6.3.3;6.3 Understorey Light Environments and Dynamics;137
6.3.4;6.4 Consequences for Understorey Vegetation Composition and Dynamics;145
6.3.5;6.5 Acclimatisation of Plant Form and Function to Low Light Availability;146
6.3.6;6.6 Resource Allocation and Shade Tolerance;149
6.3.7;6.7 Conclusions;153
6.3.8;References;154
6.4;Chapter 7 Biosphere–Atmosphere Exchange of Old-Growth Forests: Processes and Pattern;160
6.4.1;7.1 Introduction;160
6.4.2;7.2 Characteristics of Old-Growth Forests Relevant for Biosphere–Atmosphere Exchange;161
6.4.3;7.3 Exchange of Carbon Dioxide;162
6.4.4;7.4 Exchange of Water and Energy;168
6.4.5;7.5 Effect of Diffuse Light;170
6.4.6;7.6 Conclusions;172
6.4.7;References;173
6.5;Chapter 8 Woody Detritus Mass and its Contribution to Carbon Dynamics of Old-Growth Forests: the Temporal Context;178
6.5.1;8.1 Introduction;178
6.5.2;8.2 Underlying Processes;179
6.5.3;8.3 Theoretical Trends;188
6.5.4;8.4 Comparison of Theoretical and Observed Temporal Trends;197
6.5.5;8.5 Effect of Management;201
6.5.6;8.6 Consequences for Net Ecosystem Carbon Balance;202
6.5.7;8.7 Reducing Observational Uncertainties;204
6.5.8;8.8 Conclusions;205
6.5.9;References;206
7;Part III Belowground Processes;210
7.1;Chapter 9 Aboveground and Belowground Consequences of Long-Term Forest Retrogression in the Timeframe of Millennia and Beyond;211
7.1.1;9.1 Introduction;211
7.1.2;9.2 Lake Islands in Northern Sweden;213
7.1.3;9.3 Retrogressive Successions Elsewhere in the World;218
7.1.4;9.4 Conclusions;223
7.1.5;References;224
7.2;Chapter 10 Rooting Patterns of Old-Growth Forests: is Aboveground Structural and Functional Diversity Mirrored Belowground?;228
7.2.1;10.1 Introduction;228
7.2.2;10.2 What Comprises Belowground Structural Diversity?;229
7.2.3;10.3 Root Gaps and Horizontal Variation in Rooting Density in Old-Growth Forests;230
7.2.4;10.4 Pit-and-Mound Topography in Old-Growth Forest;236
7.2.5;10.5 Old-Growth Structures Harbouring Roots;237
7.2.6;10.6 Influence of Stand Age on Diversity of Functional Root Types, Mycorrhizae, and the Vertical Patterning of Root Systems;239
7.2.7;10.7 Conclusions;242
7.2.8;References;242
7.3;Chapter 11 Soil Carbon Accumulation in Old-Growth Forests;247
7.3.1;11.1 Introduction;247
7.3.2;11.2 Development of Soil Carbon Stocks in Ecosystems;247
7.3.3;11.3 Soil Carbon Storage in Old-Growth Forests;250
7.3.4;11.4 Case Study of Soil Carbon Sequestration in a 250-Year-Old Beech Forest;268
7.3.5;11.5 Discussion of Carbon Stock Changes;274
7.3.6;11.6 Conclusions;276
7.3.7;References;277
7.4;Chapter 12 Is There a Theoretical Limit to Soil Carbon Storage in Old-Growth Forests? A Model Analysis with Contrasting Approaches;283
7.4.1;12.1 Introduction;283
7.4.2;12.2 Observations of Old-Growth Forest Carbon Balance;284
7.4.3;12.3 Is There a Theoretical Limit to Soil Carbon Storage?;285
7.4.4;12.4 Perspectives for a New Generation of Models;291
7.4.5;12.5 Conclusions;294
7.4.6;References;295
8;Part IV Biomes;298
8.1;Chapter 13 Old-Growth Forests in the Canadian Boreal: the Exception Rather than the Rule?;299
8.1.1;13.1 Introduction;299
8.1.2;13.2 Abundance of Old-Growth Forests;300
8.1.3;13.3 Characteristics of Old-Growth Boreal Forests;302
8.1.4;13.4 Implications for Forest Management;310
8.1.5;13.5 Conclusions;311
8.1.6;References;312
8.2;Chapter 14 Biomass Chronosequences of United States Forests: Implications for Carbon Storage and Forest Management;315
8.2.1;14.1 Forest Management and Carbon Sequestration;315
8.2.2;14.2 Mechanisms of Biomass Decline;316
8.2.3;14.3 Aboveground Biomass Chronosequences for US Forests;319
8.2.4;14.4 Discussion;342
8.2.5;References;350
8.3;Chapter 15 Temperate and Boreal Old-Growth Forests: How do Their Growth Dynamics and Biodiversity Differ from Young Stands and Managed Forests?;356
8.3.1;15.1 Introduction;356
8.3.2;15.2 Global Distribution of Temperate and Boreal Forests;358
8.3.3;15.3 Productivity of Temperate and Boreal Forests;359
8.3.4;15.4 Disturbance and Forest Succession at the Regional Scale;368
8.3.5;15.5 Effects of Management;371
8.3.6;15.6 Forest Management and Forest Protection in Europe;373
8.3.7;15.7 Conclusions;376
8.3.8;References;377
8.4;Chapter 16 Old-Growth Temperate Rainforests of South America: Conservation, Plant–Animal Interactions, and Baseline Biogeochemical Processes;380
8.4.1;16.1 Introduction;380
8.4.2;16.2 Conservation Status, Values and Threats;382
8.4.3;16.3 Plant–Animal Interactions;390
8.4.4;16.4 Biogeochemistry;393
8.4.5;16.5 Conclusions;397
8.4.6;References;398
8.5;Chapter 17 Tropical Rain Forests as Old-Growth Forests;404
8.5.1;17.1 Introduction;404
8.5.2;17.2 Structure;405
8.5.3;17.3 Physiological Attributes;408
8.5.4;17.4 Are Rain Forests Carbon Sinks?;410
8.5.5;17.5 Are There Recent Changes in Species Composition?;412
8.5.6;17.6 How Will Rain Forests Behave in a Hotter and Drier Climate?;412
8.5.7;17.7 The Future;415
8.5.8;References;416
9;Part V Human Dimensions;422
9.1;Chapter 18 Detecting Intact Forests from Space: Hot Spots of Loss, Deforestation and the UNFCCC;423
9.1.1;18.1 Introduction;423
9.1.2;18.2 Monitoring of Forest Areas from the Global to the Regional Scale using Satellite Imagery;423
9.1.3;18.3 Information on Global Forest Extent and Deforestation Rates;424
9.1.4;18.4 Tropical Forest Monitoring in the Context of the UNFCCC;433
9.1.5;18.5 Conclusions;436
9.1.6;References;437
9.2;Chapter 19 Impacts of Land Use on Habitat Functions of Old-Growth Forests and their Biodiversity;440
9.2.1;19.1 Introduction;440
9.2.2;19.2 Old-Growth Forests – Habitat Function;441
9.2.3;19.3 Characteristic Human Impacts on Old-Growth Forests in Different Biomes and their Impact on Habitat Characteristics, Habitat Functions and Biodiversity;445
9.2.4;19.4 Conclusions;455
9.2.5;References;456
9.3;Chapter 20 Old-Growth Forests in the Context of International Environmental Agreements;462
9.3.1;20.1 Introduction;462
9.3.2;20.2 Forests in UN Processes;463
9.3.3;20.3 Consideration of Old-Growth Forests in UN Processes;468
9.3.4;20.4 Potential Role of Old-Growth Forests in Future International Environmental Agreements;470
9.3.5;20.5 Conclusions;471
9.3.6;References;471
10;Part VI Synthesis;473
10.1;Chapter 21 Old-Growth Forests: Function, Fate and Value – a Synthesis;474
10.1.1;21.1 Challenges in Functional Old-Growth Forest Research;474
10.1.2;21.2 Functional Consequences of Old-Growth Forest Structure: the Spatial View;476
10.1.3;21.3 Old-Growth Forests in the Context of Succession: the Temporal View;480
10.1.4;21.4 The Fate of Old-Growth Forests Worldwide;491
10.1.5;21.5 Research Needs;494
10.1.6;21.6 Overall summary;497
10.1.7;References;499
11;Abbreviations and Glossary;501
12;Geographic Index;504
13;Subject Index;506
14;Taxonomic Index;515