Comparative Plant Succession among Terrestrial Biomes of the World

Provides a comparative approach to plant succession among all terrestrial biomes and disturbances, helping to reveal generalizable patterns.

Karel Prach (Author), Lawrence R. Walker (Author)

9781108460248, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 14 May 2020

412 pages, 91 b/w illus.
22.8 x 15.3 x 2 cm, 0.73 kg

'… a much-needed summary and synthesis in a single volume … By presenting a thorough, detailed comparative summary of plant succession research to date, Prach and Walker provide the needed foundation for future successional research.' Cynthia Chang, The Quarterly Review of Biology

Despite a century of study by ecologists, recovery following disturbances (succession) is not fully understood. This book provides the first global synthesis that compares plant succession in all major terrestrial biomes and after all major terrestrial disturbances. It asks critical questions such as: Does succession follow general patterns across biomes and disturbance types? Do factors that control succession differ from biome to biome? If common drivers exist, what are they? Are they abiotic or biotic, or both? The authors provide insights on broad, generalizable patterns that go beyond site-specific studies, and present discussions on factors such as varying temporal dynamics, latitudinal differences, human-caused vs. natural disturbances, and the role of invasive alien species. This book is a must-read for researchers and students in ecology, plant ecology, restoration ecology and conservation biology. It also provides a valuable framework to aid land managers attempting to manipulate successional recovery following increasingly intense and widespread human-made disturbances.

Part I. Plant Succession and Biomes: 1. Introduction
2. Humans and succession
3. Terrestrial biomes
Part II. Succession by Disturbance Type: 4. Comparative approach
5. Volcanoes
6. Glaciers
7. Cyclones
8. Dunes
9. Landslides
10. Floods
11. Fire
12. Clearcuts
13. Plowed fields
14. Mines
15. Other disturbances
Part III. Synthesis: 16. Synthesis
17. Conclusions and future research challenges.

Subject Areas: Natural disasters [RNR], Conservation of wildlife & habitats [RNKH], Conservation of the environment [RNK], Environmental management [RNF], Environmentalist, conservationist & Green organizations [RNB], Forests, rainforests [RGBL], Plant ecology [PSTS]