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Ecology of Desert Systems
An updated guide to desertification and techniques for its monitoring and quantification, examined in the framework of desert ecosystem patterns and processes
Walter G. Whitford (Author), Benjamin D. Duval (Author)
9780128150559
Paperback / softback, published 22 August 2019
473 pages
23.4 x 19 x 3 cm, 0.98 kg
Nearly one-third of the land area on our planet is classified as arid or desert. Therefore, an understanding of the dynamics of such arid ecosystems is essential to managing those systems in a way that sustains human populations. This second edition of Ecology of Desert Systems provides a clear, extensive guide to the complex interactions involved in these areas. This book details the relationships between abiotic and biotic environments of desert ecosystems, demonstrating to readers how these interactions drive ecological processes. These include plant growth and animal reproductive success, the spatial and temporal distribution of vegetation and animals, and the influence of invasive species and anthropogenic climate change specific to arid systems. Drawing on the extensive experience of its expert authors, Ecology of Desert Systems is an essential guide to arid ecosystems for students looking for an overview of the field, researchers keen to learn how their work fits in to the overall picture, and those involved with environmental management of desert areas.
1. Conceptual Framework, Paradigms, and Models 2. Landforms, Geomorphology, and Vegetation 3. Characterization of Desert Climates 4. Wind and Water Processes 5. Patch—Mosiac Dynamics 6. Adaptations 7. Primary Production 8. Consumers and Their Effects 9. Decomposition and Nutrient Cycling 10. Nonnative, Exotic, or Alien Species 11. Anthropogenic Climate Change in Deserts 12. Desertification 13. Rehabilitation of Degraded Landscapes 14. Monitoring and Assessment 15. The Human Footprint (Roads; Urbanization; Energy Developments)
Subject Areas: Applied ecology [RNC]
