Ecology of Woodlands and Forests
Description, Dynamics and Diversity

A concise, non-technical account of the structure and evolution of woodlands and forests, first published in 2007.

Peter Thomas (Author), John Packham (Author)

9780521542319, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 26 July 2007

544 pages, 172 b/w illus.
24.4 x 17 x 2.8 cm, 1.08 kg

'… essential reading for everyone from botany or geosciences who explor[es] the forests … a comprehensive, detailed, well-thought, and informative synthesis, which will be appreciated by professionals, beginners, and amateurs.' Zentralblatt für Geologie und Paläontologie

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, 2007 text will be of interest to undergraduates, foresters, ecologists and land managers.

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.

Subject Areas: Conservation of the environment [RNK], Earth sciences, geography, environment, planning [R], Plant ecology [PSTS], Forestry & related industries [KNAL]