Landslide Ecology

Landslides are dangerous, fascinating phenomena: understanding their biological and ecological aspects is essential for achieving slope stability and habitat restoration.

Lawrence R. Walker (Author), Aaron B. Shiels (Author)

9780521178402, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 6 December 2012

314 pages, 68 b/w illus. 16 colour illus. 17 tables
22.8 x 15.1 x 1.1 cm, 0.54 kg

'Ably summarizing the growing body of literature on the ecological consequences of landslides, this book provides a useful framework for the promotion of ecological tools in predicting, stabilizing and restoring biodiversity to landslide scars at both local and landscape scales. Recognizing the role that these processes play in providing more holistic solutions to the problem of unstable slopes, the authors present ecological approaches as useful, economical and resilient supplements to landslide management. The book will therefore find readers not only amongst researchers and students, but also amongst land managers and rehabilitation specialists.' David Gillieson, Austral Ecology

Despite their often dangerous and unpredictable nature, landslides provide fascinating templates for studying how soil organisms, plants and animals respond to such destruction. The emerging field of landslide ecology helps us understand these responses, aiding slope stabilisation and restoration and contributing to the progress made in geological approaches to landslide prediction and mitigation. Summarising the growing body of literature on the ecological consequences of landslides, this book provides a framework for the promotion of ecological tools in predicting, stabilising, and restoring biodiversity to landslide scars at both local and landscape scales. It explores nutrient cycling; soil development; and how soil organisms disperse, colonise and interact in what is often an inhospitable environment. Recognising the role that these processes play in providing solutions to the problem of unstable slopes, the authors present ecological approaches as useful, economical and resilient supplements to landslide management.

Preface
1. Introduction
2. Spatial patterns
3. Physical causes and consequences
4. Biological consequences
5. Biotic interactions and temporal patterns
6. Living with landslides
7. Large scales and future directions for landslide ecology
Glossary
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Conservation of wildlife & habitats [RNKH], Conservation of the environment [RNK], Environmental management [RNF], Biodiversity [RNCB], Applied ecology [RNC], The environment [RN], Animal ecology [PSVS], Plant ecology [PSTS]