The Tropical Rain Forest
An Ecological Study

A new and completely revised edition of a classic book on the tropical rain forest.

P. W. Richards (Author), R. P. D. Walsh (Contributions by), I. C. Baillie (Contributions by), P. Greig-Smith (Contributions by)

9780521421942, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 8 August 1996

600 pages, 225 b/w illus. 75 tables
27.9 x 21 x 3.1 cm, 1.725 kg

'Overall, this is a formidable reference work providing a substantial summary of vegetational research up to about 1990.' John Barkham, Geography

The first edition of The Tropical Rain Forest is firmly established as one of the classics of botanical literature. In this new and completely revised edition, Professor Richards provides a personal view of the field, based on over sixty years involvement in rain forest ecology. Climatic changes and human pressures have a major impact on the rain forests and it is now possible to see the possibility of their complete destruction. This book represents an important record of the rain forest in the twentieth century.

Preface
1. Introduction
Part I. Structure and Physiognomy: 2. Structure of primary forest
3. Regeneration
4. Trees and shrubs (i) Vegetative features
5. Trees and shrubs (ii) Reproductive biology
6. The ground herbs and the dependent synusiae
Part II. The Environment: 7. Climate R. P. D. Walsh
8. Microclimates and hydrology R. P. D. Walsh
9. Phenology
10. Soils of the humid tropics I. C. Baillie
Part III. Floristic Composition of Climax Communities: 11. Composition of primary rain forests (i)
12. Composition of primary rain forests (ii)
Part IV. Primary Successions
13. Primary xeroseres and the recolonization of Krakatau
14. Hydroseres and freshwater swamp forests
15. Mangroves and other coastal vegetation
Part V. Tropical Raion Forest Under Limiting Conditions
16. Rain forest, deciduous forest and savannah
17. The tropical rain forest at its altitudinal and latitudinal limits
Part VI. Human Impacts and the Tropical Rain Forest
18. Secondary and deflected successions
19. Postscript - the future of the tropical rain forest
Appendix 1. Tree recognition in the field and the use of vernacular names
Appendix 2. Application of numerical methods in rain forest P. Grieg-Smith
References
Index of plant names
General index.

Subject Areas: Economic geology [RBGL], Plant ecology [PSTS]