Terrestrial Ecosystems - Softcover

Aber, Mr. John D.; Melillo, Jerry M.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0030474434 ISBN 13: 9780030474439

Publisher: Brooks/Cole, 1991

Synopsis

Terrestrial Ecosystems

About this title

Review:

SECTION I: INTRODUCTION: THE NATURE OF ECOSYSTEM STUDIES. 1. Development of concepts in ecosystem science. 2. Structure of terrestrial ecosystems. 3. Measurement of ecosystem function I. Carbon balances. 4. Measurement of ecosystem function II. Water and nutrient balances. 5. Additional approaches to analysis and synthesis in ecosystem studies. SECTION II: MECHANISMS: PROCESSES CONTROLLING ECOSYSTEM FUNCTION. 6. Energy, water and carbon balances over leaves. 7. Water use and water balances in ecosystems. 8. Structure and dynamics of canopy systems. 9. Soil development and the soil environment. 10. Biological processes in soils. 11. Resource allocation and net primary production. 12. Chemical properties of litter and soil organic matter: the decomposition continuum . 13. Decay rates and nutrient dynamics of litter and soil organic matter. 14. Plant-soil interactions: Summary effects on nutrient cycles. 15. Factors limiting consumption: Plant-herbivore interactions. 16. Characteristics of ecosystems with high herbivore consumption rates. 17. The role of fire in carbon and nutrient balances. 18. Synthesis: A generalized theory of ecosystem dynamics. SECTION III: SYNTHESIS: DISTURBANCE, SUCCESSION AND ECOSYSTEM FUNCTION IN SPECIFIC ECOSYSTEMS. 19. A fire-dominated ecosystem: The taiga forests of interior Alaska. 20. The Serengeti: An herbivore-dominated ecosystem. 21. A gap-regeneration system: The northern hardwood forests of the U.S. 22. Ecosystem development over geologic time: Tropical forests of Hawaii. SECTION IV: APPLICATION- HUMAN IMPACTS ON LOCAL, REGIONAL AND GLOBAL ECOSYSTEMS. 23. Ecosystems managed for food and fiber. 24. Invasions and extinctions: interactions between biodiversity and ecosystem function. 25. Effects of air pollution on terrestrial ecosystems. 26. Terrestrial ecosystems and global change.

Synopsis:

This unique text offers a survey of all major processes affecting terrestrial ecosystems. It can be used in a variety of "ecosystems" courses, including forestry, environmental science, botany, and biology. Diverse topic coverage including soil chemistry, herbivory, physiological ecology, decomposition, and fire effects - all within the context of environmental conditions.

About this edition

• Publisher: Brooks/Cole
• Publication date: 1991
• ISBN 10: 0030474434
• ISBN 13: 9780030474439
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 368