A Theory of Forest Dynamics
The Ecological Implications of Forest Succession Models
Published on 5. September 2012
Book
Paperback/Softback
XIV, 278 pages
978-1-4612-6461-3 (ISBN)
Description
This book is a consideration of the dynamics of forested systems at the time and spatial scales that 1 feel are implied by our present-day use of the term "succession." The investigation will be conducted by exercising a set of ecological models called "gap models," which have been in a state of development and improvement for the past 15 years. It is the intent of this book to use these models as tools for exploring theories of ecological succession. Ecological succession is one of the most obvious and demonstrable features of natural systems when viewed from outside the field of ecology. Succession is used by teachers as a theory that introduces young people to the interactive and dynamic nature of ecosystems. Succession theory and examples of succession are proclaimed from legions of nature trail guidebooks and placards. It is a pleasant classroom exercise to discuss how ecological systems change as the product of internal mechanisms that can be demonstrated by observaaon. The deductive explanation of how a particular place came to have a given assemblage of tree species has a pleasing "Sherlock Holmesian" touch that can be challenging to puzzle through.
More details
Edition
Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 1984
Language
English
Place of publication
New York, NY
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Research
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
biography
Dimensions
Height: 23.5 cm
Width: 15.5 cm
Thickness: 15 mm
Weight
456 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4612-6461-3 (9781461264613)
DOI
10.1007/978-1-4419-8748-8
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
11/1984
Springer
€85.55
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Content
Prologue.- 1 Forest Succession.- Succession from Individual Attributes.- Competition Versus Facilitation.- The Importance of Population Dynamics.- The Nonequilibrium Nature of Vegetation.- Mathematical Models of Individuals as Succession Models.- Ecosystem Succession.- The Regularity of Ecosystem Pattern.- Consideration of the Whole Ecosystem.- Systems Theoretical Approaches.- Conclusions.- 2 Computer Models of Forest Succession.- A Speculation on Modeling.- Scale in Forest Succession Models.- Even-aged, Monospecies, Spatial Tree Models.- Even-aged, Monospecies, Nonspatial Tree Models.- Even-aged, Mixed-species, Nonspatial Tree Models.- Mixed-aged, Monospecies, Spatial Tree Models.- Mixed-aged, Monospecies, Nonspatial Tree Models.- Mixed-aged, Mixed-species, Spatial Tree Models.- Mixed-aged, Mixed-species, Nonspatial Tree Models.- Mixed-aged, Mixed-species, Nonspatial Gap Models.- Mixed-aged, Mixed-species, Spatial Gap Models.- Conclusions.- 3 Gap Models.- The Growth of Trees.- Light Limitation of Tree Growth.- Temperature Effects on Tree Growth.- Nutrient Cycling and Growth.- Moisture Effects on Tree Growth.- The Ingrowth of Trees.- The Death of Trees.- Size of Modelled Gaps.- Conclusions.- 4 Performance of Gap Models.- General Patterns of Compositional Dynamics Simulated by Gap Models.- Australian Montane Eucalyptus Forests.- Arkansas Upland Forest.- Australian Subtropical Rain Forest.- Southern Appalachian Deciduous Forest.- Mississippi River Floodplain Forest.- Northern Hardwood Forest.- Puerto Rican Montane Rain Forest.- Southern Wetlands Vegetation.- Extended Compositional Tests on Gap Models.- Patterns in Forest Structure Simulated by Gap Models.- Conclusions.- 5 Patch Dynamics in Forested Mosaics.- Regeneration Cycles in Gaps.- Small Disturbances in Gap Models.- Regeneration and Gap Size.- The Role of the Species in Determining Gap Size.- Roles of Species in Patch Dynamics.- Role 1 Species.- Role 2 Species.- Role 3 Species.- Role 4 Species.- Tree Roles and Forest Ecosystem Dynamics.- Conclusions.- 6 The Biomass Response of Landscapes.- The Biomass Response of Homogeneous Landscapes.- Some Examples of Forest Biomass Response.- Idealized Landscape Dynamics from Gap Models.- Dynamics of Monospecies Landscapes.- Idealized Landscape Dynamics for Multispecies Forests.- The Effects of Species on the Landscape Biomass Dynamics in the Frequency Domain.- Landscape Dynamics with Patch Interaction in One Dimension.- Landscape Dynamics with Patch Interaction in Two.- Conclusions.- 7 Categories of Dynamic Landscapes.- Exogenous Disturbances and Patch Dynamics.- Statistical Interpretations of Landscape Systems.- Examples of Effectively Nonequilibrium and Quasi-Equilibrium Landscapes.- Intrinsically Nonequilibrating Landscapes.- The Severity and Frequency of Disturbance.- Computer Models of Quasi-Equilibrium Landscapes.- Applications of Landscape Models.- Conclusions.- 8 Animals and Mosaic Landscapes.- Roles of Animals in Ecological Systems.- Niche Theory: A Brief Review.- The Mosaic Element as a Habitat Element.- Consequences of Habitat Selection for Mosaic Elements on Animal Communities.- Conclusions.- 9 Predicting Large-Scale Consequences of Small-Scale Changes.- Possible Effects of Air Pollutants on Forests.- The Problem.- Model Application and Results.- Assessing the Potential Effects of Carbon Dioxide Fertilization.- The Problem.- Model Application and Results.- Reconstructing Prehistoric Vegetation.- Background.- The Problem.- Model Application and Results.- Conclusions.- 10 A Theory of Forest Dynamics.- The Domain of Applicability of Gap Models.- Some Consequences of Gap Models.- Epilogue.- References.