Ecology of Woodlands and Forests Description, Dynamics and Diversity [Hardcover]

A concise, non-technical account of the structure and evolution of woodlands and forests, first published in 2007.Taking a functional rather than an ecosystem or a utilitarian approach, Thomas and Packham provide a concise account of how wooded areas have changed over time and will continue to change, particularly through harvesting and pollution. This clear, non-technical, 2007 text will be of interest to undergraduates, foresters and land managers.Taking a functional rather than an ecosystem or a utilitarian approach, Thomas and Packham provide a concise account of how wooded areas have changed over time and will continue to change, particularly through harvesting and pollution. This clear, non-technical, 2007 text will be of interest to undergraduates, foresters and land managers.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. Thil£(