Natural Woodland Ecology and Conservation in Northern Temperate Regions [Paperback]

A fascinating account of woodland natural history for all those concerned with woodland management and ecology.Appreciation of the natural processes of woodlands is essential for the development of nature conservation and management practices. This account of how woodlands grow, die, and regenerate includes examples of virgin as well as old-growth forests in Europe and North America.Appreciation of the natural processes of woodlands is essential for the development of nature conservation and management practices. This account of how woodlands grow, die, and regenerate includes examples of virgin as well as old-growth forests in Europe and North America.An appreciation of the natural processes of woodlands is essential for the development of a rationale and practices for woodland nature conservation and management. In this book, Dr. Peterken describes how woodlands grow, die, and regenerate in the absence of human influence, and the structures and range of habitats found in natural woods. He describes examples of virgin and old-growth forests in Europe and North America, and outlines the dynamics and structure of natural temperate woodlands. This knowledge is then applied to nature conservation issues in British woods and forests, particularly the maintenance of untouched reserves, the management of native broadleaved woods, and the design of coniferous plantations. Natural Woodlands is a fascinating account of woodland natural history for all those concerned with the management and ecology of natural or commercial woodlands.Preface; Part I. Definitions, Significance and Survival: 1. Woodlands, nature and history: a personal introduction; 2. Definitions, values and philosophies; 3. Natural woodland in Europe and North America; Part II. Temperate and Boreal Natural Forests: 4. Selected virgin forests; 5. Disturbance in natural woodland; 6. Succession after catastrophic disturbances; 7. Structures and dynamics of old-growth forests; 8. Components of the forest; 9. Wil,