An Introduction to Tropical Rain Forests

by Timothy Whitmore

This new edition of Whitmore's classic introduction to tropical rain forests has been comprehensively revised and updated, reflecting the changes which have taken place since it was first published in 1990. The sections on human impact have been extended to include a new global assessment of deforestation as well as details of new research on biodiversity and conservation. Discussion of the future of the rain forests and priorities for action is incorporated. The book remains unique in linking rain forest biology and ecology with silviculture, and with concerns over sustainable resource utilization and the future of the tropical rain forests. It includes sections on the diverse animal and plant life forms which are found in the rain forest, and the interconnections between them. Nutrient cycles and forest dynamics are fully explained, with new data on ecophysiology and forest microclimates. The geologic and climatic history of rain forests, and the wide-spread canopy disturbances
now understood to have occurred in the past, are explored. Accessibly written, and illustrated throughout with line-drawings and photographs, this is a must for biology and geography students, and anyone else who seeks to know more about the nature and importance of the world's tropical rain forests.

Genres: Nonfiction

296 pages, Paperback

First published June 4, 1990

Reviews

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very heavily biased towards plants as this is written by a botanist. It explains much of how the plant life in moist tropical forest functions, their growth patterns and structure. The author's focus and experience is Asia-centric thus this region gets more attention, though comparisons are made often with the neotropics and African rainforest as well. I wish there was more on animal ecology but what little there is was too broad and shallow, and is on the interface between plants and animals like pollination and seed dispersal. There are good chapters on the human aspects like logging and deforestation trends, though obviously the situation is much worse now than when the book was last updated in the 1990s.

[Usfromdk · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some parts are much better than others. I actively disliked some parts of the coverage and punished the author for politicizing.