Forest Ecosystems

by David A. Perry

A textbook for advanced students of forest science, ecology, and environmental studies as well as a reference for professionals in these fields, Forest Ecosystems offers a comprehensive survey of the structure and functioning of forest ecosystems temperate, tropical, and boreal. Basic ecological concepts are stressed throughout, at scales ranging from the global to the microscopic. The text begins with an introduction to the basic elements of the science of ecology and the role of forests in the global ecosystem. The opening chapters describe how climate influences large-scale distribution of vegetation types, and how global warming might influence that distribution. After a look at factors that influence landscape patterns, the focus shifts to topics that include temporal dynamics, biological diversity, and soils. Subsequent chapters deal with primary productivity, nutrient cycling, herbivory, ecosystem stability, and factors contributing to ecosystem collapse such as acid rain and mismanagement. A concluding chapter discusses principles of sustainable forest management.

Genres: Ecology, Science, Textbooks

672 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1995

Reviews

[Rachel Sawyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for school. It’s very in depth, can get a little dry at times but very informative.

[Alex · Rating 2 out of 5]

The structure of this book is somewhat disorganized and it’s content difficult to follow when compared to other topical texts on the market. Certain topics are riddled with the authors’ digressions, and these add very little to one’s understanding of forest ecosystems.