Global Deforestation

by Paolo D'Odorico Christiane Runyan

Global Deforestation provides a concise but comprehensive examination of the variety of ways in which deforestation modifies environmental processes as well as the societal implications of these changes The book stresses how forest ecosystems may be prone to nearly irreversible degradation To prevent the loss of important biophysical and socioeconomic functions forests need to be adequately managed and protected against the increasing demand for agricultural land and forest resources The book describes the spatial extent of forests and provides an understanding of the past and present drivers of deforestation It presents a theoretical background to understand the impacts of deforestation on biodiversity hydrological functioning biogeochemical cycling and climate It bridges the physical and biological sciences with the social sciences by examining economic impacts and socioeconomic drivers of deforestation This book will appeal to advanced students researchers and policymakers in environmental science ecology forestry hydrology plant science ecohydrology and environmental economics

Paperback

Published January 1, 2016