Ecology of Mediterranean Evergreen Oak Forests

Ecology of Mediterranean Evergreen Oak Forests
Author: Ferran Roda,Javier Retana,Carlos A. Gracia,Juan Bellot
Publsiher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 376
Release: 2012-12-06
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9783642586187

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Used by humans since ancient times, evergreen oak forests still cover extensive mountain areas of the Mediterranean Basin. These broadleaved evergreen forests occupy a transitional zone between the cool-temperate deciduous forest biome and the drier Mediterranean pine forests and shrublands. Slow growing and casting a deep shade, the sclerophyllous holm oak (Quercus ilex) absolutely dominates the closed canopy of many Mediterranean evergreen oak forests. This is a synthesis of 20 years of research on the structure, function, and dynamics of holm oak forests in two intensively studied experimental areas in Spain. By combining observational measurements at the leaf, tree, plot, and catchment scales with field experiments and modelling, the authors explore how these forests cope with strong water limitation and repeated disturbances.

The Vegetation of Antarctica through Geological Time

The Vegetation of Antarctica through Geological Time
Author: David J. Cantrill,Imogen Poole
Publsiher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 489
Release: 2012-11-22
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9781139560283

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The fossil history of plant life in Antarctica is central to our understanding of the evolution of vegetation through geological time and also plays a key role in reconstructing past configurations of the continents and associated climatic conditions. This book provides the only detailed overview of the development of Antarctic vegetation from the Devonian period to the present day, presenting Earth scientists with valuable insights into the break up of the ancient supercontinent of Gondwana. Details of specific floras and ecosystems are provided within the context of changing geological, geographical and environmental conditions, alongside comparisons with contemporaneous and modern ecosystems. The authors demonstrate how palaeobotany contributes to our understanding of the paleoenvironmental changes in the southern hemisphere during this period of Earth history. The book is a complete and up-to-date reference for researchers and students in Antarctic paleobotany and terrestrial paleoecology.

Ecology of Central European Forests

Ecology of Central European Forests
Author: Christoph Leuschner,Heinz Ellenberg
Publsiher: Springer
Total Pages: 998
Release: 2017-09-22
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9783319430423

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This handbook in two volumes synthesises our knowledge about the ecology of Central Europe’s plant cover with its 7000-yr history of human impact, covering Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic and Slovakia. Based on a thorough literature review with 5500 cited references and nearly 1000 figures and tables, the two books review in 26 chapters all major natural and man-made vegetation types with their climatic and edaphic influences, the structure and dynamics of their communities, the ecophysiology of important plant species, and key aspects of ecosystem functioning. Volume I deals with the forests and scrub vegetation and analyses the ecology of Central Europe’s tree flora, whilst Volume II is dedicated to the non-forest vegetation covering mires, grasslands, heaths, alpine habitats and urban vegetation. The consequences of over-use, pollution and recent climate change over the last century are explored and conservation issues addressed.

Mediterranean Type Ecosystems

Mediterranean Type Ecosystems
Author: George W. Davis,David M. Richardson
Publsiher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 383
Release: 2012-12-06
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9783642788819

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Human activities are causing species extinctions at a rate and magnitude rivaling those of past geologic extinction events. Exploring mediterranean-type ecosystems - the Mediterranean Basin, California, Chile, Australia, and South Africa - this volume addresses the question whether biological diversity plays a significant role in the functioning of natural ecosystems, and to what extent that diversity can be reduced without causing system malfunction. Comparative studies in ecosystems that are similar in certain respects, but differ in others, offer considerable scope for gaining new insights into the links between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.

An Illustrated Guide to British Upland Vegetation

An Illustrated Guide to British Upland Vegetation
Author: Alison Averis,Ben Averis,John Birks,David Horsfield,Des Thompson,Marcus Yeo
Publsiher: Unknown
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2014
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1784270156

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The first comprehensive, single book on plant communities in the British uplands, providing concise descriptions of all currently recognised British upland vegetation types. The book brings together all of the upland communities described in the National Vegetation Classification.

Endemism in Vascular Plants

Endemism in Vascular Plants
Author: Carsten Hobohm
Publsiher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 355
Release: 2013-08-23
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9789400769137

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The book is the first comprehensive analysis of the macroecology and geobotany of endemic vascular plants with case-studies and analyses from different regions in the world. Endemism is a pre-extinction phenomenon. Endemics are threatened with extinction. Due to international nature conservation policies and due to the perception of the public the concept’s importance is increasing. Endemism can result from different biological and environmental processes. Depending on the process conservation measures should be adapted. Endemic vascular plant taxa, in the setting of their species composition and vegetation types are important features of landscapes and indicators of the quality of relating habitats. The book is an important basis for biologists, ecologists, geographers, planners and managers of nature reserves and national parks, and people generally interested in nature conservation and biogeography of vascular plants.

Swedish Plant Geography

Swedish Plant Geography
Author: Håkan Rydin,Pauli Snoeijs,Martin Diekmann
Publsiher: Svenska Vaxtgeografiska Sallskapet
Total Pages: 238
Release: 1999
Genre: Botany
ISBN: 9172104848

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"This book is intended to be an introductory text, not a comprehensive treatment of the Swedish vegetation. [The editors] hope that students, teachers, nature conservationists and ecologists will find it a useful introduction as well as a source book"--p. 4.

High Mountain Conservation in a Changing World

High Mountain Conservation in a Changing World
Author: Jordi Catalan,Josep M Ninot,M. Mercè Aniz
Publsiher: Springer
Total Pages: 413
Release: 2017-08-03
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 9783319559827

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This book provides case studies and general views of the main processes involved in the ecosystem shifts occurring in the high mountains and analyses the implications for nature conservation. Case studies from the Pyrenees are preponderant, with a comprehensive set of mountain ranges surrounded by highly populated lowland areas also being considered. The introductory and closing chapters will summarise the main challenges that nature conservation may face in mountain areas under the environmental shifting conditions. Further chapters put forward approaches from environmental geography, functional ecology, biogeography, and paleoenvironmental reconstructions. Organisms from microbes to large carnivores, and ecosystems from lakes to forest will be considered. This interdisciplinary book will appeal to researchers in mountain ecosystems, students and nature professionals. This book is open access under a CC BY license.