Disturbance Ecology and Biological Diversity

Disturbance Ecology and Biological Diversity

Author: Erik A. Beever

Publisher: CRC Press

Published: 2019-10-30

Total Pages: 293

ISBN-13: 0429530498

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This book presents cascading effects of ecological disturbances on a multitude of ecosystem components. It includes agricultural development, large infrequent disturbances, forest harvesting, non-native grazing in deserts, ground transportation, powerline corridors, fires, urban ecology, disturbance in aquatic ecosystems, land-use dynamics on diversity, habitat fragmentation, sedimentation of wetlands, and contemporary climate change. The book facilitates users in understanding why disturbances are occurring while recommending mitigation and remediation strategies.


Ecosystem Disturbance and Wildlife Conservation in Western Grasslands

Ecosystem Disturbance and Wildlife Conservation in Western Grasslands

Author: Deborah M. Finch

Publisher: DIANE Publishing

Published: 1998-03

Total Pages: 88

ISBN-13: 9780788142048

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Reviews & synthesizes info. about the structure, function, & components of steppe & desert grassland ecosystems in the western U.S. with special emphasis on the ecological roles & requirements of wildlife species. It is designed to draw attention to some wildlife topics that have been particularly neglected for western grasslands, & represents a cross section of the papers orally presented at the symposium as well as some additional papers solicited afterwards. Those interested in sustaining the ecological health, productivity, & biological diversity of western grassland ecosystems will find this publication valuable.


Landscape Disturbance and Biodiversity in Mediterranean-Type Ecosystems

Landscape Disturbance and Biodiversity in Mediterranean-Type Ecosystems

Author: Philip W. Rundel

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2013-04-17

Total Pages: 460

ISBN-13: 366203543X

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Human impact on natural landscapes through urbanization and agricultural expansion are becoming more and more dramatic and are the cause of serious environmental problems. This volume examines the effect of landscape disturbance on plant and animal diversity in the five mediterranean-climate regions of the world. It begins with three introductory chapters broadly reviewing the issues of landscape degradation. Further contributions describe regional land use conflicts in each of the five regions. Landscape disturbance and plant diversity, and landscape disturbance and animal diversity are treated in separate chapters. Four contributions deal with demography and ecophysiology in vegetation succession following disturbance. The volume closes with a consideration of the future addressing aspects of environmental politics.


Islands

Islands

Author: Peter Vitousek

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2013-03-08

Total Pages: 246

ISBN-13: 3642789633

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Oceanic islands represent a set of systems in which biological diversity varies as a consequence of remoteness or size, not environment; they are also generally simpler than continental ecosystems. Islands therefore provide an opportunity to determine the direct effects of biological diversity on ecosystem function. The volume addresses the components of biological diversity on islands and their patterns of variation; the modern threats to the maintenance of biological diversity on islands; the consequences of island biology and its modification by humanity regarding aspects of ecosystem function; the global implications of islands for conservation; and how islands can help one to understand the processes inducing changes throughout the world.


Biological Diversity

Biological Diversity

Author: Michael A. Huston

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 1994-09-15

Total Pages: 708

ISBN-13: 9780521369305

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The key to preserving and managing biodiversity is understanding which processes are important at different scales, and how changes affect different components of biodiversity. In this book, existing theories on diversity are synthesised into a logical framework. Global and landscape-scale patterns of biodiversity are described in the first section. In the second, the spatial and temporal dynamics of diversity are emphasised. The third section develops an integrated set of mechanistic explanations for diversity patterns at the levels of population, community, ecosystem and landscape. Finally, case studies examine diversity patterns in marine and terrestrial ecosystems and the effects of biological invasions. The book concludes with a discussion of the economics of preserving biological diversity. This book will interest research workers and students of ecology, biology and conservation.


Conserving Biodiversity

Conserving Biodiversity

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 1992-02-01

Total Pages: 138

ISBN-13: 0309046831

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The loss of the earth's biological diversity is widely recognized as a critical environmental problem. That loss is most severe in developing countries, where the conditions of human existence are most difficult. Conserving Biodiversity presents an agenda for research that can provide information to formulate policy and design conservation programs in the Third World. The book includes discussions of research needs in the biological sciences as well as economics and anthropology, areas of critical importance to conservation and sustainable development. Although specifically directed toward development agencies, non-governmental organizations, and decisionmakers in developing nations, this volume should be of interest to all who are involved in the conservation of biological diversity.


Forest Ecosystems

Forest Ecosystems

Author: David A. Perry

Publisher: JHU Press

Published: 2008-07-24

Total Pages: 631

ISBN-13: 0801888409

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2009 Outstanding Academic Title, Choice This acclaimed textbook is the most comprehensive available in the field of forest ecology. Designed for advanced students of forest science, ecology, and environmental studies, it is also an essential reference for forest ecologists, foresters, and land managers. The authors provide an inclusive survey of boreal, temperate, and tropical forests with an emphasis on ecological concepts across scales that range from global to landscape to microscopic. Situating forests in the context of larger landscapes, they reveal the complex patterns and processes observed in tree-dominated habitats. The updated and expanded second edition covers • Conservation • Ecosystem services • Climate change • Vegetation classification • Disturbance • Species interactions • Self-thinning • Genetics • Soil influences • Productivity • Biogeochemical cycling • Mineralization • Effects of herbivory • Ecosystem stability


Biodiversity and Ecosystem Processes in Tropical Forests

Biodiversity and Ecosystem Processes in Tropical Forests

Author: Gordon H. Orians

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-12-06

Total Pages: 237

ISBN-13: 3642797555

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Although biologists have directed much attention to estimating the extent and causes of species losses, the consequences for ecosystem functioning have been little studied. This book examines the impact of biodiversity on ecosystem processes in tropical forests - one of the most species-rich and at the same time most endangered ecosystems on earth. It covers the relationships between biodiversity and primary production, secondary production, biogeochemical cycles, soil processes, plant life forms, responses to disturbance, and resistance to invasion. The analyses focus on the key ecological interfaces where the loss of keystone species is most likely to influence the rate and stability of ecosystem processes.


Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis in Phytoplankton Ecology

Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis in Phytoplankton Ecology

Author: Judit Padisák

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2013-03-09

Total Pages: 203

ISBN-13: 9401719195

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This volume gives an insight into what a group of contemporary plankton biologists think about the utility, virtues, strengths and theoretical and practical weaknesses of J.H. Connell's Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis within the context of phytoplankton ecology. The sequence of papers in this volume moves from particular case studies to more general and finally theoretical approaches.