BookKarel Prach, Lawrence R. Walker.
Summary: "Despite a century of study by ecologists, recovery following disturbances (succession) is not fully understood. This book provides the first global synthesis that compares plant succession in all major terrestrial biomes and after all major terrestrial disturbances. It asks critical questions such as: Does succession follow general patterns across biomes and disturbance types? Do factors that control succession differ from biome to biome? If common drivers exist, what are they? Are they abiotic or biotic, or both? The authors provide insights on broad, generalizable patterns that go beyond site-specific studies, and present discussions on factors such as varying temporal dynamics, latitudinal differences, human-caused vs. natural disturbances, and the role of invasive alien species. This book is a must-read for researchers and students in ecology, plant ecology, restoration ecology and conservation biology. It also provides a valuable framework to aid land managers attempting to manipulate successional recovery following increasingly intense and widespread human-made disturbances"-- Provided by publisher.
Contents:
Humans and succession
Terrestrial biomes
Comparative approach
Volcanoes
Glaciers
Cyclones
Dunes
Landslides
Floods
Fire
Clearcuts
Plowed fields
Mines
Other disturbances
Synthesis
Conclusions and future research challenges.