Primary Productivity of Grass Ecosystems of the Tropics and Sub-tropics

Primary Productivity of Grass Ecosystems of the Tropics and Sub-tropics PDF Author: S.P. Long
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 0412410206
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 288

Get Book Here

Book Description
Project co-ordinator's preface abbreviations and symbols; Savanna at Nairobi national park, Kenya; Saline grassland near Mexico city; Monsoon grassland in Thailand; A floodplain grassland of the Central Amazon; Bamboo in sub-tropical eastern China; Remote sensing of grassland primary production; Synthesis and conclusions.

Primary Productivity of Grass Ecosystems of the Tropics and Sub-tropics

Primary Productivity of Grass Ecosystems of the Tropics and Sub-tropics PDF Author: S.P. Long
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 0412410206
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 288

Get Book Here

Book Description
Project co-ordinator's preface abbreviations and symbols; Savanna at Nairobi national park, Kenya; Saline grassland near Mexico city; Monsoon grassland in Thailand; A floodplain grassland of the Central Amazon; Bamboo in sub-tropical eastern China; Remote sensing of grassland primary production; Synthesis and conclusions.

The Ecozones of the World

The Ecozones of the World PDF Author: Jürgen Schultz
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3662031612
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 423

Get Book Here

Book Description
This abundantly illustrated book provides a fundamental introduction to the ecological zones of the geosphere. The revised edition includes more than 70 new figures and tables, plus detailed maps of agricultural regions and soil classification. A large number of new Anglo-American ecological studies are included, along with a discussion of the correlation between northern ecosystems and the carbon dioxide balance in the global atmosphere.

Grasslands of the World

Grasslands of the World PDF Author: Victor R. Squires
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 1351652206
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 430

Get Book Here

Book Description
This book begins with a brief account of the extraordinary sequence of events that led to emergence of grasslands as major vegetation formations that now occupy some of the driest and hottest and the highest and coldest on earth as well as vast steppes and prairies in more temperate climes. It is the story of grasses successfully competing with forests and woodlands, aided and abetted by grazing herbivores and by humans and their use of fire as a tool. It is a story of adaptation to changing climates and the changing biophysical environments. A major focus of the book is the Palaearctic biogeographic realm that extends over some 45 million km2 and thus more than 1/3 of the terrestrial ice-free surface on Earth. It comprises extensive grasslands of different types and origin, which can be subdivided into (1) natural grasslands with (1a) steppes (climatogenic in dry climates), (1b) arctic-alpine grasslands (climatogenic in cold climates) and (1c) azonal and extrazonal grasslands (pedogenic and topogenic) as well as (2) secondary grasslands created and sustained by human activities, such as livestock grazing, mowing or burning. Grasslands of the Palaearctic do not only form a major basis for the agriculture of the region and thus its food supply, but are also crucial for other ecosystem services and host a supra proportional part of the realm’s plant and animal diversity. To reflect that suitability of grasslands for biodiversity strongly depends on their state, we apply the term High Nature Value grassland to those natural grasslands that are not degraded (in good state) and those secondary grasslands that are not intensified (semi-natural). The situation in a variety of countries where grasslands are evolving under the influence of global climate change is also considered. Case studies are presented on Southern Africa, Eastern Africa, India, China, South America, North America and Australia. The concluding chapter examines a set of themes arising from the chapters that make up the bulk of this book. The following provide a focus: recent history of grassland biomes – brief recap of current thinking and recent trends with special reference to dry grasslands in the Palearctic regions; the current status of grasslands and germplasm resources (biodiversity) – an overview; management systems that ensure sustainability; how to recover degraded grasslands; socio-economic issues and considerations in grassland management; the impacts of environmental problems in grasslands such as future climate change and intensification and the problems/prospects facing pastoralists and other grassland-based livestock producers.

Root Ecology

Root Ecology PDF Author: Hans de Kroon
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3662097842
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 409

Get Book Here

Book Description
In the course of evolution, a great variety of root systems have learned to overcome the many physical, biochemical and biological problems brought about by soil. This development has made them a fascinating object of scientific study. This volume gives an overview of how roots have adapted to the soil environment and which roles they play in the soil ecosystem. The text describes the form and function of roots, their temporal and spatial distribution, and their turnover rate in various ecosystems. Subsequently, a physiological background is provided for basic functions, such as carbon acquisition, water and solute movement, and for their responses to three major abiotic stresses, i.e. hard soil structure, drought and flooding. The volume concludes with the interactions of roots with other organisms of the complex soil ecosystem, including symbiosis, competition, and the function of roots as a food source.

The Terrestrial Biosphere and Global Change

The Terrestrial Biosphere and Global Change PDF Author: Brian Walker
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 9780521624800
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 462

Get Book Here

Book Description
Summarises understanding of global change interactions with terrestrial ecosystems.

Forest Structure, Function and Dynamics in Western Amazonia

Forest Structure, Function and Dynamics in Western Amazonia PDF Author: Randall W. Myster
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1119090695
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 243

Get Book Here

Book Description
The Amazon Basin contains the largest and most diverse tropical rainforest in the world. Besides the Andes and the Atlantic Ocean, the rainforest is bounded to the north by the Guiana crystalline shield and to the south by the Brazilian crystalline shield, marked at their edges by cataracts in the rivers and often dominated by grasslands. This book is motivated not just by the Amazon's scientific interest but also by its role in many ecosystem functions critical to life on Earth. These ecosystems are characterized both by their complexity and their interactive, higher-order linkages among both abiotic and biotic components. Within Amazonia, the Western Amazon (west of 65° latitude) is the most pristine and, perhaps, the most complex within the Amazon Basin. This Western Amazon may be broadly divided into non-flooded forests (e.g. terra firme, white sand, palm) and forests flooded with white water (generally referred to as várzea) and with black water (generally referred to as igapó). Here, for the first time, is a book devoted entirely to Western Amazonia, containing chapters by scientists at the forefront of their own areas of expertise. It should be a valuable resource for all future researchers and scholars who venture into Western Amazonia, as it continues to be one of the most beautiful, mysterious, remote and important ecosystems on Earth.

Progress in Botany / Fortschritte der Botanik

Progress in Botany / Fortschritte der Botanik PDF Author: Karl Esser
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3642780202
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 581

Get Book Here

Book Description
With one new volume each year, this series keeps scientists and advanced students informed of the latest developments and results in all areas of botany. The present volume in- cludes reviews on structural botany, taxonomy, geobotany, plant physiology, genetics, and floral ecology.

Global Climate Change and Tropical Ecosystems

Global Climate Change and Tropical Ecosystems PDF Author: John M. Kimble
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1351444794
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 458

Get Book Here

Book Description
Tropical ecosystems - the regions between the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn - play an important role in global processes, economic issues, and political concerns. In their natural state, tropical ecosystems support a large quantity of above- and below-ground biomass, and constitute a major part of the terrestrial carbon pool. Conversion of the natural ecosystem to agriculture and forestry ecosystems disturbs this ecological balance. Global Climate Change and Tropical Ecosystems presents data on carbon pool fluxes from case studies in 12 countries in tropical regions. The chapters cover: Characteristics of tropical ecosystems Soil and biotic carbon pools Impacts of land use and soil management Slash-and-burn practices Crop residue and fertility management This volume adds to the understanding of pedospheric processes in tropical ecosystems and how to better use soils as a sink for carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. With Global Climate Change and Tropical Ecosystems you will understand the link between soil productivity, environmental quality and the global carbon cycle, not only in these ecologically sensitive regions but worldwide.

Tropical Grasslands

Tropical Grasslands PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Forage plants
Languages : en
Pages : 560

Get Book Here

Book Description


Methods in Ecosystem Science

Methods in Ecosystem Science PDF Author: Osvaldo E. Sala
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1461212243
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 441

Get Book Here

Book Description
Ecology at the ecosystem level has both necessitated and benefited from new methods and technologies as well as those adapted from other disciplines. With the ascendancy of ecosystem science and management, the need has arisen for a comprehensive treatment of techniques used in this rapidly-growing field. Methods in Ecosystem Science answers that need by synthesizing the advantages, disadvantages and tradeoffs associated with the most commonly used techniques in both aquatic and terrestrial research. The book is divided into sections addressing carbon and energy dynamics, nutrient and water dynamics, manipulative ecosystem experiements and tools to synthesize our understanding of ecosystems. Detailed information about various methods will help researchers choose the most appropriate methods for their particular studies. Prominent scientists discuss how tools from a variety of disciplines can be used in ecosystem science at different scales.