Old Fields

Old Fields PDF Author: Richard J. Hobbs
Publisher: Island Press
ISBN: 1610910982
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 347

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Book Description
Land abandonment is increasing as human influence on the globe intensifies and various ecological, social, and economic factors conspire to force the cessation of agriculture and other forms of land management. The “old fields” that result from abandonment have been the subject of much study, yet few attempts have been made to examine the larger questions raised by old field dynamics. Old Fields brings together leading experts from around the world to synthesize past and current work on old fields, providing an up-to-date perspective on the ecological dynamics of abandoned land. The book gives readers a broad understanding of why agricultural land is abandoned, the factors that determine the ecological recovery of old fields, and how this understanding contributes to theoretical and applied ecology. Twelve case studies from diverse geographical and climatic areas—including Australian rainforest, Brazilian Amazonia, New Jersey piedmont, and South African renosterveld—offer a global perspective on the causes and results of land abandonment. Concluding chapters consider the similarities and differences among the case studies, examine them in the context of ecological concepts, and discuss their relevance to the growing field of restoration ecology. Old Fields is the first book to draw together studies on old fields from both a theoretical and practical perspective. It represents an important contribution to the development of theory on old field dynamics and the practice of ecological restoration on abandoned farmland, and the broader implications of old field dynamics to ecology and restoration.

Old Fields

Old Fields PDF Author: Richard J. Hobbs
Publisher: Island Press
ISBN: 1610910982
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 347

Get Book Here

Book Description
Land abandonment is increasing as human influence on the globe intensifies and various ecological, social, and economic factors conspire to force the cessation of agriculture and other forms of land management. The “old fields” that result from abandonment have been the subject of much study, yet few attempts have been made to examine the larger questions raised by old field dynamics. Old Fields brings together leading experts from around the world to synthesize past and current work on old fields, providing an up-to-date perspective on the ecological dynamics of abandoned land. The book gives readers a broad understanding of why agricultural land is abandoned, the factors that determine the ecological recovery of old fields, and how this understanding contributes to theoretical and applied ecology. Twelve case studies from diverse geographical and climatic areas—including Australian rainforest, Brazilian Amazonia, New Jersey piedmont, and South African renosterveld—offer a global perspective on the causes and results of land abandonment. Concluding chapters consider the similarities and differences among the case studies, examine them in the context of ecological concepts, and discuss their relevance to the growing field of restoration ecology. Old Fields is the first book to draw together studies on old fields from both a theoretical and practical perspective. It represents an important contribution to the development of theory on old field dynamics and the practice of ecological restoration on abandoned farmland, and the broader implications of old field dynamics to ecology and restoration.

Tree by Tree

Tree by Tree PDF Author: Scott J. Meiners
Publisher: Cornell University Press
ISBN: 1501771272
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 245

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Book Description
Tree by Tree is a warning and a toolkit for the future of forest recovery. Scott J. Meiners investigates the critical biological threats endangering tree species native to the forests of eastern North America, providing a needed focus on this plight. Meiners suggests that if we are to save our forests, the first step is to recognize the threats in front of us. Meiners focuses on five familiar trees—the American elm, the American chestnut, the eastern hemlock, the white ash, and the sugar maple—and shares why they matter economically, ecologically, and culturally. From outbreaks of Dutch elm disease to infestations of emerald ash borers, Meiners highlights the challenges that have led or will lead to the disappearance of these trees from forests. In doing so, he shows us how diversity loss often disrupts intricately balanced ecosystems and how vital it is that we pay more attention to massive changes in forest composition. With practical steps for the conservation of native tree species, Tree by Tree offers the inspiration and insights we need to begin saving our forests.

Natural Woodland

Natural Woodland PDF Author: George F. Peterken
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 9780521367929
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 542

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Book Description
A fascinating account of woodland natural history for all those concerned with woodland management and ecology.

An Integrative Approach to Successional Dynamics

An Integrative Approach to Successional Dynamics PDF Author: Scott J. Meiners
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 131629773X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 313

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Book Description
Much of what is considered conventional wisdom about succession is not as clear cut as it is generally believed. Yet, the importance of succession in ecology is undisputed since it offers a real insight into the dynamics and structure of all plant communities. Part monograph and part conceptual treatise, An Integrative Approach to Successional Dynamics presents a unifying conceptual framework for dynamic plant communities and uses a unique long-term data set to explore the utility of that framework. The fourteen chapters, each written in a nontechnical style and accompanied by numerous illustrations and examples, cover diverse aspects of succession, including community, population and disturbance dynamics, diversity, community assembly, heterogeneity, functional ecology and biological invasion. This unique text will be a great source of reference for researchers and graduate students in ecology and plant biology, as well as others with an interest in the subject.

General Technical Report NC.

General Technical Report NC. PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Forests and forestry
Languages : en
Pages : 530

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Book Description


Proceedings, U.S. Department of Agriculture Interagency Research Forum on Gypsy Moth and Other Invasive Species, 2002

Proceedings, U.S. Department of Agriculture Interagency Research Forum on Gypsy Moth and Other Invasive Species, 2002 PDF Author: Sandra L. C. Fosbroke
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Forests and forestry
Languages : en
Pages : 132

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Book Description


From Coastal Wilderness to Fruited Plain

From Coastal Wilderness to Fruited Plain PDF Author: Gordon G. Whitney
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 9780521576581
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 492

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Book Description
From Coastal Wilderness to Fruited Plain is an account of the making of a large part of the American landscape following European settlement. Drawing upon land survey records and early travellers' accounts, Dr Whitney reconstructs the 'virgin' forests and grasslands of the north-eastern and central United States during the pre-settlement period. He then documents successively the clearance and fragmentation of the region's woodlands, the harvest of the forest and its game, the ploughing of the prairies, and the draining of wetlands. The degree to which these activities altered the soil, climate, plant and animal communities, and water cycle are evaluated, and the sustainability of present-day ecosystems is brought into question in this account.

The Characterization and Control of Nitrification in Primary and Secondary Succession

The Characterization and Control of Nitrification in Primary and Secondary Succession PDF Author: G. P. Robertson
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Nitrification
Languages : en
Pages : 286

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Book Description


The Ecology of Recently-deglaciated Terrain

The Ecology of Recently-deglaciated Terrain PDF Author: John A. Matthews
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 0521361095
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 414

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Book Description
The first comprehensive review of the available information on the ecology of recently-deglaciated terrain, this volume evaluates critically the methodology employed in such studies.

General Technical Report RM.

General Technical Report RM. PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Forests and forestry
Languages : en
Pages : 296

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Book Description