Overview
- First book on the ecosystem functioning of old-growth forests with a true global perspective
- Such a book is urgently needed in the context of the climate discussion to support the political process
- Especially the introduction and synthesis chapters were written also for policy makers
- Contains a Glossary explaining the most important terms and abbreviations used in the text
- Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras
Part of the book series: Ecological Studies (ECOLSTUD, volume 207)
Buy print copy
About this book
Many terms often used to describe old-growth forests imply that these forests are less vigorous, less productive and less stable than younger forests. But research in the last two decades has yielded results that challenge the view of old-growth forests being in decline. Given the importance of forests in battling climate change and the fact that old-growth forests are shrinking at a rate of 0.5% per year, these new results have come not a moment too soon.
This book is the first ever to focus on the ecosystem functioning of old-growth forests. It is an exhaustive compendium of information that contains original work conducted by the authors. In addition, it is truly global in scope as it studies boreal forests in Canada, temperate old-growth forests in Europe and the Americas, and global tropical forests. Written in part to affect future policy, this eminently readable book is as useful for the scientist and student as it is for the politician and politically-interested layman.
Similar content being viewed by others
Keywords
Table of contents (21 chapters)
-
Introduction
-
Aboveground Processes
-
Belowground Processes
-
Biomes
Reviews
Bibliographic Information
Book Title: Old-Growth Forests
Book Subtitle: Function, Fate and Value
Editors: Christian Wirth, Gerd Gleixner, Martin Heimann
Series Title: Ecological Studies
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-92706-8
Publisher: Springer Berlin, Heidelberg
eBook Packages: Biomedical and Life Sciences, Biomedical and Life Sciences (R0)
Copyright Information: Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2009
Hardcover ISBN: 978-3-540-92705-1Published: 23 July 2009
Softcover ISBN: 978-3-642-24233-5Published: 30 November 2011
eBook ISBN: 978-3-540-92706-8Published: 07 July 2009
Series ISSN: 0070-8356
Series E-ISSN: 2196-971X
Edition Number: 1
Number of Pages: XXVI, 512
Number of Illustrations: 113 b/w illustrations
Topics: Ecology, Plant Ecology, Forestry, Ecosystems, Conservation Biology/Ecology, Biogeosciences