Biodiversity and Ecosystem Processes in Tropical Forests

✍ Scribed by Gordon H. Orians, Rodolfo Dirzo (auth.), Prof. Dr. Gordon H. Orians, Prof. Dr. Rodolfo Dirzo, Prof. Dr. J. Hall Cushman (eds.)

Publisher: Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
Year: 1996
Tongue: English
Leaves: 236
Series: Ecological Studies 122
Edition: 1
Category: Library

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✦ Synopsis

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.

✦ Table of Contents

Front Matter....Pages I-XI
Introduction....Pages 1-9
Plant Species Diversity and Ecosystem Functioning in Tropical Forests....Pages 11-31
Consumer Diversity and Secondary Production....Pages 33-47
Biodiversity and Biogeochemical Cycles....Pages 49-67
Microbial Diversity and Tropical Forest Functioning....Pages 69-100
Plant Life-Forms and Tropical Ecosystem Functioning....Pages 101-126
Functional Group Diversity and Responses to Disturbance....Pages 127-151
Species Richness and Resistance to Invasions....Pages 153-172
The Role of Biodiversity in Tropical Managed Ecosystems....Pages 173-194
Synthesis....Pages 195-220
Back Matter....Pages 221-232

✦ Subjects

Ecology; Geoecology/Natural Processes; Nature Conservation; Agriculture; Forestry

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