One of the central research themes in ecology is evaluating the extent to which biological richness is necessary to sustain the Earth's system and the functioning of individual ecosystems. In this volume, for the first time, the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem processes in forests is thoroughly explored. The text examines the multiple effects of tree diversity on productivity and growth, biogeochemical cycles, animals, pests, and disturbances. Further, the importance of diversity at different scales, ranging from stand management to global issues, is considered. The authors provide both extensive reviews of the existing literature and own datasets. The volume is ideally suited for researchers and practitioners involved in ecosystem management and the sustainable use of forest resources.
Author(s): M. Scherer-Lorenzen, C. Korner, E.-D. Schulze (Editors)
Edition: 1
Year: 2004
Language: English
Pages: 411
3540221913......Page 1
Ecological Studies,Vol. 176......Page 2
Forest Diversity
and Function......Page 4
Foreword......Page 6
Preface......Page 8
References......Page 10
Contributors......Page 17
Part A Introduction......Page 22
1 The Functional Significance of Forest Diversity:
the Starting Point......Page 23
2 An Introduction to the Functional Diversity
of Temperate Forest Trees......Page 33
Part B Productivity and Growth......Page 58
3 Diversity and Productivity in Forests: Evidence
from Long-Term Experimental Plots......Page 59
4 Confounding Factors in the Observational
Productivity–Diversity Relationship in Forests......Page 83
5 Genetic Diversity Parameters Associated
with Viability Selection,Reproductive Efficiency,
and Growth in Forest Tree Species......Page 105
Part C Biogeochemical Cycles......Page 127
6 Functioning of Mixed-Species Stands:
Evidence from a Long-Term Forest Experiment......Page 128
7 The Role of Biodiversity on the Evaporation
of Forests......Page 148
8 Effects of Tree Species Diversity on Litter Quality
and Decomposition......Page 166
9 The Effect of Biodiversity
on Carbon Storage in Soils......Page 182
10 Silviculture and Its Interactions with Biodiversity
and the Carbon Balance of Forest Soils......Page 201
Part D Animals, Pests, and Disturbances......Page 225
11 Linkages Between Tree Diversity, Soil Fauna
and Ecosystem Processes......Page 226
12 A Test of the Biodiversity–Stability Theory:
Meta-analysis of Tree Species Diversity Effects
on Insect Pest Infestations, and Re-examination
of Responsible Factors......Page 249
13 Susceptibility to Fungal Pathogens of Forests
Differing in Tree Diversity......Page 277
14 Implication of Forest Diversity in Resistance
to Strong Winds......Page 304
15 Fire Regime and Tree Diversity in Boreal Forests:
Implications for the Carbon Cycle......Page 321
Part E Perspectives......Page 357
16 The Design of Experimental Tree Plantations
for Functional Biodiversity Research......Page 358
17 The Functional Significance of Forest Diversity:
a Synthesis......Page 388
Taxonomic Index (Genera)......Page 401
Subject Index......Page 404
