ENGLISH

Biodiversity and Ecosystem Processes in Tropical Forests

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

Book information

Publisher
Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
Year
1996
ISBN
978-3-642-79757-6, 978-3-642-79755-2
DOI
10.1007/978-3-642-79755-2
Language
english
Format
PDF
Filesize
4 MB (4415567 bytes)
Series
Ecological Studies 122
Edition
1
Pages
220\236
Orientation
yes
Scanned
yes
Time added
2013-08-01 04:00:00
Ecology; Geoecology/Natural Processes; Nature Cons

Description

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.

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