Conservation Biology Principles for Forested Landscapes

Description

A major premise of conservation biology is that humans should interact with the forested landscape in a manner that is ecologically sustainable. As we continue to use forests and make decisions about land use without having perfect information, it is becoming increasingly clear that current approaches are not working. The purpose of this book is to improve planning and decision-making processes by providing the most up-to-date information on ecological issues. The topics covered are some of the most important in the current debates about land use. Data and information from the scientific literature are presented in chapters on connectivity, riparian areas, spatial planning, natural disturbance, interior habitat, biodiversity and old growth, coarse woody debris and edge effects. At the end of each chapter research needs are specifically addressed, pointing to directions for future inquiry. "Conservation Biology Principles for Forested Landscapes" should be useful to students of forestry, ecology, conservation biology, and other natural sciences. It should also assist practitioners of land-based programmes. Additionally, it should serve as a resource for the many community groups involved in land-use discussions. Contents Preface Acknowledgements 1 Natural Disturbance Ecology Definitions Disturbance Ecology Landscape Ecology Background Science and Research Forest Resource Management Disturbance Data for British Columbia Ecological Principles Natural Disturbance Effects Biodiversity and Natural Disturbances The Need for Management that Includes Natural Disturbance Regimes Methods for Including Natural Processes in Resource Management Scale Issues, Variation, and Predictability Research Needs Literature Cited 2 Spatial Patterns in Forested Landscapes: Implications for Biology and Forestry Definitions Background Ecological Principles Scale and Ecological Hierarchy Fragmentation Spatial Patterns in Forested Landscapes Research Needs Literature Cited 3 Connectivity Definitions Background Ecological Principles Maintaining Connectivity Corridor Location and Design Corridor Width Summary Research Needs Literature Cited 4 Riparian Areas and Wetlands Definitions Background Ecological Principles Riparian Areas, Wetlands, and Fish Riparian Areas, Wetlands, and Invertebrates Riparian Areas, Wetlands, and Herpetofauna Riparian Areas, Wetlands, and Birds Riparian Areas, Wetlands, and Mammals Design and Function of Riparian and Wetland Buffers Research Needs Literature Cited 5 Interior Habitat Definitions Background Ecological Principles Interior Forest Microclimate Interior Habitat Requirements of Forest Dwellers Interior Habitat and Herpetofauna Interior Habitat and Birds Interior Habitat and Mammals Reserve (Patch) Design and Interior Forest Habitat Research Needs Literature Cited 6 Biodiversity and Old-Growth Forests Definitions Background Association and Dependence Ecological Principles Birds Mammals Insectivores Rodents Carnivores Ungulates Bats Reptiles Amphibians Fish Invertebrates Arthropods Molluscs Vascular Plants Nonvascular Plants Fungi Lichens Research Needs Literature Cited 7 The Dead Wood Cycle Definitions Background Ecological Principles Dead Wood Cycling Dynamics of the Dead Wood Cycle The Roles of Dead Wood in the Ecosystem Dead Wood and Ecosystem Processes Management of the Dead Wood Cycle Research Needs Literature Cited 8 Managing for Edge Effects Definitions Background Ecological Principles Edge Effects and Microclimatic and Vegetation Gradients Edge Effects and Invertebrates Edge Effects and Herpetofauna Edge Effects and Birds Edge Effects and Mammals Managing for Edge Effects Research Needs Literature Cited Index A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P R S T U V W Y