The Forests Handbook, Volume 1, An Overview of Forest Science,

by Editor: Julian Evans (Imperial College at Silwood Park)

• ISBN13: 9780470756829
• ISBN10: 0470756829
• Format: eBook
• Copyright: 2008-06-01
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Summary

The future of the world's forests is at the forefront of environmental debate. Rising concerns over the effects of deforestation and climate change are highlighting the need both to conserve and manage existing forests and woodland through sustainable forestry practices. The Forests Handbook, written by an international team of both scientists and practitioners, presents an integrated approach to forests and forestry, applying our present understanding of forest science to management practices, as a basis for achieving sustainability.Volume One presents an overview of the world's forests; their locations and what they are like, the science of how they operate as complex ecosystems and how they interact with their environment. Volume Two applies this science to reality; it focuses on forestry interventions and their impact, the principles governing how to protect forests and on how we can better harness the enormous benefits forests offer. Case studies are drawn from several different countries and are used to illustrate the key points.Development specialists, forest managers and those involved with land and land-use will find this handbook a valuable and comprehensive overview of forest science and forestry practice. Researchers and students of forestry, biology, ecology and geography will find it equally accessible and useful.

Table of Contents

List of contributors

Preface

Acknowledgements

Forest Resources and Types

Global Forest Resources - History and Dynamics

Forest Types and Classification

Biological and Ecological Processes

Genetics and Speciation in the World's Forests

Structural Dynamics of Forest Stands and Natural Processes

Biological Interactions and Disturbance - Plants and Animals

Biological Interactions and Disturbance - Invertebrates

Environmental Interactions

Forest Soils

Ecophysiology of Forests

Models for Pure and Mixed Forests

Forests and the Atmosphere

Environmental Stresses to Forests

Forest Hydrology

Social Factors and the Human Interface

Trees in the Urban Environment

The Importance of Social Values

Non-Timber Forest Products and Rural Poverty: An Economic Analysis

Synthesis and conclusions

Index

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