Functional Ecology of Woodlands and Forests

'Very readable ... recommendable to a wide audience.' Bulletin of the British Ecological Society 'I found the book to be a good introductory overview of these ecosystems. As a university professor who teaches classes in plant ecology, I found the book to be equally good as a textbook.' The Quarterly Review of Biology 'This is quite the best forestry textbook that has been published for a long time. Its comprehensive yet concise treatment of all aspects of woodland ecology is stimulating to read...Despite being a comprehensive textbook full of information, it is clearly written with an excellent economy of words. Unlike many multi-author books, it is a truly joint work with the presentations consistent throughout so that one has no sense of different writers...Diverse examples of relevant worldwide research findings are skilfully drawn together...if the book is used merely for reference...it has a place on every woodland manager's bookshelf...' Tree News 'A highly readable and informative volume which presents a broad view of forest dynamics...particularly useful to students beginning to study ecology, forestry or environmental science...this book succeeds in providing a comprehensive overview of forest and woodland structure and function.' Forest Ecology and Management 'The layout, printing, and figures in the book are excellent...the greatest strength of the book is its richness of examples, case studies, and natural history details...Refreshingly, many of the examples in the book are from the authors' own studies and experiences, and these cases are conveyed with the depth possible only with such inside knowledge.' Plant Science Bulletin 'The book is a useful introduction ... and will serve to stimulate the interests of students.' Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society

• Preface. Introduction. Primary production: the autotrophs. Reproductive strategies of woodland plants. Soils, climate and zonation. Forest change. The herbivore subsystem and the exploitation of living autotrophs. Community change and stability. Decomposition and renewal. Energy and nutrients. Working forests. Contemporary problems and the future of forests. Epilogue. Further reading. References. Index.