D.J. Harding – författare

This work has evolved, by a process of updating and expansion, from "Ecology of Woodland Processes" by Packham and Harding (1982). It is based on the factors which govern the composition of woodland communities, but goes on to explore the dynamics of interactions between various ecosystem components. Topics of particular current interest include root productivity, competitive foraging by plants, patch dynamics and regeneration, the significance of so-called defensive compounds, population dynamics of forest insects, and a re-think of conventional ideas on nutrient cycling in tropical forests and on succession. World forest types are compared and there are two new chapters on working forests, contemporary problems and the future of forests. Observations and inferences are presented from worldwide research, with direct references to original papers. The text aims to assist readers to reach informed decisions about issues such as the greenhouse effect, acid precipitation, the greening of cities and agroforestry.