Ecology of Desert Systems

Walter G. Whitford

344 pages, parution le 10/04/2002

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Résumé

Conventional wisdom considers deserts stark, harsh regions that support few living things. Most people also believe that water alone makes the desert bloom. Ecology of Desert Systems challenges these conventional views. This volume explores a broad range of topics of interest to ecosystem, population, community, and physiological ecologists. Climate, weather patterns, geomorphology, and wind and water processes are examined as variables that affect the distribution of biota through fundamental ecosystem processes. Descriptions of morphological, behavioral, and physiological adaptations of desert biota illuminate, through the lens of patch dynamics, principles for understanding observed patterns of primary production, nutrient cycling, and the effects of consumers. Desertification, and the techniques for monitoring and quantifying it, is examined within the framework of desert ecosystem patterns and processes.

With 12 chapters and over 70 figures and tables, Ecology of Desert Systems is the only book that covers the entire desert ecosystem at this academic level. Readers are provided with an excellent reference framework for their desert ecology research.

KEY FEATURES

Focuses on the interactions of climate, soil, and biota along a spectrum of spatial and temporal scales
Details the role of animals in desert ecosystems and landscape processes
Examines watershed scale processes, the ecology of ephemeral lakes, and the ecological changes identified with desertification
Outlines the fundamental concepts relevant to sustainable development of arid lands

Contents

Foreword
Preface

Conceptual Framework and Paradigms
Landforms, Geomorphology, and Vegetation
Characterization of Desert Climates
Wind and Water Processes
Patch-Mosaic Dynamics
Adaptations
Primary Production
Consumers, Consumption, and Secondary Production
Decomposition and Nutrient Cycling
Desertification
Monitoring and Assessment
Desert Ecosystems in the Future

Index

Caractéristiques techniques

	PAPIER
Éditeur(s)	Academic Press
Auteur(s)	Walter G. Whitford
Parution	10/04/2002
Nb. de pages	344
Format	15,5 x 23,5
Couverture	Relié
Poids	729g
Intérieur	Noir et Blanc
EAN13	9780127472614
ISBN13	978-0-12-747261-4