Potential Impacts of Climate Change on Tropical Forest Ecosystems

Potential Impacts of Climate Change on Tropical Forest Ecosystems
Author :
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages : 456
Release :
ISBN-10 : 9789401727303
ISBN-13 : 9401727309
Rating : 4/5 (03 Downloads)

Synopsis Potential Impacts of Climate Change on Tropical Forest Ecosystems by : Adam Markham

Climate change represents one of the most alarming long-term threats to ecosystems the world over. This new collection of papers provides, for the first time, an overview of the potentially serious impact that climate change may have on tropical forests. The authors, a multi-disciplinary group of leading experts in climatology, forestry, ecology and conservation biology, present a state-of-knowledge snapshot of how tropical forests are likely to react to the changes being wrought on our planet's atmosphere and climate. Tropical forests represent extraordinary harbours for biological diversity, and yet as deforestation and degradation continue apace, they are under greater pressure from human impacts than ever before. Climate change adds yet another threat to these valuable ecosystems, and this volume demonstrates just how significant a problem this may really be. The authors identify certain types of forest, including tropical montane cloud forest that may be particularly vulnerable. They also show the strong likelihood of global warming aggravating problems in already fragmented forest areas.

Tropical Rainforest Responses to Climatic Change

Tropical Rainforest Responses to Climatic Change
Author :
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages : 427
Release :
ISBN-10 : 9783540239086
ISBN-13 : 3540239081
Rating : 4/5 (86 Downloads)

Synopsis Tropical Rainforest Responses to Climatic Change by : Mark B. Bush

The goal of this book is to provide a current overview of the impacts of climate change on tropical forests, to investigate past, present, and future climatic influences on the ecosystems with the highest biodiversity on the planet.Tropical Rainforest Responses to Climatic Change will be the first book to examine how tropical rain forest ecology is altered by climate change, rather than simply seeing how plant communities were altered. Shifting the emphasis onto ecological processes e.g. how diversity is structured by climate and the subsequent impact on tropical forest ecology, provides the reader with a more comprehensive coverage. A major theme of this book that emerges progressively is the interaction between humans, climate and forest ecology. While numerous books have appeared dealing with forest fragmentation and conservation, none have explicitly explored the long term occupation of tropical systems, the influence of fire and the future climatic effects of deforestation, coupled with anthropogenic emissions. Incorporating modelling of past and future systems paves the way for a discussion of conservation from a climatic perspective, rather than the usual plea to stop logging.

A Guide to the Birds of Costa Rica

A Guide to the Birds of Costa Rica
Author :
Publisher : Comstock Publishing Associates
Total Pages : 636
Release :
ISBN-10 : 0801496004
ISBN-13 : 9780801496004
Rating : 4/5 (04 Downloads)

Synopsis A Guide to the Birds of Costa Rica by : F. Gary Stiles

Costa Rica, a country of no larger than West Virginia, hosts more than 830 species of birds, more than in all of North Amerian north of Mexico. It may well be the only country in the world with as many bird species and habitats to be found in such a small area. Within two hours' drive from San Jose, one can see quetzals in highland forests, antbirds in lowland forests, or shorebirds and ibises in mangrove swamps. This lavishly illustrated book is the most comprehensive treatment of a rich tropical avifauna ever presented in a single volume suitable for its use in the field. With is full coverage of waterbirds and migrants as well as resident tropical species, and its coverage of such topics as plumages, vocalizations, food habits, nesting, and distribution, it is truly a guide to the birds themselves, not merely a guide to their identification. Gary Stiles and Alexander Skutch first set the stage for the birds by briefly describing the landforms, vegetation, and climates of Costa Rica. For those who want to take "that second long look" to interpret what they see, the authors discuss some aspects of evolution, ecology, and behavior of Costa Rican birds, and report on the costly and courageous conservation efforts the country is making in face of discouraging odds. The family and species accounts that follow, covering some 400 pages, make up the bulk of the book, with 52 magnificent color plates illustrating virtually ever species of Costa Rican bird, migrants as well as residents. There are also practical tips for trips in the field and descriptions of good birding locations, with specific directions for travel by car, public transport, and on foot, as well as three maps. A highly readable, portable encylopedia to the fascinating, ever-surprising birds of Costa Rica, this book will be welcomed by birders and other naturalists, professional and amateur ornithologists, ecologists, travelers, and conservationlists throughout the northern Neotropics.

Forest Canopies

Forest Canopies
Author :
Publisher : Academic Press
Total Pages : 543
Release :
ISBN-10 : 9780124575530
ISBN-13 : 0124575536
Rating : 4/5 (30 Downloads)

Synopsis Forest Canopies by : Margaret Lowman

The treetops of the world's forests are where discovery and opportunity abound, however they have been relatively inaccessible until recently. This book represents an authoritative synthesis of data, anecdotes, case studies, observations, and recommendations from researchers and educators who have risked life and limb in their advocacy of the High Frontier. With innovative rope techniques, cranes, walkways, dirigibles, and towers, they finally gained access to the rich biodiversity that lives far above the forest floor and the emerging science of canopy ecology. In this new edition of Forest Canopies, nearly 60 scientists and educators from around the world look at the biodiversity, ecology, evolution, and conservation of forest canopy ecosystems. Comprehensive literature list State-of-the-art results and data sets from current field work Foremost scientists in the field of canopy ecology Expanded collaboration of researchers and international projects User-friendly format with sidebars and case studies Keywords and outlines for each chapter

Cloud Forests in the Humid Tropics

Cloud Forests in the Humid Tropics
Author :
Publisher : Bib. Orton IICA / CATIE
Total Pages : 88
Release :
ISBN-10 : 928080670X
ISBN-13 : 9789280806700
Rating : 4/5 (0X Downloads)

Synopsis Cloud Forests in the Humid Tropics by : Thomas Stadtmüller

Why Forests? Why Now?

Why Forests? Why Now?
Author :
Publisher : Brookings Institution Press
Total Pages : 389
Release :
ISBN-10 : 9781933286860
ISBN-13 : 1933286865
Rating : 4/5 (60 Downloads)

Synopsis Why Forests? Why Now? by : Frances Seymour

Tropical forests are an undervalued asset in meeting the greatest global challenges of our time—averting climate change and promoting development. Despite their importance, tropical forests and their ecosystems are being destroyed at a high and even increasing rate in most forest-rich countries. The good news is that the science, economics, and politics are aligned to support a major international effort over the next five years to reverse tropical deforestation. Why Forests? Why Now? synthesizes the latest evidence on the importance of tropical forests in a way that is accessible to anyone interested in climate change and development and to readers already familiar with the problem of deforestation. It makes the case to decisionmakers in rich countries that rewarding developing countries for protecting their forests is urgent, affordable, and achievable.

Ecosystem Services, Biodiversity and Environmental Change in a Tropical Mountain Ecosystem of South Ecuador

Ecosystem Services, Biodiversity and Environmental Change in a Tropical Mountain Ecosystem of South Ecuador
Author :
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages : 434
Release :
ISBN-10 : 9783642381379
ISBN-13 : 3642381375
Rating : 4/5 (79 Downloads)

Synopsis Ecosystem Services, Biodiversity and Environmental Change in a Tropical Mountain Ecosystem of South Ecuador by : Jörg Bendix

An interdisciplinary research unit consisting of 30 teams in the natural, economic and social sciences analyzed biodiversity and ecosystem services of a mountain rainforest ecosystem in the hotspot of the tropical Andes, with special reference to past, current and future environmental changes. The group assessed ecosystem services using data from ecological field and scenario-driven model experiments, and with the help of comparative field surveys of the natural forest and its anthropogenic replacement system for agriculture. The book offers insights into the impacts of environmental change on various service categories mentioned in the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (2005): cultural, regulating, supporting and provisioning ecosystem services. Examples focus on biodiversity of plants and animals including trophic networks, and abiotic/biotic parameters such as soils, regional climate, water, nutrient and sediment cycles. The types of threats considered include land use and climate changes, as well as atmospheric fertilization. In terms of regulating and provisioning services, the emphasis is primarily on water regulation and supply as well as climate regulation and carbon sequestration. With regard to provisioning services, the synthesis of the book provides science-based recommendations for a sustainable land use portfolio including several options such as forestry, pasture management and the practices of indigenous peoples. In closing, the authors show how they integrated the local society by pursuing capacity building in compliance with the CBD-ABS (Convention on Biological Diversity - Access and Benefit Sharing), in the form of education and knowledge transfer for application.

Climate and Plant Distribution

Climate and Plant Distribution
Author :
Publisher : Cambridge University Press
Total Pages : 192
Release :
ISBN-10 : 0521282144
ISBN-13 : 9780521282147
Rating : 4/5 (44 Downloads)

Synopsis Climate and Plant Distribution by : F. I. Woodward

Correlation between plant distribution and climate is examined over different time and space scales to determine the mechanisms of control in physiological and biochemical terms.

Forests, Water and People in the Humid Tropics

Forests, Water and People in the Humid Tropics
Author :
Publisher : Cambridge University Press
Total Pages : 960
Release :
ISBN-10 : 0521829534
ISBN-13 : 9780521829533
Rating : 4/5 (34 Downloads)

Synopsis Forests, Water and People in the Humid Tropics by : M. Bonell

Forests, Water and People in the Humid Tropics is the most comprehensive review available of the hydrological and physiological functioning of tropical rain forests, the environmental impacts of their disturbance and conversion to other land uses, and optimum strategies for managing them. The book brings together leading specialists in such diverse fields as tropical anthropology and human geography, environmental economics, climatology and meteorology, hydrology, geomorphology, plant and aquatic ecology, forestry and conservation agronomy. The editors have supplemented the individual contributions with invaluable overviews of the main sections and provide key pointers for future research. Specialists will find authenticated detail in chapters written by experts on a whole range of people-water-land use issues, managers and practitioners will learn more about the implications of ongoing and planned forest conversion, while scientists and students will appreciate a unique review of the literature.