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The descriptions of the various roles insects play in forest ecosystems in this book are easily comprehensible, but still scientific, and richly illustrated with 580 colour images of over 300 different insect and spider species.
List of contents
Preface. 1 Diversity and functions of insects. PART 1 ECOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS. 2 Insects and plant reproduction. 3 Turnover of green plant biomass. 4 Decomposition of wood. 5 Exploitation of animal waste. 6 Maintaining soil fertility. 7 Food for other organisms. 8 Natural enemies. 9 Antagonists of bark beetles. 10 Ecological significance of wood ants. 11 Transport of organisms. 12 Maintenance of stand vitality. PART 2 IMPACTS ON HUMANS. 14 Economic damage. 15 Medical significance. 16 Usable insect products. 17 Introduced species. 18 Endangered forest insects. Bibliography. Photo credits. Glossary. Species index.
About the author
Beat Wermelinger, Dr. sc. nat. ETH, biologist, Adliswil. Head of the research group. Forest entomology at the Federal Research Institute for Forests, Snow and Landscape (WSL), Birmensdorf. Research focus: bark beetles and natural enemies, Biodiversity, windthrow succession, climate change and neozoa. Lecturer at the Federal Technical University ETH Zurich and the Swiss Tree Care Federation.
Summary
The descriptions of the various roles insects play in forest ecosystems in this book are easily comprehensible, but still scientific, and richly illustrated with 580 colour images of over 300 different insect and spider species.
Additional text
I cannot wait to get my hands on this book! Aside from Wermelinger's very special conceptual approach, his excellent pictures are highly relevant for European forests (there are not many knowledgeable entomologists that also are keen photographers). 'Forest Insects in Europe' will become a new standard for a holistic approach to forest insects. Highly topical in today's era of climatic shifts and insect outbreaks, the book brings originality and incites rethinking of one's involvement in forest ecosystem, even for a forestry-educated professional and specialist like myself. As well as being of interest to hobbyists and nature lovers, the book should be included as reading on entomological courses, especially at the university level.
-- Boris Hrasovec, Ph.D., Full Professor, Faculty of Forestry, University of Zagreb, Croatia
This book will make a nice addition to the libraries of any forestry professionals or amateur environmentalists who would like a well-illustrated compendium of insect roles in forests and how these affect human use of forests. It provides a focused and comprehensive treatment and is illustrated with outstanding photographs.
-- Timothy D. Schowalter, Professor Emeritus, Entomology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
