Heathlands - Patterns and Processes in a Changing Environment

Increased atmospheric nitrogen deposition and changes in the management of heathlands have caused a significant change in the species composition of the NW-European heathlands. This change from ericaceous towards gramineous dominance is analysed in detail in Heathlands: Patterns and Processes in a Changing Environment. Special emphasis is put on the effects of increased atmospheric nutrient input on nutrient cycling, competition between plant species and plant--herbivore interactions. The possibilities for the long-term conservation of heathlands are discussed by considering regeneration from seed and the usefulness of mathematical management models.
The book provides a synthesis of pure and applied plant ecology. It is vital reading for plant ecologists, biological conservationists, heathland managers and government decision makers.

Sommario

1. General introduction.- 2. Atmospheric deposition of sulphur and nitrogen in heathland ecosystems.- 3. Biomass and nutrient dynamics of dominant plant species from heathlands.- 4. The effect of external stress and disturbance factors on Calluna-dominated heathland vegetation.- 5. Competition between dominant plant species in heathlands.- 6. Seed bank, germination, and establishment of ericaceous and gramineous species in heathlands.- 7. Impact of atmospheric nitrogen deposition on dry heathlands: a stochastic model simulating competition between Calluna vulgaris and two grass species.- 8. Synthesis: perspectives for heathlands.- List of contributors.

Dettagli sul prodotto

• Con la collaborazione di: Aerts (Editore), R Aerts (Editore), R. Aerts (Editore), G. W. Heil (Editore), G.W. Heil (Editore), Gerrit Heil (Editore), Gerrit W. Heil (Editore), W Heil (Editore), W Heil (Editore)
• Editore: Springer Netherlands
• Lingue: Inglese
• Formato: Copertina rigida
• Pubblicazione: 29.06.2009
• EAN: 9780792320944
• ISBN: 978-0-7923-2094-4
• Pagine: 224
• Dimensioni: 178 mm x 254 mm x 14 mm
• Peso: 671 g
• Illustrazioni: VII, 224 p.
• Serie: Geobotany; Geobotany
• Categoria: Scienze naturali, medicina, informatica, tecnica > Biologia > Botanica