Savannas, Barrens, and Rock Outcrop Plant Communities of North America - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0521035813 ISBN 13: 9780521035811

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2007

Synopsis

Savannas and barrens were major components of the historic North American landscape before it was extensively altered by agricultural and urban development during the past century. Rock outcrop plant communities and serpentine barrens are of interest because they are refuges for endemic species adapted to extreme environmental conditions. Many of these communities are currently reduced to less than one percent of their original area and are imperiled ecosystems. This book provides a coherent and readable summary of the technical information available on savannas, barrens, and rock outcrop plant communities. It is organized by region, into four parts: eastern/southeastern region, central/midwest region, western/southwestern region, and northern region. Written by internationally recognized regional specialists, each chapter includes a description of the climate, geology, and soils associated with the community, and information about its historic and current vegetation. This book will be a useful text for graduate and advanced undergraduate students studying vegetation ecology, as well as a valuable reference for professional and amateur naturalists interested in the conservation, restoration, and management of these communities.

About this title

Book Description

This book considers the natural history and ecology of savannas, barrens, and rock outcrop communities of North America. These are communities for which numerous technical articles have been written, but the information has not been synthesized. All of these communities have unique ecological features. However, they share a common feature in having an environment that restricts tree growth and prevents development of closed-canopied forests. The content of chapters generally includes a description of the climate, geology, and soils associated with the community, information about the historic and current vegetation, and a consideration of endangered or threatened organisms (if applicable).

Review

"This book is long overdue and provides valuable information on many lesser known and imperiled ecosystems...This text is a valuable resource sure to satisfy the interests of conservationists, naturalists, and students of professionals in vegetation ecology, biogeography, and similar disciplines." Natural Areas Journal

"It is an excellent source book for anybody wanting to find out about these plant communities in 'North America'. For anybody studying or managing these vegetation types it will be an invaluable reference book. Researchers working in other areas of the world, even if they do not find their own work cited, will find many interesting ideas and a wealth of information...Congratulations to the editors on making so much information available in this single volume." Annals of Botany

"The three ecologists serving as editors of this treatise on savannas and related communities have provided an excellent, multi-authored summary of a voluminous and scattered literature...In summary, I found Anderson et al.'s book to be an outstanding collection of very interesting papers on diverse landscapes, most of which need urgent and aggressive protection. The text is a fine addition to the libraries of professional managers, ecologists, systematics, and anyone interested in these unique habitats." Plant Science Bulletin

"The authors and editors can be proud of having produced a very valuable compendium of information that will be useful for decades." Quarterly Review of Biology

Edition details

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2007
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0521035813
• ISBN 13: 9780521035811
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 484
• Editor: Anderson Roger C., Fralish James S., Baskin Jerry M.