Old-Growth Forests : Function, Fate and Value

Many terms often used to describe old-growth forests imply that these forests are less vigorous, less productive and less stable than younger forests. But research in the last two decades has yielded results that challenge the view of old-growth forests being in decline. Given the importance of forests in battling climate change and the fact that old-growth forests are shrinking at a rate of 0.5% per year, these new results have come not a moment too soon.

This book is the first ever to focus on the ecosystem functioning of old-growth forests. It is an exhaustive compendium of information that contains original work conducted by the authors. In addition, it is truly global in scope as it studies boreal forests in Canada, temperate old-growth forests in Europe and the Americas, and global tropical forests. Written in part to affect future policy, this eminently readable book is as useful for the scientist and student as it is for the politician and politically-interested layman.

From the reviews: “This book pulls together the most imperative current original research on old-growth forests. The editors, (all, Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, Germany) authoritative and well respected for their broad knowledge of biogeochemical processes of ecosystems, and forests in particular, have assembled contributions from more than 50 other experts on old-growth forest form/function (7 are North American). ... Includes a handy geographic/taxonomic index and an extensive subject index, numerous photographs and scientific figures, and end-of-chapter references. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through professionals/practitioners.” (D. L. Richter, Choice, Vol. 47 (6), February, 2010)