Description
Book SynopsisThis book explores the geography, ecology, and antiquity of ''open ecosystems'', which include grasslands, savannas, and shrublands. They occur in climates that can support closed forest ecosystems and often form mosaics with forest patches. With the aid of remote sensing, it is now clear that open ecosystems are a global phenomenon and occur over vast areas in climates that could also support forests. This book goes beyond regional narratives and seeks general explanations for their existence. It develops the theme of open ecosystems as being widespread and ancient, with a distinct biota from that of closed forests. It examines hypotheses for their maintenance in climate zones favouring the development of forests, including fire, vertebrate herbivory, and soils hostile for tree growth.Open Ecosystems: Ecology and Evolution Beyond the Forest Edge provides an accessible introduction for graduate students and researchers of open (non-forested) ecosystem ecology in departments of ecology, geography, and environmental science. It will also be of relevance and use to professional ecologists, biogeographers, and global change biologists requiring a concise, authoritative overview of the topic
Trade ReviewOpen Ecosystems was a fascinating read, packed with authoritative evidence, personal observations and experimental support across the globe. The content makes out, and often challenges, a solid body of past and novel ecological hypotheses, presented in a rather coherent manner. The ultimate strength of this book is that it clearly defines research gaps and provides important guidelines for future research aimed at an improved understanding of OEs. * F. Siebert, North-West University, South Africa, Bothalia *
this interesting and well-written book draws readers into the ecological issues that matter most to open ecosystems: climate mismatches, fossil records that support their origins, soil factors that lead to openness, fire and adaptations to it, and herbivory . . . Overall, the volume is excellent, and presents a thorough review of ecological factors that keep open ecosystems open . . . It is my hope that the fascinating details in this book will garner a greater appreciation for open ecosystems by students, scientists, and members of the general public. * Brian J. Wilsey, Iowa State University, The Quarterly Review of Biology *
...its content is essential for any practitioner seeking a holistic understanding of African rangelands, and important policy issues are addressed. This book deserves to be read by anyone with an interest in open African ecosystems. * African Journal of Range and Forage Science *
Table of Contents1: Introduction to open ecosystems: a global anomaly and a local example 2: The pattern of open ecosystems and the climates in which they occur 3: Uncertain ecosystems: the conceptual framework 4: The nature of open ecosystems 5: The origins of closed and open ecosystems: Fossils and phylogenies 6: Soils and open ecosystems 7: Fire and open ecosystems 8: Vertebrate herbivory and open ecosystems 9: The future of open ecosystems
