Description
Book SynopsisSeasonally dry forests are the most widespread forest type remaining in South and Southeast Asia. For many endangered species, such as tigers, elephants, deer and primates, this unique habitat is central to their survival. These forests are also intimately linked to humans in the region, who have lived in and relied on them for centuries. Despite the importance of seasonally dry forests, little is known of their ecology. The essays in this volume draw the connections between forest communities, endangered species, and agricultural communities in the region. The contributors, many of whom are in-country researchers and managers who have spent years studying this ecosystem, provide an overview of the ecology of seasonally dry forests in Asia, descriptions of forest and agricultural communities within seasonally dry forests, case studies for the species dependent on these ecosystems, such as tigers, elephants, deer, banteng, and gibbons and discuss effective management and conservation of seasonally dry forests.
Trade ReviewThe seasonal tropics of Asia have been the mainspring of some of the greatest agrarian civilizations; its dry forests the source of fuel and succor to cattle for millennia. Yet the conquest of malaria, especially, has resulted in human pressures never previously experienced. This timely book brings knowledge of forest ecology and sociology, heretofore fragmented by political borders, into an integrated and thoroughly modern scientific review supported by important new data, while focusing on the challenge of sustainable management. -- Peter Ashton, Harvard University
Tropical rain forests seem to get most of the attention, but this book puts the seasonally dry forests back on the agenda. An outstanding group of authors sheds new light on many of the keystone species involved, ranging from tigers to elephants and three species of bears. Even more helpful is the attention given to the role of people in both maintaining these habitats and benefitting from them. Climate change is likely to have significant impacts on these forests, so having a baseline of solid science will help give future studies a sound basis for comparison, and for conservation. This is a timely and welcome contribution to the understanding of Asia's great diversity of forest ecosystems. -- Jeffrey A. McNeely, Senior Science Advisor, IUCN
Table of ContentsChapter 1. Introduction. Seasonally Dry Forests of Tropical Asia: An Ecosystem Adapted to Seasonal Drought, Frequent Fire, and Human Activity Chapter 2. Seasonally Dry Tropical Forests in Continental Southeast Asia: Structure, Composition, and Dynamics Chapter 3. Seasonally Dry Tropical Forests in Southern India: An Analysis of Floristic Composition, Structure, and Dynamics in Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary Chapter 4. The Uncertainty in Mapping Dry Forests in Asia Chapter 5. The Role of Disturbance in Dry Tropical Forest Landscapes Chapter 6. Fire Management in South Asia's Dry Forests: Colonial Approaches, Current Problems, and Perspectives Chapter 7. The Evolution and Ecology of Dry Forest Gingers (Zingiberaceae) in Southeast Asia Chapter 8. Seasonality in Avian Communities of a Dipterocarp Monsoon Forest and Related Habitats in Myanmar's Central Dry Zone Chapter 9. Asian Elephants and Dry Forests Chapter 10. Tropical Deer in the Seasonal Dry Forests of Asia: Ecology, Concerns, and Potential for Conservation Chapter 11. Ecology of Gaur and Banteng in the Dry Forests of Thailand Chapter 12. Rainfall Patterns and Unpredictable Fruit Production in Seasonally Dry Evergreen Forest and Their Effects on Gibbons Chapter 13. Sloth Bears Living in Tropical Dry and Moist Broadleaf Forests and Their Conservation Chapter 14. Tropical Dry Forest Is Essential Tiger Habitat Chapter 15. Ecology and Distribution of Sympatric Asiatic Black Bears and Sun Bears in the Tropical Dry Forest Ecosystem of Southeast Asia Chapter 16. Tropical Asian Dry-Forest Amphibians and Reptiles: A Regional Comparison of Ecological Communities Chapter 17. The Impact of Local Communities on a Dry Forest Sanctuary: A Case Study from Upper Myanmar (Burma) Chapter 18. Governing the Flame: Bunong Management of Fire Regimes in Mondulkiri Province, Northeast Cambodia Chapter 19. Local Residents' Attitudes toward Dry Forests at Selected Sites in Nepal and Myanmar Chapter 20. Conservation Planning and Management in Southeast Asia's Dry Forest Landscapes: Experiences from Cambodia
