Forests possess many components and processes that provide an array of ecosystem goods and services: timber, energy and water savings, pollution reduction, livestock forage, habitat for plants and animals, recreation opportunities, aesthetic landscapes, and biodiversity that enhance people's quality of life. Forest resources also support local and regional economies through jobs and income generated from forestry, agriculture, tourism, and locational decisions of businesses, retirees, and others. The capability of a forest to provide these and many other ecosystem services and to maintain the quality of those ecosystem services depends on its health. A healthy forest is an essential component of a healthy ecosystem -- a natural system that is capable of self-renewal, resilient in its response to disturbances (such as pest, fire, and other non-human and human-caused disturbances), and able to sustain the integrity of the natural and cultural benefits derived from it. This book updates the literature review and synthesis of economic valuation studies on the impacts of forest insect pests by Rosenberger and Smith. This book also discusses the concept of ecosystem services; identifies key elements of each study; examines areas of future research; and includes appendices that further explain non-market valuation methods, a narrative of each study, and tables that summarise each study.

Fossil records indicate the Neotropical Dry Forests had a more continuous distribution in the recent geological past, especially in the late Pleistocene, more precisely at the end of the last glacial period. Seasonal Deciduous Forests are remnants of a broader continuous distribution that was present in the past, ranging from North-Eastern Brazil to Argentina in the Pleistocene dry period. This currently fragmented structure is the result of the dry, cold climate that caused the retraction of Wet Forests to riversides and the spread of seasonal forests. This book discusses the ecology, species diversity and sustainable management of dry forests. The topics include a biogeographical overview of the "lianescent clade" of violaceae in the Neotropical region; diversity and distribution of hymenoptera aculeate in mid-western Brazilian dry forests; the Brazilian "caatinga"; changes in the labile and recalcitrant organic matter fractions due to transformation of semi-deciduous dry tropical forest to pasture in the western llanos, Venezuela; ecology and management of the dry forests and savannas of the western Chaco region, Argentina; predicting pasture security in rangeland districts of Kenya using 1 km resolution spot vegetation sensor ndvi data.

Scientists tell us that climate change is upon us and the physical world is changing quickly with serious implications for biodiversity and human wellbeing. Forests cover vast regions of the globe and serve as a first line of defence against the worst effects of climate change, but only if we keep them healthy and resilient. Forests in Our Changing World tells us how to do that. Authors Joe Landsberg and Richard Waring present an overview of forests around the globe, describing basic precepts of forest ecology and physiology and how forests will change as earth's climate warms. Drawing on years of research and teaching, they discuss the values and uses of both natural and plantation-based forests. In easy-to-understand terms, they describe the ecosystem services forests provide, such as clean water and wildlife habitat, present economic concepts important to the management and policy decisions that affect forests, and introduce the use of growth-and-yield models and remote-sensing technology that provide the data behind those decisions. This book is a useful guide for undergraduates as well as managers, administrators, and policy makers in environmental organisations and government bodies looking for a clear overview of basic forest processes and pragmatic suggestions for protecting the health of forests.

'A bold, ambitious and truly wonderful history of the world' Peter Wohlleben, author of The Hidden Life of Trees 'A fascinating story and a crucial revision of the momentous importance of tropical forests to human history' Lewis Dartnell, author of Origins _________________________ Jungle tells the remarkable story of the world's tropical forests, from the arrival of the first plants millions of years ago to the role of tropical forests in the evolution of the world's atmosphere, the dinosaurs, the first mammals and even our own species and ancestors. Highlighting provocative new evidence garnered from cutting-edge research, Dr Roberts shows, for example, that our view of humans as 'savannah specialists' is wildly wrong, and that the 'Anthropocene' began not with the Industrial Revolution, but potentially as early as 6,000 years ago in the tropics. We see that the relationship between humankind and 'jungles' is deep-rooted, that we are all connected to their destruction, and that we must all act to save them. Urgent, clear-sighted and original, Jungle challenges the way we think about the world - and ourselves. _________________________ 'Welcome to the "Jungle" - a breathtaking book' Mark Maslin, author of How to Save Our Planet 'Timely, readable and highly relevant' Steve Brusatte, author of The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs 'Its revelations and stories will stir, rearrange and populate your mind for years to come' Paul Hawken, editor of Drawdown 'Brilliant ... it delivers a timely warning about our abuse of the environment' David Abulafia, author of The Great Sea 'Finally, a book on rainforests that does justice to their majesty and importance' Simon Lewis, co-author of The Human Planet

Forest and woodland ecosystems in the world serve important ecological functions and also contribute to the economic, aesthetic and spiritual health of humans. In this book, the authors discuss the structure, species diversity and sustainable management of woodlands across the globe. Topics include changes in composition and threats to the sustainable management of woodlands in Portugal; the role and diversity of soil fauna in woodlands; climate change and forest fires in the Ave Region of Northwest Portugal; drivers of deforestation and the potential for carbon trading in the Miombo woodlands of Zambia; soil microbial diversity in the dry woodlands of Central-Western Argentina; and developing silvicultural systems based on disturbance-recovery knowledge of the Southern African Miombo woodlands.

During the Middle Sican period (C.E. 950-1050) on the North Coast of Peru, artisans developed a sophisticated tradition of ceramic and metalworking production amidst dry coastal forests of the region. Organic fuel resources, specifically wood, clearly played a vital role in the manufacture of these objects; however, this component of production has been largely overlooked. Thus, a major gap in our understanding of the relationship between Sican period production and the local landscape has developed. The Sican Archaeological Project (SAP) suggests that the production of metal and ceramics during this period likely placed the local fuel resources under considerable stress. Yet, an evaluation of the archaeological data is essential to assess the degree of overexploitation, identifying the fuels used, their contexts for use, and their role in local ecology. This study interprets how Middle Sican artisans met their fuel-wood requirements for production in light of easily endangered forest resources. An examination of the archaeological charcoal from Middle Sican period kilns, hearths, and metal furnaces permits the reconstruction of fuel use and the ecological setting of production. This unique site demonstrates the concurrent production of metal and ceramics, as well as the presence of domestic activity. Using wood anatomy of fuels recovered from archaeological features, the author identified the fuel materials of different use contexts.

Most of us enjoy a regular stroll in our local wood, but we might not be aware of the ancient origins of our surroundings. From medieval times, woodlands were carefully managed commodities with hotly contested resources: conflicting demands from landowners, the Crown, the peasantry and local and national wood-based industries have all left their marks on today's woodland. Ian Rotherham here explains the various uses of our woods and their industries - such as coppicing, charcoal burning, basketmaking and bodging - and helps us to find the clues that can piece our woodland history together. Looking at the flowers, the trees that were once worked and the bumps in the ground can tell us about the people who worked and sometimes lived in the woods, and we can track their history from medieval times, through the age of enclosure and the decline of local industries, right up to the present.

An overview of tropical rainforests for kids. Rainforests describes tropical rainforests, why they are important, and what is happening to them. Rainforests is based on the award-winning mongabay.com web site. "Rainforests" includes discussion of topics including conservation and protected areas, biodiversity and ecology, environmental activism, sustainable development, consumption, and economics.