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Large regions of the world are regularly burnt either deliberately
or naturally. However, despite the widespread occurrence of such
fire-prone ecosystems, and considerable body of research on plant
population biology in relation to fire, until now there have only
been limited attempts at a coherent conceptual synthesis of the
field for use by students or researchers.
This 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
Exploring the role of fire in each of the five Mediterranean-type
climate ecosystems, this book offers a unique view of the evolution
of fire-adapted traits and the role of fire in shaping Earth's
ecosystems. Analyzing these geographically separate but
ecologically convergent ecosystems provides key tools for
understanding fire regime diversity and its role in the assembly
and evolutionary convergence of ecosystems. Topics covered include
regional patterns, the ecological role of wildfires, the evolution
of species within those systems, and the ways in which societies
have adapted to living in fire-prone environments. Outlining
complex processes clearly and methodically, the discussion
challenges the belief that climate and soils alone can explain the
global distribution and assembly of plant communities. An ideal
research tool for graduates and researchers, this study provides
valuable insights into fire management and the requirements for
regionally tailored approaches to fire management across the globe.
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