Scientific Publishers | tropical-forest-ecosystems-structure-function

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Tropical forests are vital for social, economic and ecological reasons. They play an important role in ecosystem processes [ such as the biogeochemical and hydrological cycle ] they provide habitat for wildlife and serve as source of biodiversity and they offer protection against soil erosion [Kremen et al., 2000 and Condit et al., 2002]. The forest contains large trees standing, 30 to 50 meters in height, creating continuous canopy of foliage. The enclosed canopy, shades tree forest floor, inhibiting the development of much undergrowth, creating an open forest formation. Piercing into the tree canopy, reveals a multistory appearance of broad leaf, evergreen vegetation. The forest is a treasure trove of different animal and plant species. Forest and woodlands cover nearly 40% of the earth s land surface and they are the most biologically diverse ecosystems in most part of the world. The tropics consist of a diversity, occurring between the latitudes of the tropic of Cancer and the tropics of Capricon, north and south of the equator. These ecosystems are currently experiencing the highest rates of destruction in the world. More than 90% of dry forests have been destroyed and less than 2% of what remains is protected. Because of the climatic and forest structure, dry forests are easier to clear for agriculture, the soil is more fertile and the land is more suitable for livestock. Forest area has increased slightly since 1980 in industrial countries, but, has declined by almost 10% in developing countries. Tropical deforestation probably exceeds 1,30,000 sq. km a year. Less than 40% of forest globally are relatively undisturbed by human action. Many developing countries today, rely on timber for export earnings, at the same time; millions of people in tropical countries still depend on forests to meet their every need. Since time immemorial, forest has provided a valuable source of economic life for human populations. Yet, the ways in which, forests are used and valued, depends largely on people s economic needs and priorities in a particular place or at a particular time, balanced against the relative scarcity or abundance of forest resources. Over recent years, a complex array of social, economic and political changes have altered human demands on forest. These changing demands have had devastating impact on forest status and integrity. This book is an outcome of the own work, experience and research on tropical forest for the last 30 years. I hope, this will provide to readers, concise, sufficient and recent information on tropical forest of the world.

CHAPTER - 1. Inventory, Survey and Assessment
Introduction
I. Inventory and Survey
Inventory and Survey (1975-1982 Assessments)
Area covered by Tropical Forests
Mapping Syntheses
II. Assessment
Tropical Forest — 1990 Assessment
Methodology of the 1990 Assessment
Preliminary Results of the 1990 Assessment
Potential users of the 1990 Assessment
III. Forest in other countries and India
Forest in India and other countries
Forest Density
Timber
IV. Indian Forest, Area, Classification and Types
Principal Forest types of India and Geographical Distribution
Forest Area and Classification
State of Forests — Forest Resources in India
CHAPTER - 2. Forest Biodiversity and Floristic Composition
I. Biodiversity
Introduction
Measures for Maintaining Biodiversity
Needs for Preservation of Biodiversity
Tropical Forest Biodiversity
What is responsible for the great diversity of the tropics ?
II. Tropical Rainforest
Tropical Rainforest is a site for Biodiversity
Features of Tropical Rainforest
Tropical Rainforests — Present Status
Biodiversity of Rainforest of India
III. Tropical Dry Deciduous Forest
IV. Littoral Swamp Forests
Mangrove Biodiversity
Distribution of Mangrove Species in India
Status of Indian Mangroves
Loss of Mangrove species — Causes and Consequences
Mangrove Forest Exploitation
Conservation and Management
CHAPTER - 3. Physical Factors
I. Soil, Origin, Development and Maturation
Soil
Texture of Soil
Soil Types
Organic Matter of the Soil
Influence of Soil-forming factors
Soil Profile Development
Role of climate on development of Soil
Vegetation of the Zonal Soil Types
Soil classification
Forest Environment
II. Light factors in forest
III. Role of Temperature in Tropical Forest
Temperature and Plant Growth
IV. Role of Fire in Tropical Forest
Introduction
Types of Fire
Factors influencing the spread of fire
Effect of Burning of Soil properties
Preventing Fire Damage
CHAPTER - 4. Policies and Protection
I. Country’s Profile
Pressure on Forests
Land use classification and availability for Forestry and Tree planting
Action Programme
Accounting of Socio-Economic Benefits
Research — Land Technology Development
Wood balance and Projected demand
II. National Forest Policy, 1998
III. Legislative Protection of Environment
IV. Social Forestry in India
Types of Social Forestry
Components of Social Forestry
Techniques of Social Forestry
Forest Development Planning
Progress of Social Forestry Programme
Criticism of Social Forestry Programme
V. Joint Forest Management
National Forest Policy
Community Participatory Management
Enrichment Planting
Natural Forest Regeneration
Case Studies
CHAPTER - 5
Gap Dynamics in Tropical Forest
I. Parameters of Gap Dynamics
Gap size - Frequency distribution
Forest turnover rates
Pattern of Growth and Mortility
Data from Tree distribution
Data from comparative studies of species
II. GAP Phase Regeneration
Gap structure
Gap creation
Gap environment
Regeneration guilds
Gap regeneration
III. Hypothesis on Gap
IV. Gap distribution and Abundance
V. Gap Geometry
VI. Canopy and Gap Dynamics
VII. Canopy Gaps and Pattern of Canopy Tree Recruitment
Dispersal and Gap colonization
Sapling distribution in Gap, Edge and Understory
Gap disturbance regime and canopy tree composition
VIII. Gap Specialities
CHAPTER - 6. Forest Mensuration
I. Scope
Units of Measurement
II. Measurement of Individual Tree
Measurement of Diameter and Growth
Measurement of Height
Tree Stem Form
Measurement of Area
Measurement of Volume of Tree
Biomass Measurement
Determination of Growth of Trees
III. Measurement of Crops
Determination of diameter of crops
Determination of Age
Determination of Volume of Crops
IV. Importance of Forest Mensuration
Bibliography
Index