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  • © 2008

Gradients in a Tropical Mountain Ecosystem of Ecuador

  • A comprehensive study on one of the "hottest"" biodiversity hotspots worldwide
  • Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Part of the book series: Ecological Studies (ECOLSTUD, volume 198)

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Table of contents (43 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xxiii
  2. Introduction

    1. The Ecosystem (Reserva Biológica San Francisco)

      • E. Beck, F. Makeschin, F. Haubrich, M. Richter, J. Bendix, C. Valerezo
      Pages 1-13
    2. Mountain Rain Forests in Southern Ecuador as a Hotspot of Biodiversity – Limited Knowledge and Diverging Patterns

      • G. Brehm, J. Homeier, K. Fiedler, I. Kottke, J. Illig, N. M. Nöske et al.
      Pages 15-23
    3. Ecuador Suffers the Highest Deforestation Rate in South America

      • R. Mosandl, S. Günter, B. Stimm, M. Weber
      Pages 37-40
    4. Methodological Challenges of a Megadiverse Ecosystem

      • G. Brehm, K. Fiedler, C. L. Häuser, H. Dalitz
      Pages 41-47
  3. Gradients in Ecosystem Analysis

    1. Investigating Gradients in Ecosystem Analysis

      • K. Fiedler, E. Beck
      Pages 49-54
    2. The Investigated Gradients

      • E. Beck, R. Mosandl, M. Richter, I. Kottke
      Pages 55-62
  4. The Altitudinal Gradient

    1. Gradual Changes Along the Altitudinal Gradient

      1. Climate
        • J. Bendix, R. Rollenbeck, M. Richter, P. Fabian, P. Emck
        Pages 63-73
      2. Soils Along the Altitudinal Transect and in Catchments
        • W. Wilcke, S. Yasin, A. Schmitt, C. Valarezo, W. Zech
        Pages 75-85
      3. Flora and Fungi: Composition and Function
        • J. Homeier, F. A. Werner, S. R. Gradstein, S. W. Breckle, M. Richter
        Pages 87-100
      4. Flora and Fungi: Composition and Function
        • H. Niemann, H. Behling
        Pages 101-111
      5. Flora and Fungi: Composition and Function
        • A. Paulsch, D. Piechowski, K. Müller-Hohenstein
        Pages 113-121
      6. Flora and Fungi: Composition and Function
        • M. Richter, K. -H. Diertl, T. Peters, R. W. Bussmann
        Pages 123-135
      7. Flora and Fungi: Composition and Function
        • I. Kottke, A. Beck, I. Haug, S. Setaro, V. Jeske, J. P. Suárez et al.
        Pages 137-148
      8. Fauna: Composition and Function
        • D. Paulsch, K. Müller-Hohenstein
        Pages 149-156
      9. Fauna: Composition and Function
        • F. Matt, K. Almeida, A. Arguero, C. Reudenbach
        Pages 157-165
      10. Fauna: Composition and Function
        • K. Fiedler, G. Brehm, N. Hilt, D. Süßenbach, C. L. Häuser
        Pages 167-179
      11. Fauna: Composition and Function
        • M. Maraun, J. Illig, D. Sandmann, V. Krashevska, R. A. Norton, S. Scheu
        Pages 181-192
    2. Processes Along and Within the Gradient

      1. Water Relations
        • W. Wilcke, S. Yasin, K. Fleischbein, R. Goller, J. Boy, J. Knuth et al.
        Pages 193-201

About this book

A tropical mountain ecosystem in one of the "hottest" biodiversity hotspots worldwide was investigated by some 30 research teams of numerous disciplines in the natural and social sciences. Ecosystem analysis followed two gradients: an altitudinal gradient and a gradient of land-use intensity and ecosystem regeneration, respectively.

This volume addresses a multitude of ecologically relevant aspects: macro- and microclimate; physics, chemistry and biology of soils; water relations, matter turnover and nutrient availability; plant growth and biomass partitioning; floral composition and plant life forms; vegetation structure and dynamics; organismic interactions, diversity and population biology of birds, moths and microarthropods; forest management, and reforestation with indigenous species; ethnobotanical and social aspects. New hypotheses are presented with regard to biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, as well as sustainable management of an ecosystem in a biodiversity hotspot.

Reviews

From the reviews:

"The editors of this book have attempted to address the complexity of this mountain ecosystem through the work of 140 researchers in around 30 research groups. … The many illustrations throughout the book are clear and informative. … The book is targeted at those interested in ecosystem studies and sustainable land management and resource use … . I would recommend it to anyone interested in the complexities of mountain ecosystems … ." (Paul M. Ramsay, Mountain Research and Development, Vol. 28 (3/4), August-November, 2008)

"The book offers a detailed picture of the research conducted within the interdisciplinary project in Ecuador and is therefore particularly suited for people working in tropical mountain rainforests. Yet, it may also be of interest to anybody studying altitudinal or disturbance gradients as the chapters address a large number of ecologically important aspects. … Overall, the chapters are very well illustrated with lots of coloured flow-charts, photos and figures." (Nina Farwig, Basic and Applied Ecology, Issue 10, 2009)

Editors and Affiliations

  • Department of Plant Physiology Bayreuth Centre for Ecology and Ecosystem Research, BayCEER University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany

    Erwin Beck

  • LCRS, Faculty of Geography, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany

    Jörg Bendix

  • Special Botany and Mycology and Botanical Garden, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany

    Ingrid Kottke

  • Institute of Soil Science Faculty of Forest, Geo and Hydro Sciences, Dresden University of Technology, Tharandt, Germany

    Franz Makeschin

  • Institute of Silviculture, Technische Universität München, Freising, Germany

    Reinhard Mosandl

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 259.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 329.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 329.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access