The Ecology of Fire (Cambridge Studies in Ecology) [Hardcover]

Robert J. Whelan (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521328721 | ISBN-13: 978-0521328722 | Publication Date: August 25, 1995

How wildfires affect animal and plant populations is a complex ecological issue. Robert Whelan examines fire as an ecological agent and discusses how populations of organisms are affected by its passage. Drawing examples from several continents, the author studies the impact of fires on individual organisms, populations, and communities. He looks at the effects on ecological processes such as predator-prey, and plant-herbivore interactions, and summarizes the major aspects of ecology that are of particular importance to fire control--both protection against wildfires and fire as a management tool. This book is unique in its emphasis on general ecological principles rather than regional treatment, and it will be of interest to ecologists, foresters, and other land managers.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The book provides a thorough analysis of the ecology of fire, illustrating principles from a wide range of fire-affected habitats..." Peter D. Moore, Nature

"...I would give this book a rating of excellent...The book succeeds in reviewing a complex topic and conveying that complexity in a readable way." Ecoscience

"It is well written and authoritative, with good illustrations...The book will appeal to a broad spectruem of students, professional natural resource managers, plant and animal ecologists, and researchers. Strongly recommended." M.J. Zwolinski, Choice

"This is a highly readable book that provides an excellent introduction to ecology of plants and animals in relation to fire, and will, hopefully, stimulate interest in interdisciplinary experimental fire research." Forest Science

"This book aims to summarize and critique the state of research in fire ecology, world-wide. It succeeds surprisingly well for so small a book and so large a goal...well organized and written clearly...it surveys current thought in the field, presenting not only what is already known but also what seems possible to learn. The book's saturation with data makes it an excellent text for courses in fire ecology." Jane Kapler Smith, Ecology

"An exciting aspect of Whelan's book is that one can read about the responses of plants and animals to grassland, shrubland, and forest fires from different regions worldwide in the same chapter...A variety of readers will find this book highly relevant and valuable. In particular, those embarking on research in fire ecology will find much useful advice...many will appreciate the comparison of fire in different systems." Kathleen Doyle, Natural Areas Journal

"RThe Ecology of Fire goes a long way toward establishing a firm scientific base for the development of future fire ecology." William J. Platt, American Scientist

Book Description

Drawing on examples from several continents, this text studies the ecological impact of fires on individual organisms, populations and communities. It summarizes the major aspects of ecology that are of particular importance to fire control--protection against wildfires as well as fire as a management tool.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 360 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (August 25, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521328721
• ISBN-13: 978-0521328722
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,558,937 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fire ecology, January 20, 2000

By 

Philip Stewart - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Ecology of Fire (Cambridge Studies in Ecology) (Paperback)

Robert Whelan has written a well balanced book on fire and the ecological effects of this most important environmental (natural) perturbation. Whelan explains the effects of fire on different ecosystems, tolerances of plants and animal populations, including community response to fire. Fire phenomenon such as chemical and physical reactions, fire behaviour and regime are well covered and discussed in depth.

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in fire ecology, whether student or not. In fact I have made the book the prescribed textbook for the module in fire ecology I lecture in.