Forest Canopies (Physiological Ecology) [Hardcover]

Margaret D. Lowman (Editor), Nalini M. Nadkarni (Editor), Jacques Roy (Series Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0124576508 | ISBN-13: 978-0124576506 | Publication Date: May 16, 1995

For decades, researchers have been interested in the structure, function and inhabitants of forest canopies, but unfortunately, a large portion of this fascinating ecosystem was inaccessible. Recently, with the use of balloons, dirigibles, cranes, towers, suspended catwalks, and a variety of modern climbing equipment, scientists have begun to penetrate this dense foliage, allowing for a detailed, authoritative account of this enchanting world. Forest Canopies synthesizes the newly compiled data on canopy-dwelling organisms, including insects and other arthropods, lizards, birds, mammals, and, of course, the plants that both form and inhabit this unique aerial ecosystem.

Key Features
* Foreword by Thomas E. Lovejoy
* First synthesis of research into this previously unchartered forest region
* Details innovative techniques for the study of the canopy
* Describes the structure, function, and biodiversity of canopy ecosystems
* Ideal reading for botanists, naturalists, ecologists, and zoologists, or anyone interested in preserving the beauty of these great forests

Editorial Reviews

Review

The Reviews
"Forest Canopies makes the beginning of canopy biology as a recognized field of intellectual endeavor... The book is coherent, well integrated, and eminently readable to a wide audience. Any scientist dealing with forests, whether as a forester, ecologist, biologist, conservationist, or other, will find this book essential to his/her library. It will be the primer for many years to come for graduate students newly entering this fascinating field. Nowhere else can an overview of this important, but previously neglected part of the forest, be obtained... In summary, this is an important, timely, authoritative, readable, and well-produced book."
--FOREST SCIENCE
"Forest Canopies succeeds in presenting a synthesis of several diverse aspects of the function of tropical forests... The enthusiasm expressed in many of the chapters was contagious and the contributions are, as a whole, well written, referenced, and illustrated... There is an excitement reading about these explorations tens of meters above the forest floor in the tropics and this volume will provide a solid reference and foundation for those wishing to initiate inquiries in this unexplored habitat."
--ECOLOGY --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Back Cover

For decades, researchers have been interested in the structure, function and inhabitants of forest canopies, but unfortunately, a large portion of this fascinating ecosystem was inaccessible. Recently, with the use of balloons, dirigibles, cranes, towers, suspended catwalks, and a variety of modern climbing equipment, scientists have begun to penetrate this dense foliage, allowing for a detailed, authoritative account of this enchanting world. Forest Canopies synthesizes the newly compiled data on canopy-dwelling organisms, including insects and other arthropods, lizards, birds, mammals, and, of course, the plants that both form and inhabit this unique aerial ecosystem.
Some of the Unique Features of This Book
* Foreword by Thomas E. Lovejoy
* First synthesis of research into this previously unchartered forest region
* Details innovative techniques for the study of the canopy
* Describes the structure, function, and biodiversity of canopy ecosystems
* Ideal reading for botanists, naturalists, ecologists, and zoologists, or anyone interested in preserving the beauty of these great forests

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 624 pages
• Publisher: Academic Press (May 16, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0124576508
• ISBN-13: 978-0124576506
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,955,460 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exhaustive, Intriguing, and Well researched, June 26, 2000

By 

Frank Davenport (Redlands, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Forest Canopies (Physiological Ecology) (Paperback)

I recently used this book for an indepedent study on Canopy Ecology and found it abosutley indispensible. Lowman and Nadkarni used the work of such big name scientists as Nigel Stork and Terry Erwin to assemble an array of canopy topics including access, structure, nutrient cycling, species compossition, epihyte and hemiephyte ecology, and even ethnobotany. Each chapter is clear cut and informative and the book does not waste space with cheesy fru-fru. Of particular interest to the aspiring canopy researcher is the suggestions for new avenues of research given at the end of almost every chapter.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great canopy primer!, February 21, 2002

By 

Abraham Svoboda (Olympia Washington) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Forest Canopies (Physiological Ecology) (Paperback)

One of best synopsis of the current to near current canopy research topics, struggles, and future agendas! Lowman and Nadkarni continue to out do themselves with this suberbly edited book. Highly recommended for anyone interested in forest ecology and forest canopies who aren't afraid to look at some graphs. You'll learn something....

5.0 out of 5 stars Exhaustive, Intriguing, and Well researched, June 26, 2000

By 

Frank Davenport (Redlands, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Forest Canopies (Physiological Ecology) (Paperback)

I recently used this book for an indepedent study on Canopy Ecology and found it abosutley indispensible. Lowman and Nadkarni used the work of such big name scientists as Nigel Stork and Terry Erwin to assemble an array of canopy topics including access, structure, nutrient cycling, species compossition, epihyte and hemiephyte ecology, and even ethnobotany. Each chapter is clear cut and informative and the book does not waste space with cheesy fru-fru. Of particular interest to the aspiring canopy researcher is the suggestions for new avenues of research given at the end of almost every chapter.