Mountain timberlines : ecology, patchiness, and dynamics
Author(s)
Bibliographic Information
Mountain timberlines : ecology, patchiness, and dynamics
（Advances in global change research / editor-in-chief, Martin Beniston, v. 14）
Kluwer Academic Publishers, 2003
Available at 9 libraries
Note
First published 2000 under the title "Die Höhengrenze der Gebirgswälder"(ISBN:3927889857), by Verlag Natur & Wissenschaft.
Includes bibliographical references (p.[287]-347) and index
Description and Table of Contents
Description
This book is published as part of the broad area of research on the changing global climate and its impact on the environment. The upper timberline is the most conspicuous vegetation limit in high-mountain areas of all continents and islands, except for the Antarctic. The dynamics of timberline establishment and maintenance could well be affected by global warming in a number of ways. From a global viewpoint, the present timberline is far from being caused only by the current climate, but instead reflects also history of climate and local site conditions. Thus, the main objective of the book is to explain mountain timberlines as space- and time-related phenomena. After an introduction into the complexities of the subject, the history and present state of timberline research are outlined. Chapters on the tree species at timberline and on the relationship of timberline elevation to macroclimate, climate character and the mass-elevation effect follow.
The main chapter deals with the physiognomic and ecological differentiation of upper timberlines, in particular with the timberline controlling physical and biological factors, their interactions and their influence on the spatial structures and temporal dynamics in the timberline ecotone. Also, the influences of trees and tree stands on site conditions are considered. This is the base for understanding the response of timberlines to climatically driven changes, which are considered in the last chapters.
Table of Contents
Preface. Acknowledgements. 1: Introduction. 2: History and Present State of Timberline Research. 2.1. Early timberline research. 2.2. Modern timberline research. 3: Definitions, Terminology. 4: Physiognomic and Ecological Differentiation of Timberline. 4.1. Tree species at timberline. 4.2. Relationship of timberline elevation to macroclimate, climate character, and the mass-elevation effect. 4.3. Ecological conditions and processes at the timberline. 4.3.1. Heat deficiency. 4.3.2. Carbon balance. 4.3.3. Freezing and frost drought. 4.3.3.1. Frost tolerance and damages. 4.3.3.2. Frost drought. 4.3.4. Soil temperature. 4.3.5. Wind. 4.3.6. Snow cover. 4.3.6.1. Distribution and characteristics of snow cover. 4.3.6.2. Effects of the snow cover on sites. 4.3.7. Soils. 4.3.8. Topography. 4.3.8.1. Slope gradient and geomorphic structure. 4.3.8.2. Exposure. 4.3.9. Regeneration. 4.3.9.1. Seed-produced regeneration. 4.3.9.2. Vegetative reproduction. 4.3.10. Influence of site conditions on growth form. 4.3.11. Influence of trees and free stands on site conditions. 4.3.12. Anthropogenic impact on timberline. 5: Timberline Fluctuations. 5.1. Approach to past and present changes. 5.2. Conclusions and perspectives. References. Index.
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