Saving the World's Deciduous Forests : Ecological Perspectives From East Asia, North America, and Europe

A fascinating look at how the deciduous forests of the northern hemisphere have developed across time and space, providing the insights we need to preserve them today Deciduous forests have been remarkably resilient throughout their history, recovering from major shifts in climate and surviving periods of massive deforestation. But today the world's great forests confront more ominous threats than ever before. This visionary book is the first to examine forests consisting of oaks, maples, hickories, beeches, chestnuts, birches and ecologically similar animals and plants on three continents—East Asia, Europe, and North America—to reveal their common origin back in time, the ecological patterns they share, and the approaches to conservation that have been attempted on their behalf. Although these forests face common problems, threats due to human activities vary. Different land use and agricultural practices on the three continents, as well as different attitudes about what is worth preserving, have led to strikingly different approaches to forest conservation. Robert Askins explores the strengths and weaknesses of conservation efforts across the continents and concludes that the ideal strategy for the future will blend the best ideas from each. Deciduous forests have been remarkably resilient throughout their history, recovering from major shifts in climate and surviving periods of massive deforestation. But today the world’s great forests confront more ominous threats than ever before. This visionary book is the first to examine forests consisting of oaks, maples, hickories, beeches, chestnuts, birches and ecologically similar animals and plants on three continents—East Asia, Europe, and North America—to reveal their common origin back in time, the ecological patterns they share, and the approaches to conservation that have been attempted on their behalf.
 
Although these forests face common problems, threats due to human activities vary. Different land use and agricultural practices on the three continents, as well as different attitudes about what is worth preserving, have led to strikingly different approaches to forest conservation. Robert Askins explores the strengths and weaknesses of conservation efforts across the continents and concludes that the ideal strategy for the future will blend the best ideas from each. A Fascinating Look At How The Deciduous Forests Of The Northern Hemisphere Have Developed Across Time And Space, Providing The Insights We Need To Preserve Them Today--jacket. Parallel Worlds : Spring Forests In New England And Kyoto -- Origins Of The Deciduous Forest -- Deciduous Forests After The Arrival Of People -- Decline Of Natural Forests And The Invention Of Sustainable Forestry -- Giant Trees And Forest Openings -- Forest Islands And The Decline Of Forest Birds -- Missing Wolves And The Decline Of Forests -- The Global Threat Of Rapid Climate Change -- Another Global Threat: Transport Of Species Between Continents -- Blending Conservation Strategies From Three Continents. Robert A. Askins. Includes Bibliographical References (page 267-294) And Index. Contents 7 Preface 9 Acknowledgments 13 Chapter 1. Parallel Worlds: Spring Forests In New En Gland And Kyoto 19 Chapter 2. Origins Of The Deciduous Forest 26 Chapter 3. Deciduous Forests After The Arrival Of People 51 Chapter 4. Decline Of Natural Forests And The Invention Of Sustainable Forestry 73 Chapter 5. Giant Trees And Forest Openings 88 Chapter 6. Forest Islands And The Decline Of Forest Birds 123 Chapter 7. Missing Wolves And The Decline Of Forests 155 Chapter 8. The Global Threat Of Rapid Climate Change 184 Chapter 9. Another Global Threat: Transport Of Species Between Continents 200 Chapter 10. Blending Conservation Strategies From Three Continents 225 Appendix Of Scientific Names 257 Notes 267 References 285 Index 313