The Ecology of Natural Disturbance and Patch Dynamics

The Ecology of Natural Disturbance and Patch Dynamics brings together the findings and ideas of researchers studying such varied systems as marine invertebrate communities; grasslands; and boreal, temperate, and tropical forests. The primary goal is to present a synthesis of diverse individual contributions. The book is divided into three main sections: (1) examples of patch dynamics in diverse systems; (2) adaptations of organisms and evolution of populations in patch dynamic environments; and (3) implications of patch dynamics for the organization of communities and the functioning of ecosystems. This approach demonstrates the commonality of disturbance-generated phenomena over a wide range of scales and levels of organization, and thus validates the broad applicability of the patch dynamic viewpoint. The book presents a framework that can stimulate the generation of explicit hypotheses and theory and forms an alternative to equilibrium concepts of the evolution of populations, composition of communities, and functioning of ecosystems. Content: CONTRIBUTORS , Page ii Front Matter , Page iii Copyright , Page iv Contributors , Pages xi-xii Preface , Pages xiii-xiv , S.T.A. Pickett, P.S. White Chapter 1 - Natural Disturbance and Patch Dynamics: An Introduction , Pages 3-13 , P.S. WHITE, S.T.A. PICKETT Chapter 2 - Disturbance Regimes in Temperate Forests , Pages 17-33 , JAMES R. RUNKLE Chapter 3 - Stand Dynamics in Chilean Nothofagus Forests , Pages 35-51 , THOMAS T. VEBLEN Chapter 4 - Treefalls, Regrowth, and Community Structure in Tropical Forests , Pages 53-69 , NICHOLAS V.L. BROKAW Chapter 5 - Gap Processes and Large-Scale Disturbances in Sand Prairies , Pages 71-83 , ORIE L. LOUCKS, MARY L. PLUMB-MENTJES, DEBORAH ROGERS Chapter 6 - Shrubland Fire Regimes and Their Evolutionary Consequences , Pages 85-100 , NORMAN L. CHRISTENSEN Chapter 7 - Disturbance and Patch Dynamics on Rocky Intertidal Shores , Pages 101-124 , WAYNE P. SOUSA Chapter 8 - Disturbance and Patch Dynamics of Subtidal Marine Animals on Hard Substrata , Pages 125-151 , JOSEPH H. CONNELL, MICHAEL J. KEOUGH Chapter 9 - Disturbance and Vertebrates: An Integrative Perspective , Pages 153-168 , JAMES R. KARR, KATHRYN E. FREEMARK Chapter 10 - Vertebrate Responses to Environmental Patchiness in Arid and Semiarid Ecosystems , Pages 169-193 , JOHN A. WIENS Chapter 11 - The Response of Woody Plants to Disturbance: Patterns of Establishment and Growth , Pages 197-216 , CHARLES D. CANHAM, P.L. MARKS Chapter 12 - Responses of Forest Herbs to Canopy Gaps , Pages 217-234 , B.S. COLLINS, K.P. DUNNE, S.T.A. PICKETT Chapter 13 - Adaptations of Insects to Disturbance , Pages 235-252 , TIMOTHY D. SCHOWALTER Chapter 14 - Within-Patch Dynamics of Life Histories, Populations, and Interactions: Selection Over Time in Small Spaces , Pages 253-264 , JOHN N. THOMPSON Chapter 15 - Animal Population Genetics and Disturbance: The Effects of Local Extinctions and Recolonizations on Heterozygosity and Fitness , Pages 265-285 , ROBERT C. VRIJENHOEK Chapter 16 - Plant Population Genetics and Evolution in Disturbed Environments , Pages 287-303 , KEVIN RICE, SUBODH JAIN Chapter 17 - Disturbance-Mediated Coexistence of Species , Pages 307-323 , JULIE SLOAN DENSLOW Chapter 18 - Community Turnover and Ecosystem Nutrient Dynamics , Pages 325-333 , PETER M. VITOUSEK Chapter 19 - Natural Disturbance and Ecosystem Energetics , Pages 335-352 , DOUGLAS G. SPRUGEL Chapter 20 - Modeling Forest Landscapes and the Role of Disturbance in Ecosystems and Communities , Pages 353-368 , H.H. SHUGART, S.W. SEAGLE Chapter 21 - Patch Dynamics: A Synthesis , Pages 371-384 , S.T.A. PICKETT, P.S. WHITE Bibliography , Pages 385-455 Index , Pages 457-472 Natural distrubance and patch dynamics: an introduction. Patch dynamics in nature. Disturbance regimes in temperate forests. Stand dynamics in chilean Nothofagus forests. Treefalls, regrowth, and community structure in tropical forests. Gap processes and large-scale disturbances in sand prairies. Shrubland fire regimes and their evolutionary consequences. Disturbance and patch dynamics on rocky intertidal shores. Disturbance and patch dynamics of subtidal marine animals on hard substrata. Disturbance and vertebrates: an integrative perspective. Vertebrate responses to environmental patchiness in Arid and semiarid ecosystems. Adaptational of plants and animals in a patch dynamic setting. The patterns of establishment and growth. Responses of forest herbs tocanopy gaps. Adaptations of insects to disturbance. Within-patch dynamics of life histories, populations, and interactions: selection over time in small spaces. Animal population genetics and disturbance: the effects of local extinctions and recolonizations on heterozygosity and fitness. Plant population genetics and evolution in disturbed environments. Implications of patch dynamics for the organization of communities and the functioning of ecosystems. Disturbance-mediated coexistence of species. Community turnover and ecosystem nutrient dynamics. Natural disturbance and ecosystem energetics. Modeling forest landscapes and the role of disturbance in ecosystems and communities. Patch dynamics: a synthesis

Ecologists are aware of the importance of natural dynamics in ecosystems. Historically, the focus has been on the development in succession of equilibrium communities, which has generated an understanding of the composition and functioning of ecosystems. Recently, many have focused on the processes of disturbances and the evolutionary significance of such events. This shifted emphasis has inspired studies in diverse systems. The phrase patch dynamics (Thompson, 1978) describes their common focus.
The Ecology of Natural Disturbance and Patch Dynamics brings together the findings and ideas of those studying varied systems, presenting a synthesis of diverse individual contributions.

This monograph on ecological patch dynamics will prove useful to ecologists and upper level students with varied backgrounds. After an introduction, examples of patch dynamics are provided. The effects of large and small scale natural disturbances on ecosystems such as forest, prairie, marine and arid are described. Specific responses and adaptations of the organisms are outlined. Subsequent chapters deal with the environmental impact of natural disturbances on the organization and function of the affected ecosystems. Tables, graphs, and diagrams are located throughout the book