Tropical Forests: Some African and Asian Case Studies of Composition and Structure (Developments in Agricultural and Managed-Forest Ecology)

This publication deals with the composition and structure of both natural and artificially established tropical forests. After a general introduction, the role of tropical forests in the production of timber is discussed. Attention is then given to the structure of natural tropical forests, especially in Congo, Gabon, Ghana and Laos. The structure of artificially established forests is dealt with in another chapter. At the end, information is given on the thinning of such forest stands in Tanzania. For some years, workers have been investigating the possibilities of integrating knowledge from soil and atmospheric sciences, crop physiology, and genetics in order to model crop response to water stress and breed plants for drought resistance. This book turns the theory into practice. Information, gathered from recent symposia and research journals, have been built upon by the authors. Up-to-date practices are cited, new practices devised, and approaches for scientific applications specified. The authors have devised numerous examples and applications for their approaches. Attention has been given to making these approaches credible in the light of economic and energy limitations. Because application of such practice over a wide area requires wide-areal sensing and measurement, recent advances in remote sensing for these purposes are outlined with methodology for practical application. The book will be of interest to a wide readership including crop managers and producers, soil scientists, agricultural micrometeorologists, plant breeders, water managers and stress physiologists Content: Front Matter Page iii Copyright page Page iv Other Titles in This Series Pages v-vi Preface Pages vii-ix Ján Borota 1 - Methodology of work Pages 1-2 2 - Types of forest formations throughout the world Pages 3-27 3 - Importance of tropical forests as a source of timber Pages 28-42 4 - Structure of natural tropical forests Pages 43-178 5 - Structure of artificially established forests in the tropics Pages 179-227 6 - Thinnings in Pinus patula stands in Tanzania Pages 228-252 7 - Conclusions Pages 253-255 References Pages 256-261 Index of tree species Latin names Pages 262-269 Index of tree species trade or vernacular names Pages 270-274