Mountain ecosystems : studies in treeline ecology /

Mountain ecosystems, particularly the tree line ecotones, are sensitive to environmental changes, as is evident in this book's 12 chapters on (1) general aspects of vegetation and soil in cold environments, and (2) particular mountain ecosystems in North and South America, Europe, and Asia. Three chapters provide a guideline for a mountain soil profile, discussion of peripheral plant populations in polar areas, and consideration of the impacts of climate change on high mountain vegetation. The authors used several mountain ecosystems as models for American and European tree line areas. They discuss tree line regeneration, species composition and structure of timberline ecotones, roles of rodents in Colorado high mountain tree line ecosystems, relationships between humus forms and reforestation, climate and tree line history, and the recovery of woodland in postagricultural landscapes. In contrast to the space devoted to American and European tree line ecosystems, only two chapters are given to Asia, where the majority of the world's high land exists: one is a case study, and the other a review of geographical and ecological aspects of the upper timberline in the Himalayas, Hindu Kush, and Karakorum, the roof of the world. Those who are interested in tree line ecosystems will find this book very informative and useful. ^BSumming Up: Recommended. Graduate students and faculty/researchers. P. P. Mou University of North Carolina at Greensboro