Ecology of Desert SystemsElsevier, 2002 M03 25 - 343 pages Conventional wisdom considers deserts stark, harsh regions that support few living things. Most people also believe that water alone makes the desert bloom. Ecology of Desert Systems challenges these conventional views. This volume explores a broad range of topics of interest to ecosystem, population, community, and physiological ecologists. Climate, weather patterns, geomorphology, and wind and water processes are examined as variables that affect the distribution of biota through fundamental ecosystem processes. Descriptions of morphological, behavioral, and physiological adaptations of desert biota illuminate, through the lens of patch dynamics, principles for understanding observed patterns of primary production, nutrient cycling, and the effects of consumers. Desertification, and the techniques for monitoring and quantifying it, is examined within the framework of desert ecosystem patterns and processes. * Focuses on the interactions of climate, soil, and biota along a spectrum of spatial and temporal scales * Details the role of animals in desert ecosystems and landscape processes * Examines watershed scale processes, the ecology of ephemeral lakes, and the ecological changes identified with desertification * Outlines the fundamental concepts relevant to sustainable development of arid lands |
Contents
1 | |
21 | |
43 | |
Chapter 4 Wind and Water Processes | 65 |
Chapter 5 PatchMosaic Dynamics | 97 |
Chapter 6 Adaptations | 123 |
Chapter 7 Primary Production | 157 |
Chapter 8 Consumers Consumption and Secondary Production | 181 |
Chapter 9 Decomposition and Nutrient Cycling | 235 |
Chapter 10 Desertification | 275 |
Chapter 11 Monitoring and Assessment | 305 |
Chapter 12 Desert Ecosystems in the Future | 319 |
Index | 327 |
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Common terms and phrases
abundance activity animals annual ants areas Arid Environ Australia availability basin biomass burrows canopy changes channels characteristics Chihuahuan Desert climate communities cover creosotebush decomposition desert ecosystems desertification distribution dominated drought dunes Ecology ecosystems effects energy ephemeral erosion establishment et al example feeding Figure flow foraging function grasses grassland grazing growing growth herbivores higher important increased infiltration insects kangaroo lands landscape leaf leaves limited litter lizards loss materials matter measured mesquite Mexico nitrogen North nutrient occur organic patches patterns perennial periods plants populations potential precipitation primary production processes production rain rainfall range rangelands rates reduced regions relationships relatively reported response result rodents roots run-off sand season seed semiarid shrubs slope soil South spatial species stem structure studies surface temperatures termites trees tridentata units variability vary vegetation watershed Whitford wind