The Food Web of a Tropical Rain Forest / Edition 2

by Douglas P. Reagan, Robert B. Waide

Overview

Destruction of tropical rain forests has increased exponentially in recent years, as have efforts to conserve them. However, information essential to these conservation programs—an understanding of the population dynamics of the community at risk—is often unavailable to the scientists and resource managers who need it most.

This volume helps fill the gap by presenting a comprehensive description and analysis of the animal community of the tropical rain forest at El Verde, Puerto Rico. Building on more than a decade of field research, the contributors weave the complex strands of information about the energy flow within the forest—who eats whom—into a powerful tool for understanding community dynamics known as a food web. This systematic approach to organizing the natural histories of the many species at El Verde also reveals basic patterns and processes common to all rain forests, making this book a valuable contribution for anyone concerned with studying and protecting these fragile ecosystems.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780226706009
Publisher:	University of Chicago Press
Publication date:	09/01/1996
Edition description:	1
Pages:	623
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.30(d)

Table of Contents

Preface
1: The Rain Forest Setting
Robert B. Waide, Douglas P. Reagan.
2: Plants: The Food Base
William T. Lawrence, Jr
3: Microorganisms
D. Jean Lodge
4: Termites
Elizabeth A. McMahan
5: Litter Invertebrates
William J. Pfeiffer
6: Arboreal Invertebrates
Rosser W. Garrison, Michael R. Willig.
7: Arboreal Arachnids
William J. Pfeiffer
8: Amphibians
Margaret M. Stewart, Lawrence L. Woolbright.
9: Anoline Lizards
Douglas P. Reagan
10: Nonanoline Reptiles
Richard Thomas, Ava Gaa Kessler.
11: Birds
Robert B. Waide
12: Mammals
Michael R. Willig, Michael R. Gannon.
13: The Stream Community
Alan P. Covich, William H. McDowell.
14: The Community Food Web: Major Properties and Patterns of Organization
Douglas P. Reagan, Gerardo R. Camilo, Robert B. Waide.
Glossary
Contributors
Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

Summarizes the natural history and trophic dynamics of the forest around the El Verde Field Station in the Luquillo Experimental Forest of Puerto Rico, based on three decades worth of data, and constructs a comprehensive food web documenting the relationships among species. Describes various species and their place in the food web, with material on their origins, abundance, biomass, diet, consumption rates, and principle predators. A final chapter presents conclusions regarding food web organization. Includes a complete food web in the from of a matrix suitable for mathematical development, a glossary, and b&w photos. Of interest to students and researcher in natural history. Paper edition (unseen), $39.95. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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