Bøger i Geobotany serien

Weeds are a fascinating study for specialists, not only because of their economic importance, but also since in this case biology must be combined with history and agriculture (and its economic aspects). Thus, weed scientists may be concerned with pure basic research, concentrating on general aspects, or with applied science, i.e. having a practical orientation. One of the aims of this book is to create a synthesis between these two branches of study and to review the literature of both fields. The agrestals, the weeds of arable land ~ the most important group from an economic point of view ~ was chasen as the main topic. Other weed groups could only be mentioned briefly (e.g. grassland weeds), or superficially (e.g. aquatic weeds), or had to be omitted completely (e.g. ruderals, because they are so heterogeneous), to keep this volume to an acceptable size and price. Nevertheless, nearly all subsections of botanical science have been treated.

Increased atmospheric nitrogen deposition and changes in the management of heathlands have caused a significant change in the species composition of the NW-European heathlands. This change from ericaceous towards gramineous dominance is analysed in detail in Heathlands: Patterns and Processes in a Changing Environment. Special emphasis is put on the effects of increased atmospheric nutrient input on nutrient cycling, competition between plant species and plant--herbivore interactions. The possibilities for the long-term conservation of heathlands are discussed by considering regeneration from seed and the usefulness of mathematical management models. The book provides a synthesis of pure and applied plant ecology. It is vital reading for plant ecologists, biological conservationists, heathland managers and government decision makers.

Early research on ant-plant interactions in Australia was largely confined to the economically important problem of ants harvesting surface-sown pasture seed (e. g. Campbell 1966). The report by Berg (1975) of widespread myrmecochory in Australia, and a burst of overseas research, stimulated research on a range of ant-plant interactions in Australia. This book summarizes such research and presents reeent and current work on seed harvesting, myrmecochory, ant-epiphytes, extrafloral nectaries, ant-plant-homopteran systems, and the influence of vegetation on ant faunas. I hope that it will encourage further work in these and related areas, and that the review and bibliography of ant-plant interactions in the rest ofthe world will serve as a useful source for those entering the field. The richness of Australia's flora and ant fauna render it a particularly interesting continent for the study of interactions between them. As immediately apparent from the list of contents, ant-seed interactions are particularly significant in Australia. This is not surprising for a relatively dry continent bearing a largely sc1erophyllous plant cover. Future research, however, especially in the tropical north, is like1y to reveal further types of interaction, perhaps corresponding to those characteristic of the tropics elsewhere, or perhaps distinctively Australian. Some of the chapters have been shortened and modified considerably from the original manuscripts, but the ideas and results presented are, of course, those of the individual authors.

This book was composed in honour of Dr. Ir. W. G. Beeftink to commemorate his retirement as a plant ecologist at the Delta Institute for H ydrobiological Research, Yerseke, The Netherlands. The editors' main aim has been to collect scientific papers of Wim Beeftink's friends and colleagues. The title of the book: 'Vegetation between land and sea. Structure and processes' was originally proposed by Prof. Dr. W. H. O. Ernst. It was amended by Prof. Dr. J. J. Barkman. In our judgement it reflects the best attempt to cover the numerous and divergent contributions under one heading. Not all papers however fit the "field" covered by the title, and we use this word both literally and metaphorically. We are glad and proud that so many authors went through the strain of the production of a paper, ill' most cases not scheduled, with eagerness. Due to the fact that Wim Beeftink has so many close friends in the field of plant ecology, this fiber amicorum covers a wide range of disciplines covered, in turn, by a great variety of people. The papers range from taxonomy to experimental physiology, from fungi to seed plants, from autecology to synsystematics. Environmental pollution and management studies are also included. The contents of the papers depict Wim's personal evolution as a botanist. Retired professors as well as students are amongst the authors, heads of departments as well as technicians. It proves Wim's ability to be of one mind with all ranks.

Fifteen years ago, approximately half the world population was estimated to live in continental and insular South-East Asia (Burma, Thailand, Kampuchea, Vietnam, Laos, Indonesia, Philippines). Then the region had a population growth of four million people every month, and the problem of malnutrition was acute for the rural population. International agricultural development organisations decided that their primary aim would be to double existing levels of agricultural production and, taking account of population growth, to double it again by the end of the century (Whyte 1976). Today, while global issues have greatly affected the parameters of the problem, the situation remains both serious and difficult. Despite impressive efforts in education and health, Indonesia for example, where population (179 millions) growth eased off only slightly between 1980 and 1990 (from 2. 3 percent to 1. 9 percent), is having to cope with increasing difficulties in managing natural resources and particularly its evanescent forest assets which, until 1986, were the second largest source of national revenue. Indonesia has the second largest surface area of tropical rain forests in the world (after Brazil) and thus all the problems linked with management and disappearance of those forests. The latest estimate gives a figure of 109 million hectares of forest in 1990, of which 40. 8 million hectares are production forests (Anon. -F AO 1990).

When two of us (Jifi Kolbek, Miroslav Sriltek) were working in North Korea on the Czech- Slovak field expeditions of the early 1990s, we did not think initially of comparing our results with the vegetation of surrounding areas or of writing a book. Our efforts mainly involved observing and documenting the vegetation as completely as possible and initial recognition of vegetation units. At first we focused on the most obvious vegetation types, but eventually also any important types that we could discern. Later we focused more on forests, since almost ali of northeastern Asia has forest potential and forests stiH do form the landscape matrix in most areas. First we studied suburban woods and forests, most of which are strongly affected by human activities. Later, though, we also had chances to visit and study lovely mountain regions, including Myohyang-san, Kumgang-san, Su- jang-san, and the high, especially beautiful Changbai-shan on the border between North Korea and China. The Changbai-shan is the highest mountain system in the Korean Peninsula, including the highest peak Paektu-san. We gradually changed our goal from an evaluation of forest data from North Korea to comparison with available field data and literature sources from comparable surrounding areas. These include South Korea, the Russian Far East, northeastern China (Manchuria), and northem Japan, including the Kuril Islands. Finally we decided to prepare a preliminary survey of the forest vegetation of the Russian Far East and eventually of aII of northeastem Asia, which would be published in English.

This volume is the result of a Symposium, held in October, 1985, to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of the De- partment of Plant Ecology of the University of Groningen. The Department of Plant Ecology was founded by Professor Dingeman Bakker and has, since its incep- tion, been involved with studies of grasslands, and especially with the effects of human interference on grassland communities. It has been especially involved in an almost unique enterprise to convert areas of grassland from intensive agricultural production to nature reserves. With over-production of most food commodities in the EEC, and increasing interest in various types of 'set aside' schemes, this initiative now seems to be remarkably prescient. The Netherlands have a long history of human manipulation of the environment. Indeed, the Dutch en- vironment is probably more man-made than that of any other country. In view of this, and the Laborato- ry's interest in managed grasslands, it is not surprising that 'Disturbance in Grasslands' was selected as the topic for the Laboratory's Jubilee Symposium. Although both the Symposium and the resulting vo- lume, have a strong Dutch component, the organisers invited a number of contributors from Europe and elsewhere to provide key chapters. The result is a volume which covers many aspects of disturbance in a variety of grasslands. Disturbance is considered at both the community and the population level, and the principles and processes underlying those responses are explored.

Old and New Fields of Old-Field Ecology In ecology, succession occupies a place similar to that of evolution in general biology. Ram6n Margalef, 1968. It was a great honor for me to have been asked by Marinus Werger to write an introductory note to this very special volume. Presumably my friends and former students in Europe felt that a few words from the New World might put the results presented in this exciting book into a somewhat broader perspective. My perspective (or retrospective), however, is neither impersonal nor original; it is an eclectic reflection of recent developments in ecology and in old-field ecology in particular. The ecological generalizations and theories of Ram6n Margalef and Eugene P. Odum, as we perceived them in Prague in the early 1970s, were for some of us so attractive and promising that we even started to believe it would not take too long until we had a truly unifying general theory of ecological succession. All that was needed - we thought - were data clarifying a few controversial issues. This is how our studies of old-field succession began in 1973. We viewed old-fields as a sort of 'Drosophila' for terrestrial ecology.

Scientific collaboration between the regions south of the Sahara was started formally in 1951 by the Scientific Council for Africa and stimulated by the International Biological Programme (1964-74) with its emphasis on biological productivity.

The editors' main aim has been to collect scientific papers of Wim Beeftink's friends and colleagues. Due to the fact that Wim Beeftink has so many close friends in the field of plant ecology, this fiber amicorum covers a wide range of disciplines covered, in turn, by a great variety of people.

Three and a half years of field study in Zambia and another three years of processing the data and writing up the results and conclusions preceded the publication of this book. During this period many people have assisted me with the collection of field data in Zambia and, after repatriation, with the processing of these data in the Netherlands.

The Western Australian jarrah forest is unique, contammg some of the most beautiful flora in the world, more than 100 species of birds and some 50 mammals indigenous to this State.

We have edited this book in honour ofMakoto Numata, the nestor of Japanese plant ecology, who will celebrate his 65th birthday in November 1982 and will be retiring from office in March 1983.

We have edited this book in honour ofMakoto Numata, the nestor of Japanese plant ecology, who will celebrate his 65th birthday in November 1982 and will be retiring from office in March 1983.

This volume is the result of a Symposium, held in October, 1985, to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of the De partment of Plant Ecology of the University of Groningen.