This book presents some of the most important research findings of the Royal Geographical Society's Maraca Rainforest Project, one of the largest research efforts ever mounted in Amazonia, involving scientists from Brazil and from Britain. It focuses in particular on ecological dynamics at the forest-savanna boundary, which are crucial to explaining how rainforests work and how human interventions modify the rainforest ecosystem. After an introduction to the Maraca area, which lies on two boundaries, leading ecologists and geographers cover in depth key elements in Maraca's ecological dynamics: savanna ecology; physical environment, forest structure and floristics; litter and nutrient cycling; the nitrogen cycle; soil nutrients and organic matter; and regeneration in forest gaps. They also examine soil degradation and consider how to establish a geographic information system for resource management of the area. "The Rainforest Edge" is a contribution to our understanding of the ecology of the world's most diverse and fascinating ecosystems, and to how humanity's activities are changing them. This book is intended for ecologists, geographers and their students.
- ISBN10 0719034779
- ISBN13 9780719034770
- Publish Date 10 February 1994
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Out of Print 22 November 1999
- Publish Country GB
- Imprint Manchester University Press
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 208
- Language English