Geoecology: An Evolutionary ApproachAnimals, plants and soils interact with one another, with the terrestrial spheres, and with the rest of the Cosmos. On land, this rich interaction creates landscape systems or geoecosystems. Geoecology investigates the structure and function of geoecosystems, their components and their environment. The author develops a simple dynamic systems model, the `brash' equation, to form the conceptual framework for the book suggesting an `ecological' and `evolutionary' approach. Exploring internal of `ecological' interactions between geoecosystems and their near-surface environments - the atmosphere, hydrosphere, toposhere, and lithosphere - and external influences, both geological and cosmic, Geoecology presents geoecosystems as dynamic entities constantly responding to changes within themselves and their surroundings. An `evolutionary' view emerges of geoecological systems, and the animals, plants, and soils comprising them, providing a new way of thinking for the whole environmental complex and the rich web of interdependencies contained therein. |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
altitude America analysis animals annual appears associated atmosphere axis Basin Biogeography biosphere birds body boundary Brown carbon catena caused cent climatic communities complex correlation depth distribution disturbance dynamics Earth Ecological ecosystems effects elevation energy environment environmental equation eruption et al evolution example extinction factors field Figure fire forest formed geoecosystems geographical global gradient groups habitat horizon impact important increasing influence interactions island biogeography islands Journal landscape Landscape Ecology latitude less living London mammals material mean mountain Nature North northern occur organic pattern Pedology pedosphere plant Plate Pleistocene population precipitation Press processes produced range region relationships relatively rock Salix scale significant slope soil soil properties Soil Science Source spatial species richness suggests surface temperature trees types United University variables variation vegetation volcanic York zone