Book Description

The northern coniferous forests are the most extensive in the world, covering large tracts across the boreal regions of North America, Europe, and Asia. This updated edition (1st ed., CH, Dec'88, 26-2133) provides an overview of these forests from the perspective of North America. Pielou (The Energy of Nature, CH, Oct'01, 39-0997; Fresh Water, CH, Mar'99, 36-3926) discusses the types of trees present, the interactions of trees with other organisms, and the fate of forests in a changing environment. The book is aimed at general readers, who might include interested amateurs or students in an introductory forestry course. It introduces tree taxonomy and identification along with commentary on past and present distributions and the basic morphology of trees. Pielou outlines the importance of fungi and insects in interactions and environmental factors, such as storm damage and fire, that can modify the dynamics within forested ecosystems. He presents all information in an ecological context. Informative line drawings, including anatomical details of many organisms, support the text. Because this is an introductory work, suggestions for further reading would have been helpful; however, the book is still useful for newcomers to the subject. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates and general readers. D. H. Pfister Harvard University--Choice Reviews.