Synthesis

  • Gordon H. Orians
  • Rodolfo Dirzo
  • J. Hall Cushman
Conference paper
Part of the Ecological Studies book series (ECOLSTUD, volume 122)

Abstract

The preceding chapters discuss some important patterns in relationships between tropical forest biodiversity and ecosystem processes. They also show the great gaps in current knowledge of the nature and strength of most of those relationships. Here we synthesize the cross-cutting patterns and issues that arose several times in those chapters. In addition, we consider a number of research themes, which, if pursued, would improve our understanding of the role of biodiversity in the functioning of tropical forests.

Keywords

Species Richness Fine Root Tropical Forest Tropical Rain Forest Tropical Deforestation 
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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 1996

Authors and Affiliations

  • Gordon H. Orians
    • 1
  • Rodolfo Dirzo
    • 2
  • J. Hall Cushman
    • 3
  1. 1.Department of ZoologyUniversity of WashingtonSeattleUSA
  2. 2.Centro de EcologíaUniversidad Nacional Autónoma de MéxicoMéxico, D.FMéxico
  3. 3.Department of BiologySonoma State UniversityRohnert ParkUSA

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