The Ecology of Natural Disturbance and Patch Dynamics

The Ecology of Natural Disturbance and Patch Dynamics brings together the findings and ideas of researchers studying such varied systems as marine invertebrate communities; grasslands; and boreal, temperate, and tropical forests. The primary goal is to present a synthesis of diverse individual contributions. The book is divided into three main sections: (1) examples of patch dynamics in diverse systems; (2) adaptations of organisms and evolution of populations in patch dynamic environments; and (3) implications of patch dynamics for the organization of communities and the functioning of ecosystems. This approach demonstrates the commonality of disturbance-generated phenomena over a wide range of scales and levels of organization, and thus validates the broad applicability of the patch dynamic viewpoint. The book presents a framework that can stimulate the generation of explicit hypotheses and theory and forms an alternative to equilibrium concepts of the evolution of populations, composition of communities, and functioning of ecosystems.

Table of Contents:
Contributors Preface Part I Introduction 1 Natural Disturbance and Patch Dynamics: An Introduction I. The Dynamics of Biological Systems II. Definitions: Patch Dynamics, Perturbation, and Disturbance III. Natural Disturbance: The Patch Dynamics Perspective Part II Patch Dynamics in Nature 2 Disturbance Regimes in Temperate Forests I. Introduction II. Components of a Disturbance Regime for Forests III. Natural Disturbance Regimes for Specific Temperate Forests IV. Artificial Disturbance Regimes V. Summary Recommended Readings 3 Stand Dynamics in Chilean Nothofagus Forests I. Introduction II. The Chilean Lake District III. Patch Dynamics IV. Conclusions Recommended Readings 4 Treefalls, Regrowth, and Community Structure in Tropical Forests I. Introduction II. Treefall Regimes III. Regeneration Behavior IV. Regrowth V. Community Structure VI. Conclusions 5 Gap Processes and Large-Scale Disturbances in Sand Prairies I. Introduction II. Perspectives on Grassland Disturbances III. A Southwestern Wisconsin Case Study: The Spring Green Sand Prairie IV. Discussion: Disturbance Scale, Return Times, and Predictability in Grasslands Recommended Readings 6 Shrubland Fire Regimes and Their Evolutionary Consequences I. Introduction II. Fire Regimes and Their Control III. Environmental Responses to Burning IV. Plant Adaptations to Fire in Shrublands V. Community Responses to Burning 7 Disturbance and Patch Dynamics on Rocky Intertidal Shores I. Introduction II. Kinds of Open Space Produced by Disturbance III. Characteristics of the Disturbance Regime IV. Modes of Patch Colonization V. Responses of Mobile Consumers to Patch Characteristics VI. Within-Patch Dynamics VII. Regional Persistence of Fugitive Species VIII. Concluding Remarks Recommended Readings 8 Disturbance and Patch Dynamics of Subtidal Marine Animals on Hard Substrata I. Introduction II. Examples of the Patch Dynamics of Subtidal Communities III. Discussion 9 Disturbance and Vertebrates: An Integrative Perspective I. Introduction II. The Complexity of Disturbances in Vertebrate Communities: An Example from the Everglades III. Disturbance as Considered by Ecologists IV. Disturbance and Vertebrate Adaptations V. Study of Vertebrate Adaptations in the Context of Disturbance VI. Synthesis Recommended Readings 10 Vertebrate Responses to Environmental Patchiness in Arid and Semiarid Ecosystems I. Introduction II. Patchiness in Arid Environments III. Environmental Patchiness and Individuals IV. Patches and Populations V. Patches and Community Structure VI. Vertebrates as Patch Producers VII. Habitat Fragmentation VIII. Concluding Caution Part III Adaptations of Plants and Animals in a Patch Dynamic Setting 11 The Response of Woody Plants to Disturbance: Patterns of Establishment and Growth I. Introduction II. Natural Disturbance and Resource Availability III. Establishment of Woody Plants Following Disturbance IV. Growth and Resource Use by Woody Plants Following Disturbance V. Discussion Recommended Readings 12 Responses of Forest Herbs to Canopy Gaps I. Introduction II. Gap Environment III. Responses to the Environment IV. Herb Responses to Gaps V. Constraints on Herb Responses VI. Conclusions Recommended Readings 13 Adaptations of Insects to Disturbance I. Introduction II. Factors Influencing Insect Responses to Disturbance III. Insect Propagation of Disturbance Effects IV. Insects as Regulators of Ecosystem Productivity V. Conclusions Recommended Readings 14 Within-Patch Dynamics of Life Histories, Populations, and Interactions: Selection over Time in Small Spaces I. Introduction II. Within-Patch Dynamics, Life Histories, and Selection III. Ecological Genetics of Within-Patch Structure and Dynamics IV. Ecological Genetics and the Within-Patch Dynamics of Interactions V. Conclusions 15 Animal Population Genetics and Disturbance: The Effects of Local Extinctions and Recolonizations on Heterozygosity and Fitness I. Introduction II. Natural Disturbance and Genetic Drift III. Genetic Drift and Heterozygosity IV. Heterozygosity and Fitness V. Natural Disturbances and Poeciliopsis Populations VI. Breeding Systems and Patch Dynamics VII. Local Fitness and Competition VIII. Long-Term Processes: The Shifting Balance Recommended Readings 16 Plant Population Genetics and Evolution in Disturbed Environments I. Introduction II. Linking Population Ecology to Population Genetic Theory III. Genetics of Colonizing Plant Species IV. Models of Genetic Variation in Patchily Distributed Species V. Genetic Variation: Observation in Plant Populations VI. Variation, Selection, and Adaptation VII. Summary Recommended Readings Part IV Implications of Patch Dynamics for the Organization of Communities and the Functioning of Ecosystems 17 Disturbance-Mediated Coexistence of Species I. Introduction II. Patches and Landscapes III. Characteristics of Disturbances IV. Ecosystem Resilience V. The Role of Propagule Dispersal in Community Structure VI. Conclusions 18 Community Turnover and Ecosystem Nutrient Dynamics I. Introduction II. Nutrient Cycling within a Patch III. Patch Size and Nutrient Dynamics IV. Effects on Watershed-Level Nutrient Dynamics 19 Natural Disturbance and Ecosystem Energetics I. Introduction II. Ecosystem Changes during Stand Development III. Conclusion—Disturbance, Energetics, and Resource Management IV. Summary Recommended Readings 20 Modeling Forest Landscapes and the Role of Disturbance in Ecosystems and Communities I. Introduction II. Forest Dynamics Models III. Gap Models IV. A Model of Animal Response to Disturbance V. Concluding Remarks Part V Synthesis 21 Patch Dynamics: A Synthesis I. Introduction II. The Importance of Disturbance III. Toward a Theory of Disturbance IV. Conclusion Bibliography Index