From plant traits to vegetation structure
Subtitle: chance and selection in the assembly of ecological communities
By: Bill Shipley.
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: 2010
Place of publication: Cambridge; New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 277
ISBN-13: 9780521117470; 9780521133555
Subjects: Plant communities -- Mathematical models; Vegetation classification; Vegetation surveys; Plant ecology
Description: "Plant community ecology has traditionally taken a taxonomical approach based on population dynamics. This book contrasts such an approach with a trait-based approach. After reviewing these two approaches, it then explains how models based on the Maximum Entropy Formalism can be used to predict the relative abundance of different species from a potential species pool. Following this it shows how the trait constraints, upon which the model is based, are necessary consequences of natural selection and population dynamics. The final sections of the book extend the discussion to macroecological patterns of species abundance and concludes with some outstanding unresolved questions." --Balogh International
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 260-274) and index.