Grazing ecology and forest history
By: [edited by] F.W.M. Vera.
Contributors: Vera, F. W. M.
Publisher: CABI Pub.; Cabi; CABI
Published: 2000
Place of publication: Wallingford; New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 506
Subjects: Forest dynamics -- Europe.; Plant succession -- Europe.; Range ecology -- Europe.; Forests and forestry -- Europe -- History.
Description: It is widely held that a climax of vegetation of closed forest systems covered the lowlands of Central and Western Europe before humans intervened in prehistoric times to develop pastoral agriculture. If this intervention had not taken place, it would still be there and so if left, the grassland vegetation we see today would revert to its natural closed forest state, although with a reduced number of wild species. This book challenges this view, using examples from pollen analyses and studies on tree species such as oak and hazel. It tests the hypothesis that species composition, structure and succession of vegetation was governed by herbivores and that the Central and Western European lowlands were covered in grasslands, scrub, solitary tress and groves surrounded by cover and border vegetation. Comparative information from North America is also included.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.