Although biologists have directed much attention to estimating the extent and causes of species losses, the consequences for ecosystem functioning have been little studied. This book examines the impact of biodiversity on ecosystem processes in tropical forests - one of the most species-rich and at the same time most endangered ecosystems on earth. It covers the relationships between biodiversity and primary production, secondary production, biogeochemical cycles, soil processes, plant life forms, responses to disturbance, and resistance to invasion. The analyses focus on the key ecological interfaces where the loss of keystone species is most likely to influence the rate and stability of ecosystem processes.

Product Description: No basta con investigar, describir y entender los maravillosos sistemas ecológicos y culturales que se despliegan en América Latina. Es necesario y urgente contribuir también con espacios intelectuales y físicos que inspiren a participar en la conservación biocultural y posibilitar así la continuidad del devenir de las multifacéticas historias de vida de los seres humanos y otras especies biológicas que habitan en el Continente Americano y en el planeta...read more