Natural Woodland describes how woodlands grow, die and regenerate in the absence of human influence, and the structures and range of habitats found in natural woods. The underlying theme is that natural woodlands should form a basis for forest management, policies and practices. George Peterken compares the ecology of both North American and European forests, to produce a fascinating account of woodland natural history for all those concerned with woodland management and ecology.
Preface
Part I. Definitions, Significance and Survival
1. Woodlands, nature and history: a personal introduction
2. Definitions, values and philosophies
3. Natural woodland in Europe and North America
Part II. Temperate and Boreal Natural Forests
4. Selected virgin forests
5. Disturbance in natural woodland
6. Succession after catastrophic disturbances
7. Structures and dynamics of old-growth forests
8. Components of the forest
9. Wildlife of natural woodlands
Part III. Virgin Forest Remnants
10. Human impacts on natural forests in North America
11. Wildlife responses to the modification of natural forests
12. Protecting virgin forest remnants
Part IV. Natural Features in the Conservation of British Woodlands
13. Woodland nature conservation: development, rationale and practice
14. British natural woodlands
15. Reconstructing British natural woodlands
16. Management of broadleaved woodland
17. Design and management of upland conifer plantations
18. Priorities in woodland nature conservation
Appendix
Bibliography
Indexes
"It would be hard to overemphasise the importance of this book to temperate ecologists; no-one concerned with woodland, and few involved with other habitats, can afford to be without it."
– Peter D. Moore, Biologist
"This is an excellent text coming from one of our leading woodland ecologists and deserves to be read by everyone with an interest in woodland ecology."
– British Ecological Society TEG News