Harald Beck

Linking Amazon Forest Dynamics with Mammalian Diversity: Forest Dynamics and Mammal Diversity Harald Beck

Natural disturbances such as treefalls are a majorcomponent of tropical forest dynamics. Theseomnipresent treefall gaps are crucial for forestregeneration and promote plant diversity. However theeffects of treefalls on mammals are not wellunderstood. This book provides novel insights intothe population dynamics, community structure, andspecies richness of terrestrial and arboreal smallmammals in treefall gaps and undisturbed forestswithin the Amazonas. The discovery of a reciprocal source-sink dynamicsand the underlying mechanisms of higher mammalianspecies diversity in gaps contributes to a betterunderstanding of the role of natural disturbances. This book will be especial useful for biologystudents and professionals interested in tropicalecology and new strategies for conservation andforest management.