Walters Vegetation of the Earth: The Ecological Systems of the Geo-Biosphere [Paperback]

Vegetation, soil and climate are the most important components of ecological systems. This long-awaited fourth edition of the well-established textbook by Heinrich Walter summarizes our knowledge of the earth's ecology and constitutes the basis for a deeper understanding of the larger interrelations on a global scale. While Walter's general concept remains unchanged, the individual chapters have been completely revised, enlarged and updated. The author's intimate knowledge of practically all classes of plants and climatic zones allows him to describe the various ecological systems in close detail. This richly illustrated textbook is a must for every student in the plant sciences.Vegetation, soil and climate are the most important components of ecological systems. This long-awaited fourth edition of the well-established textbook by Heinrich Walter summarizes our knowledge of the earth's ecology and constitutes the basis for a deeper understanding of the larger interrelations on a global scale.
While Walter's general concept remains unchanged, the individual chapters have been completely revised, enlarged and updated. The author's intimate knowledge of practically all classes of plants and climatic zones allows him to describe the various ecological systems in close detail.
This richly illustrated textbook is a must for every student in the plant sciences.
and Remarks.- 1 Aims of Ecological Science.- 2 Significance of Present-Day Ecology as a Philosophy.- 3 Human Impact on Ecosystems.- 4 Significance of Systematics and Taxonomy for Biology.- 5 Importance of Scientific Documentation.- 6 Importance of Excursions for Young Scientists.- General Section.- Ecological Fundamentals.- 1 Historical Perspective.- 2 Co-Evolution and Symbiosis.- 3 Biodiversity and Ecology of Populations.- 4 Climate and its Presentation (Homoclimates as well as Climate Diagram Maps).- 5 Environment and Competition.- 6 Ecological Factors.- 7 Radiation, Light and Basic AstrlC¶