Structure and Function of an Alpine Ecosystem

Niwot Ridge, Colorado

Edited by William D. Bowman and Timothy R. Seastedt

Long-Term Ecological Research Network Series

Structure and Function of an Alpine Ecosystem

Niwot Ridge, Colorado

Edited by William D. Bowman and Timothy R. Seastedt

Long-Term Ecological Research Network Series

Description

This book will provide a complete overview of an alpine ecosystem, based on the long-term research conducted at the Niwot Ridge LTER. There is, at present, no general book on alpine ecology. The alpine ecosystem features conditions near the limits of biological existence, and is a useful laboratory for asking more general ecological questions, because it offers large environmental change over relatively short distances. Factors such as macroclimate, microclimate, soil conditions, biota, and various biological factors change on differing scales, allowing insight into the relative contributions of the different factors on ecological outcomes.

Structure and Function of an Alpine Ecosystem

Niwot Ridge, Colorado

Edited by William D. Bowman and Timothy R. Seastedt

Long-Term Ecological Research Network Series

Contributors
Foreword
1. Introduction: Historical Perspectives on Significance of Alpine Ecosystem Studies, William D. Bowman
I Physical Environment
2. Climate, David Greenland
3. Atmospheric Chemistry and Deposition, herman Sievering
4. Geomorphic Systems of Green Lakes Valley, Nel Caine
5. Hydrology and Hydrochemistry, Mark W. Williams and Nel Caine
II Ecosystem Structures
6. The Vegetation: Hierarchical Species-Environment Relationships, Marilyn D. Walker et al
7. Vertebrates, David M. Armstrong et al
8. Soils, Timothy R. Seastedt
III Ecosystem Function
9. Primary Production, Willaim D. Bowman and Melany C. Fisk
10. Plant Nutrient Relations, Russell K. Monson et al
11. Controls on Decomposition Processes in Alpine Tundra, Timothy R. Seastedt
12. Nitrogen Cycling, Melany C. Fisk et al
13. Soil-Atmosphere Gas Exchange, Steven K. Schmidt et al
14. Plant-Herbivore Interactions, Denise Dearing
IV Past and Future
15. Paleoecology and Late Quaternary Environments of the Colorodo Rockies, Scott A. Elias
16. Environmental Chagne and Future Directions in Alpine Research, Jeffrey M. Welker et al
Index

Structure and Function of an Alpine Ecosystem

Niwot Ridge, Colorado

Edited by William D. Bowman and Timothy R. Seastedt

Long-Term Ecological Research Network Series

Reviews and Awards

"The references at the end of each chapter are extensive and valuable. . . . there are no books at present that detail general alpine ecosystem science."--International Journal of Environmental Studies

"The case is made [in this book] ... that the alpine ecosystem is intimately linked to ecosystems at lower altitudes. ... Thus, events and processes in the alpine may have broader consequences than one might suspect. ... The book is potentially of interest to a broad audience, and ... it will serve as a good introduction to what is known about the Colorado alpine tundra from an ecosystem perspective, a benchmark for comparison with arctic and alpine tundra elsewhere, and as a summary of much o the research done at the Niwot Ridge LTER site."--Ecology

"Structure and Function of an Alpine Ecosystem summarizes and synthesizes more than four decades of alpine research undertaken at this high-elevation location. ... a number of high quality black-and-white photographs of the Niwot Ridge/Green Lakes site ... enhance the pleasure of reading through the technical material. ... a valuable compendium and summary of information on the alpine world of North America, especially the Southern Rocky Mountains of Colorado. ... all serious fans of alpine environments will want to read this book if not own it."--Natural Areas Journal