This volume, which is based upon years of research effort and numerous
meetings by a large number of scientists throughout the world, brings
together different 'schools' of ecological investigation of woodlands.
After a description of the structure and floristic composition of the
research sites, involving a comparison of boreal, temperate,
Mediterranean and tropical forest, the study goes on to consider the
dynamic aspects of the woodland formation. These include growth and
succession, carbon dioxide balance, water relations, soil processes and
chemical cycling. Further chapters discuss comparative productivity,
biomass and carbon metabolism. Forest growth and water balance are
investigated using complex ecosystem models and the predictive value of
such models is tested against observations.