Thousands of years ago, Asia was filled with forests that connected
ecosystems from the foot of the Himalayas to the shores of the Pacific.
Today, more than half of these woodlands are gone, mostly due to the
demands of commerce and industry. And while conservation efforts are
underway, more parcels disappear every year. On the Forests of Tropical
Asia is a timely record of current forests and a much-needed
explanation of the role humans played in the devastation and
redevelopment of these forests.
On the Forests of Tropical Asia is the first book to describe the
forests of the entire tropical Asian region, from Sind to New Guinea. It
opens with chapters on physical geography and geological history and
then moves on to address forest and tree structure and dynamics,
floristics, and symbiotic organisms, as well as genetics, evolutionary
history, species diversity, and human impact. A final chapter covers
future policy and practice options for saving what remains. Hundreds of
full-color illustrations serve as a lasting testimony to the diverse
forests. Ashton combines existing research with his own experience and
collaborations, creating a broad, comprehensive understanding of forest
variation. By presenting a clear picture of where the forests stand
today, he offers a framework for future research, policy, and
conservation.
