Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of Boxes
- Preface
- Prologue Environmental changes and ecosystem effects: two historical examples
- Section I History and concepts
- Section II Ecosystem structure and function
- Section III Ecosystem dynamics at different time scales
- Chapter 11 Tectonic to orbital changes
- Chapter 12 Millennial to centennial or postglacial changes
- Chapter 13 Centennial to annual changes
- Section IV Applications
- Appendix 1 Abbreviations
- Appendix 2 Glossary
- Appendix 3 Some useful values and symbols used to represent them
- Appendix 4 Information and data on selected ecosystems
- References
- Index
- Plate section
- References
Chapter 13 - Centennial to annual changes
from Section III - Ecosystem dynamics at different time scales
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 June 2012
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of Boxes
- Preface
- Prologue Environmental changes and ecosystem effects: two historical examples
- Section I History and concepts
- Section II Ecosystem structure and function
- Section III Ecosystem dynamics at different time scales
- Chapter 11 Tectonic to orbital changes
- Chapter 12 Millennial to centennial or postglacial changes
- Chapter 13 Centennial to annual changes
- Section IV Applications
- Appendix 1 Abbreviations
- Appendix 2 Glossary
- Appendix 3 Some useful values and symbols used to represent them
- Appendix 4 Information and data on selected ecosystems
- References
- Index
- Plate section
- References
Summary
Wind, fire and herbivory are three major forces that alter the dynamics of ecosystems by modifying their element cycles and regulating ecosystem development, in particular returning mature ecosystems to earlier development stages.
Wind
Wind as an ecological factor acts in two ways. At moderate to low speed it has an indirect action by affecting the intensity of, for example, physiological processes. For plants, subtle winds, for example, modify the temperature of plants and other organisms. Transpiration can be increased, as well as carbon dioxide transport to plants, which stimulates photosynthesis (Chapter 5). At higher wind speeds the mechanical impact on the ecosystem is of particular interest for the dynamics of the ecosystem.
Disturbances are a major factor influencing the species composition of ecosystems – wind is no exception (Pickett & White 1985). Extremely high wind speeds usually occur on sea coasts and in mountains. Lowlands may also experience extreme situations or catastrophic events such as tornados and hurricanes. Forests close to the coast in wind-exposed situations are always suppressed and further inland the height increases. The trees lean in the prevailing wind direction. The wind also transports salt, which is deposited on the leaves and has a negative effect on the vegetation. In mountains the wind, together with temperature and snow cover, determines the level of the tree limit.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Terrestrial Ecosystem EcologyPrinciples and Applications, pp. 235 - 244Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2011