Oak Forest Ecosystems focuses on the relationship between an oak forest's acorn yield and species of wildlife that depend on it. It begins by treating factors such as oak distribution, forest fires, tree diseases and pests, dynamics of acorn production, and acorn dispersal by birds and mammals. Special consideration is given to the phenomenon of masting -- whereby oaks in a given area will produce huge crops of acorns at irregular intervals -- a key component for wildlife researchers and managers in understanding patterns of scarcity and abundance in the creatures that feed on this crop. Relationships between oaks and animals such as mice, squirrels, turkeys, deer, and bear are discussed, as are the differences between eastern, southern Appalachian, southwestern, and California oak forests.
Contents:
Contributors Acknowledgments
Chapter 1 Oaks and Acorns as a Foundation for Ecosystem Management -William J. McShea and William M. Healy
Part I Patterns and Processes of Oak Forests Chapter 2 Distribution and Abundance of Oaks in North America -William H. McWilliams, Renee O'Brien, Gordon C. Reese, and Karen L. Waddell
Chapter 3 The Postglacial History of Oak Forests in Eastern North America -Marc D. Abrams Chapter 4 Fire History and Postsettlement Disturbance -Daniel Dey Chapter 5 The Ecological Basis for Oak Silviculture in Eastern North America -Daniel Dey Chapter 6 Native Diseases and Insects That Impact Oaks -Steven W. Oak Chapter 7 Gypsy Moths and Forest Dynamics -Joseph S. Elkinton, William M. Healy, Andrew M. Liebhold, and John P. Buonaccorsi Chapter 8 Dynamics of Old-Growth Oak Forests in the Eastern United States - Lee E. Frelich and Peter B. Reich
Part II Ecology and Patterns of Acorns Chapter 9 The Behavioral Ecology of Masting in Oaks -Walter B. Koening and Johannes M. H. Knops Chapter 10 Dynamics of Acorn Production by Five Species of Southern Appalachian Oaks -Cathryn H. Greenberg and Bernard R. Parresol Chapter 11 Nutritional Value of Acorns for Wildlife -Roy L. Kirkpatrick and Peter J. Pekins Chapter 12 Acorn Dispersal by Birds and Mammals -Michael A. Steele and Peter D. Smallwood Chapter 13 Ecological Webs Involving Acorns and Mice: Basic Research and Its Management Implications -Richard S. Ostfeld Chapter 14: Acorns and White-Talied Deer: Interrelationships in Forest Ecosystems -George A. Feldhamer Chapter 15: Oak Trees, Acorns, and Bears -Michael R. Vaughan Chapter 16: Turkeys, Acorns, and Oaks -Davis E. Steffen, Nelson W. Lafon, and Gary W. Norman Chapter 17 Squirrels and Oaks -Christopher C. Smith and Martin A. Stapanian
Part III Management of Oaks for Wildlife Chapter 18 Fire and Oak Management -David H. Van Lear and Patrick H. Brose Chapter 19 California's Oak Woodlands -Richard B. Standiford Chapter 20 Ecology and Management of Evergreen Oak Woodlands in Arizona and New Mexico -Peter F. Ffolliott Chapter 21 Managing Eastern Oak Forests for Wildlife -William M. Healy Chapter 22 Goals and Guidelines for Managing Oak Ecosystems for Wildlife -William M. Healy and William J. McShea
References Index
""The information is a good starting point for managers and landowners who want to have a better understanding of their forests.""
