The world atlas of trees and forests : exploring Earth's forest ecosystems / Herman Shugart ... [et al.].

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Frontmatter -- Contents -- Introduction -- 1 Seeing the Forest for the Trees -- 2 Scale and the Forest Ecosystem -- 3 The Forest as a Dynamic Mosaic -- 4 Mapping the Forests of the World -- 5 The Diversity of the World's Forests -- 6 Tropical Rain Forests -- 7 The Boreal Forest or Taiga -- 8 Savannas and Dry Forests -- 9 Temperate Forests -- 10 Forest Change Over Millennia -- 11 Climate Change and Forests -- 12 The Future: Seeing Forests with New Eyes -- Appendices -- Glossary -- Resources -- Notes on contributors -- Index -- Picture credits

A marvelously illustrated look at the world's diverse forests and their ecosystemsThe earth's forests are havens of nature supporting a diversity of life. Shaped by climate and geography, these vast and dynamic wooded spaces offer unique ecosystems that shelter complex and interdependent webs of flora, fungi, and animals. The World Atlas of Trees and Forests offers a beautiful introduction to what forests are, how they work, how they grow, and how we map, assess, and conserve them.Provides the most wide-ranging coverage of the world's forests availableTakes readers beneath the breathtaking variety of wooded canopies that span the globeProfiles a wealth of tree species, with enlightening and entertaining natural-history highlights along the wayFeatures stunning color photos, maps, and graphicsDraws on the latest cutting-edge research and technology, including satellite imagery.