Forests of Himalaya/J.S. Singh and S.P. Singh. 1992, 294 p., col. photographs, figs., tables, $40.
Contents: Preface. 1. Introduction and environmental background. 2. Phytogeography, palaeo-history and forest formations. 3. Community patterns at regional level. 4. Phenology of forest layers. 5. Biomass and primary productivity. 6. Litter fall and litter decomposition. 7. Carbon and nutrient budgets, and hydrological responses. 8. Population structure and regeneration of trees. 9. Recovery of damaged forest ecosystem. 10. Man and forest. Plates. Bibliography and subject index.
"This book provides a basic synthesis of information on structure and functioning of the Himalayan forest ecosystem. Relationships between man and forest, and an ecological basis for sustainable development at a regional level are also dealt with. The core of the synthesis is built on the research contributions from the ecological group of Kumaun University, Nainital, India (involving as many as 30 ecologists), during the past one and one-half decades, on the forest ecosystems of the Central Himalaya. Though not claimed as a thorough reference book, the book provides a useful source of information for researchers and students interested in the ecology of forests, especially of the mountain areas. We hope that the contents of book would also be of interest to phytogeographers, environmental scientists, and those concerned with the forest administration forest use and planners, working in the Himalayan areas." (jacket)
[J.S. Singh is Professor of Botany, Banaras Hindu University.
S.P. Singh is Professor of Botany, Kumaun University.] No. 7113