Amazonian Floodplain Forests. Ecophysiology, Biodiversity and Sustainable Management. 2010. (Ecological Studies, Vol. 211). figs. XVII, 615 p. gr8vo. Hardcover.

Central Amazonian floodplain forests grow in areas thatare annually flooded by large rivers during mean periods of up to 8 months and at depths of up to 10 m. Despite this severe stress, these forests consist of over 1,000 species and are by far the most species rich floodplain forests worldwide. The trees show a broad range of morphological, anatomical, physiological, and phenological adaptations that enable them not only to survive the adverse environmental conditions, but also to produce large amounts of biomass when the nutrient levels in water and soils are sufficiently high. This is the case in the floodplains of white water rivers, which are used for fisheries, agriculture, and cattle ranching but which also have a high potential for the production of timber and nontimber products, when adequately managed. This is the first integrative book on the functioning and ecologically oriented use of floodplain forests in the tropics and subtropics. It provides a solid scientific basis for wetland ecologists, foresters, environmentalists, and wetland managers. It is also an excellent textbook for students working in Amazonian floodplain forests and similar forest types in other regions.