Managing Forests As Complex Adaptive Systems

Description: This book links the emerging concepts of complexity, complex adaptive system (CAS) and resilience to forest ecology and management. It explores how these concepts can be applied in various forest biomes of the world with their different ecological, economic and social settings, and history. Individual chapters stress different elements of these concepts based on the specific setting and expertise of the authors. Regions and authors have been selected to cover a diversity of viewpoints and emphases, from silviculture and natural forests to forest restoration, and from boreal to tropical forests. The chapters show that there is no single generally applicable approach to forest management that applies to all settings. The first set of chapters provides a global overview of how complexity, CAS and resilience theory can benefit researchers who study forest ecosystems. A second set of chapters provides guidance for managers in understanding how these concepts can help them to facilitate forest ecosystem change and renewal (adapt or self-organize) in the face of global change while still delivering the goods and services desired by humans. The book takes a broad approach by covering a variety of forest biomes and the full range of management goals from timber production to forest restoration to promote the maintenance of biodiversity, quality of water, or carbon storage.

Review: 'Enhanced throughout with bibliographic references, tables and figures, and a comprehensive index, Managing Forests as Complex Adaptive Systems: Building Resilience to the Challenge of Global Change offers a seminal body of work and is highly recommended for professional, governmental, NGO, and academic library Environmental Studies and Forest Management Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists.' - The Midwest Book Review, April 2013

Contents: 1. Managing Forests as Complex Adaptive Systems: Introductory Concepts and Applications Klaus J Puettmann, Christian Messier and K. David Coates 2. An Introduction to Complexity Science Lael Parrott and Holger Lange 3. Tropical Forests as Complex Adaptive Systems Robin L. Chazdon and Juan Pablo Arroyo 4. Complexity in Temperate Forest Dynamics Sybille Haeussler, Charles D Canham and K. David Coates 5. Exploring Complexity in Boreal Forests Philip J. Burton 6. Forest Restoration in a Changing World: Complexity and Adaptation Examples from the Great Lakes Region of North America Meredith Cornett and Mark White 7. Meta-networks of Fungi, Fauna and Flora as Agents of Complex Adaptive Systems Suzanne Simard, Kathy Martin, Alan Vyse and Bruce Larson 8. Complexity Confronting Tropical Silviculturists Francis Putz 9. Is Close-to-Nature Forest Management in Europe Compatible with Managing Forests as Complex Adaptive Forest Ecosystems? Jurgen Bauhus, Klaus J. Puettmann, Christian Kuhne 10. Mediterranean Forests: Human Use And Complex Adaptive Systems Susanna Nocentini and Lluis Coll 11. Fennoscandian Boreal Forests as Complex Adaptive Systems: Properties, Management Challenges and Opportunities Timo Kuuluvainen and Juha Siitonen 12. Management of Tasmanian Eucalypt Forests as Complex Adaptive Systems Sue Baker 13. Managing Tree Plantations as Complex Adaptive Systems Alain Paquette and Christian Messier 14. A New Integrative Framework for Understanding and Managing the World Forest: The Complex Adaptive System Christian Messier, Klaus J. Puettmann and K. David Coates



Author Biography: Christian Messier is Scientific Director of the Institute of Temperate Forest Sciences (ISFORT), Universite du Quebec en Outaouais, Quebec, Canada. His research interests are broad, ranging from the life cycle of trees to developing decision-making tools to better manage large forest holdings. His research has brought him to study various biomes across the world. He holds a research chair on tree growth, and has published more than 150 referee journal papers and book chapters. Klaus J. Puettmann is Edmund Hayes Professor in Silviculture Alternatives in the Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society, Oregon State University, USA. He has been working on numerous projects related to regeneration and stand density management, with a special focus on utilizing a better understanding of ecological relationships in developing new silvicultural approaches. He works in cooperation with scientists from Europe and North America, and has published more than 60 referee journal articles in North American and European forestry and ecology journals. K. David Coates is a senior Research Silviculturist with the Ministry of Natural Resource Operations in Smithers, Canada. He has 30 years of experience in research and silvicultural application in northern British Columbia including at least 50 scientific and technical publications.