Introduction
xix
inputs in North America forests represent a balance between atmospheric
and geologic sources. Hedin and Hetherington suggest that temperate
rainforests in the Southern Hemisphere may be sensitive to ENSO
(El-Nifio-Southem-Oscillation) events and especially sensitive to human
activities .
The effects of climate on trees allow for the derivation of historical
climate records from the analysis of tree-ring data. Records from the
Northern Hemisphere are much more extensive than those in the Southern
Hemisphere . As noted by D'Arrigo and Jacoby, these records allow for
the analysis of indices of ocean-atmosphere interactions in the Pacific
Ocean. These dendrochronological records are best for inferring temeratures from years prior to the instrumental record. Other issues that can be
addressed through dendrochronological studies include forest responses
to climatic change and CO 2-induced growth enhancement.
Waring and Winner review the need for real-time monitoring and call
for a careful examination of forests in relation to current climate using
meteorological data bases and remote sensing. Using their model, they
are able to quantify the effects of frost, drought, and humidity on forests
across the steep coastal climatic gradient experienced in Oregon. Based
on the physiological adaptability of trees in North and South America
and GCM (Global Climate Model) outputs, they conclude that climatic
change will result in higher productivity in South American forests and
lower productivity in North American forests.
Biotic Patterns
The second section of the book deals with the distribution of plants and
animals and their interactions. Alaback examines the distinctive climate,
history, and biota for the four temperate rainforest types in North America.
Although the current forest composition is relatively new (2000-5000
years old), most of the dominant species are exceptionally well adapted to
current climatic conditions. Dominant conifer species are widespread and
genetically diverse throughout the coastal region . Few unique species
occur in the region, except near the transition between rainforests and
drier forests occurring in Mediterranean climates near the southern limit
of forest. In North America, riparian rainforests are a key concentration
of species richness and plant-animal interactions, although they have
been heavily affected by human uses. Species richness in North American
rainforests is less than in equivalent forest types in Chile, even though the
regional species pool is greater in North America. Contrasts in evolutionary
history, forest structure, species specialization, and genetic architecture
suggest that their responses to climate change may diverge over time.
Arroyo and her associates examine the biodiversity patterns of forests
in Chile and their historic and evolutionary causes as well as their relationship to current climatic conditions. Temperate rainforests of South
xix
inputs in North America forests represent a balance between atmospheric
and geologic sources. Hedin and Hetherington suggest that temperate
rainforests in the Southern Hemisphere may be sensitive to ENSO
(El-Nifio-Southem-Oscillation) events and especially sensitive to human
activities .
The effects of climate on trees allow for the derivation of historical
climate records from the analysis of tree-ring data. Records from the
Northern Hemisphere are much more extensive than those in the Southern
Hemisphere . As noted by D'Arrigo and Jacoby, these records allow for
the analysis of indices of ocean-atmosphere interactions in the Pacific
Ocean. These dendrochronological records are best for inferring temeratures from years prior to the instrumental record. Other issues that can be
addressed through dendrochronological studies include forest responses
to climatic change and CO 2-induced growth enhancement.
Waring and Winner review the need for real-time monitoring and call
for a careful examination of forests in relation to current climate using
meteorological data bases and remote sensing. Using their model, they
are able to quantify the effects of frost, drought, and humidity on forests
across the steep coastal climatic gradient experienced in Oregon. Based
on the physiological adaptability of trees in North and South America
and GCM (Global Climate Model) outputs, they conclude that climatic
change will result in higher productivity in South American forests and
lower productivity in North American forests.
Biotic Patterns
The second section of the book deals with the distribution of plants and
animals and their interactions. Alaback examines the distinctive climate,
history, and biota for the four temperate rainforest types in North America.
Although the current forest composition is relatively new (2000-5000
years old), most of the dominant species are exceptionally well adapted to
current climatic conditions. Dominant conifer species are widespread and
genetically diverse throughout the coastal region . Few unique species
occur in the region, except near the transition between rainforests and
drier forests occurring in Mediterranean climates near the southern limit
of forest. In North America, riparian rainforests are a key concentration
of species richness and plant-animal interactions, although they have
been heavily affected by human uses. Species richness in North American
rainforests is less than in equivalent forest types in Chile, even though the
regional species pool is greater in North America. Contrasts in evolutionary
history, forest structure, species specialization, and genetic architecture
suggest that their responses to climate change may diverge over time.
Arroyo and her associates examine the biodiversity patterns of forests
in Chile and their historic and evolutionary causes as well as their relationship to current climatic conditions. Temperate rainforests of South