Edited by
Steward Pickett, Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, New York, U.S.A.
P. White, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Twin Creeks Area, Gatlinburg, Tennessee and University of Tennessee, Knoxville, U.S.A.
Description
Ecologists are aware of the importance of natural dynamics in ecosystems. Historically, the focus has been on the development in succession
of equilibrium communities, which has generated an understanding of the composition and functioning of ecosystems. Recently, many have
focused on the processes of disturbances and the evolutionary significance of such events. This shifted emphasis has inspired studies
in diverse systems. The phrase "patch dynamics" (Thompson, 1978) describes their common focus.
The Ecology of Natural Disturbance
and Patch Dynamics brings together the findings and ideas of those studying varied systems, presenting a synthesis of diverse
individual contributions.
