Biodiversity in Drylands, the first internationally based synthesis volume in the Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) Network Series, unifies the concepts of species and landscape diversity with respect to deserts. Within this framework, the book treats several emerging themes, among them:

how animal biodiversity can be supported in deserts

diversity's relation to habitat structure, environmental variability, and species interactions

the relation between spatial scale and diversity

how to use a landscape simulation model to understand diversity

microbial contributions to biodiversity in deserts

species diversity and ecosystem processes

resource partitioning and biodiversity in fractal environments

effects of grazing on biodiversity

reconciliation ecology and the future of conservation management In the face of global change, integration is crucial for dealing with the problem of sustaining biodiversity. This book promises to be a vital resource for students, researchers, and managers interested in integrative species, resource, and landscape diversities.

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