On the Forests of Tropical Asia

This is the first book to describe the forests of the entire tropical Asian region, from Sind to New Guinea. Based on Peter Ashton's working field experience of over 55 years in every country, Burma and Laos excepted. Following a chapter on physical geography and geological history, seven chapters address forest and tree structure and dynamics, floristics, mountain forests, the other organisms on which the forests and trees depend, as well as genetics, evolutionary history, species diversity, and past and present human impact. A final chapter covers future policy and practice options for the sustainment of what remains. Each chapter focuses on the nature of forest variation, and attempts to provide an understanding of its causes based on the published literature, Peter's own experience, and his research collaborations. The author presents hypotheses to explain these patterns of variation as a stimulation for further research (especially by students within the region), and as a framework for policy makers, foresters and conservation biologists, as well as the serious naturalist/ecotourist.