Individual-based Methods in Forest Ecology and Management

Model-driven individual-based forest ecology and management methods are of increasing importance worldwide. This fully revised and expanded second edition integrates three main fields of forest ecology and management, i.e. tree/plant interactions, biometry of plant growth and human behaviour in forests. Adopting a strict bottom-up approach, individual-based forest ecology and management is an interdisciplinary research field with a focus on how the individual behaviour and interactions among plants and between plants and humans contribute to the formation of spatial patterns of communities that evolve over time. This book brings together essential approaches from individual-based forest ecology and management including point process statistics, individual-based modelling, plant growth science and behavioural science with particular emphasis on spatio-temporal patterns and biodiversity. A clear didactic structure, including concise definitions, summaries at the beginning and take-home messages at the end of each chapter enhance the learning experience and accessibility. For ease of access, better understanding and transparency, the methods are accompanied by R code and worked examples, enabling readers to implement and explore the methods directly.

Designed for upper undergraduate and graduate courses in Forest Science, Ecology, Biology, Biodiversity and Conservation, Computer Science and Ecological Statistics, the book also serves as a valuable reference for researchers and professionals working with individual-based approaches.