The ecosystem approach to ecology treats organisms and the physical elements of their environment as components of a single, integrated system. This comprehensive textbook outlines the central processes that characterize terrestrial ecosystems, tracing the flow of water, carbon, and nutrients from their abiotic origins to their cycles through plants, animals, and decomposer organisms. As human activity becomes an increasingly dominant factor in natural processes around the globe, landscape dynamics over time and space have become the focus of recent attention. This book synthesizes current advances in ecology with established theory to offer a complete survey of ecosystem pattern and process in the terrestrial environment. Featuring review questions at the end of each chapter, suggestions for recommended reading, and a glossary of ecological terms, Principles of Terrestrial Ecosystem Ecology will be an important text suitable for use in all courses on ecosystem ecology. Resource managers, land use managers, and researchers will also welcome its thorough presentation of ecosystem essentials. ContentsI. CONTEXT

• The Ecosystem Concept
• Earth's Climate System
• Geology and Soils

II. MECHANISMS

• Terrestrial Water and Energy Balance
• Carbon Input to Terrestrial Ecosystems
• Terrestrial Production Processes
• Terrestrial Decomposition
• Terrestrial Plant Nutrient Use
• Terrestrial Nutrient Cycling
• Aquatic Carbon and Nutrient Cycling
• Trophic Dynamics
• Community Effects on Ecosystem Processes

III. PATTERNS

• Temporal Dynamics
• Landscape Heterogeneity and Ecosystem Dynamics

IV. INTEGRATION

• Global Biogeochemical Cycles
• Managing and Sustaining Ecosystem