Oak forest ecosystems: ecology and management for wildlife

Oak Forest Ecosystems focuses on the relationship between an oak forest's acorn yield and species of wildlife that depend on it. It begins by treating factors such as oak distribution, forest fires, tree diseases and pests, dynamics of acorn production, and acorn dispersal by birds and mammals. Special consideration is given to the phenomenon of masting-whereby oaks in a given area will produce huge crops of acorns at irregular intervals-a key component for wildlife researchers and managers in understanding patterns of scarcity and abundance in the creatures that feed on this crop. Relationships between oaks and animals such as mice, squirrels, turkeys, deer, and bear are discussed, as are the differences between eastern, southern Appalachian, southwestern, and California oak forests.

Contributors: Marc D. Abrams, Pennsylvania State University Patrick H. Brose, U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service John P. Buonaccorsi, University of Massachusetts Daniel Dey, U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service Joseph S. Elkinton, University of Massachusetts George A. Feldhamer, Southern Illinois University Peter F. Folliott, University of Arizona Lee E. Frelich, University of Minnesota Cathryn H. Greenberg, U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service William M. Healy, U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service Roy L. Kirkpatrick, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Johannes M. H. Knops, University of Nebraska Walter D. Koenig, University of California Nelson W. Lafon, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries Andrew M. Liebhold, U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service William J. McShea, National Zoological Park Conservation and Research Center William H. McWilliams, U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service Gary W. Norman, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries Steven W. Oak, U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service Renee A. O'Brien, U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service Richard S. Ostfeld, Institute of Ecosystem Studies Bernard R. Parresol, U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service Peter J. Perkins, University of New Hampshire Gordon C. Reese, Colorado State University Peter B. Reich, University of Minnesota Peter D. Smallwood, University of Richmond Christopher C. Smith, Kansas State University Richard B. Standiford, University of California-Berkeley Martin A. Stapanian, Ohio Cooperative Wildlife Unit Michael A. Steele, Wilkes University David Steffen, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries David H. Van Lear, Clemson University Michael R. Vaughan, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Karen L. Waddell, U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service