Oak Forest Ecosystems

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