Gradients in a Tropical Mountain Ecosystem of Ecuador

This volume addresses a multitude of ecologically relevant aspects: macro- and microclimate; physics, chemistry and biology of soils; water relations, matter turnover and nutrient availability; plant growth and biomass partitioning; floral composition and plant life forms; vegetation structure and dynamics; organismic interactions, diversity and population biology of birds, moths and microarthropods; forest management, and reforestation with indigenous species; ethnobotanical and social aspects. New hypotheses are presented with regard to biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, as well as sustainable management of an ecosystem in a biodiversity hotspot.